Vendor tips: How to find the right home stager

As any real estate agent knows, staging a home can be a crucial selling point when it comes to marketing a property. And to achieve that emotional connection between the property and the buyer, enlisting the help of a professional home stager can be invaluable.

With this in mind, here are some expert tips on finding a good home stager who is experienced enough to make their property stand out in this hot market.

Use a professional or DIY?

If you have a flair for interiors, it may be tempting to stage the property yourself. Sometimes, it can be as easy as rearranging existing furniture, removing clutter or adding some artwork.

However, keep in mind that experienced home stagers know what makes buyers tick and how to use staging to highlight the best features of your property. Of course, it’s an additional cost to factor in, but if carried out properly, staging can be an ‘investment’ in emotional appeal.

How much does professional home staging cost?

Fees may vary widely based on the stager’s experience and competency. While it’s better not to choose on price alone, you may want to know what options are available within your budget. When it comes to ball-park figures, the prices depend on the size of the property and period length. Usually ranging from as little as $1,000 to $5,000 (and even more at the highest end) for a five-week period.

It’s crucial to find a balance between what you’re comfortable paying and what you’d like to achieve. Keep in mind that hiring a less expensive stager doesn’t guarantee that you’ll save money. Some stagers may cost less, but they might also use cheaper furniture and accessories. If the look is not aligned with the property and your target buyers, it may affect the sale price.

The good news is you may not need to choose between your budget and your property opportunities. With our ‘Advertise now pay later’ option, you can borrow up to $15,000 (or higher amounts on request) to fund the marketing of your home and you won’t have to make any repayments for 90 days. It’s longer than most vendors need to find a buyer.

Have they received formal training?

Though certification isn’t mandatory for home stagers, it goes to show that the stager has invested in their professional development. Most courses focus on providing market knowledge as well as teaching targeted lifestyle design skills. It can also be a good idea to ask the stager how they’re keeping up to date with staging trends and new techniques.

Keep in mind that a good decorator or interior designer doesn’t always equate to a good home stager. In fact, these two professional figures have opposite goals; interior designers personalise the space to reflect the owners, while home stagers de-personalise it to create buyer appeal.

How does their portfolio look?

More than any certification they might have, a home stager’s portfolio is a representation of who they are and their body of work.

Aside from asking for simple background information (e.g., whether the stager has a solid track record with clients), portfolio photos will give you an idea of the variety of styles the stagers use, their overall design sense and the quality of the accessories they use.

Are you ‘compatible’?

It may sound unimportant, but how you interact with your home stager is also key. After all, this is someone you’re allowing into your home, so you need to feel confident asking questions, and importantly, trust that they can get the job done.

If you’re not satisfied, make sure you ask for clarifications before and even during the contract signing. You can get a good idea from how they respond to your queries and from the information they provide you with.

How we can help

Home staging isn’t only for high-end listings: any property can benefit from quality staging, no matter their price point. Seeing the property furnished, rather than empty, helps the buyer mentally move in. By using the right scale furniture, staging can even help small properties feel larger.

Karen Jackson

Managing Director, Lifestyle Finance