Finding a home stager is easy as there are many offering this decor service. There are key things to look for when you want to hire one. Referrals are great and we trust our friend’s recommendations for leads but there is a little research we need to do to be informed.
Professional certification for home staging. There are techniques that are used in home staging that are learned through training. Home staging is a growth industry stemming from decorating. They are not the same thing and one industry segment is not considered better than the other. In fact, they are a powerful combination for clients to access. Membership in a professional Canadian association is another valuable attribute to look for in a Stager partner. Professional associations have standards that their members must agree with to become part of the industry group.There are many other important reasons to seek a stager with a professional membership.
Experience and work samples. Is this person talented? Does their work look good? Are they able to use skill to create a beautiful room that creates desire for a property and its features? Asking for before and after photos to determine abilities is perfectly acceptable. Another is to ask about the example in more detail, like what was changed, how and why. Ask about cost too. What did the client invest to achieve this look?
Owner occupied BEFORE
Owner occupied AFTER ($100 rental and labour)
Range of service. This is a biggie. Does your need match the service? The industry is not regulated and staging services are abundant. This is why the consultation process is so important and is the first step to the process. Take the time to get an assessment for the property which will reveal the prioritized needs for a property. The consultation puts the client in a very strong position to make informed decisions and is considered the most valuable service. From there, it is much easier to match additional service to the need and create the best outcome to achieve the best and highest financial result.
Cost. Services are difficult to compare when you are not certain what is required. Back to the consultation process. Do not be surprised when you find you need a number of different trades to prepare a property for sale. Maybe you need an organizer or a painter before the decor is addressed. A stager that will identify, explain and/or manage this process is important. Does your stager offer this service? If not, ask them if they know another staging professional that will and don’t hesitate to go to the list of members of a professional Canadian association to find this professional. Costs will vary for staging services. You will need to remember to compare apples to apples as well as being aware that cheaper does not mean better and can lead to costly mistakes.
For high level experts in Canada, visit www.capshq.ca.
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RESA Ottawa Chapter member Cindy Charbonneau wrote and provided permission for me to reproduce her blog post here.
I have to say however, that having had the opportunity to meet a celebrity from our own industry, adds a little something extra special:) I’m sure each of us, will always remember the experience with fondness and will have grown individually from the experience, as a result of everything Amanda Forrest shared with us that evening with such charm and grace.
Introducing Amanda Forrest
For those of you who may not know Amanda, I would like to take a brief moment to introduce her to you. Amanda Forrest is a Nationally Recognized expert in home construction, design and lifestyle trends and is a expert designer on the Marilyn Denis Show. She is a devoted mother of seven children and a proud supporter of women entrepreneurs. You can see why, this was a great honour and privilege to attend such an event for our RESA members.
Style, Beauty and Success to describe a few of Amanda Forrest’s many traits!
Amanda’s Stage Presence
From the moment that Amanda walked onto the stage, she captivated your attention. She is beautiful, stylish and personable. Her friendly air, created a warm and inviting atmosphere that is relate able, so it was easy to stay focused and engage in questions and comments throughout the evening.
One of my favorite parts of Amanda’s entire presentation was the sharing of her own personal experience. We all can get information on interior design at the touch of a key with today’s technology, but to have the opportunity to listen to some of the struggles and obstacles that even someone in her caliber in the design industry have overcome, can provide a renewed outlook that anything is achievable! You can not get that from reading a blog, watching it on TV or hearing it on the radio. It is in the presence of a person that evokes an emotion and from that, it is marked in your memory for years if not a lifetime.
I found this part invaluable really, because it almost answers some of your very own personal questions about how you are performing in ‘your‘ business. To feel that someone else has been there, done that and succeeded is such a relief and builds renewed strength to go out there and get it!
It wasn’t only her personal story that grabbed our attention, of course we gobbled up anything we could that she had to teach us. Like; Branding and Marketing your product and yourself, having a clear vision of where you want to go and having a positive impact on others and so much more! All such valuable insights in this very sensitive industry, as we are deeply involved in peoples personal lives.
A Quote Recited from Amanda
“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique” – by Martha Graham
How poignant!
A Thank you Note to Amanda
In such a competitive industry as is the Home Staging and Interior Decorating industry, I think I speak for all of us when I say Thank You, for taking the time to meet us all in such an intimate way. To share your thoughts, vision, ideas and to provide us all with such valuable advice and, to tailor it in such a way that was fun, entertaining, engaging and knowledgeable is so greatly appreciated.
Kindest regards to you Amanda, I hope we will have the honour to meet again.
There are a few things to consider when selling your house over the holidays and few more things that you must consider before you buy house. How to do it successfully when you may have showings is another key consideration. There is a staging solution that works well for sellers and potential buyers but the difficulty is how to make it happen while carrying out all the celebratory tasks already on the agenda.
Get a home staging consultation done to find out what is needed to make your house competitive with others on the market. The costs vary and so it is important to match your staging needs with what your stager will offer. A simple discussion with a stager can help you determine what your needs are so engage in the conversation first. You may not be fully aware of what home stagers can do to successfully meet your requirements.
Once the list of things to do is prepared for you, determine what you can or want to do and what your stager can take care of on your behalf when you can be partaking in holiday festivities. Some stagers have a wealth of services, resources and excellent project management skills.
Have professional photos taken once work is complete. Have your stager recommend the photographer and do it when the house is at its best. This gives your photos longevity during January and February when the holidays are over. Christmas decorated house photos are a big negative for marketing online and in printed materials.
After the professional photos are taken, decorate for the season lightly and simply. Keep in mind that you might have to remove some furniture if your rooms look too crowded because of the location of a Christmas tree. Your room will look much better to potential buyers and keep them looking at the key selling parts of your rooms, not what is on or under the tree.
Move out all wrapping and boxes after opening gifts. Don’t pile new treasures under the tree but put gifts away. Purchase a tree skirt in one colour to hide your tree stand to make it aesthetically more pleasing. Do you want your stager to do your decorating too? There are some that will also do this for you.
Other tips to help you be ready for showing calls at this time of year:
•Hide away storage containers that contain baking and cooking from counter tops •Hide away gift wrapping materials that take up space and look cluttered •Wash and put away all kitchen dishes •Keep your entry clean and boot free •After January 1st remove all your Christmas décor including the outside lights, etc. •Update the wreath on your door to be more “wintery” rather than “holiday” •Keep your driveway and walkway and steps clear of snow and slip free.
