"I have a $500 budget and only need a few pieces of furniture can you stage for this amount?"

This question was recently asked of me by a prospective client who requested "key room staging" with furniture. These were the areas requested:

• Living room
• Dining room
• Master bedroom

For what was needed in the price point of home in question and from my company's perspective the answer was No.

Let me explain why.

My company does not carry large furniture pieces as part of our accessory prop inventory.

Home Star Staging utilizes the services of reputable, national furniture rental companies to supply the large furniture inventory for our home staging projects that require this service.

I define "large furniture" as any that I cannot personally lift or move by myself.

It was a business decision I made as I got into the home staging industry over 3 years ago.

In my opinion furniture rental, which entails

• purchasing,
• warehousing
• maintenance
• manpower
• service vehicles
• delivery
• insurance
• and much more

is another business in and of itself and one I personally do not want to be in.

I find that working with national furniture rental companies has suited the needs of my business and my client's very well. I do however, keep a large accessory, small furniture and prop inventory that I warehouse for use in my client's properties. This service is available for a cost effective investment if needed.

Locally, the 2 major furniture rental companies I work with work very well with the home staging industry however both companies require monthly minimums on staging rental packages.

I'd like to explain why and how working with a professional home stager, should you need rental furniture, will be easier, more cost effective and provide you with the best result in this process.

As a professional home stagerI've educated myself on this subject and made it my business to work in conjunction with the furniture rental companies to bring their service to my clients in an effortless and efficient manner with NO UPCHARGING of their furniture to my clients.

In fact, working with a professional home stager will provide you with additional savings over walking in off the street because we provide a valued service to the rental companies as well. In essence, we are an independent sales force that brings customers to their doors who may normally never consider them as an option or understand how to work with them. Over the last few years I've developed an understanding, a solid working relationship and a partnership not only with the furniture rental companies for my business but for serving my clients as well.

My knowledge of how to work with furniture rental companies for staging a home is at your service.

For Realtors and clients interested in understanding how rental furniture companies work with home staging projects in North Texas I'd like to provide an general overview and explanation of how they work. I find myself laying out this subject at least once a week when a call or email comes through inquiring about this service.

I will also explain why working with a professional home stager can make this prospect easier, more cost effective and with successful results.

How Furniture Rental companies work when staging a home:

1. Monthly rental fees at minimum are between $250 - 300 (and depending on the size, style and price point of your home, number of rooms to be staged, this fee can be more)
2. A minimum 3 month lease agreement is required for jobs under $1,000 in monthly furniture rental (however, if you rent over $1,000 in furniture a month, a 2 month minimum is allowed)
3. A damage waiver, tax and one time delivery charge (with delivery and pick up included) will also be applied
4. You can expect to pay in total - at minimum - approximately $1,000 over the 3 month lease agreement for the furniture and this does not include staging services or accessory prop inventory.
5. Should the property sell in less than 3 months (many times the case) you will still be required to fulfill the full 3 month terms of the agreement but you will not have the carrying costs of the home to consider any longer nor price reductions, which can easily be triple the initial investment in staging your home! However, should the property go longer than the initial 3 month agreement, you are free to cancel the contract or choose to lease on a month by month basis until the property sells. I have had instances where these contracts can be transferred to another staging client and both clients save money, however this is a somewhat complicated and time sensitive circumstance however I can easily make this happen when conditions are right.

Why working with a professional home stager makes it easier & more cost effective to lease furniture:

1. We've developed a solid working knowledge and relationship with the rental companies & know what to ask for and how to get it done quickly, efficiently & most cost effectively
2. We work with them for you, saving you time and money
3. We know their product lines and which ones will be best suited for your individual property
4. We know how to get the most furniture (which pieces work well together and which don't) for the best price and pass the savings on to you

It is my hope that this blog will explain some of the questions clients may have regarding costs and benefits of staging a home, particularly a vacant home, using the services of a professional home stager in conjunction with renting furniture.

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For expert advice on preparing a home for sale contact Home Star Staging, a Real Estate Staging and Consulting company. Home Star Staging is here for you North Texas!

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Copyright 2009 Karen Otto