I've never had a listing that needed staging...really???

I've never had a listing that needed staging...really???

Time and time again I read stagers blogs where Realtor and agents comment that they have never used a professional stager because their listings have never needed staging. I am not surprised because I've heard local agents say pretty much the same...they will call me when they have a listing that NEEDS staging.

When I see this, my initial reaction is REALLY, but I know that this is just a case of misinformation and more education is needed on what professional staging really is and what types of listings need staging.

Most professional stagers would say, all houses could use some level of staging. To clarify that, stagers think of "staging" in broad terms. To most of us staging means the preparation of a home for sale. That preparation includes:

Decluttering

Repairs and replacement

Depersonalizing/Neutralizing

Updating

Curb Appeal

Cleaning

When the above issues are addressed and resolved, then a professional stager returns for SHOWCASING. All of this is part of a process.

The first step in the process (after the initial contact) is a staging consultation/evaluation. Generally, the stager visits the house and makes recommendations, based on education and experience, as to the most budget friendly steps that the seller should take in getting their house prepped for SHOWCASING. Completing the consultation is a review those needs and a priority list to get started. If hand-holding is necessary the stager can provide that.

Professional stagers are trained to gently but honestly let sellers know what needs to be done AND WHY. Unfortunately, some television programs on staging have tainted that perception. Stagers are NOT about belittling sellers and telling them that their house may never sell or making statements like "what were you thinking". As with real estate agents, professional stagers truly want to help sell houses.

If sellers are unwilling to do the preparation then a stager may not recommend SHOWCASING. Linda Barnett addresses that in her blog, "I would rather turn you down, than let you down because staging shouldn't be your 1st choice."

Home staging means presenting a house, as a complete package, ready for the market.

So, what does the stager do for SHOWCASING? I can guarantee you that most stagers have plans swirling in their heads when they are at the consultation. This is why they are able to be specific about what to pack, what to repair, what to paint, what to store, what to keep in a house and much more.

On showcasing day the stager will likely rearrange furniture. It's not that the furniture placement for the sellers was necessarily wrong for dwelling, but it might not be right for selling. They will display artwork, accessories and other special touches that make buyers remember and want that house.

SHOWCASING is done to highlight the features of a house and the rooms within. Focus is on the house, not on the stuff. Thus, sellers and agents are frequently surprised at the sense of "minimalism" with neutralized personality that occurs with showcasing.

Stagers work with vacant properties and with occupied properties. The seller's budget is always a top consideration.

So, if you've never had a listing that looks like any of these:

then I wonder what your listings look like and why staging isn't a consideration...seriously, I want to know.

If you want to know specifically why the homes in the collage were staged, I'd be happy to reply to your questions and I can provide after photos for most.

By the way, if I were to list my home today, it would have to be staged because it is right for dwelling but not for selling.

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Dream Interior Redesign and Staging by Ginger Foust is a full service, licensed and insured CSP ® Professional Home Stager, Interior ReDesign/Decorating Specialist, consulting and training company.

Locally serving the California foothill and mountain communities of: Oakhurst, North Fork, BassLake, Coarsegold, Ahwahnee, Wawona and Mariposa. Also serving areas of: Fresno, Clovis and Madera, California and Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

• Professional staging of vacant and occupied properties
• Color and Design Consultations
• Interior Decorating
• Virtual and Conceptual Staging Worldwide

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