THE IMPORTANCE OF STAGING
As a real estate agent, a key factor when embarking in a home sale for my clients, is to have complete trust in the team we will work with to enhance the value of their property and get the best sale results possible. In my previous blog I shared the complex phases of remodeling and staging and how that hard work paid off in the end as that helped my clients sell their home in 6 days at 15% over the asking price. Behind the scenes of that successful sale, after the remodeling phase, there was a woman I have been teaming up with for many years now, sure she will be providing the WOW factor.
Her name is Colleen Smith, founder of Location Staging.
Below, enjoy our chat on how she got started, staging insights and tips, whether you’re a homeowner considering selling or a stager wanna be.
How did your passion for home staging begin and how did you get started?
For years I was very corporate, working for an ad agency out of London, traveling the world. It was exciting, but I craved being immersed in the physical design world. After I had my son, I owned a furniture design business for a number of years prior to starting my staging company, and it really helped open my eyes to what parts of the design process I not only enjoyed, but best suited my temperament. Staging hits all the notes of business I love - creativity, fast paced, logistics, problem solving and relationship building.
What’s a typical workflow when a client hires you?
I always go see a property. It doesn’t matter what stage it is in - occupied, under renovation, empty- seeing a property is always the first step. We follow up with a design brief, and can consult on everything from paint colors to tiles, finishes etc. Once a contract is signed we add the stage to the calendar. I have a 7000 sq ft warehouse, where we plan and pack - the trucks are loaded the morning of a stage and we get to work! Once the property is sold (usually after appraisal is done) we book a date to destage and a new home owner moves in!
Do you work alone or have a team helping you?
I’ve got a great team! My ‘right-hand’ designer is Maria. She’s been with me almost since I started the business, and I’m grateful everyday that we work together. It’s rare to have a colleague that you are completely in-synch with, and I have the utmost respect for her. Additionally I have part-time help at the warehouse and a great team of movers that literally do the ‘heavy lifting’ on a daily basis.
What education, schooling, or skills are needed to do this?
I have a degree in fashion design, but went back to school for interior design later in life. As an entrepreneur and business owner, being self directed, organized and able to multitask are vital. Of course design basics of space planning, colors, photography etc are helpful.
What is most challenging about what you do?
The most dynamic part of running a staging business is probably scheduling. There are a million different moving parts for each stage, and planning for, tracking and executing on each one successfully keeps me on my toes! Listing dates constantly get moved around, and finding a way to make all our listings work, in a timely manner, and plan for inventory for each one is challenging.
What is most rewarding?
I love helping my realtors sell a property for its highest value. Even if a home owner is paying for the staging, the realtor is really my client, and the person or group that I want to not only feel good about the property they have to show, but be able to have prospective buyers walk in and understand how to use the space. I want to make my realtors look good! We have a lot of homeowners who do not want to sell their property after seeing it staged… and sometimes sell the staging inventory with a property to the new buyer because they love it so much.
What would be your advice to those interested in pursuing a career in home staging?
A background in design is definitely helpful, but knowing that it is demanding physically and mentally is critical. I love creative freedom and solving new problems every day. You can’t be afraid of hard work, and know that this is still a service business, so you always need to keep the customer in mind! I’d say try working with a stager and see if you like it. It’s a huge capital outlay to get started, and building up your business and reputation definitely takes time.
A more personal question, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Being Canadian by birth - nature and the outdoors are in my dna! I love hiking, mountain biking and skiing (doing it all with my son when he still wants to hang out with his Mom) traveling and i really enjoy gardening and cooking. The non-physical pursuits are all creativity based, which I guess is an extension of my love for design!
Ready to transform your property for the best sale possible? Let's talk! I am just an email away!
Michele