Home Staging Newsletters & Articles

Right on the heels of my article about how home staging and redesign is "economy proof," Fox news does a story on the "Top Five Businesses to Start in 2011" and design and staging is listed as #2! With a 12-month growth of 6.2%, staging and design is one of the few industries that appears to be untouched by the economy woes. Listed as number two in the line-up, the article states that "In bad times, people want to make the best of what they have. In real estate, for example, Horton said this trend is common."

I see so many people needing a job or extra income and yet, never stopping to consider starting their own business. Fear is what holds people back from entrepreneurship even though starting a small business is the only thing that will provide the freedom and flexibility people usually need. If you're passionate about interiors, an HGTV junkie and have been redesigning rooms in your head since you were a kid...this is a great industry for you! At HSR, we walk you through the process of building a successful staging and redesign business and have a step-by-step plan that is easy to follow at your own pace. Give yourself a chance and start the Top 5 Business in 2011!

As I send my boys off to their first day of school, I am again reminded of why I chose the staging and redesign industry as a career almost 7 years ago. At the time, I wanted to do something I loved and was good at, but most importantly something that fit my flexible lifestyle as a mom. My journey is so familiar to those in the staging industry and one of what I call a "life-long learner." I'm always so impressed to see women reinvent themselves into this industry and challenge themselves daily to learn more!

Linda Cunningham of Show Ready Home Staging in North Dallas, is one of those "life-long learners" who took the plunge a year ago to "indulge her passion" while also working a full-time, corporate job. "It is a career worth every ounce of energy and investment that is required. I wish I had done it when I was 25!"

Linda's goals were different than most but her staging business has balanced her life and given her the change she needed, "The contrast of what I experience in a job driven by the demand of a large corporation only makes me enjoy the staging and designing that much more. The design projects serve as a serious motivator to keep me striving for more opportunities to "indulge my passion." I can't thank HSR enough for all the excellent preparation that helped launch me down this path. I know I would not have stayed on the path if I had not been so well prepared."

While so many of us stay "stuck" while we send our children off to "learn," it's a great reminder that we have choices and "life is in session" (quoted from a funny movie I just watched).

In one of the most amazing staging transformations I have ever seen, Linda Shepherd of Buyers Desire Home Staging works wonders in her first staged home! Listed over 3 months ago, the savvy agent called Linda in to work her magic...in the first open house they accepted an amazing offer!

"I am so proud of what I've done, and I never would have had the confidence to do this if it hadn't been for your fantastic course! And don't forget - the realtors who I've worked with so far have contacted me because I followed your marketing plan! You've changed my life! I had been laid off after working as a graphic designer for 15 years, and was frustrated that I couldn't find another graphic design job. Now I can't imagine sitting at a computer inside a cubicle ever again! I love being my own boss!"

Linda's talent and art really shines through in a home where all she had to work with was the owner's dated pieces...you have to see it to believe it! Great job Linda!

The RESA Conference is always a great time for home stagers! I've had the pleasure of speaking at these conferences but I most enjoying hearing from the stagers themselves! Here are a bunch of testimonial videos given by HSR professionals at the conference.

We asked the stagers what they would say to someone considering the staging industry, and here is what they had to say...

Why are the HSR agent partners so prepared when they give their listing presentation to sellers? It's because HSR Certified Home Stagers listen to their needs and provide the resources (videos, handouts, guides) needed to educate sellers on the necessity of staging in today's market! We value the agents we work with and know how difficult it is to convince sellers to spend money on the home they are leaving! If you're an agent having trouble selling your listings, contact an HSR Certified Home Stager for your FREE Staging Partnership Plan. Staging provides agents more listings, sells them faster and for more money!