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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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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Market research is the first thing you should do before developing a plan for staging your house if you want to make top dollar on your home sale. I know, market research sounds boring. Why should you care?

 Here’s why:

1. Understanding the Target Audience: Market research will help you understand who the potential buyers are in your area. Knowing your audience means you can stage your home in a way that appeals directly to their preferences and needs.

2. Pricing Insights: Through research, you can ascertain the average selling prices for homes in your area, ensuring you don’t undervalue or overprice your property.

3. Identify Trends: Market research can reveal current home design trends that buyers are gravitating towards. By staging your home in line with these trends, you increase its appeal.

4. Stay Competitive: By understanding what other sellers are offering, you can ensure your home has a unique selling proposition that differentiates it from other properties on the market.

5. Minimize Time on Market: Homes that are staged in line with buyer preferences tend to sell faster, reducing the amount of time your property stays on the market.

6. Optimal Use of Resources: Instead of randomly buying or renting furniture and decor for staging, market research helps you invest wisely in enhancements that are most likely to yield a return on investment.

7. Anticipate Buyer Concerns: Research might reveal common concerns or objections from homebuyers in your region, allowing you to address these proactively through your staging and marketing efforts.

8. Increase Return on Investment: Homes that are staged effectively, considering the preferences of the target market, often fetch higher offers from potential buyers. Market research can show you what type of finishes and amenities similar houses have.

9. Professional Perception: Demonstrating that you’ve conducted thorough market research and staged your home accordingly can instill confidence in potential buyers, positioning you as a thoughtful and professional seller.

10. Tailored Marketing Strategies: Once you’ve gathered insights from your research, you can tailor your marketing strategies to highlight the features that matter most to potential buyers in your area.

In essence, market research ensures that the effort and resources you put into staging your home align with what potential buyers are looking for, thereby enhancing the likelihood of a quick and profitable sale.

What is Your Price Range

Look at the range of prices. If you want to be on the top end of the range, your home needs to look as good and better than the other homes in that part of the range to stand out. That is where home staging can really help you outshine the competition.

Who is Your Target Market

To pinpoint your target market, consider the nearby businesses and educational institutions. Local businesses might appeal to employees or those drawn to their services, while proximity to schools can attract families with young children. Nearby medical facilities could be a magnet for healthcare professionals or even for those prioritizing health and convenience, like the elderly. Consider: Is your home perfect for retirees looking to downsize? Or is it more suited for first-time homeowners or millennials? The aesthetic preferences of these groups will differ significantly. Remember, the décor and color palette that resonates with one demographic might not strike a chord with another, influencing your staging decisions accordingly.

What Investments will give you a Good Return

Another reason to do market research is to look at what type of amenities similar homes have such as countertops and flooring.  So, for example, if you are going to be updating your countertops before selling, and everyone in the area has granite countertops, it probably won’t be a good idea to update with Formica, or to invest in granite if everyone else has Formica. In the first case your home will not look as nice as the competition, and in the second, your house will look nicer but will not likely get back the return on the investment you made with your sale price. 

How to do Market Research

1. Hire a Professional Stager: Consider investing in a professional home stager right from the start. They typically conduct their own market research and possess a keen understanding of what appeals to buyers in your specific locale.

2. Understand the Demographics: Analyze the typical buyer profile for your area, focusing on age, family size, income levels, and professions to determine whom you’re staging for.

3. Analyze Local Real Estate Listings: Browse local real estate platforms to gauge how similar homes are staged. Look for dominant styles, colors, and arrangements.

4. Visit Open Houses: Gain firsthand insights by attending local open houses. Observe successful layout and decoration strategies.

5. Seek Feedback: Engage with friends, neighbors, or colleagues who’ve recently purchased homes. Their preferences can provide staging direction.

6. Consult Real Estate Agents: Tap into the expertise of real estate professionals to gain insights on market trends and effective staging methods.

7. Survey Potential Buyers: Conducting informal surveys or discussions can help delve deeper into the needs and desires of potential buyers.

8. Check Online Forums and Groups: Online platforms like Reddit or local Facebook groups offer genuine insights from local homebuyers.

9. Consider Local Amenities: Research nearby institutions like schools or hospitals, and consider the types of families or individuals they might attract.

10. Study Interior Design Trends: Keep abreast of current design trends to ensure your staging feels modern and inviting.

11. Analyze Previous Feedback: Reflect on any feedback if your home has been previously evaluated or listed. Such insights can guide refinements in staging.

Executing market research before staging ensures your home resonates with a broad spectrum of potential buyers, increasing the likelihood of a swift and profitable sale.

Ready to Sell?

A professional home stager will do market research on your home before staging, and consult with your Realtor if you have one on the expected target market. They are experts at decorating to make an emotional connection with your target buyers. Get started with a home staging consultation today. 

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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.

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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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Why hire a professional home stager?

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?

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:

1. A home stager knows what’s needed to create the right environment quickly and at the lowest cost.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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?

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

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

Northern Lights Home Staging and Design provides your local expertise in Alaska home staging, Interior Design and decorating for The Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage. Call (907)-362-0065 today or email us at info@northernlightsstaging.com. Visit us at https://northernlightsstaging.com. 

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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/MAX Dynamic Properties, Anchorage, AK 99503907.903.8808,  ak.robinsmith@gmail.com

1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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).

4. 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.

5. A good Realtor® will be knowledgeable about the current real estate market and the trends.
   1. Is it a Seller’s or Buyer’s market? Are prices increasing or decreasing?
   2. The agent should be up on community neighborhood areas and the types of homes and price ranges typical in those areas.

6. 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.

7. If the agent calls herself a Realtor with a capital “R”, that means she’s a member of NAR (National Association of Realtors).
   1. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.
10. 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

Real Estate Brokers of Alaska. Sales Associate
Cell Phone: (907) 250-6238.  krisbohman@hotmail.com. 

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.

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