9 Key Questions to Ask When Choosing a Home Stager

November 6, 2016

When you are ready to sell your Toronto home, keep in mind that the home stager you work with will be just as critical to your real estate success as an experienced, knowledgeable real estate agent. Choosing the right home stager as part of your marketing team can help you realize your real estate goals.

You can find one on professional home staging association lists for your geographic location, or an easier way is to do a Google search for  ”Toronto Home Stagers.”  As you search, you ‘ll discover a number Toronto home staging companies to help you showcase your listing.  But how can you ensure you hire the right home stager?

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE HIRING A STAGER

1. WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE?

Before hiring a home stager, you want to know what their professional background is. What is their training? Are they familiar with the real estate market in the Toronto vicinity? Have they staged any homes in the Toronto area and what were their results as far as time on the market and selling price?

Get a feel for how long they have been staging homes in Toronto and how many homes they’ve staged. Are they quoted by the media? Do they speak at events? Have any of their projects been featured on TV or in print? Steer clear of anyone who is just “winging it” and hasn’t had any professional training and experience because they have been “decorating homes for years”.

2. ARE  YOU LICENCED AND INSURED?

As a viable business, your stager’s company should be licensed in the jurisdiction in which he provided services and insured should any damages to your property or injuries occur during the staging process.

3. DO YOU HAVE PHOTOS OF STAGING PROJECTS THAT YOU ACTUALLY WORKED ON?

Examine his or her staging projects. If you are planning to sell your home for $1,000,000 or more, for example, the home stager you will hire should have a track record of homes they have staged. Have they worked on houses in your price range and in a variety of styles?  Are the furnishings in good condition and on current trend? The wrong furniture choices and accessories can hurt the perceived value of your home.

4. HOW DO YOU PICK PIECES WHEN STAGING A HOME?

You want to hire a stager who takes into consideration the individual style of your home, your target buyers, and your location. Every piece should speak and should be able to help you justify your listing price. These are important considerations. Otherwise, the money you spent on staging might be put to waste.  Your stager should work hand in hand with your real estate agent to market your home to a demographic which is more specific to your home’s location and style.

5. DO YOU HAVE CLIENT TESTIMONIALS,  A WEBSITE,  AND A SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE?

If a home stager operates an official business, she should have a website and should have a business presence on social media. These two resources will tell you a lot  about the background and work of the home stager. This should also give you some insight into the opinions of previous clients through reviews they have completed.

6. WILL YOU PROVIDE ME WITH CONTRACT FOR THE SERVICES RENDERED?

An agreement is necessary to save you from a headache should a problem arise during the process.  For example, what happens if you sell your home before the contract expires; what happens if you’re not happy with the services provided;  as well as, what expenses you incur for loss or damage to rented furnishings. What about
the method and time of payment? These are important details that need to be clear in the agreement.

7. WILL YOU BE ABLE TO DELIVER WITHIN OUR TIMELINE?

If you have a limited timeframe before your house hits the market,  you want to make sure your stager can deliver and won’t cause any delays. Time is money in real estate.  You especially want to know if the person has had experience working under a deadline.

8. DO YOU HAVE TRADESMEN THAT YOU CAN RECOMMEND SHOULD WE NEED ONE?

Staging a home for sale entails a lot of work and preparation. Oftentimes, painters, handyman services, professional cleaners, floor refinishers, declutterers and other contractors are needed during the process. If you have no access to this contractors, your stager should be able to recommend one.

9. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT YOU?

This is important  because you will be working closely with this person during the project. Make sure your home stager is willing to give you a phone number, and/or an email address so you can reach him regarding the status of your listing.

BOTTOM LINE

If you are in the market to sell your  home, one of the best decisions you can make is to use the services of a professional home stager. But before you hire anyone, ask lots of questions. You will be working closely with this person during the project, and this is your chance to see if  he or she is the right “fit” for the project and if  you will feel comfortable working together.

RED BARRINUEVO

Toronto-based, award-winning Interior Stylist, Red Barrinuevo is an Interior Decorator and Principal of Redesign4more, servicing clients in Toronto and the GTA. The firm’s known for enhancing and creating stylish yet functional spaces through their creative home staging, interior styling services, and design services.  www.redesign4more.com.