A staging professional or firm will create a purpose for each room and theme them to complement the layout, bring in the furniture and home décor necessary to complete the themes throughout the house, and even provide advice and tips to use when showing the house, such as the kind of fresh flowers to buy or scented candles to burn. A staging expert or firm will also provide the manpower to do the heavy lifting and moving furniture throughout the house. Should there be any damage in the process, the stager covers the cost of repairs. Your goal is to gain the highest return on investment when your house sells. If you believe you can achieve this by staging on your own, go for it. Otherwise, trade your time investment for spending money on a professional upfront to reap the benefits at the sale.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH A P ECT WITH A PRO
There are a few issues to keep in mind in selecting and using a professional stager or staging firm. • Ask around. Do not simply go to Craig’s List or other online service for a random name and hire the stager. Ask your agent, other Realtors®, and friends about their experiences. Ask for referrals, interview several prospects, and select the one who will provide the best value to you. • You get what you pay for. Do not shop on price alone. If the price is markedly lower than other bids, it is probable the quality of service will match the price. Can your potential stager provide references and photos of successful projects?
54
Powered by FlippingBook