My findings were fascinating as I traversed hemispheres last month - My mission to research staging in England and South Africa. Both have burgeoning Real Estate Markets, and both can learn from Real Estate trends in the USA
I arrived in London armed with questions about real estate and property sales for developers and agents. I marveled at the magnificent English gardens and the most awesome hanging baskets. I drooled over opulent interiors.
In London demand for homes far exceeds supply. Prices are shockingly high. Storage is extremely expensive. Here too staging is becoming the norm, just as it is in the USA. There are numerous courses available that teach home staging and after a quick search I even found a few home stagers all of whom were doing fabulous work.
Then southbound to Cape Town (South Africa) with its majestic views of the Atlantic seaboard. Prices here are outrageously inflated. The market is sizzling hot, mostly due to Europeans snapping up prized properties with 180 degree views of the Atlantic Ocean - I could understand exactly why. News of my arrival had spread and before I knew it I was hauled into the neighbor's house and unexpectedly found myself shoving furniture around for an open house.
Staging is virtually unheard of in that part of the world, but of course the concept made total sense and so soon we were all hard at work, like fairies with magic wands. A few successful meetings later and I had numerous South African real estate companies begging to know more. Coincidentally this all coincides with the launch of our amazing new online course. Check out http://www.ahsdesignation.com/