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Four Qualities to Look for in a Home Stager (before you hire one)!

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Even though the Groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter on Groundhogs Day, spring will be here before you know it!  If you plan to put your home on the market, you may be considering whether or not to hire a home stager.  Statistics posted by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) show that staged properties sell 50% faster and for 6-10% more money than other properties. 
When you decide to hire a home stager to decorate your property, you need to make sure you’re investing in the right person.  After all, you’re trusting someone with the sale of your largest asset – your home – so you have to be careful.
First, you should make sure that the home stager has been professionally trained.  However, a common mistake is to look for “credentials,” since none exist in the home staging field. 
Second, what kind of success record has the home stager had with their staged properties.   You may want to look at their website or portfolio, and ask for their references.
Third, you should not be focused on how much the home stager is charging.  Saving a few hundred dollars in fees and getting bad advice could cost you thousands of dollars.  Professional stagers can expect to earn between $100-200 for an initial consultation (in the Md., DC, Va. area).  If you request a written report of recommendations, then the fee will be higher.  Rates will vary depending upon your geographic location and the stager’s experience, but you shouldn’t hire someone just because he or she charges a ridiculously low rate.  As with most things in life, you get what you pay for J
Finally, look for a home stager who knows the real estate market and, as well as how to decorate. A home stager should be familiar with the local real estate market, and they should be familiar with all the ingredients that make a property appeal to prospective buyers.
I am sharing this advice with you after spending five years in business as a home stager and as a certified interior decorator for many years.  
If you have any questions about these tips, please contact me at www.AGoodeStartDecorating.com

Thank you and Happy Decorating!

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