In the fast-paced world of real estate, home staging isn’t just about decorating and decluttering anymore.  It’s a strategic investment in maximizing property value and appeal, for the buyer who is most likely to purchase. As someone who has been deeply immersed in the industry for over two decades, I have witnessed first-hand the evolution of the service from a simple add-on service to a vital marketing component of the real estate landscape. When utilized fully it is a powerful tool for unlocking a property’s full potential, helping the seller secure optimal equity from its sale. Drawi ..read more

A stager’s mantra for real estate agents and sellers is: “Cheap Staging isn’t Good and Good Staging isn’t Cheap.” It is a constant in our business, educating sellers and agents who use cheap stagers or AI generated fake photos. It cannot, and indeed must not, replace an industry practitioner who invested in learning to be the best at what they do, so someone else (agent and seller) can make more money than the stager! Why it happens emanates from a belief that staging is a “necessary evil and loss of money” instead of the strategic marketing investment it is. Today, to be hired in such a comp ..read more

As 2024 unfolds, we’re seeing a wave of trends reshaping staging in both the immediate and distant future. The concept of “long covid” has not only applied to health but also to the enduring changes in how people desire to live in their homes. The function of space in existing homes is rapidly evolving, and stagers must stay ahead of these trends to adapt their styling approaches, inventory purchases, and influence sellers, agents, and investors effectively. The drive towards sustainability remains a dominant theme. The rise of eco-conscious staging, which I foresaw back in 2007 with the deve ..read more

First let’s chat about why there is a color of the year. In 1999 the Pantone Color Institute created the COTY educational program to engage the design community and color enthusiasts around the world to generate conversations around the relationship between culture and color. Color of the year is selected through a committee of analysts who look at trends across a variety of industries. The announcement is for many the kick-off points in design, companies partner with Pantone prior to the release in order to have special versions of the products, featuring the chosen color. Pantone’s marketing ..read more

If you’re considering a career in home staging, you may be tempted to go for the cheapest training option available. Perhaps it’s a local college, or a cheap online work on your own training. While the many options you consider may have some merits, we believe investing in a program with proven success, comprehensive, in-depth training with a reputable provider, with tailored education for success …..is the smartest move you can make. Here are a few reasons to consider the Hallmark of professional staging education provided by CSP International Staging Business Training Academy. Specializat ..read more

Hot market, cooling market, stagnant market, recession, depression, recovery or COVID, it doesn’t matter, as there are some universal reasons property either doesn’t sell. We all know property usually will sell at some point – we just don’t want to be wondering “at which point” lower than asking will that be. The best approach to selling anything is give the customer what they want and that is the best approach for selling real estate. Buyers today want ease of life, hassle & stress free, as little work as possible and for the best price possible. The dream is a move in ready, turnkey sol ..read more

In an era of evolving lifestyles and changing home preferences, the traditional home staging industry faces the risk of becoming obsolete if stagers and real estate agents fail to respond to the shifting needs of homebuyers. As people seek more personalized and functional living spaces, it is crucial for industry professionals to adapt their approaches to ensure their relevance and long-term success. Looking at the challenges faced by the home staging industry and the necessary steps stagers and agents must take will help them stay ahead in a rapidly changing market. Understanding the Changi ..read more

The Dilemma of Ethics may sound like an oxymoron however, in truth, it is becoming more and more of an issue in the daily lives of stagers across Canada & the United States.  Before I elaborate let’s review ethics in the real estate industry. The business of real estate takes place within the confines of regulation.  If you had to comment you would likely agree, the professional integrity of people working within the real estate business, (e.g., agents, lawyers, mortgage brokers, banks, title searchers) is generally understood to be ethical, honest and fair. Without question, wh ..read more

Attention: Stagers! Why is it so difficult to get Agents to accept staging? Before I directly answer this question lets see what we can learn from history. Cast your mind back to Y2K, yes that far…. Year TWO THOUSAND”… I bet some of you were in kindergarten! IMAGINE though, it was a time when there were no stagers, no warehouses, no storage spaces, no agents recommending staging, no HGTV shows, no staging books, no IG, FB or social media at all, barely an Internet, no Google, no Apple, no iPhones AND not a thought in anyone’s head about helping seller’s get the best result when selling their ..read more

Blink! Your house just got passed over! Yup, that fast. When buyers are looking for a new home, they quickly eliminate properties which don’t catch their eye as they drive by. You have heard the adage, “don’t judge a book by its cover” well, we actually do!  First impressions are SO important, and they happen in a blink of an eye. 100% of buyers look on line first. The photos will attract or repel a potential buyer. A study by VSU, tested perceived value with a set of 16 photos with different styles of landscaping. The change in perceived value ranged from 5-12%; although this doesn’t m ..read more