There are lots of simple things homeowners can do on their own to decorate their homes to sell. They can get rid of clutter, repaint, clean or put out fresh flowers. So why hire a home stager?
Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Many homeowners are unsure of what paint colors to choose or where to move the clutter. The process of selling a home can be completely overwhelming. They often lack real estate knowledge about their local markets and how homes in their price range should look.
A home stager has the ability to look at a home with a fresh pair of eyes. They view the home as a highly critical buyer would see it. Home staging expert Debra Gould provides five examples of how a professional home stager can benefit you:
A home stager knows what’s needed to create the right environment quickly and at the lowest cost.
A home stager knows what homes in different price ranges look like and what’s selling. They will give homeowners suggestions that their real estate agent may be afraid to offer because the agent does not want to risk losing the listing.
A home stager is not emotionally attached to any of the home’s contents, which means that they can see the home in a way that someone who has been living there for years simply cannot. Using their fresh vision, they recommend the optimal way to rearrange existing furniture, art and accessories.
A home stager can quickly choose new paint colors, flooring, tiles, countertops or any number of finishes. They have a ready source of painters, cleaners, handymen, off-site storage and a myriad of other services that may be needed on short notice.
A home stager can bring in replacement furniture, accessories and art if what is there isn’t appropriate for the home’s target market or the home is empty.
Home staging is not just for multimillion dollar homes. Even for modest homes, staging can have a dramatic effect on the selling price and the number of days spent on the market. For example, one of the homes Gould staged had previously been on the market for months with the best offer being $350,000. She spent 90 minutes with the owner rearranging the furniture, putting items in storage and telling him what needed to be cleaned. He sold the house the following week for $361,000!
How many other (legal) ways can you think of to invest $600 and get an $11,000 return on your investment the following week?
Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
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
Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
5 Massive Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Home Stager
When you decide to hire a home stager to decorate your property to sell faster and for more money, you need to make sure you’re investing in the right person. After all, you’re trusting someone with the sale of your largest asset–your home–so you have to be careful to put that trust in an experienced professional.
Having operated a successful home staging business since 2002, and having trained over 4,000 people worldwide about how to become a home stager, Staging Diva® Debra Gould is well aware of what a homeowner or real estate agent needs to look for when selecting an expert home stager. Here are the five biggest mistakes Gould says that homeowners make when looking for a home staging professional:
1. Focusing on price
The last thing you should be focused on is how much the home stager is charging. Saving a few hundred dollars in fees and getting bad advice will cost you thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars. You have a budget in mind, of course, but you stand to make a huge profit from effective home staging. That’s why you should consider hiring a home stager as an investment in the sale of your largest asset. For optimal results, invest in the highest quality stager you can find.
Professional home stagers expect to earn anywhere from $250 to $500 for the initial consultation. Beware of anyone willing to work for significantly less for doing work that you stand to make anywhere from $10,000 to $70,000 in profit from.
Rates will vary depending on your geographic location and the stager’s experience, but you shouldn’t hire someone just because he or she charges a ridiculously low rate. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for.
Home staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
2. Looking for credentials
Another common mistake is to look for “credentials,” since none exist in the home staging field. There is no governing body or official organization ruling over the home staging industry. There are no official home staging accreditations or certifications in this completely unlicensed field. The letters you see after some home stagers’ names simply come from a particular home staging training company that pushes them as part of their marketing strategy. Instead of relying on unofficial credentials, look at testimonials from past clients, before and after photos, and real estate knowledge.
3. Hiring someone without looking at a website or portfolio
It is recommended that you work only with home stagers who have a presence on the Web. Because you’re hiring a professional in a visual field, you want to see how they express themselves through their biggest marketing piece: their website. As an alternative to building their own websites, many graduates of the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program list their businesses in the Staging Diva Directory of Home Stagers at www.stagingdivadirectoryofhomestagers.com. These listings are like mini-websites, allowing potential clients to view online portfolios and learn more about home staging businesses in their area.
A professional portfolio full of before and after photos is a must. How else will you know what kind of results you can expect from a real estate stager? Because some companies provide ready-made portfolios to home stagers as part of their training programs, it’s important to ask questions about the photos that are presented as a home stager’s own work. If the stager can’t provide details about the property or you’ve seen the same shots on another stager’s website from the same “school” or training program, this should raise a red flag.
If you can’t find a particular home stager’s website or any online proof of their existence, you have to question how serious they are about their business. Alternatively, if they have a very unprofessional website, you have to wonder whether they’ll be capable of staging your home the way you expect from a professional.
4. Not looking for references or a proven track record
Read through the testimonials you’ll find on most home stagers’ websites. If there are none available (or they only provide initials and not full names), contact the stager and ask if they have any references. You shouldn’t hire someone to stage your property without hearing about others’ experiences with them.
Every stager has to start somewhere. If they haven’t staged a client’s home yet, they should at least be able to tell you about the many homes of their own that they’ve bought, staged and sold, and be able to provide the names of real estate agents they’ve worked with when selling these homes. The idea is to look for practical experience.
5. Neglecting to hire someone with real knowledge of the real estate market
You’re not looking for someone who just knows how to decorate. Make sure the home stager knows the local housing market. A home stager is as much a part of the real estate industry as a real estate agent, and they should have a good grasp of the market they’re in. If a stager doesn’t know how much homes usually sell for and how long they typically sit on the market, you should look for another stager in the area.
Because there isn’t an independent organization or association monitoring whether or not a home stager is operating professionally and providing a high-quality service, it’s buyer beware. If you avoid these five common mistakes as you search for the perfect expert home stager for your needs, you should be pleased with the professional you choose.
Happy “House Stager” Hunting!
Home staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
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
Ready to Sell Your House Faster and For More?
Get a home staging consultation today. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.
Interested in becoming a home stager? I recommend the Staging Diva Home Staging Training program!
Build your home selling team- Part 2- Find a Great Realtor
Preparing to sell your home? Assemble a top-tier team to optimize your chances for a swift and profitable sale. This indispensable trio should comprise a seasoned home stager, a skilled real estate photographer, and a Realtor whose top commitment is your interests. In Part 1, we delved into choosing the perfect home stager. Now, let’s navigate the search for the ideal Realtor. Drawing insights from two Realtors I’ve collaborated with, we’ll explore the hallmarks of a commendable Realtor. These professionals not only recognize the worth of staging but also prioritize their client’s needs above all els
Robin Smith- Ten Tips for Choosing Your Realtor
Robin Smith, REALTOR®, RE/MAXDynamic Properties, Anchorage, AK 99503907.903.8808, ak.robinsmith@gmail.com
While years of experience often equate to increased skills, it is certainly no guarantee that a long-time agent is skilled or, unfortunately, adheres to a Code of Ethics.
An agent with less than five years’ experience can be very skilled if they have had past work experiences that required the same kind of skills as selling real estate.
Less experience often equates to a smaller client base, so the agent will have more time to devote more attention to you, the buyer or seller.
A great Realtor®, regardless of how long in the business, is one that conducts his/her business with the aim of connecting with clients and developing a relationship with them – it’s not just about the immediate transaction. Important qualities are:
honesty
integrity
concentrates on the client’s needs (above and beyond the minimum)
communicates regularly with the client
Ask the agent what their marketing plan/strategy is and what kind of activities or events can be expected (e.g. Agent and Public Open Houses, Staging Consultation, online & social media marketing).
If you’re interviewing several agents, don’t be swayed by the one that says he can list your home for more than the other agents – this is known in the industry as “buying a listing.” You as seller will pay the price for this as the property will likely sit unsold on the market longer than necessary because it is overpriced.
A good Realtor® will be knowledgeable about the current real estate market and the trends.
Is it a Seller’s or Buyer’s market? Are prices increasing or decreasing?
The agent should be up on community neighborhood areas and the types of homes and price ranges typical in those areas.
If credentials are important to you as buyer or seller, look for designations that are earned through performance and productivity.
CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) It takes some time to acquire the CRS designation, so agents in the business for less than five years may not yet have accomplished the required components.
GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute)
ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative)
SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist)
There are many more designations out there, but these are the most sought after.
If the agent calls herself a Realtor with a capital “R”, that means she’s a member of NAR (National Association of Realtors).
By hiring a Realtor®, you get an agent who formally pledges to support the NAR’s stringent Code of Ethics – this is very important! Honesty and integrity in a Realtor’s character are the foundation for trust.
Ask the agent to provide a list of properties they have sold for past clients and their contact information so you can verify client satisfaction for this agent. If the agent won’t do that, then move on to one who will.
Ask business associates, friends, co-workers, or family members (i.e. someone you trust) to refer a Realtor® or real estate licensee to you and ask the person referring what their experience was like working with that agent.
Personality! Skills are not the only attribute that’s important. As a buyer or seller, you will be working closely with an agent for several months so you want to choose someone that you like! Two–way communication between Realtor® and client is essential for managing expectations, outcomes, and the future of this relationship.
Kris Bohman is a licensed agent with Real Estate Brokers Of Alaska and a local entrepreneur.
“Real estate agents, politicians, lawyers, insurance agents – are among the least respected professions on earth. But the reason why certain people in certain industries are not respected is because they have wrongly tried to master a craft that does not serve their audience. Take my industry, real estate, for example, since I see it daily and have an intimate understanding of what takes place. Real estate agents work their tail off to master the craft of self-promotion. They practice and practice and practice scripts and dialogues, to use when cold-calling homeowners. They spend thousands of dollars on websites to market themselves, etc., all self-interest orientated, but when it comes to their customers – where the majority of their time should be spent – why have they not worked equally as hard to master the craft of achieving a superior result?
Kris advises home sellers watch out for Realtors that use some of the typical approaches that have given the industry a bad name. He outlines some fundamental mistakes not to make when selling your home and looking for a good Realtor including:
Not taking the time to learn how to protect yourself from the biggest threat to your home sale profit and the greatest source of unnecessary risk: Real Estate Greed and Unethical Agents.
Don’t fall for gimmicks or bait and switch advertising.
Don’t assume an agent is good just because they do alot of full color advertising or sell alot of homes
Don’t make pricing decisions based on a “free home evaluation
If it sounds like “hot air”, it probably is
Not taking the time to diagnose the proper route of attack
“Here is what I have come to learn: Those who are respected, regardless of industry or person,…, are those who have focused on mastering the craft that will yield their audience a superior result first, not on their own self-interest. Then utilize that mastered craft… to serve only those who can most benefit.”
“To achieve something special for my clients, I want to work with clients who are as committed to the success of their home sale as I am.”
A great Realtor should be doing some of the following for you:
Get an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis to determine the best prescription to maximize the return on your investment.
From the diagnosis, make an informed, educated decision about how to prepare your home for sale, not based on hype but on research and common sense.
Recommend home staging, super-cleaning, professional photographs, great social media advertising, eliminating negotiations and low ball offers with a pre-listing inspection, and increasing your negotiating power with a home warranty.
Helpful Resources
Hereare some publications you may find helpful related to home staging.
Interested in become a home stager? Try the Staging Diva Home Staging Training. This is what I did and highly recommend it!
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5 Steps to Attract Your Ideal Customer and Increase Your Vacation Rental Income
Would you like to attract your ideal customer and increase your vacation rental income? Whether you have a Bed and Breakfast or other vacation rental, it is important to have your property stand out online to attract the guests you want and make the income you want. Learn more by listening to this interview with Mary Ann Benoit on Seward Public Radio’s “Market Minute” with Nicole Lawrence.
These five tips can dramatically increase your Bed and Breakfast or vacation rental income and bookings and attract your ideal guests! I used home staging to make a huge difference at my own B&B and at least doubled my income and bookings. Now my branding attracts guests I love to have stay. Report includes video examples. Download your report now. Price: $4.99.
Considering selling your 1980’s home? Want to modernize it to attract younger buyers without breaking the bank? It’s crucial to identify updates that yield a return on investment. Consult with your realtor on worthwhile upgrades.
On one home staging project, I revitalized an ’80s home by painting the interior, updating the carpet, lighting, master bath countertop, and some hardware. I swapped out older furniture for trendy rental pieces, added modern art, and introduced vibrant colors.
The outcome? A rejuvenated, contemporary space that resonated with younger families. It sold on its first day at the full asking price! Which version would you choose?
Are You Ready to Stage Your Home?
Let’s get your house looking like one that buyers will love. Call today for a consultation.
Every initial inquiry about home staging usually begins with, “What’s the cost?”
Likewise, if you offer a service or product, you’ve likely been asked the same.
While the cost of home staging might catch some off guard, it’s essential to consider its value. Thinking it’s “too expensive” is relative. Compared to the price drop on your home? It’s a wise investment!
“Home staging is more expensive than I expected.” More expensive compared to what? Not your first price reduction.
I completely understand the instinct to seek the best deal possible. A recent client expressed that the staging costs exceeded her expectations, but she chose to proceed. She recalled instances where investing a bit more yielded significant returns and satisfaction.
She’s insightful! She hoped for a specific selling price, yet a realtor confided that, given its present state, her home might fall short by $20K. Homes that don’t outshine the competition often linger on the market, frequently leading to reductions of around $10K. This protraction not only causes stress but also escalates costs, including mortgages and utilities.
The outcome? After staging, her home attracted two offers above the asking price within a day and 15 offers in a week, finally selling at a price $30K beyond her initial expectation!
Her investment in staging yielded a return 30 times its cost. Rather than potentially losing $20K, she sold rapidly, netting an extra $30K. So, is staging an expense you can overlook?
Consider another scenario: After staging a client’s home, it was snapped up on its very first day on the market at the full asking price. Although they didn’t secure an amount above their initial price due to maintenance and repair needs, the swift sale spared them the hassle of countless showings and the stress associated with it. Moreover, they saved a considerable sum on monthly maintenance costs.
“Home staging is too expensive. That belief is going to cost you.”
In another case, I staged a home that had been on the market several years without selling. In the beginning, the owner did not want to spend money on staging and tried to sell it vacant. No luck. They had numerous price reductions. After a year or more they decided to stage with a lower priced staging service that did minimal staging in some of the rooms. No luck. Finally, two years later they contacted me. After doing a professional staging job, the house sold in 6 weeks. That was actually very fast considering the home had been on the market for years and had the stigma of “what is wrong with that house that it has not sold yet”. Think of all the money and time this seller lost in trying to save a little on home staging costs.
How much are you prepared to shave off your sales price for a cut-rate staging service, or by skipping staging altogether?
Is the immediate savings on staging worth the potential loss in your final sale price? What truly matters: a short-term saving or a quicker, more profitable sale in the long run?
Ready to drop your expensive belief?
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!
Home Sellers, Build Your Home Selling Team! Part 1- Find a Home Stager
Ready to put your home on the market? Assemble a top-notch team to ensure a smooth and profitable sale. Your squad should include an expert home stager, a skilled real estate photographer, and a Realtor who excels in marketing and truly champions your interests.
Wondering how to pick the perfect team? Begin with your home stager. I recommend taking the initiative as a seller to make this selection. Choose the best in the business! For insights on why this matters, check out my blog post titled Why Hire a Professional Home Stager to find out more.
Considering selling your home? Proper home staging can significantly boost your final asking price. In fact, effective staging not only recovers its cost but often yields a profit! Additionally, you might be eligible to deduct staging expenses as advertising costs from your home sale taxes.
However, a word of caution: avoid Realtors offering staging services unless they’re professionally trained. Ineffective staging won’t produce the desired effect. An exceptional Realtor will likely suggest, and perhaps even cover, the cost of a professional home staging consultation.
Exercise caution if your Realtor offers to choose and fund the staging. While it sounds enticing and can lure clients, many just opt for the most affordable stager. Some might even inflate this cost for you. Remember, cheaper options can result in an unappealing presentation, leading to prolonged market time, several price cuts, and mounting monthly expenses.
Often, Realtors request “light staging” or “minor fluffing,” a minimalistic approach to make a property appear staged on a budget. This strategy, which might involve sparse furniture or sporadic décor, isn’t effective. Instead of a charming home, it renders the property peculiar both online and offline.
Your best bet? Personally hire a top-tier stager. This investment, done correctly, offers maximum returns.
For tips on hiring the best home stager, refer to my article, “Five Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Home Stager.
Learn More About Home Staging
Get Your Home Staging Consultation Today
Secure your online or in-person home staging consultation or service today. Click the images for more information. For comprehensive staging services, please call for a custom quote.
Settling into Your New Home After Retirement: Tips for a Happy and Quick Adjustment
Retirement is a time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Many retirees choose to move to a new home during this time, whether it’s downsizing to a smaller space or moving closer to family and friends. Adjusting to a new home after retirement can be challenging, but with a few tips and tricks from Northern Lights Home Staging and Design, you can quickly and happily settle into your new space.
Before You Move In
Now is the perfect moment to consider the colors for your new space and how they will harmonize with your belongings. If you are considering repainting, doing so before you unpack can save you significant time and effort. To set yourself on the right track, why not consider a color consultation? Expert guidance on paint colors can make a world of difference. The right colors will seamlessly blend with the existing fixed finishes of your new home to complement your belongings and ensure that your new space becomes a true reflection of your style and personality.
Enlist Help for Unpacking
Unpacking can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve accumulated a lot of belongings over the years. Enlisting the help of family and friends or hiring professional movers can make the process much more manageable. Having a plan for unpacking, such as prioritizing essential items and organizing by room, can also help you feel more in control of the process.
Personalize Your Living Space
Buying new items for your new home can be an exciting and fulfilling experience, allowing you to personalize your living space and make it feel more like your own. When shopping for new items, be sure to read in-depth product reviews from unbiased sources to ensure you’re making a wise investment. Consider investing in items that will improve your quality of life, such as comfortable furniture, high-quality bedding, and kitchen appliances.
If you’re not sure where to start, contact Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. They can help you to make great choices to make your new place feel like home.
Set Up Your Bedroom First
Your bedroom is where you’ll spend a good portion of your time, so it’s essential to set it up first. This will give you a comfortable and familiar place to rest and recharge after a long day. Be sure to prioritize items such as your bed, nightstands, and lamps, and take the time to personalize the space with items that bring you joy.
Investing in high-quality bedding can transform your sleeping experience and make your new home feel more comfortable and inviting. Opt for a two-sided duvet in designs that you can change according to your mood. You can also find high-quality cotton sheets that are soft and breathable.
Make a Few Updates
While you probably don’t want to go into full renovation mode right after moving, you may want to make a few improvements once you’re settled in. Updating window coverings can give a room a fresh, new look while also changing the amount of light in your living space.
You may also want to update a few appliances to ensure they are energy efficient and aesthetically pleasing. Refrigerators can be a big draw on your energy needs, so put that one at the top of your list to consider. Also, upgrading your range hood can decrease the amount of cooking smells that permeate your kitchen and home. If you have an older one, look into upgrading.
Add Some Personal Touches
Incorporating personal touches into your new home can help you feel more connected to the space and make it feel like your own. Displaying family photos, hanging artwork, or showcasing your collection of books are just a few ways to personalize your new home. By incorporating these sentimental items, you can create a warm and inviting space that feels like home.
Protect Your Investment with a Home Warranty
If you’ve recently moved into a new home, it would be wise to consider investing in a home warranty. A home warranty can provide peace of mind and financial protection in case any unexpected repairs are needed on home appliances, systems, or major components.
Unlike homeowner’s insurance, which typically only covers damages caused by natural disasters, a home warranty can cover everyday wear and tear on items such as your refrigerator, air conditioning unit, or plumbing systems. With all the uncertainties that come with moving and homeownership, this deserves a look. A good warranty can provide this extra layer of protection, which is a small price to pay for the potential peace of mind.
Meet Your Neighbors
Meeting your neighbors is an excellent way to start feeling connected to your new community. Take the time to introduce yourself and get to know your neighbors. You can also attend community events or join local clubs or organizations to meet like-minded individuals and become involved in your new community.
Explore Your Surroundings
Exploring the area around your new home is a great way to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and find new places to enjoy. Take a walk through local parks, visit nearby museums, or try new restaurants to get a better understanding of your new location. By taking advantage of unique opportunities in your new community, you can create new experiences and make lasting memories.
Join Community Groups
Joining community groups is an effective way to meet new people, form friendships, and become an active part of your new community. There are several options to choose from, such as fitness groups, book clubs, or volunteer organizations like Rotary, that can help you stay engaged and active during your retirement years. Consider joining one of these groups to expand your social circle and add more joy to your daily life.
Make a Smooth and Enjoyable Transition
Adjusting to a new home after retirement can be challenging, but by following these tips, you can quickly and happily settle into your new space. Setting up your bedroom, adding personal touches, and exploring your new neighborhood are all excellent ways to make the most of your retirement and enjoy your new home.
This article was written by Suzie Wilson of Happier Home for Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Need Help Setting Up Your New Home?
Get your home set up to be perfectly aligned with who you are with and Aligned Design consultation.
Edesign and Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Examples may contain affiliate links, meaning I may get a small commission for sharing them with you if you buy something, at no additional cost to you.
Paying for College by Flipping Houses
Paying for College by Flipping Houses
If you’re an adult looking to head back to school, expect to pay through your nose for it: A college education will set you back anywhere from $10,423 to $39,723 in most places. Flipping houses is a potentially fast, convenient way to save up the money you need for college. An average flip takes 177 days (close to 5 months), according to an ATTOM report, with a typical gross profit of $64,900 – which is enough for your tuition and then some.
If you’re interested in house flipping, Northern Lights Home Staging and Design offers some tips on getting started.
Getting into the right mindset
House flipping takes time, money, and patience. There will be challenges, ranging from absentee contractors to market downturns. It’s important to have a practical, committed mindset if you’re serious about making money from flipping. You’ll have to treat it as an investment, build up your skills, create a reliable team, and focus on growing a business.
Finding fixer-uppers with good potential
To turn a significant profit, you have to be discerning with your fixer-upper. First, consider the property’s location. You want something in a desirable neighborhood with, preferably, rising property values. Ask yourself if you’d want to live there, and why. Second, consider your fixer-upper’s condition. Factor in any repairs or upgrades you’re going to have to make to it.
Sell Your House Faster and for More with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Getting a mortgage
Purchasing a fixer-upper and upgrading it will require a significant amount of money. Some flippers purchase houses through hard cash while others do it through financing options like loans. Some examples are the FHA, VA Renovation Loan, and HomeStyle Renovation. Non-mortgage options include zero-percent credit cards, personal loans, and a home equity line of credit.
Improvements to attract buyers
Adding functional and aesthetic upgrades to your fixer-upper can make it more attractive to buyers, netting you a bigger profit at the end of the day. Some examples are adding a fresh layer of paint, modifying the washroom, adding smart home accessories, and setting up a security system. Again, it’s important you think about whether any upgrade is worth it. The Balance covers some upgrades that are not worthwhile.
Marketing your property is essential if you want to find buyers. Know your ideal buyers and target your marketing toward them. Also, price your property based on what your buyers can afford. Be sure to feature high-quality photos or videos of the property to give them an idea of the fixer-upper. Working with a good realtor can help raise your property’s profile. You can also conduct social media and other ad campaigns to cast a wider net.
Professional staging can help your property stand out
Staging a property is prepping it to make it look extra pretty for visitors during viewings. To stage a home, you clean, declutter, furnish (or refurnish), change up the lighting, add decoration, and make other changes to make it as attractive as possible. Working with Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design can be well worth it. She has the experience as well as an eye for what makes a home extra attractive.
You can opt for online education too
Online programs are an option if you’d like to learn while you work on growing your business. Furthermore, online programs are more affordable than in-person learning, and you can typically learn at your own pace. If you’d like to house flip full-time, you could do so while keeping up with your studies. For example, going back to school and earning an online teaching degree can help you obtain a teaching license.
Managing documents for your house-flipping business
You can expect a great deal of paperwork when you get into house flipping. If you’d like to store or share files, PDFs are often the preferred format over Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. This deserves a look if you want an online tool that allows you to convert these types of files to PDFs by simply dragging and dropping them into the tool.
House flipping can be very lucrative, and a lot of fun as well. Like with any other business or side gig, it will take some time for you to see any returns – meaning it could be a while before you have enough for college. For better chances of success, make sure to run the numbers before investing any money into a fixer-upper.
This article was written by Suzie Wilson of Happier Home for Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Marketing Your Property for Profit.
After all your hard work, make sure you get the most from your sale with home staging. I can help you sell fast and for more, wherever you live.
Offer your buyers a great tip on getting their new home set up with an Aligned Design consultation which combines color and design advice and can even create some custom art and decor for your new home.
Edesign and Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Examples may contain affiliate links, meaning I may get a small commission for sharing them with you if you buy something, at no additional cost to you.
Home Staging is Like Meeting the Person you Want to Marry on Your First Date
You know it when you see it.
Whether it is the right person or the right house for you, your gut instinct will tell you it is right. Then your logical brain will come up with all the reasons to support the decision you already made.
The person or the home has made an emotional connection with you and that is all she wrote.
If you are the one selling, how do you make the emotional connection with buyers?
Home Staging.
Home staging is the art of decorating a home to sell fast and for top dollar. It works by highlighting the home’s best features and creating an atmosphere that buyers make an emotional connection with, so they can visualize themselves living there. Each year statistics come out that talk about things like staged homes sell 78% faster and for up to 20% more. Of course, this all depends on how well you or the realtor markets the home and if it is priced competitively to start with.
Wondering about the cost? A better question is how much will it cost you not to do it. This video gives a general idea.
What are my Home Staging Options?
Every house is different and there are options for every situation. When searching for a home stager, remember that low cost is not always better. Quality and the end result is what matters. Remember, staging always costs less than your first price reduction if it does not sell, and great staging will often bring in a lot more than your asking price.
Check out the following options to see what best fits your situation. The prices listed are general estimates for planning. Every house is different and the investment in staging may vary.
Home Staging Consultation
The most cost effective way to stage if you are living in the home while on the market, is to get a home staging consultation with a pro and then stage it yourself. They will give you their expert opinion on everything you can do both inside and outside to get top dollar and only recommend things that will give you a good return on your investment of time or money. This is great for folks with small budgets, but who know the value of home staging and are handy. The end result may not be as good as if a pro does it, but it will definitely help! Your stager may be able to offer a final review after you do the staging to refine the end result.
Every home, no matter how nice can benefit from a consultation. The value comes from the pro’s knowledge of the market, how to stage for the buyer and their un-biased view of your home. When you live there every day, it is impossible for you to have that perspective. Don’t be worried about what they will recommend…. their goal is to get you the most money possible and reduce stress by selling fast. When preparing your house for sale, it is all about the buyer.
The longer the home is on the market, the more showings you have to deal with at a moment’s notice while still paying your monthly home expenses. The longer it is on the market, the more likely your realtor is to recommend a price reduction, which is typically $10,000 each time. The longer it is on the market, buyers wonder what is wrong with the house and are less likely to offer top dollar. Once you set the initial price, it is only downhill from there. It is extremely unlikely you can list it un-staged for one price, then stage it later and raise your price. So do the staging before listing.
Investment.-$400-$850. A 2-hour consultation is about $600. Based on your location, size of your house and if you need a color consultation before painting, it may take more time and run up to $850 or more.
Occupied Home Staging
This is really the way to go if you will be living in the house while on the market. You start with the consultation to come up with a plan for staging. Then working mainly with what you already have, you work together and stage it that same day. Your stager may recommend purchasing a few items such as a new bedding set for the master bedroom, new shower curtains or towels for the bathrooms. Those things make a huge difference in helping the home look fresh, clean, modern and move-in ready to buyers.
Most people have everything we need to stage it beautifully. Often it is just a matter of re-arranging the pieces to make sure buyers know what the room function is, it looks spacious and modern, the best features of the home are highlighted and it appeals to your target market. Because we work with what you already have, you generally don’t have to rent anything, saving you money.
Investment– $800-$2200. Based on the size and condition of the house, it could take 4-10 hours or more to do the staging and you may have to purchase new bedding, towels etc. It depends on the time needed for your particular house. You should be done in a day though!
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Hybrid Home Staging
The same as Occupied Home Staging except you may need a few things, like some furniture pieces if yours is in poor shape. Rental fees are by the month, and my estimate assumes you are paying some rental fees for 2 months.
Investment- $1000-$3500. Based on the size and condition of the house, it will likely take 6-13 hours to do the staging/de-staging and you may have some costs to purchase new bedding, towels etc. and rental furniture. Anything you will be “using” such as bedding, towels etc. (besides furniture) you need to buy, as they are not available for lease. Your stager needs extra time for sourcing the rentals, potentially packing and delivering some items, being there for delivery and then for de-staging to make sure no damage is done to your house. The staging should be done in a day.
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Vacant Home Staging
Vacant homes don’t sell quickly. They look sad and lonely, don’t make an emotional connection with buyers, there is no sense of scale so no one can tell how big a room is or if their stuff will fit, how the furniture can be arranged, or the purpose of the room. There is nothing to look at but the flaws. As the house sits on the market for months, the utility and mortgage bills add up, plus all those price reductions! Just stage it! See the article in Alaska Home Magazine, “Staging a Vacant Home- Why It’s Worth the Money”.
Yes, it is expensive. Imagine if you had to completely deliver a house worth of stuff, unpack it and make the place look gorgeous in a day. Plus, your stager needs time to plan what can fit in the home, what looks good together and where to get the items, and may have to pack some and deliver some of it themselves. They also need to be there to de-stage the house when it sells.
Investment– $3000-$4500. It depends on how much furniture needs to be rented and how long the house is on the market. This estimate is for up to 2-3 months.
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Virtual Staging
Virtual home staging is a computer rendering of what a vacant space might look like if it was staged with furniture and accessories. Virtual is better than not staging and can show the buyers the possibilities. It can be helpful for out of state buyers that may not be able to visit in person, real estate investors or for rental properties. It might be great for properties that need a lot of remodeling and the seller chooses to leave that to the buyer. It is also more affordable than renting furniture and accessories for actual staging.
Remember though, as soon as they arrive in person, they are seeing a “vacant” house with all the issues that I mentioned previously. See my article “Virtual Staging and Remodeling, the Pros and Cons” to learn more.
Investment– $125 per room, 2 room minimum for virtual staging. Varies if you are hiring people from other countries that are getting paid close to nothing to do the renderings. You will get a low quality job that will look just like all the rest on the market. Have a professional do it for you will give more of the look that works in person to make the emotional connection.
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How Long Do I Need to Keep it Staged?
Keep it staged until after the inspection is complete and the sale is pretty much a done deal. You don’t want the buyer to come to the house and think, wow, this looks nothing like what I bought, or to have to start over if the deal falls through. Many staged homes sell within the first month and rentals go into the second month while waiting for the inspection to be complete. I have had some homes sell the first day on the market, but it still takes time for the inspection, etc. My cost estimates were based on two months. There are no guarantees though. No one can predict how long it will take.
Why Do It?
You know staging will help you sell faster and for more. Even if you spend $5000, that is likely half the cost of your first price reduction. You should be able to make the investment back easily at a higher selling price and reduced time (and expenses) on the market. See my article, “Spend a Little- Make a Lot with Home Staging” to learn more.
Home Staging is Like Meeting the Person you Want to Marry on Your First Date
Don’t be Cheap
I understand you probably don’t want to spend one more cent on the house you are trying to sell. You may be tempted to go with the lowest cost stager or try partial staging or vignette staging or some other half measure. Your realtor may offer to do it for you. Are they a professional stager? Wouldn’t you rather have them spending their time using their expertise to “market” your house instead? Halfway measures are a waste of your money, don’t work, and are distracting to buyers. When I get calls asking me to do those things I always say no. See my article, “Bad Home Staging is like going on a first date to the drive-in for dinner” to learn more.
I hope you found this helpful! For more info, check out my guides, FAQs for Home Sellers, or FAQs for Realtors, and best of luck on your home sale!! If you need help, I offer home staging consultations as well as virtual staging and remodeling services nationwide and in-person staging in my service area.
Home Staging is Like Meeting the Person you Want to Marry on Your First Date
You Know What You Need to Do
Give me a call. I am here to help and we can do a consultation online, wherever you live.
