Green or Eco-Friendly Home Staging

Green Home Staging

By Jennie Norris, ASP Master®, IAHSP® President, President Denver IAHSP® Regional Chapter and Owner, Sensational Home Staging

The trend across the country is to have eco-friendly everything – “Green” is the buzz word to identify those people or industries that want to do more to conserve resources. People and companies are “going Green” in an effort to help protect our planet and our futures.

Did you know that ASP® Home Stagers have been doing this BEFORE the word “Green” was even in fashion? I was reminded of this during a leadership call with the Creator of Home Staging®, Barb Schwarz – who really has been teaching the idea of using what someone has or “repurposing” – which is really what the Green movement is all about – for nearly 40 years.


Home Staging with a Green focus or eco-friendly focus can be about using natural materials, cotton, bamboo, jute rugs, real greenery (instead of silk) which is so easy to do. . . I have done some of these projects and it is really simple to adapt to that type of Staging by thinking about what we are using and how we use it in Staging. (go to http://www.sensationalhome.com/ and link to eco-friendly home staging to learn more).


We even have an eco-friendly “star” in the ASP® Family that has developed a whole line of eco-friendly furniture to use in Staging houses – that is made from recycled materials and this genius was born from a need in the Staging industry and finding a way to fill it. (go to http://www.nextstagefurniture.com/ to find out more).


But when it comes to the average person’s home and selling – an ASP® Home Stager is already in the mode being Green – which is about using what is in the house – repurposing and find new uses for items that otherwise could get thrown out or as others in the industry that don’t have the same training might do – have the homeowner go purchase MORE stuff. . . that they don’t need which then causes even more wastefulness.


This philosophy has been taught for nearly 12 years and used in successful real estate sales for nearly 40 years! As the original Home Staging training course, Accredited Staging Professionals (ASPs) have been doing “Green Staging” since the beginning and that makes me really happy to know that I am part of an industry that does care about the environment and the future of our planet, and that we were doing a service for clients and the world before it was “trendy.”


So if you want a Green approach to preparing your occupied house for sale, look no further than your local ASP® Home Stager. Give them a call – and then sit back and watch in amazement as they transform your house using your things – and put the focus on selling your house – not selling you on purchasing a bunch of stuff you don’t need. If you have a vacant house – give your ASP® Stager a call to get an honest assessment of what you need to showcase your house working with your budget and timeframe to make the most impact for Buyers.

WHAT ARE YOU PAYING ME FOR? Part 3 of 4 by Jennie Norris, ASP Master, IAHSP President

WHAT ARE YOU PAYING ME FOR: PART 3

By Jennie Norris, ASP Master, IAHSP®, Owner, Sensational Home Staging

In today's market, many people can be confused about what they are actually paying for when hiring a professional Stager. In my last post, I talked about the Staging Consultation and what the underlying costs are – and what you pay for when including this service as part of preparing your house for sale. Remember, professional Stagers have business overhead and marketing expenses, and the costs to having an actual business - not just a hobby - and why it's important to hire someone that knows what they are doing.

In this post - we talk about The Vacant House. This type of Staging has a lot of work that goes in before the actual Staging takes place. In most markets, a Vacant House Staging starts at about $800 and goes up from there. There are 3 types of Vacant Staging: Light, Moderate and Fully Furnished and based on your budget and the type of property we are Staging, we will recommend the most cost-effective solution that gets your property SOLD.

What we don’t want to do is say something is “Staged” when there is no furniture in the property, when the “Staging” is not going to truly help a Buyer visualize living in the house or when the quality is not of the standard based on the type of property. If you are not going to Stage it right, then don’t do it at all because you are wasting your money. You need to invest the money up front to get your house or listing SOLD so Stage it so that it will SELL.

Here is a run-down of what typically goes into Staging a vacant property:

For a Vacant House: I drive to the location of the house to preview the property – typically at no charge to the client or you. While I am there I begin to form a vision and plan for what has to be done to Stage the house. I am not being paid at this point.

I go back to my house and prepare a detailed proposal – and have to research pricing for rental items and furnishings that are needed for the Staging. I am still not being paid a dime. This process can take hours to even days to find the exact pieces that are needed for your particular house or listing. 
I put the proposal together and then share it with the my client. I answer any questions they may have about the Staging and pricing. I negotiate. I listen to concerns they may have and overcome them. Hours have gone into the process at this point and I have still not been paid anything.

Once the Seller agrees to the Staging, I have to send them an Staging Services Agreement and secure payment, and establish the date for the Staging.

Then the work begins of pulling the Staging together. I take time to source furnishings from my own inventory or outside source. I coordinate the financial aspects of the Staging. I pull a team together and hire them for the Staging day. More time in the process is taken here.

Once I process the payment according to the terms of the Agreement, I finally get paid. On Staging Day we meet early and get loaded up and ready. 70% of the Staging is completed by this point because I have been planning this project mentally and now it’s just a matter of executing the plan.

We drive to the house and get the Staging done. I coordinate the entire project – what piece goes where, what each room should look like, and convey that to the people I hired to work with me on the project.

Once the Staging is complete, I coordinate the return of trucks, pay for labor, and then turn to the marketing of the property. If there are any incidences with the Staging, my insurance policy is activated and I take care of it. My goal is to make the process as user-friendly and easy for Sellers and to get the house sold.

I take photos that I will share with Realtors as needed. I put your listing up on a special website featuring only Staged properties and brings leads to you. I send you an interactive media show on the house that you can use to market the property. I will create customized flyers for your future listings, and if I get a call from the house I Staged, the leads are passed to you as my partner in success.

And once the house Sells, I and my team come back and remove everything efficiently and effectively, and restock the inventory.

All this is done and included in the price of the Vacant Home Staging.

Can you see why something like this would cost more than $500?

WHAT ARE YOU PAYING ME FOR? Part 2 of 4 by Jennie Norris, ASP Master, IAHSP President

In today's market, many people can be confused about what they are actually paying for when hiring a professional Stager. In my last post, I talked about the business overhead and marketing expenses, and the costs to having an actual business - not just a hobby - and why it's important to hire someone that knows what they are doing.


In this post - we talk about The Staging Consultation or as it is sometimes referred to "The Staging Report, Staging Plan, etc." No matter how you name it - the goal is to share with a Seller and/or Realtor what is needed to get a house ready for sale when the owner plans on doing the work themselves.... On average - the investment to provide a Staging Consultation averages between $150-$375 around the country and the pricing depends on the market where you live and the square footage of your house.


As you read below, consider this:

1. Average Appraisal: $400-$600

2. Average Home Inspection: $400+

3. Average Pest Inspection: $80-$100 and usually leads to $$$$ for repairs

Staging is the only service done in preparation of a house that brings MEASURABLE value and we help a homeowner keep 5-20% of their equity. So for the "Staging Report" - investing $150-$375 to get clear direction on what to do to help you keep 5-20% of your house value - is WORTH it!

For a Staging Consultation: I arrive at the scheduled time and rarely charge for time and gas to get to your client's house (unlike other service industries that have a "trip fee"). I have my report materials with me that I paid for - and a packet that I will leave with your client that I have prepped ahead of time.

When I walk in the door - I am immediately engaging my psychology skills to understand the Seller and what motivates them. In a matter of seconds to minutes I have to size up that person and adapt myself and my communication style to reflect theirs so we "sync" up and they are receptive to what I share. And when there is a couple - I must do this with not one, but two people - that I am sometimes meeting for the first time. This is called "developing Rapport" - and is a SKILL that must be learned through experience and training. Without Rapport - well - good luck getting your client to take down the painting of the naked woman or dead animal head they have hanging in their dining room.

Next, I have to walk through the house - first time to see it - and come up with "the Staging PLAN" in my head and figure out solutions that meet the Seller's timeframe and budget. I have to be able to "see" their house in a different way in my head. This talent is present in less than 10% of the population and it's more than just decluttering surfaces.

While I am there I am building camaraderie and rapport with the client - this is so when I go through my recommendations with them there is a foundation of trust and likeability between us. I do this in many ways - subtlety and skillfully.

Next, I prepare a detailed consultation report - and some Stagers hand-write this professionally while others prefer to type theirs. Regardless, your client is given a detailed summary of what is needed, room by room throughout the whole interior, and the curb appeal (all parts of their yard, the house, etc.) issue is addressed in detail as well.

When I go through my recommendations with the Seller, I must be able to communicate my vision effectively to the Seller in way that does not offend or hurt their feelings.

While I work with your client, I boost you as the Realtor - I edify, I am there as your advocate - I have your back. The deadline is set - and it all ties back to the desired MLS date that you have set with your client.

As a professional Stager that is networked throughout the region, I also provide Value Added Services to your Client in the form of discounts on things they may need such as paint supplies, moving services, storage services and more.

Then I follow up with your client - I make sure they are on track based on the goals and listing dates. I encourage them. I hand-hold if needed. I am available to help finish the Staging if they get overwhelmed or are not able to get it done themselves.

After the Staging is done, I help market that property (now not all Stagers do this - but I do). I take photos that I will share with Realtors as needed. I put your listing up on a special website featuring only Staged properties and brings leads to you. I send you an interactive media show on the house that you can use to market the property. I will create customized flyers for your future listings, and if I get a call from the house I Staged, the leads are passed to you as my partner in success.

All this is done and included in the price of the Staging Consultation Report. And all this helps YOU as the Seller or YOU as the Realtor (or as the Investor, Builder, etc.) KEEP more equity in the house.

So in summary - when you hire me for a Staging Consultation - you are paying me for my creativity, vision, ideas, psychology skills, communication skills, and business acumen to help get your client on board with the Staging and keep them on track.

It is a worthwhile investment to pay a Professional Home Stager to do it right!

WHAT ARE YOU PAYING ME FOR?

WHAT ARE YOU PAYING ME FOR? - by Jennie Norris, ASP Master, IAHSP Presidenrt

(Part 1 in a Series of 4)

I recently attended a real estate networking event and had a Realtor come to me and say, “It seems that all the Stagers in this market have increased their prices 100-fold and I cannot find anyone to work at the rate I paid before.” Intrigued I asked him about the pricing he had received and did my best not to laugh (or throw up in my mouth) when he shared that he was getting a vacant house Staged with rental inventory and time for only $500. I asked what happened to the person he was using, and he said, “She is not longer Staging.”

REALLY? Hmmm – I wonder why? Maybe it’s because she ran herself into the ground and was losing money – not able to even cover operating costs. It does not surprise me in the least this Stager is no longer around. And it upsets me to know there are still more wearing the same shoes of that Stager thinking “If I do it cheaply, people will hire me.”

My experience with anything CHEAP is that it does not hold up and the quality is poor. Cheap shoes, cheap clothing, cheap vacations . . . and Cheap Staging.

How many of these Cheap Stagers are lurking in your market and just what do we get paid for anyway?

This question has haunted me these past days as I mulled it over. It seems that the gap between wanting Staging to work but wanting it to be cheaply priced is still there and getting agents and sellers to walk over the Bridge of Value and understand WHAT we do in Staging needs to happen.

So just what DO you pay for when you hire a Stager AND WHY am I worth every dollar?

First, I have set up a BUSINESS. This means I have licenses, education and insurance. I have memberships, marketing fees and costs. That is called OVERHEAD. So the projects I do in Staging must at MINIMUM cover these basic operating costs to owning and operating a business. I did not get into business to lose money. It’s not just a hobby for me and it’s not just a way for me to get a creative “fix” by tweaking someone else’s house instead of my own.

Next, when I work with your client as a Realtor or with you as a Seller – you are not just paying me for ideas – although that is a large part of it. You are paying me for my vision and my ability to effectively communicate that vision to the Seller in a way that does not hurt their feelings or make them get upset at you for bringing me in to their house.

Anyone with creative bones can spew out an idea or thought. The key is to not do it with mean-spiritedness, not to offend. That takes experience and training. I am sad to say that probably over 50% of the “Stagers” in any market DO NOT have proper training and therefore are stomping all over the feelings (and odd items, poor paint choices, and clutter) of a Seller – instead of honoring that client.

When you pay me – you are paying for a skilled NEGOTIATOR, someone that understands the PSYCHOLOGY of Staging, and the MOTIVATING factors for a Seller.

You are paying me to make YOU look good to your Sellers . . . and if you are the public you are paying me to share honestly with you about your house and to explain the reasons behind recommendations in a way that makes you WANT to make changes.

You are paying me for my KNOWLEDGE of the market – and to know what should be done (or does not have to be done) to sell your house or listing. We are Selling your house or listing – and my job is to know WHAT recommendations are MOST important in your market.

I study statistics, I stay up on trends. I know what colors, fixtures, flooring, cabinetry, counters, etc. - are the ones Buyers want to see (and which ones they don’t) . . . and I know what it’s like to move and sell – it can be emotional, stressful, sad . . . and I don’t take that lightly.

You pay me for my discounts I get at local resources in your area.  I pass those through to my clients - unlike other industries where they make a profit on stuff or charge a fee for this - I include this as part of working with me as your Stager.

I am your advocate for future business referrals, Realtors. When you use me – and we form a Partnership for Success – I will help YOU get more business.

You see – Staging is NOT just about a “look” and having an idea for where to put the sofa or what clutter to take out.

Staging is a PROCESS – and it involves human emotions and feelings. It involves SKILL – creative and psychological . . . and It is a key tool to help sell a house to help the Seller achieve their goals and for Realtors to be successful.

Knowing all this - don’t you think it deserves the value that brings? Do you still think it should be CHEAP or want it to be CHEAP? And knowing that someone like me is out there and knows how to handle your client, is someone you can trust, is professional, has standards, training, and much more – don’t you believe that is worth working with me versus the low-ball leader?

Stay tuned for Parts 2-4 of this Series to understand WHAT you are paying for - the STEPS and PROCESSES a professional Stager goes through . . . to better help you know and understand the VALUE behind the PRICING.

Do what you Love . . . Don’t just Work as a Means to an End

Do what you Love . . . Don’t just Work as a Means to an End
by Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP - Owner, Sensational Home Staging


I was listening to a radio show the other day and they were talking about jobs and how people should not whine about having to work – it’s a means to an ends. . .

There was a caller that kept changing jobs because she was unhappy with her workmates, they annoyed her, they were not intelligent enough, she got bored, or whatever other reasons she tossed out there – she was not happy at her work. I just kept thinking, “She is in the wrong industry.” If someone is that unhappy in their job that they keep looking for “it” somewhere else – and job hops, and hates going to work – they need to do something else.

I kept thinking to myself:  "They need to find their passion."

However the advice from the radio people was, “Suck it up.” They actually said for working, “We do what we have to in order to have the life we want.”

In other words a job is just a paycheck and working is part of what we all HAVE to do in order to pay bills and have a life that we hopefully enjoy. It does not really matter if you really like it or enjoy the people you work with . . . you do it because you have to in order to live the life you want.

WRONG. Anyone else find something wrong with that advice?

Settling for a job just to pay bills – is a miserable existence. I know many people do it and I also know for many in this economy having any job is a blessing . . . but I just feel sad for those people.

Finding a passion is the key to happiness in the work world. I think high school counselors should be helping kids discover their passions – whatever it is – and steer that child into an industry they will enjoy – not just figure out what jobs pay the best and steer that kid into an industry they will hate.

Why did I have a physician in one of my recent ASP® Training classes? She has a full-fledged career as a Doctor – M.D. – and yet wants to be a Home Stager. This person was so full of life and creative energy – her field (oncology) was stifling that in her – and dealing with death and dying was just not fueling her passion. She was good at it – but she wanted something more.

Realizing there is an industry that pays well and will fuel that creativity opened the door of opportunity for her . . . I expect her to be very successful and much happier as a professional Home Stager!

Follow your Passion! Then work is not drudgery or just a means to an end . . . it is something you look forward to every day!

You know how some people just get through the week and then live for the weekend? I live for Staging! I get so excited when I get to work with a client and help them get their house ready for sale!

But in order to follow your Passion, you have to know what your Passion is. It might be working with kids, or gardening, or writing or health and fitness, or old cars, or any number of things. . . There are careers for all those fields – they may not pay the same as you are making now – or maybe they will pay more – but what I have found is that I would easily give up $$$ in order to be HAPPY in what I am doing daily and be motivated to be the best in that field that I can be!

I thought about all this and realized how lucky I am to have found Home Staging. I had a passion for creative things – decorating, painting, remodeling houses, and found this industry. It is my work – and yet it is not a means to an ends only. It’s not just a way to provide income to my family so we can do what we love. It is my passion!

My motto is, “I do what I love so I can live the life I love.”

I love Staging. In fact all the Stagers I know love Staging. We did it for free for much of our lives for crying out loud! Finding there was an industry that would actually pay me for my creative energy and ideas is the icing on the cake. Knowing I am helping other people (one of my passions), using my creativity and talent (another of my passions) and earning great income (a great benefit of the industry – and OK a passion as who does not want to be paid well?) is the proverbial trifecta of working for me!

So if you are reading this and are doing what you love, say a little prayer of thanks as you truly are blessed. If you know someone that is unhappy in what they are doing – ask them, “What you are really passionate about?”

It’s never too late to re-invent yourself.

Age is just a number and I’d rather go out of this life doing what I love than suffer in silence or never discover and use my true passion.

ONE WEEK on the MARKET - and SOLD after Staging!

Another SENSATIONAL Success from Sensational Home Staging!  SOLD only one week after Staging!  When you want Sensational Results, call Jennie Norris at 303-717-7918!

SOLD IN 7 DAYS! Days on market average 60-90

SOLD in only 7 days after Staging!!  When you want Sensational Results, just call me at 303-717-7918!