
I’m all about cross-promotion! As a result, I have a cross-promotion project called "Stager of the Week." Each week, I'll showcase a Professional Stager so that you can "meet" them. Stagers are an excellent way to not only help a property look its absolute best, but to get that property sold as quickly as possible and for the highest price possible.
This week's featured Professional Stager is Allegra Dioguardi of Styled and Sold LLC in the Hamptons/Sag Harbor, New York. Here’s my interview with Allegra:
How did you initially get into staging? What is your most effective marketing strategy to get realtors or sellers to use your services? What is one fun thing about yourself that most people don't know?? Are you involved in any social media marketing other than Active Rain (Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, RealTown, etc.)? If so, how do we connect with you? What is your favorite computer application? What is your favorite food? What one piece of advice would you give someone who is hesitant to utilize the services of a professional stager? If you could be a made up super hero, what would you be called and what would your super powers be?
I have a degree in Interior Design from Parsons School of Design. My first job out of design school was as a designer at a Model Home design firm and I stayed in that industry for 26 years. I became a nationally recognized, award-winning designer for some of the top national new homebuilders.
Three years ago I started my own home staging business. It was a natural transition as all of the same principles of designing to sell and interior merchandising apply to Home Staging.
It’s a combination of presenting to Realtors© at their office meetings, sending out newsletters, writing articles for local papers and magazines, and meeting them one-on-one at open houses. Before and after photos speak a thousand words too.
I dance in the kitchen when no one is watching.
I’m exasperated still trying to figure out Twitter and Facebook. I’m on Linked-In, Home Staging Channel and Top Interior Decorators.com. You can find me under: styledandsold.
That’s a tough one! I am also a writer (I wrote an e-book, Styled by Design - http://styledbydesign.com) on the design principles of home staging and I write articles for magazines and newspapers so I would have to say Microsoft Word. I don’t know how we lived before cut and paste, word count and Words’ Thesaurus!
Spaghetti and meatballs.
Homes for sale become a product and, just like any other product, they should be packaged, merchandised and marketed properly. Otherwise, in this competitive market, your “product” can become the dusty bottle of No-Name Brand product hidden on the back shelf at the market. The properties that do sell well are the ones that show the best, that are in move in condition, that a buyer can fall in love with. After 26 years in this industry I am convinced “Love at first sight” sells houses.
This is me, Great Stager, loving single mom, hard working, determined, trusted friend.
What one piece of advice would you give someone who wants to become a professional stager?
Don’t think that just because you have “a flair” for decorating that you should become a Home Stager. It is hard work, you must be serious about it and the bar is being raised every day - making it more competitive. Marketing and educating potential clients is 90% of your work…the actual staging is the icing on the cake.
Thanks for taking some time to get to know Allegra Dioguardi. Now, go learn more about Allegra at Styled and Sold LLC!
Allegra Dioguardi
Styled and Sold LLC
Company Website
E-mail Me
”Styled By Design” E-book
Want to be an upcoming featured Stager of the Week? Just e-mail me! Use a Stager! What are you waiting for?
~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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