Ask A Home Stager - "Dear, Kristina..."

Advice for a New Stager

2009-01-04T16:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Kristina,
I found your website and would love to talk with you about the opportunities of becoming a home-staging consultant. I am looking for any advice you can offer.
Paige, MN

Dear Prospective Stager,

You would be surprised at how many emails I receive regarding this topic. Home staging is definately an exciting business to pursue! You are able to use your creative juices to transform hopelessly, dull spaces into amazing rooms with volumes of style! However, I would do you a disservice if I did not provide a full description of this business.

The best advice that I can give you for entering this business is... be prepared for VERY hard work! Home staging as a business versus staging as a hobby requires more than just talent as you may be suspecting. The first thing to consider is education: who, when, where?

Then there are the questions of insurance, marketing, online development, inventory, storage facilities, pricing, etc. These items, however, pertain to any type of self-starting businesses. It does take a tremendous amount of passion to build a staging business, to handle success, and persist through the hard times.

If you are willing to sacrifice time, money, and a few broken finger nails... then welcome to the wonderful world of home staging!

Thank you for your inquiry, and I wish you all the best! Kristina

KFM Staging & Design, a Minnesota home staging company, has been creating "First Impressions That Sell" in the Twin Cities for over a decade. Visit our website for more home staging tips. To submit your question, contact Kristina at kristina@kfmstaging.com.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Protecting a Vacant House

2008-12-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Kristina,

I have heard that vacant houses are being broken into... what can I do to protect my empty property while its being sold? Signed, M. Anderson

Dear Owner of a Vacant,
An unattended vacant house can be a playground for theives and teenage partiers. Below are some suggestions to help you protect your listed property:

In the winter time, hire a neighbor or service to keep your driveway and sidewalks shoveled; while the lawn should be maintained in the summer months.
Be sure to stop all paper and mail deliveries.
Install light switches with motion sensors.
Periodically, check all door locks, window latches, and smoke detectors to ensure they are in working order (or hire someone to do so).
Keep current on your home owner's insurance... just in case

It is best to take all precautions to protect your investment. Listen to Grandma's advice: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Thank you for your question! Kristina

KFM vacant Staging Before (above) and After (below)

KFM Staging & Design, a Minnesota home staging company, has been creating "First Impressions That Sell" in the Twin Cities for over a decade. Visit our website for more home staging tips. To submit your question, contact Kristina at kristina@kfmstaging.com.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Holiday Listing

2008-12-10T07:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Kristina,
Should I list my home over the holidays or wait until after the New Year?
Unsigned

Dear Unsure,
Although this technically is not a home staging question, I will address it as best as possible. Statistically, the holiday season is a slow time in Real Estate; however, you can use this time to prepare your house for listing. Some home owners are severly underbudgeting their time when only allowing one weekend to stage their home.

Although I cannot tell you to not list during this time of year, I will strongly encourage you to stage first then list no matter what season we are in. Thank you for your question! Kristina

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Partial Staging

2008-12-02T09:31:00.000-08:00

Dear Kristina,
Is it alright to partially stage a house?
Toronto

Dear Northern Neighbor,
To partially stage or not depends on whether your listed house is vacant or occupied.

If you are selling while living in your home, then you should stage (declutter, etc.) all the living space in your house. If your house is vacant, then you can limit your staging to "priority rooms" (i.e. kitchen, living room, etc.). Leaving some bedrooms or a second living room empty is alright as long as the primary rooms have been staged.

Happy staging! Kristina

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

The Cost of Home Staging

2008-12-01T14:28:00.001-08:00

Dear Kristina,
I have an empty house on the market and would like an idea of how much staging would cost. Vacant in St. Louis Park

Dear Vacant in St. Louis Park,
Staging costs have a lot of variables: size of house, furniture and accessories needed, distance, etc. It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of vacant staging without taking into the variables into consideration. As a general rule, staging prices can range from .05 - 1 % of the selling price of the home.

The price of staging a vacant house is usually less expensive than a price reduction; thus saving you money. In essence, staging costs are an investment in the marketing of your house.

Thank you for your question! Kristina

KFM Staging & Design, a Minnesota home staging company, has been creating "First Impressions That Sell" in the Twin Cities for over a decade. Visit our website for more home staging tips. To submit your question, contact Kristina at kristina@kfmstaging.com.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Christmas Query

2008-11-30T13:01:00.000-08:00

Dear Kristina,
My house is currently on the market. Can we set up Christmas decorations while we are selling our house? Mary, St. Paul

Mary in St. Paul,
This is a question that I receive several times during the holiday season. When selling, it is best to keep your house neutral with all areas including holiday decor. Instead of using specific religious symbols, such as menorahs or manger scenes, set out a few seasonal decorations to set the flavor of the season.

Happy Holidays, Mary! Kristina

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!