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Hiring a Home Stager: How to Find the Perfect Match

by | Feb 9, 2023 | Home, Home Selling, Home Staging, Real Estate, Staging, Uncategorized | 0 comments

 data-pin-description=“What do I look for when I’m hiring a home stager?”

Scrolling through my YouTube comments recently, I came upon this question yet again. I love this question. It shows that viewers understand that they need to stage their home before selling and are ready to take the next step. It’s okay to need a little guidance, especially when there are so many different options from which to choose. I want you to be able to make an informed decision in the hiring process.

The truth is, not all home stagers are created equal, and not all home sellers know how to tell a professional from a “wannabe.” There are so many different staging services to choose from. Not to mention a smattering of unqualified individuals who don’t have the credentials or the proof to back up their services.

Today I’m going to walk you through exactly what to look for when you’re ready to hire a home stager, what to avoid, and how to tell who’s the real deal. First up, the two questions that you should ask yourself when hiring a professional home stager:

Question #1: Do They Offer the Services You Need?

Every home stager has a different focus, and it’s important to know if they offer what you need. Some stagers only work with vacant spaces, while others only provide virtual consultations. There are stagers that have a huge team and a whole warehouse who will come in and redo everything in your home. Then, there are stagers like me who prefer to help DIY home sellers by giving them the tools they need to stage their own property.

Consider where your space is currently, and use that to inform the decision on what type of staging services you need.

If you’re in desperate need of a home staging consultation from an expert – let’s get in touch. With my professional advice, we will go over your home’s focal points and problem areas, set up a detailed plan to get your home ready for listing, and provide you with all the tools you need to sell your home for the value you deserve.

Question #2: Are They Qualified to Do the Job?

The next question you will want to ask before hiring a home stager is—are they qualified to deliver what they’re offering?

There are a lot of home stagers on the market, and not all of them are qualified to do what they say they do. People think that an eye for design qualifies them to start a home staging business. In reality, the design is only half of the battle. A good home stager will be knowledgeable about today’s home buyer, market trends, and have great communication skills.

Look for an individual or company who has proof of formal training, a professional website, a great portfolio, and even better testimonials. It’s also crucial to make sure that whoever you hire is able to provide proper insurance and contracts. If you’re looking to hire a home stager and they don’t have a legally binding contract and proof of insurance, run. You’ll save yourself from a lot of potential legal issues.

One surefire way to tell if a home stager is legit? See if they’re a member of a professional trade association such as RESA (Real Estate Staging Association) or IAHSP (International Association of Home Staging Professionals). This proves that they are recognized in their industry as a qualified professional.

Question #3: Ask for References

Another huge red flag for hiring a home stager is if they are reluctant to provide testimonials or references. You’ll know right away if someone is worth investing your money and trust on based on their past client experiences. If they have bad reviews or too few references? Find someone else. I guarantee there is a better home stager in your price range.

Question #4: How Well Do They Perform Under Pressure?

We can all agree that selling your home is stressful, right? It’s important to surround yourself with professionals who can remain calm in difficult situations. You may already be freaking out about putting your home on the market. The last thing you need is a home stager who is causing more stress.

A great stager will be able to manage their clients and any issues that may arise with tact, respect, and the utmost professionalism. They need to be able to give their clients informed advice about how to stage their homes without being rude.

What Happens if You Don’t Stage Your Home?

When undergoing the home selling process, there can be a lot on your plate. The idea of living in a staged home might feel like a nightmare, constantly keeping the space show ready. I want to walk you through what happens when you choose not to stage your home. Plus, give you an option that might ease your mind.

Simply put, when you don’t stage a home, you risk leaving money on the table. You may face a financial or emotional strain. You may even waste time wondering which action-steps you REALLY need to take to get TOP DOLLAR?

Whether in a buyer’s or a seller’s market, being able to sell your home successfully always comes down to one thing—the emotional connection.

If you don’t stage a home, buyers will have a harder time seeing themselves living in your space. A top-notch home stager will be able to craft a space that everyone can see themselves living in.

The crucial element when staging a home is getting into a buyer’s mindset. What’s on their wish list? What lifestyle will your house offer? What are the strengths of your house? How about the weaknesses? What are the issues that will keep them from saying “YES” to your house?

Get the wisdom of having a true professional at your side to help you uncover every dime of equity in your house. Click the image below to download my FREE home seller workbook and learn the 5 tools that I use to stage homes quickly and sell for above asking price.

If you’re ready to start staging your home, check out the Stage 2 Sell Strategy, where I take you step-by-step through the home staging process, remove the guess work out of where to spend your time, money, and effort. With my guidance, you’ll feel focused and motivated as you prepare your home for the all-important marketing photo day.

Happy Staging!

Tori Toth Professional Home Staging Services

A Top-Ranked, Home Staging YouTube Channel

Tune in to see world-class industry experts, detailed how-tos, and get business insights exclusively dedicated to the home staging industry. Our production team strives on creating quality educational content that will allow us to share industry news while highlighting the importance home staging has during the real estate process. We’re working with industry leaders and contributors to demystify the home staging process to ensure the home staging industry is a real estate standard when it comes time to sell a property.

 

“I FOLLOWED YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR EACH ROOM, TOOK GREAT PHOTOS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY PRICED IT WELL. WE HAD A MINI-BIDDING WAR AND SOLD IN 2 DAYS!”

~ Maria Robbins, Homeowner