When to get your own Inventory

By Joy Gabler

Home Stager with The Staging Contessa

September 24, 2007 09:23 AM

I have staged 3 homes that I have used and purged the owners things and they have turned out great! They loved that I told them what things to purge! Anyway..Those types of projects are easy..for me anyway...when should one start and inventory of my own of the new items! Do you rent a storage space? Do you store them in your garage? I know this seems a little naive to be asking...we all started somewhere asking these questions! Would love some advice! Thank you! Joy...............

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Melissa Marro

Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL

Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

I would suggest you begin owning inventory when you have a need for it. I just wrote a pretty lengthy blog about this recently. Take a look and see if it answers your questions. http://activerain.com/blogsview/213154/So-you-think-you

Sep 24, 2007 09:39 AM

Kathy Dyer Roseville Sacramento Staging Real Estate Home Stager Services

One Step Staging- Home Staging services Roseville/Sac areas - Roseville, CA

Hi Joy,

I agree with Melissa,

When I started, I did reports and got paid money for those. I saved my report money and then started to get my own jobs staging vacant and occupied homes that needed accessories and furniture.

I would suggest that you partner up with an experienced stager in your area to volunteer your time to be their assistant for a few jobs so you can learn the ropes.

I did that and it gave me experience beyond my months as a stager.

As you make money you can actually start to buy items for your next vacant. Start with a rug- a picture and some decor that all coordinates with a neutral sofa that you will want to use. Look for sales and buy when you find something. It always seems that when you need something in a pinch- you can;'t find a goo deal and have to pay full price for it. So I planned my color theme and bought things that would go with it.

I used my garage until it was bursting and my husband couldn't take it any longer! Now I rent 2 300 SQ foot units- 1 for furniture- and trees- the other for pillow/accessories/ decor and comforters/pictures.

I started to rent when I was making enough to cover the costs.

Before you buy- you can also use the local rental company for the large items and you can add the accessories. When I am in a pinch too, I will rent out my own plants and decor. Again, when my husband comes home and the house is more bare- he knows that I got a another job and was in a pinch!

Have fun with it and good luck!

Kathy Dyer

Sep 24, 2007 10:04 AM

Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495

Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Joy, start right now, a little at a time, things that are on sale at great prices, like when Pier 1 has their 75% off. Before you know it you've got inventory.

Sep 24, 2007 10:46 AM

Lynn Crawford

A Different View - Olney, MD

Staging DC & Maryland

Joy - Do you have a Homegoods in your area? That's how I started to build up my inventory. Stick to a couple of neutral color schemes and shop often - in my area Homegoods restocks the store on Tuesday and Friday so I'm often there as they're unloading the truck.

Kathy - I love your post. Every time I go in our bedroom I notice the gaping space over the bed where a large piece of artwork once lived - it's now over the fireplace in a vacant I staged.

Sep 24, 2007 10:52 AM