RESA Encourages Real Estate Stagers to Cease All Face-to-Face Consultations and Stagings and Only De-Stage Properties Upon Close of Escrow
The Trade Association for professional real estate stagers calls on members to help flatten the curve during the COVID-19 crisis
Columbus, NC – The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) is encouraging real estate stagers to stop all face-to-face consultations and staging properties and to take extra safety precautions on de-stagings if their state/province is allowing you to operate under minimum basic operations in order to help flatten the curve due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency. During this unprecedented time where a property listed for sale is occupied by tenants, the health and safety of those tenants, and the staging teams are of the utmost priority.
“While many states and provinces have listed real estate staging an essential service, I want to make it clear that this does not mean business as usual for real estate stagers. Stagers should be eliminating the face-to-face staging consultations and offer these in a live streaming video format. Physical staging should be postponed until the crisis has resolved and restrictions are lifted. As stagers and community leaders, we must do our part to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Why put your health on the line – or the health of your client or community – for a consultation or staging that can simply be postponed for a few weeks or done via live video? It’s not worth the risk.” said Courtney Schomburg, Chairperson of the RESA National Board of Directors.
Since real estate transactions are being deemed essential this means that escrows are closing. If stagers are not allowed to retrieve their inventory and it is left in the home as escrow closes, then legally the buyers may own the furnishings. “While we understand that the risk of a homeowner trying to capitalize on the situation of the furniture being left behind is low, it would prevent them from moving into the home. If a homeowner can’t experience a delay in moving in, then they will likely remove the furniture on their own, possibly causing damage and potentially putting it outside where it can be damaged or stolen. This is unacceptable and RESA is working with state and provincial governments to allow stagers to de-stage as escrow closes.” said Shell Brodnax, RESA CEO.
RESA has encouraged its members to follow Government and Public Health recommendations to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and to take additional safety precautions if they are doing vacant stagings. RESA is continuing to update the industry regarding the COVID-19 Crisis on their website.
About The Real Estate Staging Association®
The Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®) is the trade association for professional real estate stagers and redesigners. For more information about real estate staging, or to find a professional stager or redesigner call 888-201-8687 and speak with Shell Brodnax, or visit the RESA® website at www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com
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