Staging to SELL or Staging to LIVE

With the barrage of decorating TV shows we find more and more attention is being placed on a home looking like the decorator just left. Never before in history have homeowners in general been as consumed with having it all, and they have the disposable income to make sure they get what they want. We think this is wonderful and congratulate those who want to live like this. The "decorator look" is not for the rich and famous anymore.

What is interesting about today's trends is that the access to "designer look" accessories and things which made a place look "special" is easy, as they are now being mass produced in a myriad of places. There is no shortage now of designer discount warehouses where a homeowner can purchase items which until recently only decorators could access. In a recent survey by Maritz research 75% of people said they considered their homes to be on trend. Staging consultants the world over will tell you that it is not necessarily so - however what counts, of course, is that the home owners think it is.

As a real estate agent building a business, having a stager on the team who has been taught communication skills and who will carefully, gracefully, and skilfully change the homeowner's mind about how the house looks and feels, is essential.

Many stagers tell us they are excited to see the reaction from the home seller when they arrive back after the showcasing process has taken place. They see the place they have called home look entirely different, now that it is for sale. More often than not, the new look has been achieved with the same furniture and belongings they have always had. They can't believe the transformation!

With the joy, of course, comes a little sadness, as they say, "My house has never looked this good." Real estate professionals tell us they stay awake at nights worrying if the staging will change the mind of the seller and they will lose the listing. I can understand the concern; it is real and valid for sure. As a disciple of "you get what you think about" I urge you to change your mind about that.

A factor to consider when hiring a stager is to note the CSP^TM curriculum teaches the student the importance of communication and knowing how to transition a seller from this afterglow effect back to the reality of why they are moving. We encourage a seller to realise these things all belong to them and what we have created for selling we can do again for their new living space.

Staging to Sell Continued >>

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