Questions and Answers with Professional Stager and Realtor, Gary Woodward

What is staging?

In a nutshell, it's making your home, whether you're selling it or living in it, more beautiful; more aesthetically pleasing. Now that can entail quite a bit, depending on the home. Some homes need just a bit of furniture rearrangement and decluttering perhaps, while others need updating and aesthetic modification via renovation and home improvements. It just depends. What's important to know that regardless of the home's needs, my company can take care of it.

How does it start?

Every staging project begins with an in-home consultation. This is when I have the opportunity to see the home firsthand. During this visit, I can focus on a single room (if a client is only redoing one space in their home) or an entire home which is most common. During this initial visit is when I provide the client with a "room-by-room" analysis and report; the blueprint from which all staging begins.

What is a "Room-by-Room Analysis" and how long does it take?

This is a structured in-home consultation where I visit your home and give professional advice and recommendations on viable ways to improve the home. This also includes and exterior analysis as well. We use a 4 page template to record notes and the time it takes is usually 90 minutes for homes under 2500 square feet and up to 2 hours for homes which are larger.

After the consultation and analysis, who does the work?

The depends on the homeowner/client. Some clients are strictly seeking professional advice and a priority punchlist so that they can do the work. Others are also looking for someone to "do it all" for them, which of course me and my company are happy to do.

When you say "Do It All" what do you mean?

Some clients want to make changes and know they need them, but are not sure what their home needs and have no time to complete on their own. This is what my company, StagePro does best. We take care of the analysis, and then if the client so chooses, we execute all of the improvements for them.

What are some of the improvements your company offers?

We offer the implementation of any and all improvements. Improvements could be as simple as furniture rearrangement and decluttering (and yes this means packing up excessive items) and as involved as the installaton of a new bathroom or renovating an existing kitchen with new cabinets, countertops and flooring. Regardless, that's what we do and we take the stress and doubt out of the equation for the homeowner. I work with the best carpenters, painters, flooring specialists in the area and also can deliver the work at the best possible price.

What is the price?

If a client/homeowner wants us to execute the prescribed work, a "bid" or itemized cost projection is written and provided to the client. This bid can also become the contract between my company and the client. It is itemized so then the client can "pick and choose" what they want or can afford. The individual price depends on what work is needed and wanted by the client.

I thought of staging as bringing in furniture and accessories. Do you do this as well?

Of course. My company has relationships with furniture rental agencies which provide all levels of furniture and home decor. We also keep an inventory of higher end furniture and accessories for upscale staging. The type of furniture, area rugs and accessories we use depends on the home and the client's budget. We can stage an entire home with furniture and accessories, or just key rooms such as the foyer, living room, dining room and master bedroom.

How do you charge for furniture and home decor setup and rental?

When we stage a home with furniture, area rugs and accessories/art, we first determine what the individual home needs. We then procure the appropriate decor and schedule a time for delivery and placement/setup. The minimum rental and setup contract is for 60 days which is paid up front and then after that on a month-to-month basis. Our rental prices are far below the industry standard. (Some furniture rental companies start with a minimum 90 day contract.)

What happens if the house sells before the 60 days?

If the home sells before the 60 day period ends, the homeowner simply notifies StagePro of the closing date and the removal of all furniture and accessories is scheduled.

Why would a home seller want to have their house improved or staged?

As a Realtor, I know firsthand that homes which are "staged to sell" show much better and sell much faster. Obviously there are other variables which come into play, but all else being equal, a home which is neat, uncluttered and aesthetically appealing will sell faster and for more money than homes which are not..

In this competetive real estate market, it may be naive for the seller to think that their home will sell just by "putting a sign in the front yard". It takes more than that which means making sure their home looks its best to bring about a higher number of showings and ulitmately offers to purchase.

I am selling my home, but know I need to make some home improvements before I put it up on the market. Can you help me with this and ensure I don't overspend?

Absolutely, many of our clients only want to make improvements to their homes to bring about a sale. To "over-improve" and possibly overspend would be a waste of time and money. As a Realtor, we have guidelines as to what return on investment different types of improvements can yield.

What other services do you offer?

We also provide Event Staging for weddings, banquets and parties. This involves setting up "living room" type sitting areas in reception halls, meeting rooms and convention centers for guests to mingle and get comfortable. This includes the use of upscale sofas, loveseats, club chairs, tables, lamps and accessories. Area rugs are introduced to define the space and make it most inviting.

How do I get started?

It all starts with a in-home consultation. You can email stagepro@ymail.com or call (731) 668-0707 or toll free (866) 938-STAGE to make it happen.

Or simply click on the Contact button on the website and fill in some information and someone will call you back within 24 hours.