How To Find A Good Stager

May 16, 2007

You’ve made the wise decision with your Realtor to stage your property before sale, but now what?  How do you find that special person who’s going to make your property jump off the market?

Besides reading blogs and finding knowledgeable stagers that way :), there are many sources to find and compare qualified stagers.  If you are working with a Realtor, they will likely be your first source for a referral.  Perhaps the best source, though, is to visit some open houses in your neighborhood and see who’s done the staging in them – often stagers will leave their cards in either the kitchen or near the entryway.  This way, you’ve seen an example of their work in a setting that would be similar to your own home.

The web, of course, provides endless opportunities to find stagers.  Craigslist is a great way to localize your search.  ActiveRain, a real estate website, has many stagers in its blogging community, so you’ll be able to read about their accomplishments and qualifications.  There are also many websites out there attempting to aggregate stagers’ information.  Don’t rely too heavily on this source, though – it’s just like any other advertising – most of the stagers listed there have paid for their info to be posted.  You’ll also likely find a number of training or accreditation programs who list their graduates, and state that only their graduates are true “stagers.”  While these programs often do provide substantive training, don’t be fooled – just as anyone can hang a shingle and call themselves a stager, anyone can take these courses.

So once you’ve found some names of local stagers, how do you evaluate who’s going to be the best stager for you?  Not all stagers are created equal, and it’s often a mistake to make your choice based on price alone.  I’d recommend talking with at least two stagers, perhaps one recommended by your Realtor, and one you find on your own.  You may be dealing with this person quite a bit – make sure that you like their vision for your property and that you will be able to work well with them.  Here are some other things to look for and ask your stager:

  • ­    Do they have a portfolio of their work you can look at?
  • ­    How do they describe their style?  A good stager will be able to adjust their style   to match your property type.
  • ­    Do they have references, either written or past customers you can call?
  • ­    What areas do they serve?  Are they familiar with the market in your neighborhood?
  • ­    Who do they envision as the market for your property?  Does this vision match yours or your Realtor’s?
  • ­    How long will it take to stage the property?
  • ­    Are they available to stage the week before your photos are taken or your open house?

If your Realtor has a strong opinion and is going to be involved in the process of working with the stager, I’d give a lot of weight to what your Realtor has to say – he or she knows this market, knows the stager, and is there to save you time and heartache.  On the other hand, if your Realtor is not involved in the staging process, do your homework and go with the person you think will make your property look its best.

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Written by Ann O'Connell · Filed Under Real estate 

Comments

One Response to “How To Find A Good Stager”

  1. Doug Trudeau on May 16th, 2007 8:03 pm

    Excellent break down. After going on an office tour of homes today, the home that stood out the most was the one that was staged. I am a firm believer in staging.

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