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Home
Staging
Information
These
days home staging is very important to a fast effective sale of
a home. Staging a home allows us to compete with “New” homes by
giving them the appearance of being new, clean, fresh and for
immediate purchase (vs. waiting a year or two for a new build).
When we stage a home we are appealing to the most amount of buyers
in the least amount of time. We do this by performing a consultation
on your home where we help you determine what is clutter and how
much it too much, what is an accessory and how to use them appropriately,
how traffic flow affects buyers when they are purchasing a home,
creating or enhancing on focal points with in the home, appropriate
selling colours because some colours are much harder to sell with
than others and much more!
Occupied
Home Staging Process
We have a 3 step process for occupied homes.
The First Step:
The Consultation.
This is where we meet our client in their home and get to know
them, find out what they are hoping to gain from this experience
and if they have any questions about home staging. We will then
proceed to start the home evaluation. This process may take 1.5
- 2 hours, maybe even longer for significantly larger homes. We
will use our Home Evaluation Handbook to mark off items that apply
to the home, as well as make additional notes as needed. We discuss,
selling colours if appropriate, de-cluttering, de-personailzing
with out impersonalizing, we also make recommendations on items
that may be needed though out the home if needed, as well as through
out the book we will mention if each room will benefit from a
Resale Redesign Package (this will be described in step 3). Once
the home evaluation is completed, we will sit back down with the
home owners and discuss our top 10 recommendations for the home
and develop a preliminary game plan.
The
Second Step: The Preparation Work.
During this time we will contact the owners (usually 1-2 days
after the consultation) to find out how they would like to proceed
with the implementation of the preparation work and develop the
actual game plan. Prep work is the basic cleaning, de-cluttering,
de-personalizing, organizing, repair, and maintenance issues that
were addressed in the Home Evaluation Book. The owners may choose
to do the prep work themselves and then give us a call back once
it is done to implement the showcasing. If the owners are pressed
for time, we may assist them with finding a handyman or a painter
to help take some of the items off of the list. This is done only
if requested by the owner. We also offer packing assistance should
your time be strict, let us help you.
The
Third Step: The Showcasing.
The preparation work must be completed before this stage. This
is where we will go back and create the focal points, move furniture
around so it enhances on traffic flow, rehanging artwork at appropriate
heights, as well as doing a final run-through each room to ensure
they are 100% ready for your photos. You can only make a first
impression once so do not let this opportunity pass you by. A
deposit of 50% is due at the beginning of the job, with the balance
due at the end of the staging process. A staging and rental contract
will be required at the day of staging.
Vacant
Staging Process
The First Step:
The Consultation
For vacant staging we start with a mini presentation on home staging.
Then we move onto getting a tour of the home first so we can get
a feeling for the space and flow. We will evaluate the cleanliness
and condition of the home, provide suggestions to the home owners
and make a list of items we suggest for the space. Once the consultation
is finished, we will discuss your options with our company.
(Typically
most staging companies only have 1 option for vacant staging which
is third party rental) 
1)
First option is mixture of third party rental for major items
such as couches, tables etc. and accessories such as artwork,
vases, candles, towels etc. from Capital Home Staging & Design.
2)
Second option is currently EXCLUSIVE  to
Capital Home Staging & Design, no other company in the city of
Ottawa is using this alternative furniture to showcase homes.
This is an eco friendly, easily portable, fast set up and delivery
for 60% LESS than the competition.
With the list of items we are suggesting we will go back to the
office and draw up a proposal and e-mail it to you within 24hrs
or less.
The
Second Step: Showcasing
Once we pick out the inventory from either option, we will schedule
a delivery and set up date. Once we are finished with the showcasing
of the property, your real estate agent will be able to come in
and take their photos for their marketing material on your property.
Do
the Math It REALLY WORKS!
(Information provided by the
RESA-Consumer Guide downloadable on their web
page.
NOTE: RESA information is for North America. Ottawa market
is slightly different and we have provided Ottawa information
in red beside the official RESA stats.)
The
Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®) study shows 126 homeowners
had their property on the market on average of 263 days before
they decided to stage. 263 days = 9 months!!! (Ottawa
is 6 months)
The
RESA ® study also shows 284 homes that were staged before they
went on the market and they sold on average in 40.5 days. This
is approximately 223 days less time on the market. 223 days =
7 months (Ottawa
is 1 month)
As
an example, using this formula you can determine approximately
how much money you will continue to spend while your home is on
the market un-staged.
If your mortgage is: /////////////////////////////$1,800.00
If your direct expenses are: //////////////////$300.00
Total carrying cost per month: /////////$2,100.00
Our
study shows home owners had their property on the market for an
average of 9 months. $2,100.00 X 9 months = $18,900.00 in expenses.
(Ottawa home expenses for 6 months $12,600.00)
Had
those homeowners staged first, their time on market would have
been cut by 223 days on average (7 months). $2,100.00 x 7 months=
$14,700.00 Staging their homes first would have saved them
$ 14,700.00.
(Ottawa staged homes sold in 1 month would
of saved them $10,500)
These
numbers are all relative to individual mortgage and expenses.
Use this simple formula to determine how much you will save by
staging your home or listing before putting it on the market:
Mortgage + expenses (utilities etc.) = Monthly
expenses
Monthly expenses X 9 months (avg. time UN-staged) = Cost to list
house UN-staged
Savings: Expenses x 7 months (average time on market reduced)
– staging fee = Savings if you stage your house first!
** If you have a price reduction you can also add that into the
loss you are taking by listing a property un-staged.
What
To Look For In A Stager
Not all stagers
are created equal!
So how do you know who to choose? It all starts with a little
bit of research. First, home staging is not a regulated industry
like interior designers (ASID), so there is no easy web page to
go to that says “This person is a certified home stager and has
been educated by a certified school). However there is RESA (Real
Estate State Staging Association). RESA is a trades organization
that is going to the direction of regulating staging. Currently
it is their as a support network to help stagers stay true to
staging ethics, values of honesty and good workmanship.
Here
are some tips on how to hire the right stager.
-Look
for a stager that has experience. Experience and professionalism
is the top requirement in the staging industry.
-Do they have certifications,
education, or awards? Look for a stager that has an education
in home staging. There is much more to staging than what you
see on TV. Having a diploma will ensure you get the best end
result with your stager. Also take a look at any certifications
or awards they may hold. It is very hard to obtain awards in
this industry so when you find a company that has awards, you
know they have your best interest at heart.
-Decorator VS Stager.
Working with an interior decorator may not get you the best
end result because a decorator is trained to make the home be
a reflection of the home owner. Staging is the complete opposite
of decorating. Stagers appeal to the most amount of buyers in
the least amount of time. When you work with a professional
stager, they know the market better than a decorator because
it is part of their job to know the market, who the target buyer
is, and where you get the greatest return on investment is throughout
your home, as well as creating focal points and traffic flow
throughout the home and more. If they have a decorating diploma,
ensure they also have their staging diploma as well to ensure
the best end result on your home.
-Take a look at their
portfolio. They should display before and after pictures of
actual jobs they have performed and never contain any stock
photos. The stager must be able to create a focal point as well
as accentuate the architecture of the home. Ask to view the
photo’s online or in person at your meeting.
-Have you checked
their references? Ask for references. They can be from clients
or real estate agents they have worked with. Also check out
their testimonials. Even try to Google direct names and see
how often they are used.
-Do they have liability
insurance? ANY company you work with should have liability insurance.
If they do not, its not worth the risk. Don’t work with them.
-Did your staging
company have a contract? When you are working with a staging
company and items are being rented or moved by the company,
ensure they have a clear contract so you understand the terms
and conditions of what to expect during the staging process.
-Pricing Structure.
When you talked to your stager, did they explain their pricing
and packages? Compare their fee to what other companies are
charging, as well as the level of education and experience as
a factor. Staging should never have any “hidden” fees. Ensure
everything is laid out upfront through meetings and quotes.
As well as find out their terms of payment and methods.
When
you hire Capital Home Staging And Design you get:
-Professionally
Staged homes with a certified home staging professional.
-We are a Member
of RESA and uphold to the values and ethics as a stager.
-We are award winning
(see Accomplishments page)
-We have a high level
of customer service for all of our clients.
-Prompt booking of
appointments to keep you on schedule to listing date
-We have professional
liability insurance with Hudson Insurance.
-We have established
relationships with companies to offer our clients discounts
when needed.
-Our goal is to stage
each home to its fullest potential so we can help home owners
sell faster and for top dollar.
FAQ
What
is Home Staging?
Home
Staging is the process of preparing a house for sale. We specialize
in creating favorable impressions throughout the home that the
buyers eye will catch. We highlight selling features, enhance
functionality and visual flow. We create a desire in the buyer
to make your home their own.
Why
Should I hire a Home Stager?
Being
objective to your home is EXTREMELY difficult when you are surrounded
by items and furniture you love. It is hard to decide what you
should keep out or pack away. We are trained to help you focus
on the sale, highlight the features and benefits, so a buyer will
envision their own items in the home.
Presently
the housing market is booming in my area, why should I still consider
your staging services?
In
reality you actually stand to make a lot more money in a booming
market. In a booming market, potential buyers are willing to
make quicker decisions to buy now rather than face even higher
home prices and possibly higher mortgage interest rates later.
If they see something they like, even at inflated prices, they’ll
buy because inflation is all around them.
I heard
a quote the other day that “a stager is born everyday.” If ‘anyone’
can stage, what makes a good stager?
Although many people
may believe that staging is a generic skill that anyone can have,
there is actually
a lot of work and skill that goes into our profession. I cannot
speak for all home staging companies, but I can speak about Capital
Home Staging & Design and what makes us an excellent staging company.
A large part of who we are is our unique personalities. We are
tactful, respectful and most importantly sensitive to homeowners
during a stressful time in their lives. This is a challenge that
we face daily as we meet with many different client personalities.
We have the natural ability to converse, problem-solve, and establish
priorities. Not every stager has the discretion, proper language
or even tools to approach a client diplomatically when entering
a private home. We see how to accent natural highlights of a home,
correct visual imbalances, and make adjustments and other major
factors. We see more then the simple decoration of a house. We
assess’ all factors in a home varying from air quality to storage
solutions. By addressing all aspects, our staging evaluation can
bring in top dollar for the home and can even create profitability.
We make decisions based on our staging/decorating education and
natural skill for finding discrepancies and remedying them efficiently.
There are so many other factors for being a high quality stager
(and not just when in a home with a client). Capital Home Staging
& Design takes time to self promote and build a positive reputation
within the industry. We sustain relationships with trade people,
maintain strong ground in the social media world and are always
adding to our solid portfolio. These are key contributors that
make this company superior to other unaccredited stagers.
I
love my decor, why
do I need to alter it?
Decorating
is great for living, but not for selling. Staging helps you see
past what you own and leaves room for the buyers to imagine their
own belonging with in the room. When selling your home as hard
as it may be to do you must think of it as a product. Focus on
why you are selling so you can reach that goal fast. Detaching
from your beloved home may be hard but it is easier when time
comes to leave if you prepare yourself for the moving. We will
help you reach that goal.
How
much does it cost?
Staging
your home will cost you less than if you reduced your price. This
process helps make sure you do not lose money. By investing in
our services and executing our suggestions, your house will not
be on the market for too long. For a staging consultation, our
price for staging is $200/hr, depending on the size of your home
and the amount of work to be done will vary, but it generally
takes 2 hours to do a full house. If you give us a call and tell
us a little about your property, we can be more specific. We always
try to keep the cost down by not having you do anything unnecessary.
Can
I afford it?
An
estimated cost to stage a house could be between $400 to $5000,
depending how much work or items needed. If the average house
for sale price is $300,000 and the average price reduction in
Canada is 5 to 10 percent of the asking price, then with you first
price reduction, you could lose $15,000 - $30,000. When a house
is effectively staged, then your house will sell without having
to deduce the listing price. Over the years home staging has statically
proven that homes sell in half the amount of time than non-staged
homes. We can have an occupied home fully staged for $300.00 (some
conditions apply)
I
have heard all houses sell eventually...Why do I need to bother?
That
statement is true…However at the point it “eventually” sells,
you have already owned it longer then you anticipated and have
probably decreased the price once if not more. Where do you want
to be in 30 days or even in a couple of months? It is all up to
you. Did you know that the longer your house sits on the market
the more likely your asking price will be reduced? Buyers shopping
for a new home run to see new listing that are in their price
range and desired area. The best advantage you have when selling
your home is when it’s “HOT” that is within 2 weeks of the listing.
This is where you will get the most viewers of the house so you
want to make sure it is in its most attractive state to the general
population.
Does
it make any difference if my house is already on the market?
Ideally,
you would stage your home before it goes on the market. This is
so it is pristine for the “HOT” part of the listing. However,
if your home is already on the market staging it will decrease
any additional time it could sit.
Colour
Consulting
 Can’t
figure out what paint colour to pick, or giving yourself a home
makeover? We can assist with a full colour consultation for what
ever room you choose. We work with ICI and Benjamin Moore Paint
fan decks which will provide us with numerous colours to choose
from. Capital Home Staging & Design will find colours that will
work with your current furniture and flooring etc. Allowing colour
to flow through your house harmoniously.
As
a Colour Consultant we help homeowners choose and implement new
colour schemes for spaces in their home. This requires much more
than just choosing a paint colour, we need to consider many different
ways that colour is used in a space with items like existing paint,
fabric, furniture and accessories. Everyone generally knows that
primary colours are Red, Yellow, Blue. As a Colour Consultant
we have learned about Secondary Colours, Tertiary Colours, Hues,
Tints, Shades, Tones, Complementary Colours, adjacent colours,
Monochromatic, Double Complementary, Split Complementary, Triad,
and Tetrad Colour combinations. Having the knowledge of all these
items relating to colour will enable us to work a rooms colour
to make it harmonious with the rest of the house. Psychology is
also a big part of choosing a colour. Different colours have different
feelings for different people. It is our job to find out what
those are and use them appropriately.
Hiring
a Colour Consultant will take the pressure off of you to choose
the right colour for your beautiful home.
Interior
Redesign
Love
your furniture but don’t know how to make it work with in your
house? We will help with furniture placement, colour choices,
room styling using existing furniture and accessories.
Redesign
is when we come to your home and talk to you about how you want
the room to feel and colours you like. We work with your CURRENT
furniture and place them in accordance to how the room should
feel and their function. We may also help with fabric for curtains,
re upholstering furniture if requested, adding or subtracting
items from other rooms to relocate into another room where it
will function better.
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