The demand for the service of " home staging" is creating a new buzz in the real estate world. Millions of people actually want to start their own business so training programs are springing up as, now more than ever, people are entering this exciting new field.

Exposure through TV and media has driven the quest for information and services to an all time high across. The time is rapidly approaching where there will not be enough professionally trained home stagers to meet the demand.

Recently released statistics from Maritz Research revealed 63% of today's buyers are willing to pay more money for a house which does not require any renovations.

MISCONCEPTION:

People prefer to fix a property up after they move in.

REALITY:

Buyers today are busier than ever and most buyers want a "ready to move in" home - just bring the toothbrush and family. Today's mortgage rates are still very desirable which allows more people the affordibility to purchase homes. What they don't always have is cash flow. After moving expenses and closing costs there is usually little left over to repair, renew, repaint and refresh.

MYTH:

Anyone with a bit of decorating sense can stage a house

REALITY:

Not so. Great home staging is so much more than style sense and decorating ability. In fact, decorating ability may hinder a house from being staged well. Staging a property really means assessing the targeted buyer- how they want to live in the house and creating a series of impressions throughout the property, so buyers fall in love with it.

TREND:

The number one objective of professional home staging services is to get the property sold. The service of home staging was conceived in real esatate ( not decorating) and birthed in the home-based, business trend. It is a great way for people to run their own business, while following their dream and passion.

Attaining knowledge is only one step - aligning with an organization who will support and promote you after training is crucial to business success. Ongoing education and business alliances to benefit the homeseller are imperative and an organization that provides this is the foundation of successful CSP^TM success .

MISCONCEPTION:

All stagers have the same knowledge and abilities.

REALITY:

Actually they don't. Training, information, education, skills, knowledge, ability and experience are all crucial. How can you know ahead of time which stager will do the best job? You need to research their training. CSP^TM trained home staging consultants undergo a rigourous training and testing process. This is an important pointwhen selecting a professional home stager. Check if the staging consultant knows how to target the buyer most likely to buy the house?

Have they studied traffic flow patterns, floorplans, lifestyle selling techniques? Do they particularly know how to use what exists in the house to make the space look larger, organized, current and appealing to buyers. Grooming a property to appeal to the widest audience of buyers is a science - knowing how to speak to a homeowner and real estate agent without offense is a skill that CSP^TM trained staging consultants are taught.

Whether the Realtor® or the seller hires a professional to do the staging, it is well worth the effort to position the listing favourably from the beginning, before the house goes on the market.

Written by Christine Rae, www.christinerae.com
Home Staging Expert, Author, Keynote Speaker
President of Certified Staging Professionals^TM (CSP)