Tips on hiring a stager?

August 6, 2008

Preparing your home for sale is typically the most difficult part of the sales process. There is a lot to do, and you only get one chance to introduce your property to the market, so make it count.

Just as you research your choice in real estate agent, make sure that you invest the same effort in due dilligence in selecting a professional home stager.

You want the best.

What should I look for when choosing a home stager?

Ask to see the home stager’s portfolio of work. Make sure that they have before and after pictures of projects they have completed, not photographs from a class they took, stock photography or someone elses website.
Look for someone with a design background and local market knowledge, rather than someone with easily obtained initals after their name. There are many hourly courses that claim to teach staging online.
Work with a full time professional home staging company. You are selling one of your largest assets, make sure that it is handled by professionals rather than part timers.
Research the home stager on the internet, look for their name and their company’s name. Are they referenced on several sites? Do they show up in internet searches, you want the home stager that understands marketing. Is their website a reflection of their staging abilities?
Do they have a home staging blog? This can be a great source of insight on their approach and how they work.
Do they carry their own liability insurance when working at your property? Ask to see a copy.
Ask for home stager recommendations from friends, family, neighbors and or real estate agents.
Interview three home stagers before your make your decision.
Make sure you receive a well presented and clearly written home staging bid, consultation or written contract. If you don’t understand something, or something that you discussed is not in writing, ask for clarification. Does the contract look professional. It can be a reflection of the staging to be performed.
Ask the stager where they will get their furniture and accessories. Make sure that the furniture and accessories that they will be using are appropriate for the style/desired effect for your home, and not just what they happen to have in their personal inventory at that time.
And lastly, do they answer their phone and return your calls promptly?

Price is always an imprtant factor, but as with everyting - You Get What You Pay For.

You are preparing to sell your home, probably your most valuable asset - it deserves the best.

Find the the experienced home staging professional that you feel can sucessfully give your home the WOW factor within your budget on time, rather than the cheapest price.

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