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NH Home Staging FAQ – How Do I Find The Right Home Stager?

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Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

NH Home Staging FAQ – How Do I Find The Right Home Stager?

 

three womenHome Staging is a fairly new concept here in New Hampshire and finding a stager, nevermind the right stager, can be difficult.

Many agents work with stagers or know of one they can recommend.  If you have an agent, check with them.

If not, do a google search.  A Professional Stager who has been in business for any length of time should have developed an internet presence.  

Ask friends on facebook and Twitter if they know a home stager.

One very good place to search for a stager is RESA, the Real Estate Staging Association.

RESA® members are a global community of professional home stagers, redesigners, decorators and real estate professionals who are committed to advancing professionalism and excellence in real estate staging.

 

It's a good idea to meet with three stagers, if you can find that many, and then visit their websites and look for client testimonials and photos of their work.

 

Questions to ask a Home Stager include:

  • Do you specialize in occupied or vacant properties?
  • How long have you been in business?
  • Are you familiar with my area and do you know the target buyer for my home?
  • Do you have a portfolio of your work?
  • Are the photos of your actual work, or do you use stock photos?
  • Do you provide digital photos of your completed work?  What is the cost?
  • Are you registered with the state?
  • Are you fully insured?
  • What are your rates?
  • Can you provide references?

There is no independent organization that certifies or licenses home stagers. There is no government regulation of home staging business practices. Any designations after a home stager's name come from the training courses that they have taken.

Your selection should be based on how they answer your questions and how comfortable they make you feel.

You aren't looking for the "best" home stager,

you are looking for the best home stager for you !

Comments(14)

Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Great question and answer Sharon! All very good suggestions.

Ps. good luck with your move.

May 25, 2012 12:56 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Sharon

That's a good check list of questions to ask a home stager.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

May 25, 2012 01:27 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Sharon,

You make a great point to find someone you can work well with, and your questions are great.  I am suggesting. A

May 25, 2012 06:57 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Janice:  Thank you!  Fingers crossed the closing stays scheduled for Friday and the move happens as planned on Wednesday!

Lou:  Thank you, I'm working on a FAQ page for my website via the FAQ Break Into Summer Organized Contest.

Alexandra:  Thank you. It's important to feel comfortable with the stager because you will be working very closely together.

May 25, 2012 09:34 AM
Kathy Burke
Sensational Home Staging~~Danville, CA - Danville, CA
S.F. East Bay Home Staging

Sharon....nice list and it is so important to find someone who not only knows what they are doing...but as you point out you know you can work with!!!  Have a GREAT holiday weekend!

May 25, 2012 11:17 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Kathy:  I hope you have a wonderful weekend too!  I will be working some of it, but plan to take a Harley ride for some lobster on Sunday, YUM!

May 25, 2012 11:30 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign
Sharon-I agree about finding someone with whom you feel comfortable and understands what it's like to sell a home, the stress of packing, and showing.
May 26, 2012 01:55 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Kathy:  My client yesterday appreciated that I am currently moving and really can relate to her being so overwhelmed by it all.

May 26, 2012 02:18 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Sharon, very good list of questions to ask a Stager. I also like that you pointed out that Home Staging industry is not regulated by the government yet so it is important that consumers do a research to find out how experienced and knowledgeable their Stagers are. Great post. Suggested.

May 29, 2012 12:10 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Anna:  Thank you!  I appreciate the Suggest!

May 30, 2012 09:19 AM
Lloyd Binen
Certified Realty Services - Saratoga, CA
Silicon Valley Realtor since 1976; 408-373-4411

Sharon,

It's easier for Realtors to find a Stager than it is for the average homeowner.  Most homes out here are staged to one degree or another, so we Realtors see lots of examples of different stager's work.  That makes it easy and that's how I found my stager.  She's the best and really fun to work with too.

Jun 03, 2012 05:39 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Lloyd:  She's lucky to have you to work with.  I bet you make a great team!

Jun 03, 2012 12:14 PM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Sharon, although this is a 2012 post, the information on how to find a stager is very useful.  Thank You!  I particularly like the tip about making sure that we find the best stager for our particular client, not jus the "best stager.' 

 

Asking about the photos seems pretty important also.  It would be embarrassing to think you found a great stager when the person was great at picking out stock photos for their website. 

Feb 13, 2017 07:31 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sondra Meyer:  I'm glad you find it useful. I hope it helps your sellers find the help they need. Finding someone you feel comfortable working with is very important. Not all personalities work well with each other.

Yes, photos are very important. Most professional stagers use their own photos, but not all. True professionals will have only their own work on their website.

Feb 13, 2017 11:14 AM