After writing the blog about my successes and failures, I came to the wonderful realization that I had finally carved out a niche for myself here in New Hampshire. I enjoyed 26 years of cardiology nursing before switching over to home staging, so I knew a little about specializing. I got a broad nursing education, but then narrowed my work experience down until I reached a point where I was pretty darn good at something! 

maze

Remember those mazes that you did as a kid when you were on a long car trip? You took your pencil and moved it along the paper until you came to a "road block", then you'd have to backtrack and find the path without blocks, and finally you'd get to the End. Ha! Satisfying.

Here is my work maze: I've gone thru vacant staging, occupied staging, model staging, $2.2 million dollar to $300K home staging, staging consultations and staged photography. I started out rather broad then narrowed my work experience again until I've reached a point where I'm pretty darn good at --Staged Photography.      I LOVE IT!!

There are so many home stagers at Active Rain who create gorgeous spaces from vacant properties. Now we have a Vacant Stager's Group dedicated to these business owners. It requires inventory and/or furniture rentals, monthly billing, trucks, deadlines, elevators, parking out front of buildings hoping you don't get towed...am I being clear? It's a tough home staging niche!

Nan Hayes offers training classes for Certification in Relocation & Transition Specialty, CRTS. This organization helps 55+ residents with relocation and re-organization. National Association of Senior Move Managers, check out this site if this sounds interesting to you. If you'd like to learn more, check out Nan's website or email her at nhayes@moveseniors.com

If you're a new stager trying to figure it all out-- try different staging projects. See what works for you in your area. Find out what you're good at, and what you're passionate about.

Grab hold, work hard, speak the universal language called kindness...I wish you great success.

              Have you found your niche?

 

 

Staged First Impressions, Home Staging in NH. Offering Staged Photography to market homes for sale.

What is Staged Photography?

 
Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...

19 Comments on Your Home Staging Niche...Have You Found It?

JUL
12
2007
864,433 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Having a niche is so important.  Before I got into real estate I practiced law - I started do real estate law -- condominium converstions -- that was fun!  Then, I started specializing in environmental law and superfund cases -- I travelled all over the US  -- that was fun!  Then, I found that I loved mediation and it was far better than litigation and that was gratifying.  Then, I moved to NH and didn't want to take the bar again so I got into real estate.  I found a niche --working with buyers only!  It requires a very different set of skills -- and it is very rewarding.  I still find once and a while I feel like I am somewhere in that maze!
10:20pm • #1
6 Featured Posts
Every niche you've mastered has strengthened the next one. You're a very smart lady, Joan.
10:27pm • #2
Sue thank you so much for this post.  My partner Brenda Thomas and I have been looking for fake flat screen tv's. for media rooms.  Also we have been getting alot of vacant staging requests.  So the vacant staging group should turn out to be a great resource also!  Thanks again for the info and the encouragement to find my niche! Sue
10:30pm • #3
217,645 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Hi Sue...You really have found your niche'. Your photos just "shine"
10:38pm • #4
JUL
13
2007
158,822 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Sue -- My niche is staging the "diamond in the rough" types of homes....I just love uncovering the hidden potential.

From the stunning photos of your work, it is obvious that you have definitely found your niche in staged photography.  I had never even heard of that "niche" until I read your blogs.  By staged photography, does that mean you stage a room for the purpose of photographing it and then de-stage it after the photo shoot?  Perhaps you will consider writing a blog explaining who your target market is and how you market your services to them.  I would love to know more about this particular niche.
12:26am • #5
While I haven't found my staging niche yet...I can look back at my marketing career thus far, and although there have been some bizarre twists and turns, I have NO REGRETS!  I'm looking forward to the next few years to see how I fine-tune my staging chapter!  Life's short...go long!  Great post!
6:42am • #6
1 Featured Post
Sue, I am working on finding my niche but want to try it all first!  I have the same question as Judy - I want a better explanation of what you do when you do a "staged photography" - is it combined with you bringing in props and renting them or you just bring it in for the photo shoot?  Looks like furniture is also arranged differently as well.  Seems like it "might" be regular staging but with killer photo's to boot?
7:59am • #7
142,049 Points 5 Featured Posts

This so interesting, guys.  We say we makes homes as generic as possible.  Then we say no project is too big or too small.  The money is in vacants, but the creativity is in working with whatever the homeowner already has.  But, you're saying the niche is the place where your passion is ... could it be something as small as "table settings"?  I think mine used to be "period appropriate", but I find it a straightjacket and limiting.

 <laughing> I've just remembered a Flipper who's fixation was napiery.  She painted an entire floor to lead to a WOW for a table cloth in the dining room!!

Isn't this a great business?  Are there as many nuts in other spheres?
8:19am • #8
289,569 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Awesome post Sue! 

I am right there with you - focusing on a portion of this business that really speaks to me, enriches me and my clients and makes life more interesting and fun.  So far I'm honing in on educating at this point and I really like doing consultations and meeting my clients, getting to know them and their needs, their families and situations.  I'm a people person, love being around them immersed in conversation, in fact I'm on my way to coffee right now with a group of girlfriend's from my old work place to re-charge! I love Staging YES! But there are truly many avenues on which to head down.  This post spoke to me my friend! Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

 
10:00am • #9
142,077 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I have kind of found a default niche.  I work with a lot of FSBO's.  I do the staging, photography and virtual tours.  I love FSBO's they are generally a really hands on group. I love a handy homeowner.    
11:31am • #10
142,077 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Sue - I think you should just be a front door stager.  Your front doors are off the hook!  Your slogan could be staging NH one door at at time. 
11:32am • #11
289,569 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I agree with Maureen - I want you to come do my door!
2:48pm • #12
315,754 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Photography is a hobby of mine but before real estate, I can barley remember when that was, I worked in special education.  I'm still looking for my niche....teaching...selling... doing a little bit of everything.
8:01pm • #13
16 Featured Posts

Sue, I agree with you completely about finding your 'niche' and I have seen your photos and you truly do excel with that!  I 'fell' into my niche (vacants) quite by accident - I wasn't getting calls on anything but vacants for months!  I really DO love them however and when you are good at something, you need to put most of your efforts behind that in order to excel!

Great post!

VAL
8:26pm • #14
JUL
14
2007
238,488 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog

hey

it's so important to get a niche! i am glad that you've found yours. i am still trying to reposition myself, although i have been in the business for 1.5 years now and i am fairly comfortable and pretty much just focus on 1.5 mil and below. it helps when i purchase inventory and that kind of mindset helps when i take jobs. it also helps to define what kind of clients that i want to work with and who i need to target for my marketing.

cheers,

cindy 
4:51am • #15
6 Featured Posts

Thank you all for reading and taking time to leave a comment. Yesterday I spent the day at the beach with my kids and then went to an art opening for my daughter Sara in Portsmouth NH. Life is good :) so I'm sorry I haven't been commenting back to each of you.

Do you have more than 3 different types of services offered on your website? Do we need a plethora of services in order to sound professional?
8:58am • #16
JUL
15
2007
256,746 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
Have had many niches in my past but right now am still trying to educate the public in the Brainerd Lakes area of Mn - what is home staging and how will it help you (homeowners & Realtors) . They aren't getting it yet - so therefore no  niche to pick from.  We are a full service staging company & will narrow it down as we go.
7:57pm • #17
JUL
16
2007
6 Featured Posts
Keep plugging Kathleen. Each area has its first stager that shouted from the rooftops. 
8:56am • #18
183,829 Points 47 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Great job Sue as always....you rock AR's world!
5:22pm • #19


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Sue Argue - NH Home Stager

Hampton, NH

More about me…

Staged First Impressions

Address: Katie Lane, Hampton, NH, 03842

Office Phone: (603) 926-2676

Email Me

Staged First Impressions,
A New Hampshire home staging company. Find answers to home staging questions, and see examples of what home staging can do for you. Pictures say a thousand words, so come on in, and check us out.

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