What to Look For in Selecting a Home Stager
Because there were so few individuals in the field, finding a Home Stager to assist you get a property ready for sale used to be rather simple. This business for preparing houses for sale has seen a surge in the last six years. Some people have entered into this area with little experience, no credibility, and haven’t set up their enterprises correctly, which may cost the customer money. The public needs to know what to ask for when hiring a Home Stager, and this top ten list can help you think about it.
1. Does the Home Stager have any formal training?
It’s essential that the individual you choose to assist you in preparing your home for sale has some experience in the industry of home staging. A home stager might attend classes to gain a distinction, certification, or accreditation. The certification is the most advanced kind of schooling available in the home staging profession. Accredited home stagers may be found by searching online or asking for references.
It is a fact that all stagers have a natural talent to accomplish their task. When a Stager declares that they do not need training, they are implying that they do not value education or are unwilling to invest in it. This is a mistake since staging is not the same as decorating or design, and dealing with customers who are in the process of selling their home is quite different than dealing with clients who are designing their home. Anyone who wants to thrive in business must have industry-specific expertise. Home stagers are hardly an exception.
2. Is it necessary for the Stager to be insured?
YES! Ask to SEE a copy of a current policy that covers liability coverage as well as coverage for any stager’s products used to add pizazz to your home. You don’t want to be held liable if anything is stolen or broken, or if the home is damaged in the process; instead, you want it covered by an insurance policy. A professional home stager should have liability insurance as well as covering for things from their inventory.
Is it all about the money?
No. Because “cheapest” does not necessarily imply “best,” staging should not be based only on cost. You should interview your Stager and get a realistic service quotation for your home. Most stagers charge a variety of rates based on the services they give. You want to be certain that the work you’re paying for is genuinely an excellent one. When the average price decrease on a property on the market is currently between 5-20% (National Association of Realtors – July 2008), it’s crucial to remember that staging your home is less than a price reduction – in any market and price range.
4. Is it necessary for the Stager to be licensed?
Depending on where you reside, the Stager should have a business license and be legally set up via the necessary procedures. You might get a copy of the stager’s business license and inquire if the stager has any extra services or discounts available from merchants in your neighborhood or across the country.
5. It’s All About the Experience.
Most stagers have been doing it for as long as they can remember; they simply didn’t understand it could be a business. However, depending on your home, you should request samples of their work and inquire about their expertise. On certain properties, a fresher stager may do a good job, but a more involved Staging work needs the skills of an experienced Stager to ensure it is done correctly and within budget. When it comes to references and testimonials, an expert Stager will have many on hand. Stagers get more experience and are able to work more quickly and have better ideas on how to manage jobs as they gain more experience.
6. Who is responsible for payment?
The homeowner who is selling the house or the Realtor who is listing it pays for the staging services. Although it is ultimately the responsibility of the seller to guarantee that their property is staged, some astute realtors are offering staging as part of their listing services – and as a tactic to gain a listing ahead of competition. They are usually prepared to perform this service for $200-$500, and they may demand the seller to pay up ahead, which they will repay after the closing of escrow.
7. How much does it cost to stage a home that has been occupied?
A stager may provide two sorts of services for occupied homes. For an average of $350.00, they may present a thorough strategy to the seller, who then executes the advice with minimal follow-up on the back end. The stager may also bring in items to aid with the “wow factor,” which costs roughly $200 per property each month on average. The Stager is compensated for their time in the property to convert each area and may do entire hands-on staging utilizing the seller’s belongings. The usual expenditure varies depending on the size of the home, the work that has to be done, and the stager’s proposal to the seller.