Hi Heidi - I'm looking forward to the show too.  Many Stagers are curious to see if this show will reveal the true costs of Staging:  the Stagers' fees!!!  Most of these TV shows show Staging for $100 - $2000 - but that's just the flowers or furniture rental (for one month!) - they don't include the labor or Staging fees.  So, unless you've hired a Stager for $80/hour and they only worked one hour, I don't see how you can have a final cost of only $80!  Happy Staging - Julie

I'll have to remember to keep that show in mind.  I worry that it will give people the impression that the stager is supposed to do all the work.  That is not how the stager in this area works.  She does a 90 minute consultation and it is up to the buyer to do the work.  The stager will come back and help but it will cost more.  I've never had a seller have a problem with having to do the work themselves because if they are motivated to sell their house, they will do it.  The homes that I've had staged sell much faster than the other unstaged homes!

It is a great channel to pick up ideas from! I get a lot of sellers who say "I've watched HGTV and I know what to do" lol!!!

Your Friend in Charlottesville!

Heidi I sure do hope it puts our profession in the right light, but it's TV so I'm not going to hold my breath.  The trailers make it all look really frantic.  It will be interesting.  Anxious to hear what our Canadian stagers think. 

Yes I am looking forward to seeing the first show that actual labels it with the "staging" word.  I am confused by your comment about true staging not being the entire process. We are full service stagers. The first thing we do is complete a report top to bottom inside and out. Then we bring in our team of professionals to get the word done and last, but not least we do the enhancement staging. $80.00????? What is the $80.00 for? Even when we are doing occupieds and using mostly their items $80.00 doesn't even pay for pick up and delivery of the lamp, picture or slip cover they might need let alone the 2 or more hours we always spend at their property because no one lives in a staged home every day. Thanks for your post. Kym

Hi Julia.  Wow, do you really get that much for staigng a home in Connecticut?  In conservative Grand Rapids, we are fortunate if we can convince a homeowner to dole out $80 for a mini-consultation.

Hi Tina,  It sounds the same in my area...  Most homeowners don't want to pay for us to do the work but opt for a consultation.  Thanks for the post.

Hi Charles,  I'm not sure I would do as good of a job staging my own home, even though I am a professional.  You don't always see things that a fresh pair of eyes can see.

Hi Kym,  Grand Rapids a a completely different culture than where you live.  I know you are an ASP and if you have noticed, most Grand Rapids ASP's are no longer ASPs.  Our area is so conservative that the staging process has to be more open to mini-consultations that are affordable enough for people to even consider staging.

Hi Ginger,  I sure hope so too.  Thanks for commenting!

Hello Heidi. I too am looking forward to a show that really shows how much work that WE REALLY DO. Wow $80 for a consult? Is that just a verbal walk through for one hour? What you need to do is find some Realtors who believe in what you do and who know that staging puts value into the property. They are the ones that need YOU in their listing package. That would greatly differentiate any agent who wants to retain the equity in the home. Then they pay YOU for the consult. This is a prime time for YOU to raise your price.. yup, right now. Why? Because you will offer a greater value to your clients. People are willing to pay money for luxury cars because they see value. It doesn't matter how conservative the area is. If they see the value in what you do, they will pay for it, believe me. Don't under estimate the power of your staging. Be the one in your area to set the staging standard and use what sets you apart as your value. It really doesn't matter the designation as much as your experience, your professionalism, your drive and your commitment to quality service. I wish you the best. If you need help, take Kym's Staging Mentor program or call me anytime.

Hi Heidi, I have seen the first two episodes since I live in Canada.  I quite enjoyed episode 1.  I thought it was fairly realistic and the stager wasn't rude with the homeowner.  I was disappointed in episode 2 though.  I wrote 2 blogs on the first 2 episodes if you are interested in reading further.

Hi Lori, Thanks for the advice and the willingness to help!  I have already raised my prices and have actually seen a decline in staging activity since.  The standard of living is much higher in Sacramento and staging is already widely known in your area.  I have been staging for just over three years and when I started my business nobody, including most Realtors, even knew what staging was.  Today, many Realtors have a misperception of staging (perhaps due to media) and think they "stage" their own homes.  That is why I hope this new show will help Realtors and the general public to see staging in its true light.

There are only a couple of stagers that I know of in my area.  We have a tough job educating the real estate industry and the public because there are so few of us.  There used to be more ASP's in our area but they couldn't make it in our market.

You would think Realtors would be knocking down our doors to help them sell their houses.   I have staged houses that in turn have sold in a matter of days which is excellent in today's market.  I have several Realtors that do see the value and pay for the first hour of a consult.  I sometimes wonder if the Realtors who do believe in staging don't want to tell others so they have an upper-hand in today's competitive market.  The proof is there but I don't understand why more Realtors don't see the value.  Again, I beleive it all comes down to education of what staging truly is.

Hi Charlene,  Thanks for the comment.  I will definitely check out your blogs to read your view on the first 2 episodes.