BiggerPockets

About the origins of Staging...

Monday, November 09

More than thirty five years ago Barb Schwarz, real estate mogul created the Home Staging Industry and coined the phrase "staging". Barb has been an educator to millions of real estate professionals. She stresses the importance and benefits of staging and has helped more than 12,000 ASPS® (Accredited Staging Professionals) earn their designations. Home Stagers are an integral part of today's real estate industy. "They give homes that fresh, picture perfect look that help sellers receive top dollar. Home Stagers are high in demand."(stagedhomes.com)           

Comments

1. 

   James Ward Reply
   over 2 years ago

   I would love to hear more about staging and also a little info about how staging gets investors more money for the property. I look forward to reading more of your posts. Thanks for taking the time.

2. 

   Joshua Dorkin Reply
   over 2 years ago

   I asked this of another stager the other day, but never heard back, so I'll ask you. What are the prerequisites to become a Stager or a ASPS? I didn't realize that there was even any kind of accreditation for the job . . . just thought you called yourself one and started doing it. I'm assuming that you could do that as well if you wanted, as there are no state licensing requirements for doing it, right?

3. jbaez1 Reply
   over 2 years ago

   Actually you receive your accreditation through stagedhomes.com this is from the original creator of "home staging" Barb Shwarz. It is the only course I recommend taking. Asp means Accredited Staging Professional you earn this title after receiving 3 intense days of training including a hands on project. It is a very fun career I encourage you to look into it if you are interested.

4. 

   Jana Baez Reply
   over 2 years ago

   James, Staging can get you more money as an investor because it gives your listing the competitive edge. Your listing can receive on average 17% than an unstaged home. Your listing will sell faster. In the end staging really doesn't cost a dime (because the money you invest comes back to you up to 200%). Staging works because 90% of buyers only see what is in front of them not the homes true potential. By having the listing staged this shows off the architectural features and optimizes the space. An ASP® can do as much or as little as you want them to. They start with a brief 10-15 consultation and take pictures then prepare a proposal, then you decide if you want to do a detailed consultation and at that point you have two options we can create a detailed report that you can do your self or we can complete it for you the choice is yours. Lastly better photos will bring better exposure for your listing. When you hire an ASP stager we take photos afterward and post them with your permission to stagedhomes.com this is a nationally recognized website for real estate professionals.

5. 

   Michelle Minch Reply
   over 2 years ago

   James: I recently staged 2 condo models for a real estate auction company. It was the first time they worked with a home stager. All 24 units sold, all for higher than expected. A few of the units sold for more close to double the anticpated price.

   Josh: You are correct, there are not state licensing requirements (at least I don't know of any) to become a home stager. I am on the Board of Directors of the Real Estate Staging Association http://www.realestatestagingassociation.com, the only independent (meaning the organization is not run by a training provider) international association of professional home stagers. Anyone can hang out a shingle and say they are a home stager. Most go out of business during the first year. One of the best measures of how good a home stager is, is how many years they have been in business. A stager that has been in business full time (as opposed to a hobbyist) 2 or more years is more likely to know what they are doing.

6. 

   Jana Baez Reply
   over 2 years ago

   Josh: As Michelle mentioned, although it is not a requirement to start a business as a home stager, it is a very good idea to be accredited and it offers a strong support system to keep your business going. If you become an ASP® (legally you can only use the ASP® designation if you have completed training through an official 3-day stagedhomes.com seminar course) you immidiately are inducted into IHASP International Home of Accredited Staging Professionals. There are chapters everywhere and it is basically a guild that meets once a month to discuss and share ideas and network with other ASP® stagers. I believe that the key to being a successful home stager is getting out there, getting your name noticed, and word of mouth. I have been a junior designer since 2000, my husband is military and his job relocated us to North Carolina recently where I started my own staging business, it has proven to be a very lucritive and helpful service here in my current area.

   James: Sorry it has taken a while to get back to you on this, as you can see I have not had the opportunity to log on in almost a month. Business has been very good. To answer your question... Staging can get you more money as an investor because it gives your listing the competitive edge. Your listing can receive on average 17% than an unstaged home. Your listing will sell faster. In the end staging really doesn't cost a dime (because the money you invest comes back to you up to 200%). Staging works because 90% of buyers only see what is in front of them not the homes true potential. By having the listing staged this shows off the architectural features and optimizes the space. An ASP® can do as much or as little as you want them to. They start with a brief 10-15 consultation and take pictures then prepare a proposal, then you decide if you want to do a detailed consultation and at that point you have two options we can create a detailed report that you can do your self or we can complete it for you the choice is yours. Lastly better photos will bring better exposure for your listing. When you hire an ASP stager we take photos afterward and post them with your permission to stagedhomes.com this is a nationally recognized website for real estate professionals.

7. 

   James Ward Reply
   over 2 years ago

   Thanks for the info Jana. I am interested in home staging. I have an associate that syas it really works. So I am educating myself on the subject. So thanks for assisting in my education.