My Life as a Home Stager

Ever wondered what life as a home stager is like?

How I Became a Home Stager

Many years ago I got a degree in Interior Design, and although I used it on some jobs and always loved it, my life took a different path and I became a wildlife biologist. Three years ago, I decided I wanted to start some type of creative business. Working for the government as a scientist was not exactly feeding my creative spirit!  One day when taking one of those fun quizzes on Facebook, called “What is your true profession”, the answer I received was “designer”.  I started playing the “what if” game in my head, wondering what my life would have been like if I had stuck with Interior Design as a career. And then I thought, why not now?  I decided it would be the focus of my new business, Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

While researching how to start a design business, I came across information on home staging. I really knew nothing about it and the whole concept of decorating a house to sell sounded fascinating. I thought it would be a great aspect of a design business.

Home Staging Training

After researching various home staging courses, I decided to take Debra Gould’s Staging Diva course because it seemed to be the most focused on how to successfully run a home staging business, rather than just teaching how to decorate. And I am so glad I did!

The course was fantastic and I continue to stay connected with Debra and other stagers from the class through coaching and conference calls. Part of the journey I love is the wonderful generosity, community and friendships I developed with this group of amazing creative people. Some have taken me under their wing and served as mentors when I was just getting started, and others I continue to collaborate with, developing products, articles and brainstorming ideas to make our businesses better.

Life as a Home Stager

After starting Northern Lights Home Staging and Design, I found my life as a home stager is fun and rewarding, and it feeds my creative soul with the great benefit of helping others. I love walking through a house during a home staging consultation, and on the fly determining all the things that can transform the house, make it look beautiful, connect emotionally with buyers, and help my clients. It is like an improvisational home staging dance. I also love staging vacant homes, where I have a blank slate and can do whatever I want! I love working with occupied homes, where I can see the story of the home owner, and bring out the beauty that is there by bringing a fresh eye, highlighting the important things the house wants to show. When you listen, the house speaks to you and tells you what makes it special. I love it when I am done with the staging and the home seller says “Wow, I wish we had been living like this all along…maybe we shouldn’t sell”!

Unexpected Benefits of Becoming a Home Stager

And there were some totally unexpected benefits as well. I have another business, a bed and breakfast which I started in 2002.  Once I started learning how home staging is an amazing a marketing tool that connects with buyers, I wondered if I could apply the same concepts to my bed and breakfast. I did some experimenting and found that it at least doubled my bookings and income and helped me attract my ideal customers. It transformed my business. And, doing this added a specialty niche for my staging business to help others with vacation rental properties with home staging.

My life as a home stager- Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
My life as a home stager

From my home staging course, I learned or was inspired to learn all kinds of new things including designing my own word press websites, creating video for advertising, how to write a blog and create a newsletter, how to publish articles for magazines and do radio interviews. I also was inspired to continue my education and become a color expert and strategist, and add color consulting to my list of services. The home staging training opened so many doors to learning that helped me in numerous aspects of my life. And I think it is just the beginning!

It all gives me joy. And like any business, while there are times when business can be slow or clients can be difficult, it is all worth it and I am so happy this is what I am doing. If you are someone that has wondered about being a home stager, I say, GO FOR IT!

My life as a home stager
Mary Ann Benoit- President of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

 

Staging Diva Home Staging Graduate
Staging Diva Home Staging Graduate

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

Northern Lights Home Staging and Design awards and credentials




How much does home staging cost and who pays for it?

How much does it cost is usually the first question I get from home sellers! A better question might be can home staging help me sell faster and for more! Think of home staging as an investment, rather than a cost.

Home Staging is an Investment. Which House Would You Rather Buy?

Before Home Staging
Preparing for Your Photo Shoot- Tips by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design - Home Staging Portfolio
After Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

That investment will depend on the size of your home, if it is vacant or occupied, if the stager will do everything or just a consultation, followed by you, the seller, doing the bulk of the work. It also depends on whether suitable furniture and accessories are present in the home or if items need to be rented.

Stagers charge a fee for a consultation and give an estimate (based on an hourly fee, or a flat fee) if additional time is needed. A monthly rental fee may apply for furniture and/or accessories.

On average, stagers charge $400-$600 for that initial “working” consultation and about $125/hour for their time after that. Furniture and accessory rental costs vary based on what is needed to properly showcase your home.

Just like a home seller shouldn’t pick a real estate agent based on the highest quoted sale price for your home, a stager should not be picked based on the lowest bid. In both cases, the agent and the stager may be quoting that price just to get the job. You get what you pay for. Quality counts.

Staging will always cost less than your first price reduction. An increased sales price of your home, faster closing, and reduced holding costs, will more than cover the staging investment and all with a whole lot less stress!

Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

Who Pays for Home Staging?

Some popular options include:

  • the home seller pays all
  • the real estate agent pays for a consultation
  • the real estate agent reimburses the home seller at closing for an agreed amount (such as for the home staging consultation).
  • the real estate agent pays all or part of the staging

More and more Realtors are covering the cost of a consultation as part of their marketing plan, leaving any further investment up to the home seller. If you like to DIY, a home staging consultation may be all you need to properly prepare your home for sale.  Learn more about the costs of home staging and how it works in my blog article, Home staging- How it Works and What it Costs.

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

Let’s Get Your Home Staged Today

Let’s get your home staged today. Start with a home staging consultation, either in person or online. From there, you can take the information and stage it yourself, or we can work together or I can do it all for you. Whether you will be living in the home while it is for sale or it will be a vacant property that needs everything, I can help.


Online Home staging consultation with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Wherever you are, learn everything you need to know to sell fast and high.

Some other services you may find helpful are a color consultation if your staging consultation highlights the need for re-painting the interior or exterior. Virtual staging is an option if in person staging will not work for your vacant property. And vacation rental staging can help you increase your income, bookings and attract your ideal customer.


Having problems picking the right color because you are stumped by so called “undertones”? Are the paint colors you have selected shifting blue, green or another color once they are on the wall? Not sure how to pick the right white? Wondering what paint colors will go with the countertops you have selected for your kitchen or bath remodel? Wondering if that countertop will go with your existing flooring or other fixed finishes? Not sure how to find the right paint colors to go with that rug, piece of art or furniture that you want to use in your design? I can take the guesswork out of all of these things by using color measurements. Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Certified Color Strategist.


Virtual Staging Service. Vacant homes leaving your buyers cold? Staging too expensive? Try virtual staging for a fraction of the cost. I drop-in furniture, art, and accessories into your well-lit vacant room photo so buyers can visualize this home as their own!"


Get Your Free Report

The right paint colors can help you sell for more. The wrong colors can decrease your sales price.  Get this report, normally valued at $5 for free when you sign up to receive monthly color, design and staging tips.

Top Paint Colors for a Speedy and Profitable Home Sale by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

What's Your Global Design Style? Take this fun quiz to find out. Northern Lights Home Staging and Design #globalstyle #designstyle #interiordesign #onlinedesign #stylequiz #interiordesignquiz #interiorstylequiz

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How Much Does Home Staging Cost and Who Pays for It?
How Much Does Home Staging Cost and Who Pays for It?
How Much Does Home Staging Cost and Who Pays for It?
How Much Does Home Staging Cost and Who Pays for It?

Why work with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

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Prices subject to change without notice.

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What is the Value of Home Staging? FAQs for Realtors

Can home staging help me sell my listing faster and for more money?

Various reports publish statistics on the benefits and value of home staging. A 2017 report by the National Association of Realtors states that at least 50% of Realtors think staging increases the dollar amount buyers will offer to pay by between 1 and 10%. Also, homes that are staged first before listing spend 90% less time on the market. See the summary of some of the 2017 findings from the National Association of Realtors.

 

What should I tell a client that wants to list first and stage later if their home does not sell?

The same thing you tell a client who wants to “test” the market with an unrealistic listing price, to inevitably reduce the price later. The longer a home is on the market, the less desirable it is. Just like food, a listing becomes stale in a very short time. You can also add that the Real Estate Staging Association Home Staging National Statistics Report found that homes that were staged first before listing, rather than after listing, spent 90% less time on the market. See the article, the “Big Bang Theory of Home Staging”.

 

The value of home staging
2017 Home Staging Dtatistics

Why should I invest in home staging in a seller’s market?

Home staging works in every type of market. Even in a seller’s market, there will always be listings that do not sell quickly. Staged homes generate more interest on the web and in person, by creating move-in ready homes that feel fresh, spacious, and up-to-date. All these conditions lead to higher offers, potential bidding wars, and greater profits for you and your clients.

 

Can home staging get me more listings?

YES! Would you like to tip the scales in your favor when competing for a listing? Want to know what top producing real estate agents do? Offer your sellers an affordable home staging consultation. Position yourself as a forward thinking agent that:

  • Gives extra value.
  • Goes the extra mile.
  • Is a savvy marketer.
  • Is known for having the best listings.

 

What should I look for when selecting a home stager?

Even though there is no legal licensing or training requirement to become a home stager, do your homework and look for a professional with training, experience, and good reviews.

An accomplished stager will have both training and proven natural talent to get you great results. See the article on tips to hiring a great stager.

For more information on the value, time, cost  and process of home staging, get your free report,  FAQs for Realtors on Home Staging.

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FAQs for Realtors on Home Staging

Resources

An Inconvenient Truth about Selling your Home.

Answers to questions commonly asked by real estate agents considering
Home Staging for their clients

Helpful Tips on Finding a Great Home Stager

Home Staging Consultation: Should Realtors Attend?

Home Staging Proof: Solid Science Proves Staged Homes Sell Faster.

National Association of Realtors 2015 Profile of Home Staging

National Association of Realtors 2017 Profile of Home Staging

Consumers Guide to Real Estate Staging

Six Tips to Maximize Your Home Staging Consultation Dollar

Summary of 2017 Home Staging Statistics

What is the Cheapest Way to Successfully Stage Your House? Get a Home Staging Consultation.

Who Pays for Home Staging

Why Hire a Professional Home Stager?

 

Get your Free Report

https://northernlightsstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_5534.mp4

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

Northern Lights Home Staging and Design awards and credentials

 




What is the Cheapest Way to Successfully Stage Your House? Get a Home Staging Consultation

How Much Does it Cost?

Usually the first question I get when a home owner or realtor calls about home staging is “How much does it cost?”

To get the best possible results from home staging, it is worth spending the money to hire a professional home stager with experience and great reviews. See my interview on Helpful Tips for Finding a Great Home Stager to learn what to look for.

Benefits of Home Staging

The benefits include getting the highest possible price for your home in the price range of similar houses, and selling fast so you save money by reducing owner expenses while on the market and losses from price reductions. Home staging always costs less than your first price reduction.

The Cost of Taking Shortcuts

Taking shortcuts such as hiring untrained stagers or realtors to stage your home because it is cheaper, listing first and staging later if it does not sell, using “Lite” or “Vignette” staging of minimal rooms or areas, or not staging at all will cost you more money in a lower final sales price or losses from price reductions as your home is on the market longer.

A better question might be, “How much does it cost not to professionally stage my home?” The higher initial investment will pay off and put more money in your pocket in the end.

What if You Can’t Invest in Home Staging?

Sometimes, however, a home seller is unable to make the full investment in home staging. What is the cheapest way to get results that can pay off in a higher sales price when the budget is tight? Here is my advice if you are going to be living in the home while it is on the market.

Get a home staging consultation with a professional stager, follow their advice, do the staging yourself, and have them do a final check-up before taking photos.

Every home, no matter how big or small, regardless of the price range or condition can benefit from a professional consultation.

Before Home Staging by Northern LIghts Home Staging and Design
Before Home Staging.
After home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
After Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.-This Office/Catch all room turned into a bonus room or part of a Mother in Law Suite to help increase value.

What is involved in a professional home staging consultation?

The home stager will come to your house and walk through the interior and exterior. They will give you expert objective advice on:

    • How buyers will see your home and what changes you can make to get the highest final sales price. It is impossible for home sellers to see their own home objectively as a buyer seeing it for the first time will see it.
    • The most cost effective ways to market your property to your target buyer.
    • What things to repair, paint, update, remove, add, keep and re-arrange to highlight the best features of the home and downplay the flaws.
    • Paint and décor colors that appeal to buyers.
    • Working with the décor you have to highlight the homes features and will give you recommendations for purchases if needed for bedding, art, accessories, furniture rentals, etc.
    •  Prioritizing the most important things to do if time or budget constraints exist.
    • Improving your curb appeal.
    • Trusted resources such as contractors, painters, and cleaners etc. to use.
    • How to live in your staged home and keep things looking great while it is on the market.

Most consultations last about 2 hours and cost an average of $300 providing a huge amount of value in just a few hours. Your home stager can come back for a check-up after you have done the work to do final adjustments before photos for an hourly fee. The check-up can add great value to make sure your furniture is properly arranged to highlight space, your bookshelves and accessories are styled to look great, your bedding is arranged perfectly, art is hung correctly and all the little things that will make the photos look wonderful and have buyers loving your house are done.

What if your house is Vacant?

A consultation can still provide great value in prioritizing the things to do to get the most bang for your buck. And it will be important….since there will be no furniture etc. to look at, buyers will be focusing on the flaws which will be more obvious. You are better off investing in a consultation or full staging than trying to do ”vignette” or “Lite staging”. These silly staging tricks where a couple rooms have minimal furniture or have small areas staged in an otherwise empty house look weird and distracting. Better to not waste money on that and leave it empty. During the home staging consultation, the stager can tell you what the most important things are you can do to get the best return on your investment with the money you have available to spend.

A great home stager will make all the difference in a successful home sale for you. Pick their brains! They want to help you!

Ready for your Home Staging Consultation?

Start with a home staging consultation, either in person or online. From there, you can take the information and stage it yourself, or we can work together or I can do it all for you. Whether you will be living in the home while it is for sale or it will be a vacant property that needs everything, I can help.

Online Home staging consultation with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Wherever you are, learn everything you need to know to sell fast and high.

Some other services you may find helpful are a color consultation if your staging consultation highlights the need for re-painting the interior or exterior. Virtual staging is an option if in person staging will not work for your vacant property. And vacation rental staging can help you increase your income, bookings and attract your ideal customer.

Having problems picking the right color because you are stumped by so called “undertones”? Are the paint colors you have selected shifting blue, green or another color once they are on the wall? Not sure how to pick the right white? Wondering what paint colors will go with the countertops you have selected for your kitchen or bath remodel? Wondering if that countertop will go with your existing flooring or other fixed finishes? Not sure how to find the right paint colors to go with that rug, piece of art or furniture that you want to use in your design? I can take the guesswork out of all of these things by using color measurements. Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Certified Color Strategist.Virtual Staging Service. Vacant homes leaving your buyers cold? Staging too expensive? Try virtual staging for a fraction of the cost. I drop-in furniture, art, and accessories into your well-lit vacant room photo so buyers can visualize this home as their own!

Get Your Free Report

The right paint colors can help you sell for more. The wrong colors can decrease your sales price.  Get this report, normally valued at $5 for free when you sign up to receive monthly color, design and staging tips.

Top Paint Colors for a Speedy and Profitable Home Sale by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

What's Your Global Design Style? Take this fun quiz to find out. Northern Lights Home Staging and Design #globalstyle #designstyle #interiordesign #onlinedesign #stylequiz #interiordesignquiz #interiorstylequiz

 
Why work with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer

Prices subject to change without notice.

Gift Cards

Give a home staging gift card.

Staging Diva Home Staging Store

Free 10 Tips Course to Become a Home Stager

Download my Brochure

Interior Design, Color and Home Staging Services. Brochure of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

Pin These

What is the Cheapest Way t Stage YOur HOuse? Get a Home Staging Consultation
What is the Cheapest Way t Stage YOur HOuse? Get a Home Staging Consultation




Will Younger Buyers Love Your For-Sale Home?

Will younger buyers love your for-sale home?

The majority of staging projects that I do are for older sellers and the target market is younger buyers. The sellers are retiring and moving to a new location. Many have lived in their home for many years, which were often built in the 1970’s-1980’s. Based on the price they are selling these older homes for and location near schools, the target buyer is often a young family buying their first or second house. The styles that appeal to these two groups are usually quite different!

To appeal to a younger buyers, home staging can really help give a fresh modern feel that younger buyers are looking for. For more examples of how home staging can help attract younger buyers, see my article “Home Staging Helps Seniors Move on to Their Next Adventure”.

Here is an example of a  home staging project that shows how home staging can appeal to younger buyers.

This house had been on the market for about a month with little interest. The home seller decided it should be staged, although the realtor had not suggested it. Once staged, they got new professional photos and the interest and showings increased by at least three times the amount they had before. Everyone loved the way the house looked! They had an offer within 2 months and were able to move on quickly to their new location. This house would have sold more quickly had they staged it initially before listing and would have saved them money on photos.

Ready to Sell Fast and For More?

Get your online home staging consultation or staging service today. Click on the pictures to learn more. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.

Online Home Staging Consultation
Virtual Staging Service. Vacant homes leaving your buyers cold? Staging too expensive? Try virtual staging for a fraction of the cost. I drop-in furniture, art, and accessories into your well-lit vacant room photo so buyers can visualize this home as their own!"
Why work with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer

Prices subject to change without notice.

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

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

 

Staging Savvy Quiz: Do You Have the Eye of a Home Stager?

Free 10 Tips Course to Become a Home StagerPin These

Will Younger Buyers Love Your For Sale HomeWill Younger Buyers Love Your For Sale HomeWill Younger Buyers Love Your For Sale Home Will Younger Buyers Love Your For Sale Home




Alaska Home Magazine “Ask the Expert”- Staging for a Quick Sale

Staging for a Quick Sale

I was  asked by Alaska Home Magazine to write an article for their “Ask the Expert” column on Staging for a Quick Sale. Here are some of the key questions and answers from my article which I hope helps you with your home sale!

 

Staging for a quick sale

Q: We are planning to put our home on the market and are hoping for a quick sell. What are your top staging tips for appealing to the greatest possible pool of prospective buyers?

Congratulations on being proactive and considering how to best invest your time and money to assure a fast sale and, of course, the highest sales price!

First, get an “objective” idea of how buyers may view your house. We all have problem areas that we no longer “see” because we live with them every day. Also, consider who your likely “buyer” is and what they want. A consultation with a home stager and advice from your realtor can help you determine and appeal to your “target market.”

In addition, doing the following things will help attract the greatest number of buyers:

Make it spotless.

Paint neutral colors to make everything look fresh and new. Neutral colors will go with most buyers’ belongings.

What is Home Staging

Declutter so you only have about half the items that you normally live with. Cluttered rooms or too much furniture will make your space look smaller than it is.

Remove personal photos for your own security and to help buyers visualize their family living there.

Repair needed items. Most buyers want a property that is move-in ready.

Don’t leave it vacant. Buyers will focus on the flaws since they have nothing else to look at! When buyers make an emotional connection and can see themselves living there, the house will sell. It is hard for buyers to visualize how their belongings will fit, or to make that emotional connection with a vacant property.

Upgrade outdated lighting or old carpeting.

Home staging Tip- update outdated lighting

 

 

Your stager or realtor can advise you on which upgrades will provide a good return on your investment in the final sales price.

Home staging Tip- update old carpeting

Clean and maintain your yard and make the front door area look welcoming. Great curb appeal will assure buyers make it inside to see your beautiful house.

Get professional photos! Most buyers shop online and will decide about viewing your house in a few seconds. Great photos are critical.

Finally, when showing your house, make sure all lights are on, curtains are open, toilet seats are closed, and personal items are out of view in the bathrooms – and remove all evidence of pets. Best of luck on a fast sale!

Staging for a Quick Sale- Mary Ann Benoit is the President of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design at northernlightsstaging.com.
Mary Ann Benoit is the President of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design at northernlightsstaging.com.

 

Ready to Sell Fast and For More?

Get your online home staging consultation or staging service today. Click on the pictures to learn more. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.

Online Home Staging Consultation
Virtual Staging Service. Vacant homes leaving your buyers cold? Staging too expensive? Try virtual staging for a fraction of the cost. I drop-in furniture, art, and accessories into your well-lit vacant room photo so buyers can visualize this home as their own!"
Why work with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer

Prices subject to change without notice.

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

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

 

Staging Savvy Quiz: Do You Have the Eye of a Home Stager?

Free 10 Tips Course to Become a Home Stager

 




Home Staging Helps Seniors Move on to Their Next Adventure

Home staging helps seniors move on to their next adventure.  How? Many of my home staging customers are seniors or mature sellers moving on to the next stage of their life for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Retiring and moving to their dream home or location.
  • Empty nesters downsizing to smaller, more affordable spaces.
  • Moving closer to family.
  • Moving to assisted living facilities.

Many of the buyers looking at homes being sold by seniors are younger families, potentially buying their first or second homes.

There is a big difference in taste and lifestyle between these buyers and sellers.

A home stager can really help mature home sellers in a variety of ways to sell quickly and for more while addressing some of their unique challenges as they move on to a different lifestyle.

  • A home stager can help seniors present their for sale home to appeal to younger buyers so they can visualize themselves living there. This may include updating paint colors, finishes, lighting, furnishings and accessories to create a more modern style.
  • A home stager can provide an objective perspective on what younger buyers will see when viewing the for sale home, which can be especially difficult for sellers who have lived in a home for decades.
  • A home stager can find and coordinate great contractors to do needed repairs and upgrades.
  • A home stager can help seniors in de-cluttering and downsizing. I never liked the word “de-cluttering” because our possessions are meaningful to us, and are great to display when living in the home to tell the story of our lives. When selling, it is important to highlight the house and the space, rather than our own story. Older sellers, especially those downsizing have a hard time letting go of some of their belongings. An accomplished stager can help you decide about what to keep, and what could fit in the new space and even help set up and decorate your new home.
  • A home stager can help seniors with long term attachments to a property to mentally prepare for the home sale.

A home stager can be part of your home selling team with your realtor  and photographer, as well as part of your support network to help make sure you get the most for your home and can move on quickly and with the least amount of stress.

See an example of how home staging transformed this couples house that decided to retire and move on. Their house sold the first day on the market for full asking price.

As you move on to the next adventure, consider 4 housing options for seniors. Did you know that you don’t necessarily need to purchase a home to downsize as a senior? There are several options to think about – including leasing, renting, and buying. Your home stager can help you get set up in your new home regardless of which option you select.

 

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

Northern Lights Home Staging and Design awards and credentials




Preparing for your Photo Shoot

Getting professional photos to highlight your for-sale home is critical to helping your listing outshine the competition online and getting buyers to visit your property!

Professional photos also  help make your vacation rental stand out online and attract your ideal customer.

Even with professional photos, it is important to make sure what is in the photo looks great and will capture buyer  or renter interest! After all, a high quality photo of an ugly room will emphasize the negative aspects rather than the positive.  Here is a checklist to make sure your rooms and the photos look fabulous.

Preparing for Your Photoshoot
Photo by Brandon Erlinger-Ford on Unsplash

Prepare for Your Photo Shoot – 2 weeks or more in advance

  • Consult with a professional home stager.  Staged homes or rental properties will look significantly better in photos than un-staged homes. Stagers are experts at decorating your home to create an atmosphere that appeals to buyers or renters so they make an emotional connection!
  • Stagers will help you highlight the positive and downplay the negative, give you an objective plan of things you can do to get top dollar and sell quickly with suggestions that will give you the greatest return for your investment.
  • Stagers can re-arrange furniture and decor to highlight focal points and enhance space, recommend paint colors that appeal to buyers or renters and look good in your photos.
  • They recommend repairs or remodeling, arrange to rent and place furniture, art and accessories if needed.
  • They research your target market in advance, and decorate to appeal to them. Most stagers will need 2 weeks in advance of photos to consult with you, devise and implement your staging plan and set up and have furniture and decor delivered if it is needed, although they can usually work with what you already have.
Preparing for Your PHotoshoot
Photo by Isabela Kronemberger on Unsplash

Complete painting, repairs and maintenance

  • Make your house spotless! While this is particularly important before showing your house to buyers, a clean house will make your photos look much better!
  • Stick with the plan. If your home has been staged, do not add, take away, or re-arrange items that have been placed before the photos
Preparing for Your Photoshoot
Photo by Miss Zhang on Unsplash

On the Day of Your Photo Shoot

If you have used a professional stager, they may have done most of this for you. If you are living in the house while listing, some of these things will still be up to you to do on the day of the photo shoot.

In All Rooms

  • Turn on all the lights, including accent lights such as under kitchen cabinets
  • Open all curtains unless specified otherwise by your stager to downplay a poor view
  • Make sure shades, if partially closed are all at the same level and are even at the bottom with cords neatly hanging and as invisible as possible
  • Consolidate and hide electrical cords as much as possible
  • Remove personal photos
  • Make sure price and other tags are not visible on pillows, towels, curtains or other items
  • Remove pets and all evidence of their bowls, food, beds etc.
  • Turn off TVs and ceiling fans

Kitchen

  • Remove all items from the countertops except a few appliances and decorative items
  • Remove dish towels
  • Sinks should be clean and empty. Remove sponges and soaps
  • Remove small area rugs in front of sink or doors. They are distracting in photos.
  • Remove all magnets, papers etc. from the refrigerator
  • Close all cabinet, pantry or closet doors
Preparing for Your Photoshoot
Photo by Isabela Kronemberger on Unsplash

Living /Family Rooms

  • Neatly arrange pillows or throws on couches
  • Clear coffee and end tables of items except for a few decorative items
  • Hide remotes

Dining Room

  • Clear table except for a centerpiece

Bedrooms

  • Make the beds. Ensure the bottom of the bed spread is even along the front and sides. Crooked bedspreads look distracting in photos
  • Put away clothes
  • Close closet doors
  • Clean and organize closets for interior photos
  • Clear bedside tables of all items except for lamps and small decorative items

Office

  • Neatly organize papers and files
  • Hide personal information, certificates or bills

Bathrooms

  • Towels are clean and neatly folded or hung. On towel racks, make sure the bottoms are straight and even.
  • Put down the lid on the toilet seat!
  • Remove personal items such as soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes etc. from view
  • Remove bath mats (they are distracting in the photos).
  • Shower curtains are clean, pressed, and open to show the shower

Entry

  • Put away shoes, coats, keys, backpacks etc. so they not visible
  • Remove all rugs except entry rug just inside the door

Exterior

  • Park cars elsewhere so house is clearly visible
  • Put away all tools, toys
  • Make sure yard looks cleaned and maintained
  • Remove trash cans from view

Resources

Tips for Finding a Great Real Estate Photographer

Tips for Finding a Great Home Stager

Ready to Prepare for a Great Photo Shoot?

Get your online home staging consultation or staging service today. Click on the pictures to learn more. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.

Online Home Staging Consultation
Virtual Remodeling Service.Is your vacant home turning buyers off with its lackluster paint, flooring, or lighting? No time or budget to remodel? Try virtual remodeling (combined with our virtual staging services) for a fraction of the cost. I create a 3D rendering from your photo and measurements to show cost effective remodeling options that buyers will love!
Virtual Staging Service. Vacant homes leaving your buyers cold? Staging too expensive? Try virtual staging for a fraction of the cost. I drop-in furniture, art, and accessories into your well-lit vacant room photo so buyers can visualize this home as their own!
 

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Preparing for your PHotoshoot. Photo by emrecan arık on Unsplash




Free Home Staging Workshop-Sell Your House in any Market Fast and For More with Home Staging

Join us for a free home staging workshop on March 12, 5:45-6:45 pm at 12*100 Cpffee and Communitas in Anchorage located at 12100 Old Seward Highway.

Thinking of selling your house? Stop by for coffee and learn how to sell quickly and for top dollar in any market with home staging. Potentially increase your selling price up to 20% and sell 79% faster.  Learn what you can do yourself, and how a home stager can help you. Learn how and why home staging works and how to find a great home stager. Find out about the process and what it costs.

Your home is probably your greatest investment. Home selling is a stressful process. Make sure you get the most for your home and learn the tools to sell fast, reduce stress and costs.

 

Sell Your House in Any Market Fast and for More- Free Workshop by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

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Free Home Staging Workshop with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design




Sell Your House in any Market Fast and For More

You can sell your house in any market fast and for more with Home Staging. Learn how, why and when home staging works, how much more you can sell your house for, how fast you can expect it to sell, how to find a great home stager and how much it costs. Home staging works and is a great investment!

Lately the market has gotten much slower and Alaska is reported to be facing a recession. If you need to sell your house, you can still outshine the competition. Home staging works in both a buyers and a seller’s marketand really helps you in a slow market.

Find out more information on how and why home staging works in our section on Why Home Stage?

Get more information on how to find a great home stager in my recent video interview on Home Staging Pros.

Find out more about how and why home staging works, how much it costs, what the process is like, how long it takes and what it costs. Check out our FAQs for Home Sellers on Home Staging report.

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

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