What is Staging?
STAGING [stey-jing] noun/verb
verb The act, process or manner of presenting a house for sale
verb The art of transforming a space so that it is universally appealing by emphasizing the natural architectural features and downplaying the negative aspects of the space
noun The business of preparing one's house, in order to sell faster and for more money
If you have seen any of these HGTV shows on your evenings or weekends, you will know what Staging is. It is they method by which a Staging Professional, trained, educated and practiced in the art of staging, turns a home from the way you live in it, To the way it needs to be sold. Professional Stagers accent and draw attention to the best details of the home and not the decorating. These are very different things.
Home Staging IS detailing, de-cluttering, depersonalizing and preparing a seller's home to give it a "model home" appearance so that the potential buyer can "see" themselves living in the home.
The official Accredited Staging Professiona(ASP) website states that:
On average, staged homes sell 50% faster and for 6.9% or more than non-staged homes and homes that are Staged before being put on the market sell in an average of 9 days.
I find myself explaining this concept to those who have not before seen a vacant home staged, or those who cannot visualize their own homes in a more neutralized way. I truly think these examples will speak for themselves. Look through the virtual tours to determine the difference these homes that have been staged make to the buyer.
The Vacant Rehab:
This home was totally vacant before we staged it. In fact, it had been rehabbed and totally complete and ready to move into for more than 6 months before I took the listing. 
I had the house staged, because it was so large and empty, I felt that people would have trouble thinking of what would go in each of the rooms in the house. The house was staged, and when I held an Open House after staging, people in the area came through again and said it looked better "finished" and that they thought the first time they had been through 6 months ago, it wasn't "done" yet. In fact, the house had been done and ready to sell, but the staging made it fell like a home and a more finished product. In addition, this home was so large with 15+ rooms, buyers had a difficult time understanding what they could or would make each room into, so we planned a home office, and a second floor family room, along with a few other ideas to fill up these rooms and give buyers ideas for what they can do with this huge home. http://www.amybsells.com/listings/2166Grandin/
Vacant over Winter:
This next home was for sale for 6+ months with another agent. Priced too high, with no offers. Totally vacant between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I suggested spending the money on staging. I had Realtors go out of their way to call me and tell me what a difference the staging made to the feel of the house when they showed it from before and after the staging. In December, we had 4 offers in 2 days, it sold over asking. (There are your statistics stated above) This is an example of light staging that really just warms the house up and provides lighting for timers to draw attention on those evenings that turn dark so early.
The Sub Contractor Stage:
This home was also staged by Nancy Buck with It Pays to Stage. Nancy doesn’t just stage homes with her furniture, but she also consults and can act as the general contractor for the interior painting and colors, the new carpeting and color, and the refinished hardwoods. This went beyond the normal staging of a home, it was a roll up your sleeves 3 week job! With Nancy's connections, a job like that can be done very quickly so you do not miss valuable selling time in this difficult market.
The Do it Yourself:
The owners of these two properties did their own staging with great success. The staging professional also charges a fee to come to your home with things you already have and helps you arrange, and de clutter for the best appearance, she also suggests new wall color or carpeting, exterior curb appeal ideas in a written report for you to take to the job yourself, simply following the professionals direction...
No Staging:
Compared to completely vacant properties, the staging does make the house feel more like home, and puts the buyer more at ease with their environment. Based on the time of year the home is on the market, a lamp on a timer in almost every room is nearly a necessity. Even simple light staging will act to draw the eye away from the imperfections in the home and towards the features. This is a benefit to staging a home. In contrast, see these homes that have not been staged...
http://www.amybsells.com/listings/1627Alcor/
http://www.amybsells.com/listings/9323Loveland-MadeiraB/
Who do I recommend as a Professional Stager?
I work with Nancy Buck, an ASP every chance I get. She is always on time, professional and has great ideas. She is passionate about making sure that your home is displayed in the best possible light and accentuated for the buyers. Whatever it takes to make the house look the best, Nancy will make it happen. She works quickly to know what the client is looking for and makes the staging happen quickly, keeping in mind that the home needs to be on the market to sell. She has proved effective in several of my listings that were previously difficult to sell, took only days after her warm touches and suggestions. Being a designer as well, she knows colors, textures and lighting. Lets see what she can do for your home!
What is an Accredited Staging Professional and why should I use one?
The ASP or Accredited Staging Professional Course was started by Barb Schwarz. Barb created the concept of Home Staging some 35+ years ago and has been speaking on the topic to Real Estate Agents ever since. In 2000, she created the ASP Course and Stagedhomes.com. Since then, more than 14,000 Stagers and Real Estate Agents have completed our course. As Barb says on her website:
“Accredited ASP Stagers and ASP Real Estate Agents are true Professionals trained under strict guidelines using proven Staging techniques developed for over 30 years. When you bring your home on the market and prepare your house for sale always hire an ASP because they are the true leaders in the Staging and Real Estate Industries.”
What do these Professional Stagers need to do to get their title and designation? Thankfully, they have to have education and experience to call them selves ASP’s.
- ASPs who have graduated from our three day class, have completed training that includes vigorous instruction in the following areas:
- Knowing the benefits of Staging and how Staging can help homeowners sell their homes faster and for more money.
- The techniques and concepts of Staging
- How to Stage homes using just the furniture and accessories the homeowner already has in the home
- How to Stage vacant listings by renting furniture or supplying their own inventory
- Hands-on Staging training and practice in class by Staging an actual lived-in home that is on the market
- Also, though Stagedhomes.com is not a franchise and ASPs conduct their own business, they do sign a type of “Code of Ethics” with us that ensures they will follow proper business practices. It’s rare, but if we do receive a complaint about an ASP, we do investigate it and we hold the right to withdraw their designation.
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