Why homeowners need professional home stagers

There are lots of simple things a homeowner can do on their own to decorate their house to sell. For example:

getting rid of clutter
re-painting
cleaning
putting out fresh flowers

So why hire a home stager?

Many homeowners don’t know what colors to paint, they can’t be objective about their own homes, many haven’t a clue where to put things, and they’re completely overwhelmed. They often lack current knowledge about what homes in their price range should look like.

A professional home stager will look at a home through the eyes of a highly critical buyer. They:

know what’s needed to create the right environment quickly and at the lowest cost

know what homes in different price ranges look like and what’s selling

will tell homeowners things their real estate agent may be afraid to because they don’t want to lose the listing

are not emotionally attached to any of the home’s contents

see things that someone who has been living there for years simply can’t

recommend the optimal way to re-arrange existing furniture, art and accessories

can quickly choose new paint colors, flooring, tiles, counter tops or any number of finishes that they know will work in the home

source painters, cleaners, handymen, off-site storage and any of the other myriad of services that may be needed on short notice

bring in replacement furniture, accessories and art if what is there isn’t appropriate to the home’s target market or the home is empty

Home staging is not just for multi-million dollar homes, it can have a dramatic effect on the selling price, and time to sell, of even a modest home.

For example, one home I did had been on the market for months with a best offer of $350,000. I spent 90 minutes with the owner telling him where to move furniture around, what to put in storage (and where), what to clean. He sold the following week for $361,000! How many other legal ways can you think of to invest $600 and get $11,000 back the next week?

More examples of the difference professional staging makes to the selling price of a home.

Debra Gould, The Staging Diva
President, Six Elements Inc. Home Staging

Home Staging expert Debra Gould is the author of “Staging Diva Ultimate Color Guide: the easy way to pick colors for home staging projects” and “Staging Diva Ultimate Guide: Creating The Perfect Portfolio to Sell Your Home Staging Services.”

Discover the ONLY Home Staging Business Training Program taught by a seasoned entrepreneur who has successfully grown her own home staging business (not as a side-line to selling real estate) — The Staging Diva Training Program.

An entrepreneur since 1989 and with an MBA in marketing and hundreds of home staging clients, internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould, The Staging Diva, is uniquely qualified to train others how to start and grow a profitable home staging business.

More about Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training

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[tags]home staging, home stagers, real estate staging, real estate staging business, home staging training, home staging business, staging diva, Debra Gould[/tags]

Comments

Kathleen Lordbock says

July 8, 2007 at 3:41 pm

I am happy to see an article like this one , when so recently there is one on the AOL home page saying that one of the top 5 mistakes a homeowner can make is to hire a home stager. This is by a broker mind you. That is almost like saying home owners should all sell their own homes. Some can and have studied and researched enough that they could also pass a Realtor exam.
Debra ,you made very good points for hiring a professional home stager versus trying to do the staging yourself or just following a few tips thrown out there by your Realtor.
Kathleen Lordbock
Re$ale Design and Home Staging
Brainerd, MN
Karen Dembsky says

July 8, 2007 at 5:00 pm

Debra — This is an excellent article that certainly demonstrates the Home Stagers expertise in the area of home sales. The value and benefits of home staging are frequently misunderstood even by journalist specializing in real estate as so recently demonstrated by Stacey L. Bradford, Associate Editor at SmartMoney.com in her article “Top Five Mistakes Home Sellers Make”.

Your expertise as a leader in the home staging industry provides phenominal insight to every homes seller and realtor.

Karen Dembsky
Peachtree Home Staging LLC
http://www.PeachtreeHomeStaging.com
Atlanta, GA
Debra Gould says

July 10, 2007 at 1:19 pm

Thank you Karen and Kathleen for your comments. Actually it was the AOL piece (picked up by SmartMoney) that motivated me to write this post.
Jennifer Howcroft of Lemonaid Design says

July 24, 2007 at 11:57 am

Hi Deborah

You can bet I’ll be listening to this radio broadcast but I wish agents would too.
You have no idea the number of times an agent has tried to talk the home owner out of staging their home. They insist it is a fixed cost and not an investment and their 10 years of real estate experience is enough to help the homeowner prepare their house for sale. I’d love for them to get real and realize that if they truly had the homeowner’s best interests in mind and were trying to market the house in order to obtain the highest selling price possible THEY would pay for the home staging consultation for the homeowner!
Debra Gould says

August 2, 2007 at 3:23 pm

Hi Jennifer, I agree with you. There are lots of reasons agents feel a vested interest in NOT recommending stagers. But they\’ve got their heads in the sand.

Check out this article, which should help you

“The Staging Diva Business Training Program is worth every penny!

While there are other home staging courses out there, I’m so happy I follow the business model Debra teaches in her program. It is specific, concise, and thoroughly explained.

In addition to her courses, Debra offers SO many supplemental materials that are incredibly helpful too. The community of Staging Diva Graduates is another bonus, as we all support each other and share each other’s wins.”
— Cristin Lyons (NC)*Raleigh Staging & Design

“The Staging Diva Program is very well organized and explains in the most straightforward terms how to set up your business, maintain and grow it.

By the time I was on Course 3, I had already completed three home staging jobs which more than paid for all the training!

Debra’s step-by-step process allowed me to start a 2nd career doing something I probably should have been doing all along!”
— Rob Reinhart (CA)*Make It-Home

“Once I decided home staging was for me, I was terrified of starting my own business. Staging Diva Training gave me the confidence to do what I love, and contribute to our income after being out of the work force for 15 years.

Debra gave me the information I needed to get over my fear of failure, charge what I’m worth, and get out there and start my home staging business!”
— Kelli Hughes (TX)*ReAbode Home Staging and Redesign

“I felt like I hit the jackpot when I found the Staging Diva Program. I bought it without hesitation and began my training immediately.

I’m excited and inspired. The courses exceeded my expectations and gave me the knowledge to confidently start my own staging business.

So grateful for what I learned from Debra. She shares her gifts and talents so generously!”
— Mary-Maye Lorriman (UK)*Room by Room Interiors Ltd

“The Staging Diva Program was such an influential part of my home staging business plan. The business tools, processes and procedures Debra Gould outlines in the program set you up for success.

I have taken other courses but none compare to the comprehensive program with Staging Diva.

I truly appreciate all Debra’s help and guidance through the courses and group coaching calls. She is such a great inspiration!”
— Lori Carbone (NJ)*Spaces That Speak Home Staging

“I love Debra Gould’s straight forward approach and candor. As a home stager, she knows first-hand what it’s like in the field. Debra is running her own staging business as a real business and knows what it takes.

Debra is truly an uplifting woman and I continue to aspire to follow her lead. Her amazing passion for home staging is felt all the way over here on the Jersey Shore.”
— Wynette Williams (NJ)*Red Robyn Interiors

“The Staging Diva Program taught me many secrets about home staging consultations— especially how to charge, and have no inventory.

I took another home staging course before Debra’s and the Staging Diva Program really helped build my business. Debra forced me out of my comfort zone, she is such an inspiration! Now I know I can make a difference in many people’s lives.”
— Susan Bierig (NJ)*Re-deZine The Shore Way LLC

“I loved Debra’s no-nonsense style of running a home staging business, it’s very easy and straightforward. She keeps it simple, and it all “clicked” for me.

I now have the confidence to get out there and do what I am passionate about. I knew I had the talent, and now I have the business knowledge to round out my staging business. Thank you Debra!”
— Judy Chizmar (PA)*Judy Chizmar Home Transformations

“The Staging Diva Program is fantastic! I wish I had found it before completing a different home staging course. The program provided me with valuable business information that the other course lacked.

I am very impressed with Debra Gould. It is quite evident that she is honest and ethical in all her dealings with her students and clients, and that’s #1 in my books.

She truly has become my mentor!”
— Monique Milne (MB)*Milne Well Dressed Homes (MB)

“I’m so glad I came across the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program. It’s a perfect fit for me with Debra sharing her business model and what has worked for her. She takes the guess work out of how to run a successful home staging business.

Debra is supportive, down to earth and has a wealth of experience under her belt. I can now express my creative passion with more confidence following her guidance.”
— Shelley Giffin (QLD AU)*Rooms for Miracles

“The Staging Diva Program is very comprehensive, flows well, is explained simply, and the content is engaging. I loved the combination of information from Debra mixed in with student questions.

I do not need a business background to be successful as a home stager after taking the Staging Diva courses. They gave me the confidence I needed, to know that I can be successful.”
— Haana Nyamekye (MD)*Zuri Sophia Interiors

“I love that I’m pursuing a career that pays me to be creative, rather than spending my time working for someone else.

Plus, I have the freedom to be available to my family when they need me.

The Staging Diva Program filled in all the questions that I still had after completing another ‘hands on’ program. Thank you Debra, I now have the confidence to build my staging business.”
— Tracie Lacroix (BC)*Sold by Design

“This is the first time in my 57 years of life that I am pursuing something solely for myself — despite my often paralyzing fear!

I’m optimistic and excited to see what the new year has in store for me— due in large part to having found the Staging Diva Program and feeling prepared to take this new journey as a home stager. Debra, thank you sincerely!”
— Lisa Tyus-Lee (OH)*Lights Camera Stage LLC

“Debra’s knowledge and expertise on how to start a home staging business have inspired me.

As a seasoned Real Estate Agent who already staged clients homes, I believe this is a great business to be in.

I am moving my dream of staging homes into a separate business because Debra taught me how in the Staging Diva Program. Thank you Debra!”
— Leslie Manson (BC)*Staging Homes by Leslie

“I appreciate Debra’s candid approach. It’s the reason I chose the Staging Diva Program over other home staging courses.

My first project sold the first day on the market for more than the asking price. This confirmed I’m in the right business.

Thank you, Debra!”
— Casey McDougall (TX)*Custom Home Staging

“I loved the Staging Diva Program! I was skeptical about the format at first, but it was great. The notes were concise and easy to follow. Students asked questions I was wondering about myself, and Debra is clear and direct.

I’m confident in my decorating abilities, but wasn’t sure how to run a professional and profitable staging business. Debra walks you through the entire process.”
— Deborah Brischler (CA)*Home Staging Solutions

“The Staging Diva Program will help me avoid possible mistakes and has provided great clarity on many grey areas— which is great!

I love staging homes and since doing the program, I love it even more as I am confident that I can provide a really worthwhile and valuable service! These home staging courses are very practical. I wish I had completed them sooner!”
— Clodagh Doyle (Ireland)*Placelift Property Renovation Specialists

“I have never been so driven, passionate and totally motivated as I have been since completing the Staging Diva Program. I have not lost any steam nor any excitement.

The fact that the program is start-up business and marketing related to home staging makes it so perfect.”
— Dane Caldwell (ON)*2 Hounds Design

“I knew what I wanted to do as a home stager, but I didn’t know how to go about it. Staging Diva gave me the processes and I followed them.”
— Meg Ritchie (AU)*Gold Coast Homestaging

“I already have a knack for the decorating part of home staging, but I lacked the business side of things.

The Staging Diva Program was great to have at my fingertips so I could listen at my own speed and in my own time.

I was concerned about handling all the paperwork I thought had to be involved in the contracts and such, but Staging Diva has made it SO much easier!!”
— Amy Brown (MO)*Simply Staging by Amy

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