Hiring a Stager

[vicki2]

When I was in the U.S. I had a pretty successful venture (a spin off from interior design) which helped people stage their homes for sale. Often, I would get called in when a house had been on the market for a few months with no bites. I 've seen House Doctor since I got back to the U.K., but here in Scotland, I don't see many people doing this.

It really does work because someone with an objective eye can clear out the clutter a potential buyer sees that the owner doesn't.

Has anyone here ever hired someone to help out on this?

[brian]

No, but it sounds like a great business idea.

[Riggy]

Haven't done that so far in the U.K., but I have a cousin by marriage who does staging as a business in the U.S. It is amazing how it can really help in home selling. This girl has an excellent artistic eye.....her specialty is 'staging up' a home that has been left empty during a sale. She will turn the abandoned-looking house into a home by bringing in nice pieces of furniture and artistic touches. Often times it is her efforts that help to accelerate home sales.

Riggy

[vicki2]

It does work well. Working with an empty house is much more fun, but it's usually the ones where people just don't understand why all their clutter is hurting the sales of their home which is tougher. Trying to convince them that they need to pack up 3/4ths of their junk and store it isn't an easy task!!!

[ninikins]

I would not hire one but I would like to see what someone like that does exactly to pick up a few great tips.

[vicki2]

Do you get The House Doctor show where you are? That one is actually very helpful. If you do a google on it, I'm certain there's a website as well which probably gives out a lot of tips and has pictures too.

[ninikins]

Thanks, vicki! That's actually pretty handy! I haven't seen that show...no. Maybe I should check it out.

[sweet_mayhem]

i haven't tried that, too, but i think it's a great idea. besides moving things around and getting rid of clutter, do you also add some furnishings to the house? say some mirrors or potted plants? do you also do substitutions?

[destiny_star2006]

I dont understand how it would make any difference to where you put certain things!
But I do know it works because Ive seen House doctor, but it really does baffle me!

[fitnessk]

Yeh there is a show on TLC in the US where they help people sell their homes who are having trouble. They always stage the house and it does seem to make a difference.