Introduction to Home Staging

I am just curious: when sellers or realities stage a home with towels, plants, nick-nacks…etc., what happens to those things when the house is sold? Do they belong to the seller or does the buyer actually take them back for other staging purposes?

Just curious…thanks!

they belong to whoever provided them. if the seller hired a staging company, the staging company owns them probably – buyer certainly does not get them – you should be moving into an empty house unless you bought a house including furniture, etc ( I did that 2 yrs ago) – there wasn’t anything "staged" though

Staging is getting a house ready when it goes on the market.

maybe, you’ll have to look around your community, I’m sure you can find a real estate agent who will give you some tips, and there are so many tips online. Theres everything from baking cookies to putting up family pictures to painting your walls white to decluttering your home.

Just google ‘House Staging tips’ http://www.hgtv.com/real-estate/30-cant-miss-staging-tips/index.html

Are there necessary certifications and/or training? What else do I need to know about this business? Any books that can be recommended? Websites? Thank you!

You need to know how to explain to people that their kids’ art has to come off the fridge, and painting over the purple wall in the living room is well worth the money. Anyone can pack up people’s stuff and clean off shelves and garages. Psychology and tact are the skills that are the hardest to master, especially when it comes to religious and/or ethnic themes and items. Negotiation skills will serve you well, and an understanding of different personality types, biases, and traditions.

Connections with realtors will be almost mandatory. Work for free for 6-8 homes to get some experience and references if you do not already have a customer base that is easily reachable.

We are buying a model home and the builder asked us to make an offer on any furniture in the house. We have no idea how much (or how little) to offer.

From experience, I can tell you that the builder paid 25% under the going rate for that furniture. He would like to get that back, but would be willing to take a small hit since it is now slightly used for display and he would have to pay for it to be moved and stored. He would be happy to get half of what that identical furniture is going for at a Haverty’s or Rooms to Go in your area of the country. If he needs the money, and they all do right now, he will let it go for less.

Reasonable offer would be 25% of current retail price for identical furniture. Negotiate from there if you really like it.

Any ideas on how to get a legitimate Home Staging certification in Pennsylvania? Thank you in advance.

Simply apply for it and pay the fee.

I want to legally start a business in NJ. It will be based from my home. I will be selling the service of staging a home for selling and also remodeling and decorating advice. How do I go about making my business legal and how do I make my business name legal?

It’s best to start with your local city to make sure you follow their rules in starting a new business. They will tell you exactly who to contact. They will guide as far as obtaining a tax ID and everything you’ll need to do to run business legally. It is important to get your name registered asap– you don’t want someone else snapping it up while you’re doing your paperwork! Do this before getting a domain name registered for your website since you’ll want both to match.

If you are just beginning a new project, invest a moment to read about “The 7 Interior Design Mistakes”. Here we discuss 7 common mistakes that can prevent your project from reaching your design goals.

1. Don’t Forget… “The Wow Effect”

We have all seen it before. At times it is almost impossible to describe. Everyone is trying to create this dramatic effect in their home or business, but it is very elusive. There truly is an art to creating “The Wow Effect”. Most Architects and Interior Designers will look back on their careers, and reflect on one or two projects that they are most proud of. On those occasions, they were able to bring all of the elements together and create… “The Wow Effect”.

When you are just beginning your next project, set the visual and effect goals for the project very high. If members of your design team can see that you are not passionate about the project, they will follow your lead, resulting in a less than dramatic effect.

There will be many days, when it seems like every idea that is presented, falls short of creating the drama. When this happens, sleep on it, and take your ideas with you to bed. Think about the emotion and sense the completed vision of your project. The next day, you will be amazed at the variety of ideas that will present themselves. Not sure why this works… just know that it does.

2. Oops… Clearly Identify The Vision Of Your Project

Often times when we are beginning a new project, we are so eager to get started, we will hurry out, choose our favorite wall color, and start painting. Next, we will begin our search for the other layers of the project. Unfortunately, many times the effect does not always create the drama we had hoped for.

Important – At the very beginning of any project, and before anything is purchased, painted, or papered, you must visualize the entire project from beginning to end. You may find a dramatic finish, texture, or fabric, which would require a different shade of paint or change the direction of the project completely.

Most people will minimize the importance of this step. You will invest a lot of time working this process. But, if you truly wish to create a dramatic project, you must visually complete your project from beginning to end. There is no easy way to do this. The more detailed the specifics, the greater the chance for a dramatic effect.

3. Funding… Establish an Interior Design Budget

It is so important to identify a budget for your Interior Design Project. The cost for ideas can swing dramatically in price. Once you have established your budget, this will provide the needed structure, and will ensure your project is completed on time.

Through the design process, new ideas will be introduced, which may raise your budget. Many Interior Design projects are completed in phases. Most of us do not have unlimited funds.

Clearly identifying the approximate cost of the entire project, will give you the needed structure for this process.

At this point you can make the decision whether to divide your project into phases. Breaking your project into Interior Design phases ensures that your Interior Design Project will have funding, without settling for a collection of design effects that may fall short of your initial vision.

You can now focus on creating the vision and the drama, without becoming overwhelmed with the financial numbers of the project. Do not begin your Interior Design project, until you have established an Interior Design budget for the entire project. This will become the foundation for the project, and will release your energy to focus on … Creative and Dramatic Interior Design.

4. Capturing Your Ideas, Always Begin with a …”Design Board”

Dramatic Interior Design ideas are like the wind. You need to capture all new ideas as they appear. Most people do not do this, but this is such an important step.

When you are creating your design project, put all of your ideas on a presentation board or design board. These are often called concept boards or mood boards.

It is much easier to test new colors, fabrics, textures, or ideas. You will sense when “The Wow Effect” magic is beginning to happen and your Interior Design project is taking form.

Focusing your creative energy is critical to creating “The Wow Effect”. There are no short cuts or easy ways to create dramatic design. We have all seen Interior Design Projects, where an investment of a little more thought, and creative focus, may have produced a more dramatic effect.

When all of your ideas are placed on a design board, visually, you will be able to sense what is creating drama and what is not working. Introducing new ideas is much easier and the process will start to flow.

Finally, you will never forget the moment, when everything is working, and your design project is taking form. It is almost like a “Runners High”. All of the elements are finally coming together, creating the dramatic vision of your project.

If you truly wish to create “The Wow Effect”, do not skip this critical step. Your investment is too great, not to ensure a final dramatic effect. Always use a design board or concept board on any Interior Design project.

5. Understanding … The Principles of Layering Color, Texture, and Effect

Think about it, almost everything that is appealing to the eye, was created with layers of Color, Texture, and Effect. Visually, we love to admire things that incorporate the “Principles of Layering”.

Color and Texture are the tools you work with, and Effect is that intangible that is generated when you bring the layers together.

Think of the seasons, how in the Fall, the colors naturally compliment each other. If the wrong colors were introduced, the final effect would be much different.

Your layers will include, your Floor Plan or Unique Spaces of Opportunity, Paint, Italian Venetian Plaster, Faux Finish, Wallpaper, Ceiling Finish, Flooring, Fabrics, Furniture, Drapery, Lighting, Accessories, and Plants.

There truly is an art to layering. On your design board you will learn first hand about the principles of layering. Your senses will tell you immediately what is working and what is not creating drama.

Invest some time to learn more about “The Principles of Layering”. There are many good books on this interesting subject. Dramatic Interior Design can only be created in layers.

6. You are the Director … “The Importance of Staging”

Staging is the process of creating the mood, ambiance, and feelings, for a designated are. This is such an important step to learn.

Correctly staging the area that… precedes your next area of opportunity, is critical to creating “The Wow Effect”.

If you have too many colors, decorative items, or visual confusion going on in the staging area, this can and will distract from your unique spaces of opportunity.

Staging will create the maximum effect and control the visual emotion as you move through your home. Drama and effect are rarely created by accident.

Remember, “You Are The Director”. How you set the stage, light the room, choose yours colors and texture, will determine the success of your Interior Design Project.

Learn more about the “Importance of Staging” and “How to Stage you Home”. If this is done correctly, walking through your home will be like reading a great novel. You cannot wait to get to the next room or chapter.

7. Looking for Ideas? … Share a Coffee with an Interior Designer

Everyone is always interested in a good idea. If you feel you would like to discuss your ideas and your project with someone else, I would strongly encourage you to meet with an Interior Designer or Interior Decorator.

There is no obligation for this meeting, but you will be surprised how your project will become focused almost immediately. Ask around to your friends for referrals, to view some of there previous projects, and also discuss their fees.

Everyone will not need an Interior Designer. But there may be times, when the layers of your Interior Design project are not coming together. When this happens, meeting with an Interior Designer may be one of the best decisions you ever make.

Finally, creating “Dramatic Interior Design” is a challenging process. You will spend many days of struggle and effort. At times the tension and difficulty of the process, will make you want to surrender. But I am here to tell you, if you stay with it, and invest the time…

“Someday in the still of your home, you may hear your friends or family members quietly whisper … Wow!

“At that moment, no words need to be spoken, you know in your heart, … You Did It!”

Mark Nordgren

Mark Nordgren
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/7-interior-design-mistakes-to-avoid-681722.html

In today’s high-stakes world of real estate sales you may, at some time be approached by your realtor and be asked to have your home staged. This process is becoming ever more popular in home sales and as it gains popularity it becomes ever more necessary; due to the fact that staged homes simply show better. This simple fact has led to the explosion of the Home Staging industry and it takes little effort to find a stager in almost any town or city.Any stager will operated along the same principles; get rid of clutter and mess and improve the visual qualities of all rooms.This is true in all staging as homes in their lived-in condition can sometimes be harder to sell as they do have that “lived in” look. This can make it more difficult to sell a home as places such as this tend to impart too much of the seller to the buyer, thereby making it hard for the buyer to gain a sense of comfort in the home.

Comfort for viewers is incredibly important, too many prospective sales have left homes because they just “don’t feel right.” Much of the time this is due to your daily items being in their line of sight, This is one reason why some stagers will suggest that you use rental furniture specially chosen for the staging process. With rental or replacement furniture, the stager can tailor colors and patterns to compliment the home and you can get started on your packing without having to worry about showing an empty home. Unfortunately ‘lived in” is not really the look you are shooting for here, what is preferable is the “showroom” look that you see in magazines and furniture stores. This has become the reality of home sales. Simply cleaning the home has ceased to be sufficient to ensure a quick sale and buyers are looking for something more in homes that they view and the responsibility to provide that has fallen to the seller. Sellers must supply more of a complete package than ever before and staging has proven to a great way to do this.

John West
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/home-staging-and-you-171189.html

What is the best way to market my company besides print advertising?

Join a networking group so that you can pass out your cards.
Find some volunteer groups to help out with.
Word of mouth. Talk to everyone you know. In paint stores.
Raffle of a free consultation or a free room design. You can use this to add to your portfolio.
You could set up a bowl for a drawing at a local restaurant that you frequent or at a benefit.
Have a girls night out at your home and show them how to set up table scape’s or mantle settings. Holidays are a great time to do this.
Participate in a silent auction. Check out the school systems and see if they need help with anything for fundraisers.
Work with Habitat for Humanity. Do a press release when you do something. Get a magazine to cover an event when you are participating.

Stay around people who support you and your new venture.

Check with Realtors to see if they have anyone on board that they are using and if they might consider you.

Wishing you my very best of luck and success.

It is all about forming relationships.

I’m a realtor and want to formally expand my role as a stager. I do staging anyway as a realtor directing clients to make the homes look better without spending lots of money. Thanks

If you work for a large franchise, I would check out the education section of their agent website to see if there aren’t some free or very affordable options there. Frontdoor used to have a big section about staging homes for sale, but I have not looked for it lately.