Realtor Magazine addressed virtual staging from an ethical standpoint in its June 2010 issue.  The title of the article is "Virtual Staging: Stay True to Disclosing."

Virtual Staging is a low-cost option in this tough economy provided the Realtor clearly discloses that the photos have been altered.

According to Bruce Aydt, Sr. VP and General Counsel of Prudential Alliance and a former chair of National Association of Realtor's Professional Standards Committee,

"The safest course when using any kind of visual alteration, including virtual staging, is to disclose in a clear and conspicuous way that the images have been altered or enhanced.  That way viewers will understand that, when they physically arrive at and view the property, it will look different than what they see in the image." 

Aydt says that the technology has been around and used for many years to alter photographs in one form or another.  A scan of the full article can be found here: 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lake-Wylie-SC/Lake-Wylie-Home-Staging-Home-Staging-Charlotte-North-and-South-Carolina/365387017178?ajaxpipe=1&__a=3

My company Lake Wylie Home Staging has a full time digital designer on staff to assist with photo enhancement services.  Although I feel virtual staging is not the best choice and can't compare with full service vacant home staging, virtual staging is a permitted option as long as it is disclosed, disclosed, disclosed.

Joan Inglis, Master Accredited Staging Professional, Realtor

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

 

Home staging is one of the hottest businesses to start to get rich quick - or so the media says.  If you combine all the publicity the home staging industry is getting with all the women out of work, plus add in all the people who think it's fun to decorate - you get a stew with a lot of rotten potatoes.

Take your city for example.  Go online to Google and type in your city name and "home stagers."  You will likely get several pages of results.  And some of the home stager's web sites you will find are quite snappy!  The photos look great and the written material sounds enticing.  The blogging is quite good with scores of expert information.  But can you be sure about this person?  Are the photos their own?  Is the written information coming from their own knowledge - or is it just rewrites of published articles?

The truth is the majority of home stagers have only been in the business for a short time.  Even if they've been in the business for a couple of years, they may only have actually staged three or four properties - or less.

Some people trying to break into the home staging business are so desperate to get started that they go around begging REALTORS and property owners to let them work for free in hopes of appearing legitimate. 

Home staging takes training, dedication, and time.  There is wisdom in experience.  Home stagers who have been in the business for several years will tell you that they've learned a lot as time has gone by.  Don't risk wasting money on someone with little or no experience without proven results.

Don't be fooled by the person who's a great speaker and full of book knowledge.  Show me the money! 

Ask them to list all the properties they've staged and sold- how long they were on the market before and after staging - and the selling price.  Anyone can boast "Offer in 2 days!"  This can be a jokester coming through open house saying he'll give $500 for the property.   

Ask to physically visit a home that this person currently has staged.  Make sure you visit a staged property in the same price range as your property.  And if you're looking to have a vacant property furnished, make sure the staged property you visit was also a vacant property before staging.  If you don't know what to look for - take someone with you who does.  A good source to find a professional is stagedhomes.com.

Check references, check insurance, check education and training, and re check the properties this home stager is claiming to have staged and sold.

Joan Inglis, Master Accredited Staging Professional, interior designer, REALTOR www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

"Trusted Throughout the Carolinas Since 2004"

 

Can you say, "Glam!?"  Wow, what eye candy at High Point yesterday!  Glad to see mirrored furniture is still showing.  I saw a lot of that.  It's tough to transport, but I do have some pieces I use in staging.  Sorry to say that microfiber was not shown.  I saw one dining room set with chairs in microfiber - the salesman commented that it was last year's model.  Microfiber has been replaced by velvet.  I've been purchasing market samples for years and I noticed velvet was popping up last year.  I do have 2 velvet glam sofas I purchased last year that I love to use for staging. 

Here's a photo of Ty Pennington from ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition and me at High Point.

Click the link below to vist my facebook business page to see a photo album from High Point!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Lake-Wylie-SC/Lake-Wylie-Home-Staging-Home-Staging-Charlotte-North-and-South-Carolina/365387017178?ref=ts

Joan Inglis. Accredited Staging Professional Master

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

 

Hi All,

I'm working hard at my 2010 Public Relations chapter board position on Charlotte IAHSP.

We have a facebook page that I'm maintaining.

 http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Charlotte-IAHSP-Regional-Chapter/205422597786?ref=ts

We would love to have all you ASPs/IAHSPs and friends of (and hopefully soon-to-become) ASPs/IAHSPs "fan" us and add comments, etc.

We have a great community service project coming up this week!  Details in the link above.  We are going to try to do one project per quarter as a chapter.

Of course there are some of us who can't get enough of helping nonprofits ;) and we work on individual projects year round.

Thanks!!

Joan Inglis, Realtor, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

 

My market is besieged with "stagers" and hobby decorators calling themselves "stagers" who work for free in order to try to get established.  I'm sure it's a jungle out there trying to get started with a new staging business when there are some established businesses already in place.  But I just can't understand the reasoning behind working for free.  Maybe someone can enlighten me.

What comes to my mind are the times I've had different craftsmen come to my house to bid on various work I needed or wanted done.  The men I respected the most where the ones who would not waiver on their price and had the attitude that they were worth their quote.  "Take me or leave me - this is my price."  That's the attitude I admire.  "If you can't afford me, I understand."

If you are working or have worked for free, (and I'm not talking about bartering here - like staging a house in exchange for someone building you a web site), has it been worth it?  Were you ever able to establish value for yourself, gain respect, and get paid for your services?

Joan Inglis, REALTOR, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

 

I remember in 2008 a lot of activerain stagers were discussing taking payment at closing.  I got a couple of inquiries in '08, never did it, but then my 2009 was very profitable and I had no requests to take payment at closing.

It seems like customers are coming from everywhere now in 2010 requesting that I take payment at closing.  I've never done this and I don't care to start.  My upfront expenses are high and I can't see getting into a hole that I can't get out of by staging a property - essentially for free - until it closes. 

If anyone is staging vacant homes and not taking payment until closing - how is that working out for you?  How are you working out this arrangement with your clients?

Joan Inglis, REALTOR, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

 

$274,900 3-4 BR, 3 BA + Finished Upstairs Bonus Room on 1.5-acre country lot!

POSSIBLE LEASE- Home is like new,located in the country on 1.5 acres, the land next to it is available, (2.4 acres)- office can be turned into 4th. bedroom-3 full baths w/finished bonus room- attic space for new office- no HOA, plenty of room for a pool, etc., granite counter tops and SS appliances- new toll road to be completed 2014- the broker is the owner/builder. 

Contact: Bryce Adkins at BSA Properties of the Carolinas  (704) 588-3236

Joan Inglis, REALTOR, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP
www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

 

I can go two years without staging an occupied property - then wham!  All of a sudden that's all the calls I get for weeks straight.  I am loving how every job is so different and challenging in this business!  A real exercise for the right side of my brain.  These folks had over a decade of collections to pack away into the Pod.  It's fun to "shop" for things from their belongings to use in the final staging.  Also fun for me to only haul and set up a couple of rooms worth of furniture vs. a houseful.  I can't wait for open house!

Joan Inglis, REALTOR, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

 

Once in a while a property comes along that proves you wrong!  What I planned for this room and how I staged it are two different things.  No wonder it sat vacant for many months with no sale and with feedback complaining that the buyers didn't know how they could place furniture.  I ended up taking a chair back to the warehouse and using the extra table I brought "just in case."  It was a fun challenge - like working a puzzle.  I'm happy with the results at every angle, the seller is happy and - as ususal - we're hoping for that fast sale!

Joan Inglis, REALTOR, Accredited Staging Professional Master

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

 

This savvy Realtor had this home staged prior to listing. She had her challenges since the property was a rental and the tenant had several pets. After a thorough cleaning, painting and new flooring, along with other improvements, I was called in to stage. Of course as usual, we are hoping for a fast sale. Contact Meg Bradley, Allen Tate Realtor, to view this wonderful home with huge rooms and inground pool. (803) 517-3452