With FSBO properties being so common in the marketplace nowadays, you’re probably wondering how to attract some of 
them to your home staging business. Targeting FSBOs or “For Sale by Owner” properties is a great idea but remember, they’re selling their homes themselves so they don’t have to pay an agent. This could mean they don’t want to pay anyone for anything or it could mean they aren’t spending money on an agent so they have a lot of money to invest in helping their house show better.
If you’re thinking of approaching these homeowners about staging, try doing an Internet search on “FSBO yourcityname” which should bring up some of the FSBO companies that operate in your area. Check photos of your local FSBOs to find out which ones need the help of a home stager. I would then directly approach these owners explaining what home staging is and what it can do.
Be mindful however, that many FSBO properties have specifically requested not to be contacted by sales people and you have to respect that.
Before meeting with them, ensure you have a collection of before and after photos of your own work to show what a difference staging can make. Explain to them that 70% of prospective homebuyers in the US and 90% in Canada shop on the Internet before ever scheduling a viewing. These buyers are reading listing information, poring over photos and deciding which homes to see with or without their agent, regardless of whether it’s a FSBO or not.
Make the homeowner understand that with people shopping online before they decide to see homes, the way their house is presented on the Internet is absolutely critical. Good photos are essential when listing a house on the Internet.
Explain that you can help make their photos much more enticing by how you would decorate their house to sell. In conjunction with that, you could offer to give them better quality after photos for their website, and that could be part of a package you charge them for.
> Read what one Omaha Staging Diva Graduate did for a FSBO property.
Home stagers, do you market to FSBOs? Have you found a foolproof approach? Have you had little luck? Please share your experiences by leaving a comment below.
Debra Gould, The Staging Diva®
President, Six Elements Inc. Home Staging
Debra Gould knows how to make money as a home stager and she developed the Staging Diva Training Program to teach others how to earn a living doing something they love.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Has anyone tried Google Ad Words (“pay per click”) to advertise your home staging business to For Sale By Owners (FSBO)? I will soon have my own business website and thought to use Ad Words to target FSBO crowd. Thoughts or comments from other home stagers is appreciated!!
Stacy, you can certainly use adwords for this purpose. I could write a whole book on the subject of how to do it effectively! This is a great topic for our upcoming coaching call together. I’ll walk you through how to set up your campaign so you don’t waste tons of money (which is very easy to do with AdWords if you’re not careful).
Great advice as usual, Debra. I have tried marketing to FSBOs and it’s hit or miss. Like you said, many of them are reluctant to spend money and want the most for their home. If you can talk with them and explain what home staging can do for them, you may have a chance. However, it’s hard to contact them on the internet. Knocking on their door or calling them on the phone is a little more effective. I only go after those that I see close to home.
The Home Decor Genie!