I had this experience recently with a new client, referred to me by their Realtor.
I met the client, completed the Staging consultation, and then proceeded to go over the results of the report, including the Top 10 list and action plan, when she said...
‘Wow, you can really tell you do this for a living!’
I was a little taken aback, but smiled and said thank you, and continued on with our discussion. As it turns out, she has a friend who stages as a “hobby”.
Since this is my passion AND my business, I was certainly glad that it came across that I take Staging seriously, because I DO. Staging is not decorating. It’s not about simply filling empty rooms with furnishings from a friend’s home. Although there are many components to the philosophy of Staging, and why it works, here is how it directly affects your customers:
You are making recommendations for changes or improvements that affect the equity of someone’s home.
There are so many factors that go into making the appropriate plan for Staging a home. Here are just a few:
- What are the demographics of potential buyers?
- What about the other listings in the competitive set? How can your home best compete with them?
- What are the current trends in real estate and design? How do you best incorporate them into the home?
Consider other services that typically require a professional. Would you feel comfortable if you knew that an Auto Mechanic, Contractor, Chiropractor, etc. were pursuing those endeavors as a hobby?
So yes, I do this for a living, and I’m glad that it shows.
Leigh Newport is an Accredited Staging Professional, Owner and Principal Designer for Staged by Design, a Home Staging and Interior Redesign company serving Northern Virginia.
571-291-0614
