You may think that home staging is just cleaning, reducing clutter, fixing things, painting, and putting your house on the market.

Those things are all important and are all things you can do to help save money in preparing your house for sale.

You can also clean your yard, put things away, trim your trees and shrubs, and repair things. Get a fresh welcome mat for the door.

So why bother hiring a home stager when you can do all those things yourself?

There are a lot of decisions to be made that can make or cost you money. Do you have the confidence you know the right answers to the following questions?

• What paint colors should you use for a higher sales price?
• Who is your target market based on a variety of factors related to the real estate market?
• How should your home look compared to others in a similar price range so you can outshine the competition?
• What do buyers in a different age group than you really want and what will attract them to connect with your house?
• What repairs and upgrades will give you a good return on your investment and which ones will just cost you the money you will never get back.
• What things can you do to emotionally connect with buyers, without looking like you are trying to do that?
• Will your furniture and current decor really work for staging and attracting buyers or do you just think so because you are not seeing things objectively?
• Is your furniture perfectly arranged to highlight the space and best features of the house?
•  Can you get furniture, art, and more for staging if needed, without having to buy it? After all, you are moving. Who wants to buy more stuff.
• Do you know good, reliable tradespeople to do the work needed for you in a timely manner for your home sale?

If your answer is no, it is really worth it for you to hire a professional home stager. They want to make sure you get the most for your home sale!

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We all know if we want to make money, we have to invest some  to get started. Whether it is stocks, mutual funds, a home, or a business, we need to spend a little to make a lot. The key is to pick an investment that we can get a good return on for the price we pay for it. Home Staging is a marketing tool for selling your home that uses decorating to show off a home’s best features while downplaying its flaws. Done right, staging creates an emotional connection between home and buyer, leading to a faster sale at maximum value.

When homeowners or Realtors approach me as a professional home stager, their initial query often revolves around the cost of home staging.

However, the focus should ideally shift from “how much will home staging cost?” to “how can home staging enhance my property’s value and reduce its time on the market?” Think of home staging as an investment, not just an expense. The extent of this investment varies based on factors like home size, whether it’s occupied or vacant, and the division of tasks between the stager and the homeowner.

Typically, stagers offer a consultation for a fee and provide an estimate for additional services, either as an hourly rate or a set fee. If furniture or accessories are rented, there’s an added monthly charge.

Prices can range with consultations averaging between $400-$700 and subsequent staging services around $125/hour. The cost of renting furniture and accessories differs based on specific needs. It’s essential to remember that selecting a stager isn’t about finding the cheapest deal but ensuring quality. After all, in home staging, as in many things, you often get what you pay for.

The concept of home staging and its impact on the sale price of homes has been extensively studied by various associations and organizations. Here are some more detailed findings, particularly from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and other entities, As of September 2021 the following information is available.

National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2019 Profile of Home Staging:

1. Impact on Sale Price:

   • 29% of seller’s agents reported a slight increase (1%-5%) in the dollar value offered by buyers for staged homes compared to non-staged ones.
   • 21% of respondents stated that staging increased the seller’s dollar value by 6%-10%.
   • 28% felt staging had no impact on the dollar value, and 2% reported a decrease in the value.

2. Impact on Speed of Sale:

   • The faster sale of staged homes was also highlighted, with 39% of sellers’ agents stating that staging greatly decreased the number of days homes stayed on the market.

3. Rooms Benefiting Most from Staging:

   • According to the NAR report, the living room was considered the most crucial room to stage, followed by the master bedroom, the kitchen, and then outdoor spaces.

4. Staging Cost:

   • While the value of staging was acknowledged, the cost was a consideration. About 28% of agents reported their sellers paid nothing because the agent provided the service. For others, the typical cost ranged depending on home size and market.

Real Estate Staging Association:

1. Time on Market:

   • Staged homes, on average, stayed 72% less time on the market compared to their non-staged counterparts.

2. Investment Return:

   • Various staging professionals have cited that the investment in staging often returns more than the cost. The exact ROI can vary but is often justified by a quicker sale and increased offer prices.

Other General Insights:

1. First Impressions Matter:

   • Many buyers first see a home online, and staged homes typically photograph better. This can increase interest and result in more showings.

2. Vacant Homes:

   • Staging can be especially crucial for vacant homes. An empty home can feel cold and uninviting, and it’s harder for buyers to visualize how they might live in the space.

3. Staging and Home Condition:

   • While staging can enhance a home’s appeal, critical repairs and home condition remain pivotal. A beautifully staged home with significant structural issues might still struggle on the market.

It’s worth noting that while these findings provide an insight into the potential benefits of home staging, the actual impact can vary based on various factors, including location, the current market condition, and the specific property in question. For the latest data or more specific regional insights, consulting up-to-date industry reports or local real estate experts would be beneficial.

I have found that home staging usually costs 0.5%-1% of the home’s value.  Considering it may increase the value a buyer may pay up to 10% or more, while also saving money on holding costs with a quicker sale, this is a pretty good investment!

Your results will depend on the quality of the home stager you hire, how well your realtor does of marketing your property, market conditions and you. Learn more in my article Why Your House Won’t Sell.

Let’s do the Math

If the median home price in your area is $479,000 as it is in my town, Seward Alaska:

1% increase is $4790

5% increase is $23,950

10% increase is $47,900

So what does this all mean? Let’s look at a three examples.

1.  Make 1% More with Home Staging: Say you spend $4000 on home staging and only make a 1% increase ($4790) over the sale price of $479,000.  You have paid back your home staging costs and made $790. You likely have also sold your house faster because it looks better than the competition. If you sell in a month, compared to three months for example, and your holding costs such as utilities, mortgage and taxes are $2000 a month, you have also saved yourself $4000.  Total increase or savings, $4790.

2.  Make 10% More with Home Staging: Say you spend $5000 on home staging and make a 10% increase ($47,900) on the sale.  You sell your house in a month instead of three months. You have paid back your home staging costs and made $42,900 plus your savings of $4000 in holding costs. Total increase or savings, $46,900

3. You choose not to invest in Home Staging:  You save the $4000-$5000 on home staging. You list your house for the average price of $479,000. If you are lucky and sell in a month at full asking price, your increase or savings would be $4000 on holding costs compared to not selling for three months.  This is still $790 less than had you staged and got a minimal 1% increase in the sales price as in scenario #1.  A more likely scenario is that your house does not sell in the first month because it will not outshine the competition, and your realtor recommends a price reduction of $5000 or more.  If your house is on the market for three months, and each month you go through another $5000 price reduction, at the end of the three months you have lost $15,000 from price reductions. You will also lose  $4000 in holding costs.  Total loss of $19,000.

In my experience, my average home selling client sells within a few days or weeks on the market and makes about 10% more.

A recent client had 2 over-asking price offers in 24 hours, 15 offers in 3 days and sold for $30,000 over asking which was 10% over asking. She paid about $1500 for her staging and made $30,000 from it, at a profit of $28,500 for her investment.

Does Home Staging Work in Every Market?

While it’s true we’re in a seller’s market, home staging holds value regardless of market conditions. Remember, even in favorable markets, some homes linger unsold. Staged homes consistently captivate more online and in-person interest, offering a modern, spacious, and turnkey appeal. This allure often results in elevated offers, possible bidding frenzies, and ultimately, a heftier profit for you

What is the Bottom Line?

Staging always cost less than your first price reduction.

Consider this: the boost in your home’s sale price, a swifter closing, and minimized holding expenses will often outweigh the initial outlay on staging. Moreover, a significant portion of the staging expense can likely be tax-deducted as an advertising cost for the home sale.

In essence, without staging, your home could witness a price reduction of 1-20% the longer it stays on the market. On the flip side, staging can amplify your selling price by 1-10% or more.

Think of home staging as a strategic investment.  A quicker sale reduces ongoing costs like mortgages and utilities and, importantly, eases the stress of the selling process.

How Does Home Staging Work?

Now that you know how home staging can help, if you are interested in knowing how much it costs and how it works, check out this videol

https://northernlightsstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Home_Staging_How_it_Works.mp4

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Make More on Your Home Sale with the Right Paint Colors

Updated for 2023. Studies show some colors in specific rooms,  increased the sales price in homes. Why? Color affects emotion and buyers buy on emotion!  This report gives you six specific color recommendations per room to help sell your house for more based on study results, top paint sales and professional experience. Mary Ann Benoit is a certified color expert and color strategist and professional home stager. Download now. Price: $4.99.

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Does your Vacation Rental Stand Out From the Crowd Online?

My vacation rental, Arctic Paradise B&B,  is in Seward, Alaska, a place that is unbelievably beautiful and everyone wants to come on their once in a lifetime Alaska vacation.

And so, our market here is saturated with Bed and Breakfasts and other vacation rentals.  The season here is about 100 days, so if you have a rental, you want to make sure it is booked every one of those days!

“The market here has become so saturated” said Nicole Lawrence of Seward Properties on a recent interview I did with her on Seward Public Radio’s Market Minute show. “There are so many people doing nightly rentals now. And especially the smaller places. At some point, when you are a customer traveling and checking vacation rental sites such as Airbnb or VRBO, all the vacation rentals start to look the same. There is a bed, there is a kitchen table. People don’t always put a lot of thought and personal choices into decorating their B&B. So it becomes really impersonal. They all start to blend together and at some point you just start looking for the best deal because everything just looks the same”.

So, unless you plan to just compete on price and offer the lowest rates, how do you get the bookings and income you want? And, more importantly, how do you get your ideal customers? They may not be the ones looking for the cheapest price. And you want to get people that will work with your situation, whether the Bed and Breakfast is in your house where you live or in a separate property in a residential area where the neighbors may be impacted if guests are noisy.

“For you, your guests are in your house where you live and interact with them daily. Some of my rentals are above my office, where of course I want guests that are respectful and quiet” said Nicole.

“I heard you talk about this to a group of people before and thought it was really interesting, on how you can attract the type of guests you want and how you can increase your income and bookings” said Nicole. “What kind of tips can you give us on that?”

I have written several articles on this topic such as  “Increase your vacation rental income and bookings with home staging”, and “Attract your ideal customer and increase your Bed and Breakfast Income with Home Staging”, and taught several workshops to vacation rental owners on this topic.  I used these tips on my own property, and was able to at least double my income and bookings; I raised my prices and am attracting my ideal customers most of the time! I learned these concepts from my home staging business, where similar concepts help sell homes. To hear the radio interview of the show with all the details, you can listen here.

Here are five tips to help you get started.

Who are you?

Figuring out what makes you and your rental unique and what you have to offer is the key. This is called “branding”. In home staging, we try to do this with the house…figure out what is special and unique about it and highlight that for buyers. So consider:
• What makes you special?
• What makes your rental special?
• What are the things that only you and your rental can offer?

Your ideal customer will be attracted to you and your rental if you let them know who you really are and what you offer. Figuring out your “brand”  will help direct the way you update the look of your property, how you portray what you are offering on your website and in your advertising and help your Ideal Customer find you.

For example, I am a retired wildlife biologist, an artist that creates stained glass, jewelry and alcohol ink art,  a dancer and musician. I sell my art at my B&B and I also offer private lessons in music, art and dance as part of the experience for guests that want to explore their creative side. My decor has a wildlife theme and I display my art in the room and in my website photos. My ideal customers, call all the time and say, “I love your website because”, and then they mention one of these things.

What do you want?

How much do you want to make and how much do you want to work?
Answering this will help you determine your prices and what you need to do to justify those prices.

I decided I wanted to make more and work less! I would rather have higher prices and less bookings than get bookings because my place was one of the cheapest.

Who is your Ideal Customer and what do they want?

Specific customers are going to be attracted to the brand you project. Is your brand attracting your ideal customer?

• Who is your ideal customer?
• What kind of place do they want to stay in? Do they want luxury or a more rustic experience?
• What activities do they want to participate in? Do you offer them or can you help them find those activities nearby?

I wanted retired professionals with money to spend on a little luxury while still wanting to go on outdoor adventures such as wildlife viewing. I also wanted to attract people that appreciated art, music and dance and might be interested in exploring their creative side while traveling or purchasing one of a kind local art.

Update your Vacation Rental to Appeal to your Ideal Customer

• Does the current look of your vacation rental appeal to that ideal customer?
• Does the current look of your vacation rental justify the price you are charging in the eyes of your ideal customer?
• Home stage it! Home Staging can update the look of your rental to reflect your “brand”, appeal to your ideal customer and justify the price you want to charge.

Here is an example of my Bed and Breakfast before and after home staging. Before, it did not reflect my brand or justify the price I wished. I was not attracting my ideal customers. Instead, I was attracting those looking for a cheaper price. After staging, I raised my prices substantially, and at least doubled my income and bookings.

Market your Property to attract your Ideal Customer

Market your property with great design to attract your ideal customer.

• Get professional photos of your beautifully staged rental property.
• Highlight your brand and what makes you and your property unique at the top of your home page.
•  Use your photos on social media them to create a great video.

I hired a professional photographer to get photos that highlighted my branding and updated my website and descriptions to reflect that.

If you would like help determining your brand, updating the look of your property to reflect that brand, updating your website, creating video, social media advertising or any of the five steps above, let me know! Start taking steps today to make a huge difference with your vacation rental.

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Did you know that you can increase your vacation rental income and bookings with home staging?

Home staging highlights the positive and downplays the negative aspects of homes for sale. A professional stager creates a look and atmosphere that buyers make an emotional connection with and they want to buy through decorating and market research. It’s the emotional connection that cinches the deal. Sellers then market their properties to attract buyers online with great photos of their beautifully staged home.

The same principles work with vacation rental properties such as Bed and Breakfasts, and other rental units.

“Whether you have investments in multiple apartment buildings, a few vacation properties or a single apartment in your basement, you can’t afford to have vacancies” says internationally recognized home stager Debra Gould, the Staging Diva.

“As a landlord, have you considered hiring a professional home stager to enhance the appeal of your rental units? If you have a property to rent, you should make a call to an expert home stager as soon as a tenant vacates the premises” says Gould in her article “Home Staging Boosts Demand for Rental Properties”.

After deciding who your ideal customer is, Home Staging can update the look of your rental to reflect your brand, appeal to your ideal customer and justify the price you want to charge.

Staging helps you get great photos for your online advertising that attract your ideal guests, increase your rental price and get more bookings.

Staging works for Bed and Breakfasts, vacation rentals and other rental properties. For more information on Bed and Breakfasts, check out my article, “Attract Your Ideal Customer and Increase Your Bed and Breakfast Income”.

I staged this property that had been a rental unit for the owner to sell. After listing it, they realized they could make more money by keeping it as a rental and used the staging and great photos to increase their income and bookings instead. After listing it on Airbnb and other sites, it created a buzz and generated more interest than other neighboring properties in the same area, increasing their rental price, income and bookings from what it had previously brought in as a rental unit before staging.

.

Increase Your Vacation Rental Income And Bookings Today

I can help you make it happen. Start with a Vacation Rental consultation.

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Home Staging Boosts Demand For Rental Properties

At one time investors flocked to real estate, anticipating guaranteed and speedy returns. If you were one of the people who purchased rental properties to create the “passive income stream” that most get-rich-quick gurus recommend, you’ve probably become more nervous about that investment, especially if you’re relying on rental income to offset your mortgage costs.

Whether you have investments in multiple apartment buildings, a few vacation properties or a single apartment in your basement, you can’t afford to have vacancies.

As a landlord, have you considered hiring a professional home stager to enhance the appeal of your rental units? If you have a property to rent, you should make a call to an expert home stager as soon as a tenant vacates the premises.

A vacant room looks sad to anyone, including prospective tenants. If you’ve never hired a home stager before, you’d be surprised at the difference staging can make in the length of time a unit remains vacant.

“I was called to stage an apartment in someone’s home that normally brought in $1,000 per month,” says expert home stager, Debra Gould, founder of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. “It had been sitting vacant for four months with no interest before the owner called me,” she adds. “After the apartment was staged, the next three people who looked at it wanted to rent it! The landlord went from having no interest in four months to having her choice of three tenants within a week of having it staged.”

In another scenario, if you own a home and have decided to rent it out, you should not leave it empty. Have it staged as you would before listing it for sale. Prospective tenants will fall in love with a tastefully decorated home much more quickly than a vacant one, even if it’s only for a short-term rental arrangement. You’ll also increase the perceived value of the rental and may attract a higher-quality tenant.

If you are planning to rent it furnished, the staging can be even more important when the prospective tenant discovers they can move right in.

Another area where home staging can make a huge difference is in the vacation rental market. If you’re advertising your vacation home online, does it look inviting enough to entice prospects to make a reservation? Having your properties staged–even just for the attractive photos that will appear on your online listing–will be a worthwhile investment.

The bottom line is that home staging isn’t just for the more typical “home going to market” scenario. You can make money from the services of a home stager, no matter what role you play in the real estate market!

Internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould is president of Six Elements and creator of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program with over 4,000 students worldwide. Gould is the author of four home staging guides and offers a Directory of Home Stagers to help homeowners and real estate agents locate home stagers who will decorate homes to sell quickly and for top dollar. To learn more, visit www.stagingdivadirectoryofhomestagers.com

Written by internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould, The Staging Diva^®, www.stagingdiva.com. © Copyright Six Elements Inc. Used with permission.

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Updated for 2023. Studies show some colors in specific rooms,  increased the sales price in homes. Why? Color affects emotion and buyers buy on emotion!  This report gives you six specific color recommendations per room to help sell your house for more based on study results, top paint sales and professional experience. Mary Ann Benoit is a certified color expert and color strategist and professional home stager. Download now. Price: $4.99.

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One thing I love about Alaska home staging is that it is a win-win proposal for all involved.

Staging is a Win-Win for Home Sellers

For home sellers, a modest investment in home staging can be transformative. It not only elevates your property’s aesthetic appeal but also gives you a competitive edge in the market. The result? A quicker sale at a potentially higher price. Think of it as turning your house into the market’s standout star. Plus, you can typically deduct your home stager’s fees as advertising expenses during the sale, further enhancing your return on investment. Opting for staging could save you more than what you might concede in an initial price drop. It’s a strategic move for a clear WIN!

Home Staging is a Win-Win for Home Buyers

If you are a home buyer, home staging helps you see the real potential for the property. It helps you look past the clutter, crazy wall colors and the other person’s stuff, and see how you could live there, how your furniture and belongings could fit in the space.

Home Staging is a Win-Win for Realtors

As a realtor, impeccable listing photos can be your competitive edge. With professional staging, your properties will shine during showings and open houses, potentially accelerating sales and, consequently, your commission rate. Not only that, a home stager can handle those challenging conversations with sellers about decluttering, addressing odors, and making necessary repairs. This lets you focus on your primary skill: selling homes. Typically, the seller covers the staging costs, so it’s an advantage without the added expense. By enhancing the home’s appeal, you’re helping potential buyers visualize its value effortlessly. It’s a strategic advantage that leads to a win-win situation!

Home Staging is a Win-Win for Landlords

If you are a landlord, home staging can boost the demand for your rental property by making it look great! This will provide great photos to generate interest in your rental so you rent your place faster and for a higher rental price while attracting your ideal renters! You will make back your investment in no time with a higher rental price and make more money in the future. WIN!

Home Staging is a Win-Win for Vacation Rental Owners

If you own a vacation rental such as a home or a Bed and Breakfast, the same is true. Increase your income and bookings, raise your prices and attract your ideal customer with a great looking property with home staging. WIN!

Home Staging is a Win-Win for House- Flippers and Real Estate Investors

Is your business buying and selling real estate? Buying homes and fixing them up for re-sale? Home staging helps your buyers visualize a home they can see themselves living in by furnishing and decorating it so you can sell quickly. After all that hard work and investment, get your money back now and get the most for your investment.  

Home Staging is a Win-Win for Home Stagers

If you are a home stager, you can feed your creative passion, help people make more money on their houses, help them sell fast when they may be going through trying times like divorce, job changes, parents dying or many of the stressful reasons people sell. You get to make money doing what you love and when the house sells, everyone is happy! WIN!

It is often hard to find situations that are win-win for all involved. This is a no-brainer. Everyone gets what they want.  What are you waiting for?   Why not try one of my online home staging services or call me for local, in- person staging services.

Home Staging Service

Are you ready for a win? It all starts with a consultation.  Call today.907-362-0065.

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Make More on Your Home Sale with the Right Paint Colors

Updated for 2023. Studies show some colors in specific rooms,  increased the sales price in homes. Why? Color affects emotion and buyers buy on emotion!  This report gives you six specific color recommendations per room to help sell your house for more based on study results, top paint sales and professional experience. Mary Ann Benoit is a certified color expert and color strategist and professional home stager. Download now. Price: $4.99.

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Do You Think Just Having a Pretty Face Won’t Cut It?

Many say that beauty is only skin deep, but in the rental business, a stunning first impression is invaluable. An attractive property lures customers in, setting the stage for a deeper connection. While maintaining them requires more than just aesthetics, it’s that initial allure that opens the door to potential success

What is a Pretty Face?

What do I mean by a ‘pretty face’? It’s your presentation – the outward appearance of your product, the energy it radiates, and the emotional connection it establishes with your customers. It’s the factor that determines whether they’ll get to know, like, and trust you and embrace what you’re offering. Simply put, it can’t just be good; it needs to be nothing short of amazing.”

It needs to provide a sense of expansion….giving the person something better than they have now so their life will feel better in your space.

You can do that with home staging, decorating, Interior Design. It really all is the same thing, it is just the focus of who you are trying to please and how you do it that is different.

Unlocking Wealth: The Potential of Real Estate Investments

Many people believe that investing in real estate can yield a significant return on their investment. Some choose to renovate their properties and sell them for a substantial profit. In these situations, home staging serves as the ‘pretty face’ that creates a sense of improved living, connecting with buyers and ensuring a swift and lucrative sale

Some buy real estate with the intent of making money off short or long-term rentals. In this case, the key to success is not to have vacancies but to fully book your rentals as much as possible.

If you are renting apartments or houses that are unfurnished, photos of vacant spaces are not your friend. People do not emotionally connect to empty rooms. Home staging can be a great way to show the possibilities, how the rental can actually look and be used, and the wonderful life you will have if you only rent this place! Great photos of a beautifully staged rental are a wonderful marketing tool.

Maximizing Rental Profits: The Role of Home Staging in Real Estate Investments”

If you’re offering furnished rentals, it’s wise to collaborate with a professional stager or designer for decor selection and setup. A tastefully curated rental not only commands a higher price but also attracts more tenants and the right tenants for you.

For those venturing into short-term vacation rentals or running a Bed & Breakfast, a well-staged or designed space is essential. It’s the first impression online leading to bookings, and it ensures guests have a pleasant experience during their stay. Engage a professional to enhance aesthetics, produce captivating marketing images, attract your ideal guests, and guarantee their satisfaction throughout their visit.

The Key to Making Money on Rentals

The secret to rental success, be it short or long-term, lies in presenting your property at its finest through captivating marketing photos. Attracting a steady stream of customers, thereby eliminating vacancies, is paramount. Moreover, ensuring the happiness of your customers, leading to glowing reviews, is essential.

Let the charm of your property be your key to profitability.

Let that pretty face make you lots of money.

Ready to Update Your Rental for More Profits?

Ready to pivot and elevate your business? Think about where you might stand a year from now without taking decisive action.

Leverage my vacation rental design, home staging or Interior Design expertise to maximize your rental returns. With hands-on experience owning a Bed & Breakfast, I specialize in refining vacation rentals, enhancing their appeal, and increasing profitability.

Benefit from my Edesign Services, producing stunning visuals like the ones showcased in this blog, spotlighting the potential of your vacant rental spaces.

Considering selling your home and tempted to handle the staging on your own to save money? While it’s possible, consulting a professional stager could significantly boost your final sale price. Expert insights can make all the difference.

Online home staging consultations open doors to collaborating with top-notch stagers, regardless of your location or the absence of local experts. Experience the magic of expert advice, no matter where you are.

Benefits of an Online Home Staging Consultation.

An online home staging consultation, as opposed to an in-person consultation, offers several distinct advantages:

1. Convenience: Clients can easily schedule sessions at times that work best for them, without needing to coordinate for a physical meeting.
2. Safety: Especially in situations where health concerns (like pandemics) are prevalent, online consultations reduce risks associated with personal interactions.
3. Accessibility: Clients from any geographic location can access top-notch professionals, not just those located nearby.
4. Cost-Effective: Often, online consultations can be less expensive as there are no travel expenses or time associated with commuting.
5. Flexibility: It’s easier to reschedule or adjust appointment times without the hassle of considering commute or travel disruptions.
6. Documentation: Virtual consultations can be recorded (with permission), allowing homeowners to review advice and instructions as needed.
7. Immediate Implementation: Clients can start making recommended changes right after the consultation.
8. Eco-friendly: Reduces carbon footprint as there’s no need for vehicular transportation.
9. Comfort: Being in the comfort of one’s own home can make the consultation less intimidating and more relaxed for some clients.
10. Efficiency: Digital tools can be employed during the consultation, like screen sharing, which can help in showing visuals, designs, or examples instantly.

However, it’s worth noting that while online consultations offer many benefits, in-person consultations can provide a tactile and immediate understanding of space, which might be preferred by some clients or specific projects.

Benefits of Doing a Home Staging Consultation with a Professional versus Self Staging

Opting for an online consultation with a professional stager, as opposed to self-staging based on personal preferences, has multiple advantages:

1. Expert Insight: Professional stagers have the training and experience to identify a home’s strengths and weaknesses, ensuring the best features are highlighted.
2. Objective View: Homeowners may be emotionally attached to their property and its decor. A professional provides an unbiased perspective, focusing on broad buyer appeal rather than personal tastes.
3. Cost-Effective: While there’s an upfront fee, investing in a professional consultation can lead to a higher sale price, often compensating for the initial outlay and reducing potential lost profits from price reductions.
4. Current Market Trends: Stagers are updated on the latest home design and buyer trends, ensuring the home appeals to the contemporary buyer’s preferences.
5. Space Optimization: A professional can suggest layouts and designs that make rooms appear larger and more functional, maximizing the potential of every space.
6. Resource Recommendations: Professional stagers often have a list of trusted vendors, from furniture rental companies to painters, which can be invaluable for homeowners.
7. Efficiency: Based on their experience, professional stagers can quickly identify solutions, saving homeowners time and effort.
8. Avoid Common Mistakes: Without professional guidance, homeowners might over-personalize or clutter spaces. Stagers help prevent such pitfalls.
9. Enhanced Online Appeal: In the digital age, property listings often start online. Stagers know how to create spaces that photograph well, increasing online interest.
10. Psychological Impact: Stagers understand the psychology of buyers and create spaces that evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and potential.
11. Flexibility & Convenience: Online consultations can be scheduled at the homeowner’s convenience and provide actionable advice without the need for in-person visits.
12. Value Proposition: A well-staged home differentiates itself in the market, especially in areas with many similar property listings.
13. Boosts Confidence: Having the endorsement of a professional can boost a seller’s confidence in their property’s presentation during showings and open houses.

While self-staging might seem like a cost-saving approach, the expertise and insights of a professional stager, even in an online format, can yield a swifter sale and often a better return on investment.

Ready to get a better sales price on your home?

Get your online home staging consultation or staging service today. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.

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Interested in becoming a home stager? I recommend the Staging Diva Home Staging Training program!

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In a previous article, I discussed the importance of assembling a dedicated home selling team to ensure a successful sale. Key players include a professional home stager and a dedicated realtor who truly prioritizes your interests. Today, we’ll delve into identifying another pivotal player: a skilled real estate photographer.

Securing top-tier real estate photos can significantly enhance your listing and give you a competitive edge. If your realtor reaches for their phone to snap listing photos, it’s time to advocate for a professional touch.

Here are insights from one of Anchorage’s premier real estate photographers, Dave M. Davis of DMD Real Estate Photography, to guide your selection process.

4 Tips for Finding the Right Real Estate Photographer- Dave Davis

Why are high-quality real estate photos so important? They are the first part of a listing that a potential buyer sees and also the part of the listing that people spend the most time on – 60% on average.

But the most important reason may be that you have about two seconds to capture a home buyer’s attention. A great photo is much better at accomplishing this than a simple written description.

With that in mind, here are 4 tips for finding a real estate photographer:

Choose a photographer who has real estate experience.

There are many professional photographers out there, but you want someone who has specific real estate experience. Photographing a home requires a different set of skills than photographing a person or a landscape, for instance.

A good real estate photographer knows how to highlight the most appealing parts of your home: recent renovations, a cozy atmosphere, and so on. Look for photographers who highlight their real estate experience or actually use the title of “Real Estate Photographer.”

Ask for a photographer’s portfolio.

Reviewing a photographer’s past work and clients is the best way to see if they are a good fit for the job. A photographer’s portfolio will give insights into the types of homes they specialize in, what aspects they like to highlight, and the quality of the photos they take. Do you like the images? How do they make you feel about the home they showcase?

Call the photographer’s references.

References will give insight into the photographer’s process and can give your personal thoughts on what it was like to work with them. Was the photographer reliable? Was he or she able to turn around the images quickly?

Look for a photographer who can showcase a home with more than just photos.

Huh? Isn’t shooting photos what a real estate photographer does? Of course. But some of them do a whole lot more.

As technology improves, new kinds of media give potential home buyers exciting ways to explore your home. Ask potential photographers to see a full range of their services, and look for someone who also shoots videos, provides floor plans, creates virtual tours, and more. Even if you do not use all of these services, having them available shows that a photographer is innovative and always looking to improve their craft.

So what can you do with all those great photos?

The possibilities are endless! Here are a few great ideas.

1. Put them on the MLS on your real estate listing.
2. Create a website for your home sale.
2. Use them for social media marketing by creating a Facebook page for your home sale.
4. Create a virtual tour or video highlighting key elements of your home.
5. Create great flyers.

Make Your House Stand Out from the Crowd Online

On one project where I served as the home stager, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Dave Davis, our chosen photographer for the property.

1. Once the home staging was finalized, Dave captured the essence of the property through professional photos, which were then featured on the MLS listing.

2. DMD Real Estate Photography further enhanced our marketing strategy by developing a dedicated website and a captivating virtual tour for potential buyers.

3. To maximize our online presence, I crafted a Facebook page for the property. This page showcased engaging photos, detailed descriptions, and integrated links to DMD’s photo gallery, property website, and virtual tour. Targeted Facebook ads were also deployed to reach the right audience.

4. To elevate the property’s appeal, I produced a video highlighting the home’s exterior and its picturesque gardens. This was shared on both the Facebook page and YouTube, generating buzz and intrigue amongst potential buyers.

5. The realtor further amplified our efforts by developing a dedicated website for the home sale and crafting eye-catching flyers, both of which were seamlessly integrated with our Facebook promotions.

6. This cohesive marketing approach not only spread the word but also piqued buyers’ interest. Central to this success was the power of quality photography, enticing potential buyers to experience the property firsthand.

Get Started with an Online Home Staging Consultation

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Reflecting on my 2016 musings about inspiration, I revisited them in 2020 and now again in 2024. This recurring introspection reveals the evolution of both myself and my business. It’s vital to periodically assess if our current direction aligns with our evolving selves.

What sparks your enthusiasm each day? What drives the essence of who you are? What ignited my passion for establishing a home staging and design venture, and why does it hold significance?

Many term this as one’s “brand”. What makes you the go-to choice over competitors? Likely, it’s that ineffable quality that motivates you, resonating with others, fostering connection and trust. While most discuss their exceptional products or services, the true differentiator is personal. What sets you apart? 

For me, it’s not just beauty that captivates me, but also the underlying energy of everything I observe. It’s what you feel and how it transforms you.

Nature, with its myriad of colors, patterns, light, and textures, still feeds my definition of beauty. Undoubtedly, nature is the ultimate designer, offering magic at every glance!

During my alternate career spanning nearly 25 years as a wildlife biologist, I’ve minutely observed nature, from grand landscapes to microscopic details. This keen observation translates to my designs—whether envisioning a room inspired by a vibrant bird’s colors or imagining a fabric pattern based on a microscopic plant structure. Every natural element, from a glacial lake’s hue to a rising full moon’s light, propels my creativity. And now, I delve deeper into understanding the energetic messages of the natural world and how they can enhance your space and ultimately, you.

This awe of nature, especially from witnessing the northern lights, inspired my business’s name—Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. It embodies the wonder I aim for clients to feel upon seeing their transformed space.

With each project, once I perceive a home’s potential, it occupies my thoughts until the vision materializes.

Over time, my core inspirations have remained constant, yet layers of depth and meaning keep expanding my vision and guiding my business’s trajectory. Nature’s allure steered me towards Biophilia and global style based designs, fostering a connection between interiors and the natural world.

My color fascination led to my certification as a color strategist, harmonizing both the art and science of colors. Notably, I’ve delved deeper into creating energy art which has become the foundation of my design and the unique Aligned Design philosophy which guides me. I’ve also ventured into creating home décor lines inspired by my energy art on platforms like Pixels.com,  Society 6,  Le Galeriste, and Contrado.

I eagerly anticipate the innovations the upcoming decade holds.

So, what fuels your life and business aspirations?

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