Carol Schulenberg ASP, IAHSP
Ballantyne Home Staging
980.322.5825
carol@ballantynehomestaging.com
It is going to come as no shock to you if I tell you that today, it’s a buyer’s market. Not only is it one of the best market for buyers in years, they KNOW it is…Today’s home buyers are savvy, and the current economic condition has given them a lot of inventory.
If you are a seller, it is time to reach deep into your bag of tricks to find some magic to sweeten the
sale of your property. Real estate experts all agree that the presentation of a home is just as important as choosing the right Realtor. It’s just not about repainting the kitchen any more; it’s much deeper than that…It is all about
Home Staging®.
Whether the home needs just some small changes or perhaps a serious overhaul, Home Staging
® can provide serious pack to your punch. In the hands of a smart Stager, you should be able to move your property much more quickly than your competition. But, all home Stagers are not created equal. So picking the right home Stager for you is critical.
While there are plenty of training programs, courses, and professional certifications offered to people interested in working in the Home Staging
® field - there is no industry regulation. That means that whomever you choose could be a talented novice, expensive and awful, or gifted professional. With so much riding on the line, you have got to make SURE you pick the latter. Here are our tips to help select the right Home Stager:
1) The Price Is Right
Don’t think of the cost of Staging
® as an expense, think of it as an investment. The cost of the Home Stager’s work should be reflected in your eventual sale price. Like anything in life, you generally get what you pay for- so choosing an experienced and efficient Stager
®--who has successfully Staged
® homes in your area and price range, will mean a higher cost then a novice. Remember that Home Staging
® is a negligible expense compared to a price reduction.
2) Pro Versus Amateur
While it might be nice to go with your neighbor’s daughter or the unproven rookie, you might want to consider selecting a talented professional with a solid track record. Does the Home Stager
® you picked have extensive practical experience? How many homes have they Staged
®? You ideally want someone who has worked in your region with area Realtors, is capable of handling the entire Staging process, carries their own inventory and is insured. An experienced Home Stager
® will have client testimonials and will gladly provide references.
3) Check out Their Stuff
Check out their
website. If they don’t have a web presence, consider this a red flag. Does their website specifically detail the services they offer? Does the website provide you with customer testimonials? Do they have images and photographs of their own work? If their online presence is slim, make sure to check their physical portfolio and confirm that the work being shown is actually theirs.
4) Sign on the Dotted Line
Make sure that this process doesn’t end up a calamity; your Stager
® should have a business license, carry business insurance, and provide you with a solid contract. If they do not, you may be held liable for any damage or injury that may occur during the Staging process. Your contract should detail all the work that will be done, both inside and outside of the house, and include a time frame.
5) Connection, Connection, Connection…
Take the time to meet with your possible candidate, and gauge the interaction. Often times this first step is the Staging Consultation. You want to make sure you hire someone you feel is honest and open with you and, naturally, you want someone you feel you can trust. We don’t have to be your future best friend, but the Stager should be a true professional, who will tactfully address any concerns a buyer will have with your home.
