Real Estate Blog - Why You Cannot Be a Stager For 'Fun'

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Why You Cannot Be a Stager For 'Fun'

This post was actually written for and posted on my other blog, but I thought all of you would like to add your 2 cents in the comments. I only posted 5 reasons, though there are many, many more I'm sure. This is a subject that has been coming up a lot lately and will probably be discussed more in the future, but I just had to get it off my chest. Please add whatever reasons you feel pertinent.

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I was recently featured in an articlein one of our local newspapers. It is not the first time this has occurred, so I kind of knew what to expect once it was printed. Not a flood of calls from RE agents and home sellers, or even builders looking to hire me for my expertise. Not more media looking to feature me in their outlet. Not even an old friend who saw me in the paper and wanted to reconnect.

I got exactly what I expected - a whole lot of staging wannabes calling and emailing to find out either how to get into the business or wanting to shadow me on the job because it 'looks like fun'. Of the emails I received a few were honest and admitted that this is not something they want to do as their own business - they want to work for me, or with me, 'just for fun'. Yes, it is a fun job, but here are a five reasons why no one should ever stage just for fun.

1. Staging is a time and labor intensive career. It is not enough to like to 'redecorate' other peoples houses. You must keep up with the latest market and decor trends for your area and nationally, be able to speak knowledgeably about the area a home is located in - whether it be neighborhood or rural area, be able to manage your time and inventory in a way that maximizes your business growth and profit margin. Most of these things are not fun. A lot of times they are not even interesting.

2. Real Estate is serious business. It is the single largest investment most people with ever make in their lives. A very large number of those people have their life savings wrapped up in their homes and may be facing financial ruin should they be unable to sell their homes or turn a profit once they do. Why would they hire someone who stages just for their own amusement and does not take it seriously enough to invest in the continuing education required to do it effectively? That is a big risk for them to take so that you can have a little fun.

3. You must be able to separate your personal taste and preferences from your work. No two staging projects are the same. Each house and seller has its own unique set of needs and requirements and you must be able to work within those requirements to be successful. Trying to put your personal stamp on each project will doom the sale to failure as the objective of staging is not to 'decorate' a house in the way that YOU like, but to present it in a way that it will appeal to the largest number of buyers. Personal preference - the sellers or yours - can have the opposite effect.

4. Doing things for fun is all about you and this is a service industry, meaning it cannot be about you but must be about your client. That about covers that.

5. You can ruin the market for those who do take staging seriously and are working very hard to make it a viable business for themselves. When people stage as a hobby there can often be awful results. Dabbling in such a serious endeavor can have devastating results for a home seller, builder, or real estate investor that will in turn give stagers a bad name. Would it be fun to know that you gave professional stagers a bad reputation and adversely affected their businesses? Yes, it is a business and should be treated as such.

Yes, staging can be fun. However, staging is a very small amount of what is required of you. You must have insurance and legal contracts. You must be able to bill your clients and collect the fees. You must be able to complete projects in a timely manner and on budget - or prepare to deal with the consequences of angry clients and loss of profit. You must be prepared to educate RE agents and sellers about the importance of staging as not every one is receptive or 'gets it' like you do.

It is a long road to becoming a successful real estate stager. Many new businesses fail within the first year and stagers are no exception. It takes hard work and commitment if you really want to be successful. If this is still something you want to do, then roll up your sleeves and get to work because you have a lot to learn. Now doesn't that sound like fun?

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If you are looking to work with a professional and dedicated professional stager in the Northwest Indiana area who takes their business as seriously as you do your listing, contact Kimberly Wester of Details Staging and Redesign at 219-241-7252 or kim@detailsstagingandredesign.com.

Posted by Kimberly Wester on 02/07/2008 12:05 PM

Comments (51)

professional stager, home staging, indiana home stager, nw indiana home stager, valparaiso home stager

Post is included in group: Real World Home Staging for Newbies

51 Comments on Why You Cannot Be a Stager For 'Fun'

FEB

2008

Kimberly, we recently met with a wannabe stager who told us that she would work with us but she didnt want to do anything Physical! lol

That still cracks me up everytime I think about it!

Marci - I can't tell you how many I have talked to who have said the can't lift things for one reason or another. What do they think they are gonna do, stand around and point while the staging fairies do the rest? Please.... One told me she can't work in houses that have cats. I don't take allergy medication for nothing, honey!

Kimberly; I believe the true "Fun" part of the staging business comes from within; that is when you have met your objective and helped someone move on toward their future. Now that's fun...Great post.

Kimberly ~ Great points! I can't help but laugh at Marci and your comment above - I can't even imagine what you say to people like that. I have only had a few inquiries after one of my articles hits the papers (thank goodness).

Kimberly,

You nailed it with this post, I don't think anyone could have put it better:)

GREAT POST!

Best Wishes

Great post! I also get many "wannabes" after a press piece is out. Why can't the REA and homeowners be the ones calling ; )

Many "looks-like-fun" folks want to just jump right in. I don't like to squelch their enthusiasm but I do - with reality of insurance, contracts and talking about physical manual labor.

Your post said it perfectly!

Kimberly- What a reality check! Now, I'm not sure I want to be a stager!

Kimberly - The only thing I would add to your post is that you have to also be part psychologist. The last four staging consults I've had have been for elderly homeowners downsizing or relocating to assisted-living facilities. I find you have to be very aware of their feelings when recommending they edit their belongings. It's very hard to part with thirty or more years of possessions.

I've also had the wannabes who want to stage because it's a fun career. Hmmm, I think I'll loan them my heating pad when they wrench their back moving all the heavy boxes and furniture.

Linda - I agree! I think there are two kinds of people that should not be stagers - those who want to have fun and those who think the reward is all wrapped up in the paycheck.

Kathy - It is hard not to start laughing at them, that is for sure! It is when you talk to these people that you realize how far we still have to go in educating the general public about what we actually do.

Brian - Thanks.

Julie - I know, right! So many people said 'Wow, you ought to get a lot of busines out of this article.' I just smile... I have started answering them with 'I'm sorry, we are not currently hiring or looking for an intern. If you are interested in opening your own staging busines... yada, yada, yada....' What follows usually has them back peddling with 'I really just wanted to see what it was like.' Maybe I should start a fantasy camp where they can pay me to make them feel like they have a 'fun staging job'?

Elaine - You said it! When you really think about it, isn't it so NOT fun? ;)

Lynn - You're not kidding! I've never had to be so nurturing in my life and I have two kids! The back comment makes me laugh - I keep saying I am going to start taking and posting photos of some of my staging injuries and blogging about the 'non photographable' (is that a word?) ones. I've got a really pretty blood blister I could show you right now. That should scare 'em! :)

Kimberly,

Love the post, you are right on, with the commitment needed to succeed.

Oh, Bradley, you comment as though from experience. :) Thanks for reading and commenting. I hope to hear more from you!

OH, Marci's comment is hysterical! I love staging because it is soooo physical!

The physical exercise part of the job is one of the things I like about staging as well. I like to be moving around most of the time compared to sitting. In fact my sister/business partner often joke with one another that we don't need a gym membership, we have furniture to lift and real stairs to climb!

I think we all probably started in this business because we thought it would be fun... then the reality hits, nobody told me the real story. But it's still fun for me!

Kimberly,

You are right on the mark with this one! Many people tell me they think it is a fun job and they would love to do it. When I am moving dressers up stairs, balancing the monthly budget, making collection calls....yep, a ton of fun. I absolutely love what I do, but there are aspects of running a business that can take the joy right out of you.

Abby and Diana - It's a good thing you both love the physical effort, considering how much this job requires. We may not need gym memberships, but we all need massage therapists!

Judy - I think if reality hits and you don't quit, then you were meant to do this job. And all of that bad stuff doesn't totally ruin your fun.

Anthea - The thing that makes me want to rethink my career options is moving furniture in lake effect snow. That's something you never think about when you get started. Or paying the bills, or collecting debts, or carrying a first aid kit... Anyway you really have to be dedicated to keep it up no matter what!

How about going to consultation and there is 50mile an hour winds and an inch of ice on the road. But you have to go it's an estate sale in NY and the daughter is there and heading back to TX in a few hours. It's so cold and the ice is making craters in your face as you get out of the car. Your run as best you can in your heals to the door, almost have it ripe off from the wind and settle into the house. Only to get home and realize you never took any pictures of the outside of the house, and since it's being listed in the spring you really need to know what needs to be done for curb appeal! So you drive back the next day for another shot!! Yep . . . . a ton of fun!

Another excellent blog Kim.

I used to think that shopping for and sourcing inventory was fun. That lasted about a month. Fortunately now we have an extensive inventory to pull from so the dreaded shopping trips are diminishing. However even after being in biz for nearly 2 years it seems there is always something we are running out last minute to buy. I have a feeling this won't ever change, but I digress.

My favorite part of the job is once all of furniture and accessories are finally through the front door and ready to be positioned. I have a great team and we laugh a lot while we set up. That is the only "fun" time and it passes quickly as we hustle along.

I was one of those people that thought my new staging career would be a blast. I certainly did not realize the incredible amount of work, absolute dedication and sacrifice it would take to set up and run a staging business.

All of these points are so well said. I had a client tell me she had a stager tell her to "try and stage it herself". Could have knocked me over with a feather!

But Kimberly, it was by way of staging that we meet you, and that has been fun.

FEB

2008

Great truthful...sometimes hard to swallow...post!

As I tell my friends and some family members that still think I am "playing house" I tell them loud and clear "The FUN is DONE!" :) It's time to get to WORK!

Becky - Tell it, sister! People who do this as a hobby would never go through what we go through to ge the job done. Why? Because we know that people depend on us and that this is serious! Great story. You should blog about those experiences...it's very therapeutic!

Jackson - I, too, thought more about the enjoyable parts of the job than the actual 'work' that I was in denial about. Eventually I learned both were important, but not to dwell on the stuff I hate. Looking toward the funn helps alot!

Cindy - Been there. Isn't it amazing? If they could do it themselves wouldn't it show?

Gary - So true! Sharing and interacting with you guys certainly does increase the joy!

Janice - I know what you are saying. When you really think about the clients we help, the gravity of what we do sets in. It is a great responsibility. That is why we can't approach these things lightly.

As I sit here nursing my bruises from a three-story staging, I am smiling......yes, it is quite the amount of effort and the best part for me is the look of wonder when the clients enter for the first time. You gotta love that!

Now....where are my Advil and ice packs?? : ) Regards-Kathleen G

Kathleen - I am staring at the delivery trailer and the ice that covers it thinking I should probably take that advil BEFORE I try to load it today. I don't need ice packs - I can just lay down on the ground!

The best part of my last staging? The builder asked if he could reject any items in the house he did not like. I anticipated the 'I don't like that' statement every time I saw him. Never happened :)

Kimberly, what an excellent post! I sure hope all of the "wannabes" out there read it. As I've said before, staging can be a very rewarding job, but it is definitely not for the faint of heart! There's a great deal of physical, emotional and monetary commitment needed.

Wow....I guess there is not a whole lot of sympathy from you folks who live in the arctic tundra!! : ) I forget that snow and ice 'add' a certain flavor to the rigors of staging!! Go Sunshine State!!

Yes....the anticipation of 'I want to go over a list of things to change if needed' can be a challenge...only to find out the staging was perfect, and the 'I don't like' items are for the handy-man 'to-do' list!! LOL! Regards-K

PS-Stay warm!

Charlene - I hope they read this and a lot of other 'reality check' blogs on the subject. It seems many people jump into a career without the smallest amount of research. We have certainly put out enough information here for them if they dig a little!

Kathleen - I'm jealous! You can lay down on the ground if you need a heating pad! That sounds so much nicer...

Kimberly- you make some REALLY great points here. And so valid! I understand your feeling about the whole "being in an article" and only hearing from wannabes. It happens to me ALL the time. :)

Kimberly,

As a realtor who has a home staging business on the side, I truly feel your pain (pun intended, lol). But I do disagree with you on one point and that is that you don't get into staging because it's fun. Despite the sore muscles and need to play psychologist, I do enjoy staging! I enjoy it because I know how much faster I'm going to sell a listing once it's well staged and for me, selling real estate is fun!

I do get what you mean about people getting into it "for fun", however, since I get about 1 call a week from people wanting to work for me "just to see what it's like". Well, it's like taking 1 part lemon, 1 part insanity and 1 part creativity and stirring up a batch of lemonade!

I think as most do, in any job we must be serious about it and give it 110%

Terrific post, thanks for sharing. You hit the nail on the head!

Amber - The first time article had me thinking that business would boom from the exposure. What a disappointment, right? Ah, well, live and learn...

Sharon - Actually, I think we agree. You shouldn't get into staging for fun. I do love what I do and I think it is fun too, but attaching the romantic ideal that it will be an easy and carefree job can really cause some damage. I just want people to go into it with their eyes open. So, what do you tell those people that call you?

Richard - You are right!

Audrey - Thanks!

Kimberly, every thing you said is so very true. Along with the financial committment and responsibility for doing right by the homeowner there is one other thing I am learning and that is how to be a better debater to counter all those who just don't take the benefits of staging seriously. I still love it so far, we can love it right!

This was a very informative and well written article about your profession. Thanks.

Hello, is this the Kim Wester I was reading about in the magazine.

It is?

Good, I was wondering if you need someone to work for you real cheap. Actually I'll do it for free because I just love doing it and I'm really good at it and my whole family says so.

What?

What did you say? Did you mention furniture and accessories?

No, no I thought your business was transporting and setting up manufactured homes. Home Staging? Right?

Oh well, then never mind!

Ana - Embracing the negatives makes the positives sweeter, doesn't it? Learning to do and get better at the stuff we don't enjoy makes us better at the stuff we love. And you are right - I never thought I wuld regret not taking debate in high school!

Wayne - Thank you so much for such an encouraging comment! I'm glad you got something out of my little tirade!

Yvonne - ROFLMAO!!!!

Very true. My first staging involved carrying 3 large Oriental rugs into the basement. (FYI: I'm 5'3") Fun? Not really but worth the results. If someone is paying you for work, you'd better take it seriously because believe me your client will, not only because their money is involved but because they are counting on you to help them sell their house.

Great post...I always tell people that just like being a Realtor it is a lot of fun. But it is only fun when you work REALLY hard and are successful at what you do!

Love it. It's basically what I was trying to say in my first post a little over a month ago, but didn't do it 1/2 as well. I will keep this one handy for the phone calls. I will simply link to here :)

That was an excellent post. All five are so true. I loved it. Real Estate is serious. Your home's sale is serious. You wouldn't want to let your kids have fun decorating, would you? But I do hope that you have fun in what you are doing. Work is great when you are happy with what you do!

No lifting and no houses with cats ... too funny.... sometimes you just have to shake your head and wonder.

FEB

2008

Kathy - When you get your reward from the results, that is a good thing. I'm just 5'4", so I know what you mean.

Jo - True! Thanks for reading!

Kym - You said it very well! This is why no one should be afraid to blog - we may all talk about the same thing, but our perspectives and writing styles are different. It is all worth reading!

Christy - Oh, it is not all drudgery! I do love the finished product and the look on the sellers face when they see it. It makes every tiny annoyance worth it.

Bob and Caroline - All the time!

cart I think most jobs 'look like fun' to the casual observer. I suppose my job, as an insurance agent, 'looks like fun.' And as I sit here and think about it... you know what.... 95% of the time...

IT IS ! ! :)

(I even have a cartoon to proove it.... )

Good post and so true for many businesses. This definitely holds true for real estate agents, inspectors, etc, etc.

Dennis and Al - Maybe we are the ones that make it look like fun? I guess if we enjoy what we do (and have awesome cartoons of ourselves :) ) it makes people want to do what we do?

Excellent post. I think we need to do a reality show (not the kind already on TV where they have a whole team on the sidelines just waiting to jump in and get everything done in a day :). I mean, hardcore stagers, at work, lugging, lifting, moving, sweating, cleaning. Y'know the fun stuff. This job is hard, fun, creative and rewarding.But not for the light of heart!

Thanks for sharing,

Excellent post! I got into this business myself after realizing how all the hard work I put into staging my own homes for sale really paid off. It's such a major ordeal to sell a house, very emotional and stressful. But when you have a buyer present an offer within a week of having it on the market it is extremely satisfying!

Staging is hard work because depersonalizing your "castle" is not an easy task! The real fun is the satisfaction you get after the house sells.

Lucie - I think we could sell that pilot! I think it's a show that would definitley benefit from Smell-o-vision! You gotta give them the whole effect. :)

Libby- I think a lot of us started there! I was doing so many design 'consultations' I decided I should get paid for it.

Agreed, this happens again and again doesn't it? You get published with high expectations and the phone rings off the hook with people who are just hoping to fill their time with a fun pursuit. Sellers and Realtors need professional, serious stagers to do their projects. Their investment deserves no less than a first class job of staging. This is the biggest investment most people have in their lifetime, sorry, but hobby, just for fun, is not going to compete or cut it in the market. Nice thought though, so really staging isn't just yet legitimized in the marketplace I guess. Hopefully RESA can change that for all of us. Kym Hough had some interesting comments on her post on this topic too. Thanks for bringing it up again Kim. Maybe its just you Kym, Kim's that get this kind of response?

http://activerain.com/blogsview/325038/I-am-a-Professional

FEB

2008

Terrylynn - How did I miss your comment? I should have replied days ago!

Ha! Obviously it is not just us 'Ky/ims' that get this kind of response, though we do agree to blog about it! :) Yes, Kym did make some great points and I hope I expanded on them in a way that compliments her post. Thanks for adding your comment - as a Realtor, it carries a lot of weight and I hope it makes other Realtors think!

FEB

2008

I just had one of those wannabe calls and I sent her to AR to get the real scoop on staging--I hope she sees this! Thanks Kim for shedding light on the serious side of staging. I love it and I do think it's "fun" but I take my responsibilities to the homeowner very seriously--they are trusting us with their most important investment.

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