Things you need to know before hiring "any" Home Stager

Get informed before hiring "just any" home stager.

Currently there is not an independent or national oversight organization such as NAR for Realtors, that certifies or licenses home stagers, and no government oversight or licensing in most areas. There ARE member based organizations which enforce a strict Code of Ethics for its members and communities such as theReal Estate Staging Organization.

As in any industry, do your homework!

These are some tips to consider when selecting the right Home Stager:

1. Do they have a valid business license? Self explanatory

2. Are they insured? Stagers are in essence “independent contractors”, if the Stager is not insured, then the homeowner, property owner or Realtor, may be liable for any damages or injuries that may occur as a result of the staging.

3. Find a Stager with the most experience in actually Staging homes: There are many training, “certifying” and “accrediting” companies which, within just a few days, or a couple weeks, can turn anyone who takes their course into a “certified” or “accredited” home stager. Since there is not currently any government or oversight, ANYONE can “become a stager” almost overnight. Don't hire "just any" home stager; Experience and professionalism trumps "certification".

4. Does the Stager have a printed portfolio or website with before and after photography? If they don't have a current staging portfolio, they may have never done a staging job, or very few. How are they going to assist you in marketing your listing if they cannot market themselves?

5. More importantly, make sure that their portfolio contains photos that are of their own work. Not of stock photography supplied by the “certifying” training course or “shared” before and after photos in a centralized web-site. Does their website have current information on recently staged properties or successes intoday’s market and economy?

6. Do they offer a range of Staging options and Styles, or is it “one-style-fits-all”. Again, they are packaging and marketing your Listing. Stagers should be able to transition their staging to the style of the HOME and the market demographics in your area.

7. Ask for references, and then check those references. When did they work with the Stager? Were they pleased with the results? How soon did the property sell? Would they hire that stager again? And ask for more than just one professional reference: Home Owner, Realtor, Developer, etc.

8. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
The bitter taste of a poor job, lasts longer than the sweet taste of the low bid.