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18 Comments on The TOP TEN Differences Between Real Estate Merchandising and Home Staging:Comparing Golden Delicious to Granny Smith.
Interesting post. I was not fully aware of the distinct differences between the two. You certainly used great examples of the craft.
hmmm.... interesting. I think I fall in between depending on the job and budget. Which do you consider yourself?
Aloha, Kimo, Well said. Oh I know which you are...no need to say, your portfolio speaks for itself.
I like the phrase merchandiser...I might have to start using it, that is if you don't mind. I'm definitely a real estate merchandiser and frankly enjoy that part more than the staging.
Great post. Depending on the project, sometimes I am a merchandiser and other times more of a stager. I am finishing a project now where I did more merchandising because the work we did definetly increased the value of the home by painting, removing wallpaper, installing light fixtures and refinishing hardwood floors.
Aloha Michelle, recently I was canvased by a major celebrity (the kind that goes by a single name)looking for a staging company. They couldn't find what they were looking for because, unfortunately, they were looking for a stager and what they really needed was a merchandiser. Unique, top of the line, high end furnishings, accessories, and original art. The multimillion dollar estate needed to scream "the person who owns this property is fabulous beyond measure". Turn Key, bold design statements and totally unique. It was a case of personality trumping everything. What they wanted was an interior designer who could compact 6 months of design work into two weeks, not an easy task for anyone but definitely the antithesis of a stagers job.
Aloha Melissa, I love staging but only occasionally do it. Most of my budget in a typical project goes towards capital improvements, I consult on materials selection and try to squeeze as much money out of the budget to allow some kind of staging but in the end I usually have a remodeled space with lite staging. I'm a merchandiser first and foremost. I got into the business by remodeling and merchandising properties so I tend to look at properties from that perspective. Staging is a lot less involved and has much faster turn over and is generally less stressful.
Aloha Margaret, I'm a merchandiser foremost but I do enjoy staging when the opportunity presents itself. Please do use the term as I think it better describes what we do in certain situations beyond just decluttering, furnishing, and arranging a space. The term staging is too limiting if you have the ability to design, remodel, and market a property.
Aloha Wanda, It's important to be able to explain to your client that your skills as a designer are not limited to the Stagers precepts of declutter, depersonalize, organize, and arrange. Expanding your marketable talents will only serve you and your clients better. Knowing the difference bewteen merchandising and just staging can expand your opportunities. Mahalo for visiting!
I think I fall in the realm of "both" depending on the property and the job. One we did in Santa Paula that required everything you mentioned as well as Staging. One we did in Ventura which was a major overhaul from top to bottom, inside and out, including landscaping front and back. Personally I love the "merchandising" more than Staging on these properties because you can use paint colors and be more creative to the demographics of that buyer. Good post!
Excellent, well thought out post. I really enjoyed reading this one. I too fall into both categories depending on the job. I enjoy Staging as it is typically in and out in a few days, working on a limited budget to prepare a property for sale.
You didn't say, did you do the one name client project?
Aloha Michelle, mahalo. Here in Hawaii, there is an opinion amongst a multitude of REA's that "staging" is a re-invented design trend, that will fade from fashion. I have a client that will not pay for "staging" but has no problems with calling it merchandising or decor arrangement, etc.( you should have seen the giant question mark above my head when my client said take the staging off the invoice and call it something else) I guess some of the more experienced REA's understand that yes, staging can affect perceived value but if your going to spend the money you might as well add value and see an immediate return on your investment. Also, here in Hawaii, the value of any property is in the land and any aesthetic embellishments are considered superfluous to many.
I haven't heard from the celeb. I guess the Realtor for the property had originally hired someone to do the staging and the celeb did not like the direction they were going in. My first impression was that a stager was the wrong person for the job and they needed a high styling merchandiser. I have a feeling they might have imported an Interior Designer from LA which is typical for properties of this caliber 20-30 million. Thanks for visiting.
Interesting post. I have only periodically heard of "merchandisers" and they are generally said in the same vein as home stagers. As our company addresses all areas where clients can both improve the appearance of their home and raise the value of their home, we straddle the fence in this market. Alot of our clients won't spend the money to raise the actual value of their home but they will spend money on home staging to improve the overall appeal.
Aloha Heather, mahalo for visiting there are a lot of stagers, flippers, and interior designers who are real estate merchandisers and just don't know it. It really comes down to what you can do for a property and whether it has a target market. thanks for visiting.
Hi Kimo ~ Thanks for a very well-written post explaining the difference between the two methodologies. It's very important to stage/merchandise every property for the target buyer in my opinion, rather than for broad buyer appeal.
Aloha Maureen, mahalo for commenting. When your selling a home near a college or in a retirement community or resort, buyers want certain things and not others, being able to meet those wants will always grab the attention of serious buyers.
Aloha Teri,
Please do use the info. Thank you for asking.
Peace,
Aloha, Kimo! Thanks to your comment #10, I now realize that as a flipper, I am also a merchandiser! For one project, I think I was even a "mega-merchandiser" as I selected everything from appliances (like a handmade range imported from France) to lighting to finishes for a custom home we built on a 20-acre vineyard. The buyer ended up being a perfect match to our profile and we sold the home before we had a chance to list it...so merchandising definitely works! :)
Aloha Leilani,
Yes, flipping and successful flippers incorporate Real Estate Merchandising and "Mega-merchandising" is a great way to make a living. I like to think merchandising is about understanding who you are selling to, making it easier to find the right buyer. Congrats on your exciting projects what fun!
Peace,
Some may say it's only semantics, however, distinguishing the difference can better serve clients. I started out in Retail and commercial merchandising years ago. When I went into real estate, I just brought those same principles with me. But I thought I better call it staging so more folks could understand. I am now, like you, going back to the term Merchandiser as it better describe what I do...MOST of the time. And as you state, all merchaniser are stagers, not vice versa.
And thanks for permission to use your thoughts...with credit of course.
Aloha Mona,
Thanks for commenting. In this market especially, buyers want more value for their dollar and staging only covers perceived and not actual value. Happy merchandising!
peace,