Training and Member FAQ's

How are you different from other Staging Trainings out there?

There are a ton of reasons why HSR stands out as the best staging and redesign training company available and here are a few to consider as you shop around:

The HSR Certification training was the first and is the only US based Accredited Staging and Redesign training recognized by the Real Estate Staging Association.

Other programs don't provide a directory listing OR will charge for the directory listing, additional forms, recorded training, help or service SEPARATELY.  We want a long-term relationship with our Members and we know that setting you up for success is how we create that relationship.  We give you everything you'll need for this business at one low flat price.  We would be doing a disservice to you otherwise.

Other programs will give you business forms/guides or website pages littered with their own brand and selling their own training programs.  HSR gives you all the guides and forms in Word, so you can customize them to your OWN look and feel.  HSR creates gorgeous websites that promote you...not us or our training!  Again, we want YOU to look good.

Other programs have you attend a 3-day classroom or listen to teleconference training and then you're done.  HSR creates long-lasting relationships and community with its members by providing ongoing training, tools and materials through our extensive Members Training Area.  We are also available for our members at all times via email and telephone.  We keep your business current and are actively interested in your success.

Buyers beware!  If you feel the staging training website is shoddy and lacks professionalism, very likely their material will as well.  If the training does nothing but promote the specific owner, very likely your materials will as well.

Don't take our word for it!  If you're serious about this, feel free to contact any of our Members in our directory for their feedback, as well as read our many testimonials.  HSR prides itself on having 100% happy and satisfied members.  No other training provider will tell you to do that!

Do I have to have a decorating and design background to take this course?

No, but HSR takes the approach that you either have the passion AND "natural eye for design" or you don't.  If you don't love decorating then this is not for you.  If you're an HGTV junkie and the one your friends always go to for design tips then this is for you.  If you have subscriptions to every decorating magazine available and have been studying this as a hobby or formally then this is for you!  Join a great industry where you can take your decorating passion and skills and make money while helping people get more money out of selling their most valuable commodity.  It's a highly rewarding experience!

This is not something that you can easily "train" yourself on.  We give you step by step guides, photo galleries and detailed training to refine your skills but your success lies in your staging talent and the ability to recognize design problems and create solutions.

Does the course really take 21 Days?

HSR has put together a three week training program online but it is self-paced so you can go as fast as you want or take your time to get through it...it's completely up to you!  Our goal is to help you get your business set up and off the ground within 21 days.  On average, it usually takes about 4 hours a day for around 21 days to quickly go through it.  Your HSR Membership lasts a year, so you have plenty of time to finish!

Audra Slinkey, an internationally renown speaker and published author is completely available to all our Members for questions, feedback and advice.  She does all the live training and prides herself on using her own as well as veteran members' extensive staging experience  to create a training program that is universal.  See some of her work in Anatomy of a Staging Day.

Immediately after receiving payment you get access to our extensive Member Area.  Once there, you will fill out the "Quick Website Builder" form and marketing materials form so we can start working on your materials.  It usually takes 10 business days from there to receive your professionally printed materials and new website.  Your HSR Certificate arrives in the mail after the week 3 live training has been attended although your HSR Logo is on your website immediately.

Complete renewal details can be found at http://www.homestagingresource.com/renewals.asp

After a year the website is yours*, so at that time you can renew your domain yourself and host it elsewhere OR renew your HSR Membership with us for $350 which means we will:

**Pay to host your website for another year

**Pay to search engine submit your site

**Assist you in managing your Wordpress website

**Continued login access into our Member's Area for a year where we always add new info, training, forms, tools and content

**Most importantly you keep your Directory listing with us and this alone should bring in enough business to justify $350 (we have new members getting calls the very next day from Realtors as our Directory is the most trafficked staging directory on the Internet* currently!)

For Members who DO NOT have the marketing package it is only $250 to renew their directory listing and all access membership.

**According to an independent traffic monitor, Alexa

Question:

No, we have a significantly discounted "Business Partner" sign up price located in the sign up page that we highly recommend.

Your partner will be tied into the same Directory listing, website, postcards and letterhead but will receive their own HSR Certification, Training Manual and business cards (marketing package partners) as well as sit in on all of our training as a separate member with complete access to all the benefits of an HSR Certified Member. If you have a partner that does not want to go through the training, we ask that you purchase the HSR Program WITHOUT the business marketing solutions package as this package is for Members Only.

Is the course on line or do you mail me the course?

Both!  Studies show that people learn best with a mixed media approach to training, so we provide a "priority mailed" training manual, online videos, check lists and live web conferencing.

We are in San Diego but in order to reach our international graduates, all of our training is web based and online.  When you sign up for our HSR Certification Program you receive instant access to our Training Member Section which walks you step by step through the three weeks.  You will receive in the mail a large training manual that is all of our online materials in print format.

Will I receive accreditation?

(This is your downloadable logo for when you complete the course to use as you please)

HSR is the MOST trafficked staging website on the Internet so if you have a home staging business, you really should be on our directory. Also, our advanced Internet marketing and website platforms help you be found online and called, NOT doing the cold calling.

Here is a quote from Ellen in TX who has staged over 2000 homes and joined HSR:  "With every page I review I think "this is what I do or use or envisioned" AND "I wish HSR was around when I started my business"!  I worked for 3 months straight preparing the infrastructure of my business in the winter of 2001 so that I could launch with a professional face.  You've thought of everything, and more, than I did!"

NO!  Although some would have you believe it is.  When in doubt, do you own simple research by checking with the Trademark office click here.

Again, buyer beware in this unregulated industry.
 

We use Wordpress which is the most cutting edge web platform that gives you tremendous search engine optimization and allows you to login and make instant changes to your website (edit text, add pages, change photos, add social media, the sky is the limit).  HSR provides easy to follow video tutorials to help you become an expert at your website which is critical to your success.
 

We offer a couple payment plans which helps to offset the cost of the training portion but your best price will be to pay in full.  At anytime you can add the Marketing Solutions Package for the same price.  
 

No.  Because each marketing theme has been painstakingly put together to MATCH the website, they cannot be altered and are set templates.  That being said, you provide the content and wording and let our "marketing creative's" fit it into the style you choose.  You ALWAYS have the option of getting your HSR Certification WITHOUT the marketing materials and website for $945.  For those who have a marketing and web design background we recommend you go with the $945 program.

No.  The brand image is the exclusive property of the Home Staging Resource so the images are not to be taken or used without the written permission of HSR as they are copyrighted material.

Your logo will look gorgeous on your website but does not have a place on the marketing materials (except the brochure.)  We are able to add the HSR Certification and ASHSR logo upon request.
 

No.  Our gorgeous marketing styles and matching websites are for HSR Certification Graduates only and are provided to them heavily discounted because of their membership.
 

No.  Our gorgeous marketing styles and matching websites are for HSR Certification Graduates only and are provided to them heavily discounted because of their membership.  You may still go through our intensive, 21-day program but we ask that you do so WITHOUT the Marketing Package if you have a partner who is not an HSR Member.

We consider our 21-day process an A-Z training and business set up process which is something that NO ONE else offers.  We not only train you on the elements of successful home staging and redesign but take your business to the next level by providing you with a cohesively branded domain, website and marketing materials.  We give you every kind of form you would need to run your business, advanced Internet marketing techniques to build your business, two detailed walk thru guides to assist you as well as an in-depth product (the DIY Manual) you can sell for additional revenue (among many other things).

We are a training provider but more like a "Business in a Box" so that you are not spinning your wheels doing this kind of business set up when you can be staging homes and making your business grow!

Also, the beauty of going with an online training provider means you have instant access to everything you need as well as continued content and ongoing training.  Home Staging is not a stagnant industry...we are in the decorating business so you need to be constantly hooked in to a resource with their finger on the pulse of what makes homes sell!  We want to help you become successful, and earn your business today and many years to come!