What is home staging?

Home staging is the process of preparing your home for the market so that it appeals to as many buyers as possible ensuring a quick sale for top dollar.

Why should I stage my home before selling it?

According to the latest statistics by RESA, staged homes sell in half the time needed to sell comparable un-staged homes.  They also sell for 6-17% more money.

My home is nicely decorated so why do I need to stage it?

Decorating is actually the opposite of staging.  Decorating is very taste specific...you decorate in the style that YOU like, and that is the way it should be.  But when you are selling, you have to appeal to as many people as possible.  Staging is actually  marketing, not decorating.

How much does staging cost?

The cost of staging is very variable.  It depends on the condition of the house, the size of the house, the amount of existing furniture and accessories that are suitable, the time needed to stage it, etc.  A rule of thumb in the industry is that staging should cost between .5%-3% of the list price.

Why should I stage my house before listing it?

A few reasons actually.  If you stage it before listing it, a) your house may be appraised higher and the asking (and selling) price will be higher, b) it is wise to take advantage of the momentum that is created when a house first hits the market  c) the first impression is a lasting impression...whether it is good or bad! d) you will have good photos for the MLS and because over 90% of people start their search on the internet, this is one of the most important reasons to stage your home before listing it.

My house has been staged...why is it not selling?

Staging is just one tool to help get your home sold.  If it is not marketed effectively or if the asking price is way out of the ballfield, no amount of staging will sell your home.  Pricing, staging and marketing are the three pillars of effective realtors. When all three are implemented correctly, you will have that winning combination to get your house sold.

Why can't I stage my home myself?

Well, the truth is that some people CAN stage their own homes.  But the vast majority of people have an emotional attachment to their home and find it very difficult to see the home as potential buyer would....a commodity, just another home competing with other homes on the market. Also, as mentioned above, staging is just the opposite of decorating...you are preparing your home to sell not to live.  Stagers know what the demographic is looking for and will prepare your home accordingly for the best results.

What can I do if I can't afford to stage my home?

If you knew that you would get 500% return on your investment, would you find the money to stage your home?....because that is what the latest statistics show the ROI to be when sellers stage their homes as a professional home stager advises. 
Another option is to pay just $180 for a 2 hr consultation.  Some home owners take the detailed report of the consultation and complete much of the work themselves.

How much and how long does a consultation take?

Consultations cost $180 for homes 2500 sq ft or less and take about two hours. I will go through your house room by room and take note of all the things we can recommend to help sell your home quickly.  I will also address curb appeal, which is one of the most important ways to get the buyers INSIDE your home. The consultation includes a detailed, prioritized written report which is emailed to the client within 48 hours (often 24).  

Do I need a consultation first if I decide to stage my house?

Yes, usually, but there are some exceptions.  If it is a brand new vacant house or a recently completed 'flipped' house, the consultation is pointless as there is no furniture/accessories, etc. to advise on, no repairs or updates to suggest and no paint colors to choose.  In this case I will do a 'walk through' and take about 15 minutes to take a few photos and to get a feel for the house before I stage it.  There is usually no charge for this.  A vacant previously occupied home will almost always need a consultation.

Do I have to stage my house after I have the consultation?

No, of course not.  It is entirely up to you.  You can take the report and complete as many of the recommendations as you are able yourself, or you can hire Homestyling by Cathy to help you stage your home, or you can ignore the report altogether (not advised!).

What is the process after I decide to have my home staged by HOMESTYLING BY CATHY?

After the consultation (for most homes as explained above), I can give you a fairly accurate estimate (within a couple of hundred dollars) of the total cost of staging your home.  (This is barring any unexpected or unforseen costs which may pop up during the staging.  This rarely happens but if it does, you will be given a revised estimate before we continue with the work). If you decide to go ahead after the estimate is given, I will book you for the next available slot.

Do you need a deposit and/or a contract?

Yes, before we begin any work, a 50% deposit of the estimate is required with the remaining 50% due on the day of completion AND for both of our benefits, I also require a signed contract outlining the terms and conditions.
 

How long will the actual staging take? 

Every house is different because of the many variables as mentioned above.  For vacant homes:  in my experience, from the time I start the process to the completed 'Open House" ready, it will take a couple of days on average.  This usually includes a day of running around the city sourcing suitable rentals, delivery and set-up of the rental furniture, delivery of inventory from HOMESTYLING BY CATHY (art, mirrors, bedding, window coverings, indoor trees/plants, lamps, rugs, small furniture pieces, accessories), and the actual 'hands on' staging.  For occupied homes, it is more difficult to estimate.  It depends on the amount of de-cluttering that needs to be done, if there is suitable furniture available or if we need to rent some pieces, the size and condition of the home, the co-operation of the homeowners, if the home owners are willing to help (not required).  So the amount of time can vary from about 6 hrs for small homes in staging condition (already decluttered, etc) to 2-3 days on average for large homes that require a lot of decluttering, re-arranging, re-purposing, removal of furniture and accessories, addition of art and accessories, addition of suitable rental furniture.  

In both vacant & occupied stagings, it also depends on accessibility to the home.

Is there any guarantee with your work?

Yes! I guarantee you will be happy with the final look of the house I stage for you.  If you are not, I will do what it takes, within reason, to make you happy!
There is no guarantee that your house will sell in X number of days because, as explained above, staging is just one tool used to ensure a speedy sale of a home.  It also has to be marketed effectively and priced correctly. 

What form of payment do you accept?

We accept cheque, cash, e-transfer, Visa & Mastercard.