International Institute Of Home Staging

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Styling with Tiling: Can I Paint my Tiles?

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Bathroom tiling can be expensive to replace and installing a new splashback doesn’t seem like it’s worth the hassle, but these are two tiles areas that can definitely benefit from a facelift when selling your property.

Every day I face bathrooms and splashbacks that are less than favourable but more often than not, my clients’ budgets don’t stretch as far as replacing the tiles in these areas. For every dollar spent on the home, you should expect to receive two or three times that in the increased value of the property, but what happens if you don’t have that money to spend?

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Painting tiles can be a good option if the market and price point of the house will accept this standard of finish rather than replacement of the tiles. Painting the tiles can also be a quicker option if you don’t have time to renovate. The key is to know whether it can be done, and done well.

Advice For Painting Tiles

Scott Cattell is the training manager at Haymes Paint, a DIY guru with more than 30 years of experience in this area. He says painting over tiles is not recommended as a long-term solution as the finish will not last as long as replacing the tiles. There is also a risk that, if not done correctly, the finish will come off and look worse than before you started, he says. This could mean you will need to spend further time and money fixing your botched attempt.

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For those who consider painting tiles their best option, however, his expert advice centres on the key aspect of proper preparation. The surface must be clean and dry. Additionally, Scott recommends a little abrasion to break the existing gloss to help the new paint cling to the surface. A light sanding should do the trick. White Knight has a range of specific tile paints but brands like Haymes also have options to protect interior areas like bathrooms and splashback sections, such as its enviro-friendly water-based Ultimate epoxy coating, which comes as satin or gloss in a range of colours.[http://applicators.haymespaint.com.au/products-and-specifications/product-information/view/Ultimate-Epoxy-Coatings]

If your tiles area is outside your house, use something like the Ultimate single pack, [http://applicators.haymespaint.com.au/products-and-specifications/product-information/view/Ultimate-Single-Pack-Exterior-Coatings] a UV-stable sealer paint suitable for masonry surfaces. Paint according the specific instructions of the product you select. Hopefully this solution will be enough to impress potential buyers and add value to your home.

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About Haymes Paint

[http://www.haymespaint.com.au/] Haymes is an award-winning Australian paint manufacturer and distributor which began in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1935. The fourth generation family business supplies premium quality products nationally through the paint retailers network for consumers, professional applicators, specifiers, architects and builders.

 

4 Tips for Convincing Your Clients of the Value of Home Staging

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So you want to increase your customer base and convince more clients about the value of home staging? A part of any professional home stagers job description is selling their services.  Part of selling is showing how your services add value and create a win-win situation for your clients. So how do you show this value?

These are my Top 4 Tips for convincing your clients of the value of home staging:

  1. Show them the stats

The majority of clients enjoy hearing and analysing the statistics around home staging and its results or return on investments for vendors.  There is a lot of literature on the internet that is floating about to support the use of home staging and pre sale property styling – the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) has a yearly publication as do a few other American and Canadian Associations.

However presenting off shore data to clients that has been derived from what they may consider to be a completely unrelated market often results in objections and questions about the transferability of the data.

The best way to counter this is to collect your own data.  When you collect your own rigorous and consistent statistics based on local sales and your workmanship, there can be little challenge to their relevancy.

2. Assess your business model

I constantly get asked how can I increase my customer base. Sometimes it is less about selling, and more about assessing your business model. The first thing you need to do is ask yourself the following questions!

Q1 – “Do you have a database, or a list of your customers?”

Q2 – “When was the last time you connected with your customers online and offline to re-build your relationship with them?”

Q3 – “Can you re-structure your payment options and make it more attractive for existing customers to pay upfront, in advance or on a monthly payment plan?”

Q4 – “Have you considered a low cost referral program that could reward your current customers who introduce their friends and family to your service?”

Q 5 “Are you testing and measuring your marketing efforts to gauge the best ROI on your marketing dollar?”

Armed with these five simple questions, you can now assess your current situation and take the appropriate action towards increasing the sales in your business.

Record your answers and have them ready for your next business planning meeting.

  1. Network like a boss

Networking is a cost effective way to generate new business leads and make connections with other like-minded people. I strongly believe networking is an important part of having a successful business. Here are some tips I always follow:

  • Always have business cards with you. You can build your network anywhere! Waiting for the kids to finish school, at a birthday party or at the shops.
  • Listen! Even though networking is about you, it is important to listen to what somebody else is saying in case you can help them.
  • Be interested. Showing that you are interested in somebody is a vital part of networking.
  • When you have to speak, make sure you have a speech ready to go, introducing yourself smoothly and confidently.
  • Follow the top communication rule: giving eye contact!
  • Do not stay talking to the same person for hours at an event, make sure you make the rounds giving everyone a piece of your time, allowing you to meet new people and possible business associates.
  • Following up is essential – send everyone you met a card, email, Facebook message, tweet, text or even give them a call.
  • Make sure you stay in touch with people you felt like you could work with in the future because chances are, you probably will.

Following these tips will has countless benefits including greater exposure for your business and further opportunities.

  1. Use social media

Facebook… one of the most popular social media outlets on the internet. Most of us carry it with us everyday on phone and tablet devices. Facebook is a great way to market and attract more traffic to your business in so many ways, no matter how you run your business or what type of work you do!

Promote your business by getting friends and family to support your work and like the page, and also liking and talking to other business owners in a similar area of interest to you. While creating a social stir you may find that your page gathers more attention from different people/businesses, more likes and comments, and more general interest for what your business is really all about! (Eventually leading up to larger numbers of clientele!)

Ask your social media audience questions and engage them in your work! This is always fun and puts the spotlight on the audience, rather than only talking about the business itself. You can gain insight into what your clientele like and dislike through this method by asking the questions and getting the feedback, ultimately building confidence for your business due to the market needs! Always keep in contact with your clients and audience by answering any questions that they may ask – do not ignore them!

These 4 tips will help you on your way to strengthening your business and legitimizing the value of home staging for clients.

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How to Find Your First Customer

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You’ve decided to branch out and start your own home staging business but where are you going to find your first customer? It can be hard to get that first catch even if you’re great at what you do! No one wants to be the guinea pig for your business. Luckily, there are ways to legitimize your home staging skills so you can start building your clientele list.

  1. Complete a course in home staging

The industry in Australia is currently unregulated and so there are no specific requirements in becoming a home stager. However, there are courses available like the IIHS course in Advanced Home Staging that are specifically developed for people wanting to start their career. A home stager must have a good grasp of core design principles, solid property knowledge, renovation and maintenance knowledge and be an extremely good communicator. If you are looking for a course make sure all these aspects are covered.

  1. Create a portfolio

Once you’ve got your qualifications it’s time to develop an authentic portfolio that showcases your styling and also your ability to maximise ROI. You might need to offer some favours to friends and family that are selling to get this portfolio started. Never use internet images that are not your own, it makes your business look fake!

  1. Build relationships

Staged a friend of a friend’s property for free? Know someone in the property industry? Use these contacts to build relationships rand make sure you always over deliver. This reputation will see your business get out there with a constant and steady flow of good clients that want to work with you.

Alongside this it is also important to remember some big dos and don’ts when being a home stager.

  1. Get social

Creating a social media account for your business, even in the early stages, is one of the best ways to spread the word about your services. Work on getting your logo and branding looking professional, upload examples of your work and even your own home to showcase your skills. Then start reaching out to businesses in your area or in your industry to start networking and driving traffic to your page!

  1. Believe in yourself!

While you may have a vision for your business, it can often be forgotten when you’re struggling to hook your first customer. So make sure you have a great support networks or even an objective business coach who can help keep you on track and make sure you have the best possible chance of kicking your goals!

Do you want to start building your network and learn how to connect with real estate agents to make getting your first customer so much easier? Click on the picture below for your FREE blueprint!

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4 Tips For Hanging The Perfect Wall Art

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One aspect of decorating that many people struggle with is choosing and hanging wall art. If you’ve left the walls of your home blank because you’re afraid of making an error, or if you’ve hung photos and prints only to be disappointed by the results, keep reading! By following a few best practices, you can use your artwork to transform your space with these 4 simple tips.

  1. Hang only what you love

Choosing artwork for your home is highly personal subject, and this is where we let go of any rules, save for one: You must love the works of art you hang on your walls. They should speak to you. Never choose a painting or print just because you think it matches your room — it’s a sure-fire way to be disappointed in the end.

Original paintings can be expensive, but if you have artistic friends or family, you can frame some of their original pieces for a really sharp, custom look. You can also purchase prints, enlarge favourite photos (black and white portraits are very chic), or find some incredible antique signs or other interesting objects to hang on your walls for interest. You just need to love it.

Image credit: The Design Chaser

2. Don’t skimp on the frames

If you choose to hang traditional wall art, it’s worth it to spend a little more for professional framing. This will protect your investment, as framers use acid-free materials and UV-rated glass to make sure your artwork doesn’t deteriorate. Framing is also an opportunity to unify your look. For example, you could have several very different paintings in style or subject, but if they’re all in similar frames, you add instant cohesion to your room.

Image credit: The Ultralinx

3. Keep artwork in scale with the space

The biggest mistake most people make is hanging a picture that’s too small for the space. If you put a beloved, page-sized portrait on an expansive wall, it will be totally lost and ignored. To figure out how large a picture to hang on your wall, measure the width of the space (say, the area between two windows) and multiply that number by .57. The result is the ideal width of the painting you should center in that space. This bit of arithmetic is based on decorators’ tried-and-true proportions, but you of course have a little leeway. You can also group smaller photos together to reach this number — just be sure to account for additional spacing between each.

Image credit: Instagram

4. Hang artwork at eye level

Many people hang their pictures too high on the wall, thinking that there’s a lot of space to fill toward the ceiling. This is not the case! The centre of your artwork should be at eye level of the average person — if you live with someone, split the difference. The one exception is with lettered signs, which are typically designed to be seen from a distance and can therefore be hung higher than eye level if you like.

If you stick to these four simple rules, you’re sure to be pleased with how your works of art transform your walls.

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2017 National Home Staging Symposium Review

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When nearly 200 home stagers just starting out, emerging businesses and thriving substantial home staging businesses get together it is amazing what can happen. This years event was bigger than ever and high high high on energy and the passion of the people in the room.

Some massive take homes from everyone about your mindset to business and your mindset towards money and you body. Huge amounts of content for everyone to take home from an amazing array of speakers on marketing, selling, promoting and much more in your home staging business.

The skills and talents of the guest speakers was mind blowing and their willingness to openly share their talents with our industry community was humbling.

The book signing was a hoot and a super treat for VIP attendees getting my book in their hands before anyone else world wide.

Thanks to all our amazing sponsors and partners that make putting on an event of this calibre possible.

This years event sold out!!! Dates Next year have been locked and loaded and we are heading back to Sydney in July! If you want to be the first to know when tickets will be launched for the 2018 event, click below

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Our Favourite Rugs!

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1. Kenza Rug – Freedom

Kenza Rug Freedom
www.freedom.com.au

2. Madras Rug – Freedom

www.freedom.com.au

3. Nomad Grey Rectangle Rug – wholesale supplier

4. Gold Black and White Rectangle Rug – wholesale supplier

5. Gold Navy Rectangle Rug – wholesale supplier

6. Atrium Pilu Natural Rug – wholesale supplier

7. Eco Herringbone Marble Rectangle Rug

8. Stockholm Rug – Ikea

www.ikea.com

9. Colca Wool Rug – West Elm

www.westelm.com.au

10. Atrium Wish Gold Round Rug – wholesale supplier

favourite rugs

5 Ways to Connect with Real Estate Agents

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Stylists versus real estate agents—it’s not a boxing match but a partnership, so why the adversarial relationship?

Many of the students here at the International Institute of Home Staging are unsure and even a little scared about connecting with real estate agents. This can be for a number of reasons, primarily because they can be intimidating, but also because agents have a lot of power when it comes to engaging a home stager or property stylist. If the agent is hard to catch or simply not interested in pre-sale styling, it can be an uphill battle for stylists to get a foothold in the property industry.

There are a couple of simple reasons why an agent may reject your services: either you’re not approaching the agent in the right way, or you’ve not done the research to find the agents in the right places. Having just one agent on board can change your business in a very small time frame.

Here are five ways you can successfully connect with agents.

  1. Be proactive and responsive

Do your homework and select agents that you believe will be open to having their portfolio of properties styled. If you’re particular about who you work with, try to get to know how they interact with colleagues, contractors and clients before you make your approach. Take the initiative when it comes to the stager-agent relationship and always be open to the agent’s needs when they do decide they want styling, including integrating their feedback into your work.

  1. Be the ultimate communicator

Polish your communication skills and you’ll be able to identify and match the communication style of the agent you are dealing with. Some agents are direct and you may need to be clear and straightforward in your dealings with them; for others who communicate in a less direct manner you may need to coax out what they really want from your correspondence or conversations with them. People like it when they are being heard and understood—be that person.

  1. Show them the benefits

Agents may not know the value of a stager, so make sure when you approach them to be clear on what you do, how you do it and what’s in it for them and their clients, the property sellers. If you have a portfolio of past work, a visual example may be the best way to demonstrate the value you bring. Support your pitch with data regarding return on investment (ROI).

  1. Stave off concerns

Whether through false assumptions or bad experiences, some agents have misconceptions about the staging process and what it entails. Combine your communication skills with your value proposition to explain the staging process, to demonstrate that it won’t slow down the timelines greatly and to emphasise that it will yield a better result.

  1. Be professional

Professionalism goes a long way to create a good impression. Dazzle them with your confidence, styling skills and property knowledge. Always be polite and gracious, even when handling a rejection or feedback; the real estate industry is a close-knit community and word will get around about how you are to work with, so make sure the right message is sent.

Have you tried other successful ways of working with agents? Leave a comment and let us know your tips!

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How to transition from your corporate job to running a home staging business

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If you have a passion for styling homes, building your own home staging business can be one of the most rewarding careers out there. There’s the creative freedom, working your own hours and dealing with the clients of your choice. In theory, it’s an easy decision to change your career overnight, but I know that the transition from full time work in a corporate setting to running your own business is a little more complicated than that.

To help make it a little easier, follow these 4 steps to ensure your transition from working a 9 – 5 to running a home staging business is a smooth and successful one:

Set your work hours

Home staging business

I’ve heard people say that the main reason that they want to run their own business from home is because they can work only when they want to work. It IS true that you can set your own work hours when you work at home but it does NOT mean that you don’t have to have set work hours.

When you have a job that you go to outside your home, you are required to be at that job at a specified time on specified days of the week. When you have a work at home job or business, you need that same kind of structure. You need to set regular working hours. The freedom that a work at home job provides is that you can choose the hours…but you do have to choose!

A ‘hit or miss’ work schedule…or rather, the lack of any work schedule at all, simply will not work. Time is of the Essence! YOUR time!

Let your friends and family know your work schedule

home staging business

The benefits of running your own business means you can be at home to see the kids off to school and be at home when they get home. You can put a load of laundry in and it can run through the cycles while you are working. But you must enforce a work schedule for yourself and insist that your family and friends also adhere to it.

A job out in the brick and mortar world tells your family and friends that your time is spoken for during your working hours. When you work from home, expect your spouse to see you as being free to run errands. Your friends will see you as being available for long telephone conversations, lunch or for a coffee klatch.

You can see the problem. The best way to accomplish using your time to your own best advantage with your business is to make a schedule and tell your family and friends what that schedule is.

You don’t have to be rude but you do have to be firm. Make it clear to all. “I will be working between 9 AM and 3 PM Monday through Friday. On those days and during those hours, I am NOT available to run errands or take personal phone calls or entertain company.” Then stick to it!

Create your own brand

home staging business

When running your own business, you need to work on creating your brand. A brand is more than a name or a physical feature, it is the perception that customers have about your product or service. It’s your promise to your audience. In general terms, it’s an idea or image of a specific product or service that consumers connect with.

Whilst in the order of things a logo usually comes first, the trick is to then grow your brand from there.

When establishing your brand first work out what the vision, values and personality of your company are. Consider your audience and define them. What’s their age, gender, occupation, location and personality traits? When doing these exercises, also remember that this is not about defining you or describing what you like, you need to put yourself in the shoes of your potential buyers to see what they desire.

Figure out your competition

home staging business

In the age of technology, you can do a million and one things to switch up your business and create a unique element of interest that set you above other home stagers in your area. All that you have to decide is what ideas you are going to pursue!

This could be creating your own Youtube channel where you share advice or film the home staging process of a property. It could be starting a blog to engage your audience and direct traffic to your website. There’s even options like offering warehouse tours and creating an online op-shop for old furniture stock – get creative!

Are you ready to start your career in home staging? Click on the image below to claim your spot in the first course now!

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Staging Designs | Home Stager of the Month

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At IIHS we love having the opportunity to showcase the work of our Shine members as one of our many membership perks! This month, our Home Stager of the Month is the lovely Dimitra Oldham from Staging Designs.

Dimitra has been in the industry for almost a whole 9 years and has been running Staging Designs in Sydney since 2013!

What made you get into the industry?

After a long career in the Corporate Sector in senior management, we moved the family to the US where my husband took up a new role. I was at home with my little one who was a year old and my daughter was at pre-school.

I always had a passion for property and had worked in a buyers agency in Australia helping clients find their ideal property, so I knew how important it was to have a well presented home for sale. I came across Home Staging and after doing some research I completed the Home Staging course.

At first I set about helping friends and then worked with a local stager. Whilst I was in the US, Home staging was starting to hit the shores of Sydney. So naturally when we decided to come back to Australia it was a no-brainer to build my business here.
Staging was in its early days back then so it was a slow start, but I kept persisting with it. During this time I was also helping investors renovate their properties to increase their returns, so that kept me quite busy too.

Of course now staging has really changed the way property is sold today which fortunately is keeping us extremely busy!

What is your favourite part of working in home staging?

I absolutely love helping clients transform their property and really fall in love with it again. It is great when the client sees the completed home for the first time and they realise the potential their home had. Most clients say ‘I should have had you in sooner so we could enjoy it a little’. But at the end of the day ensuring that our clients get the benefit of the full potential value from their home is the best part.

I also love that no two days or properties are the same. Each property is different and presents its own possibilities and challenges. Seeing the look on the clients faces when we have completed our recommendations..is priceless… and the satisfaction I get that moment, never gets old! That’s what keeps me doing this everyday!

What advice would you give someone wanting to enter the industry?

Watching the home renovation shows people get the impression that it’s easy and fun. And yes whilst I do absolutely love what I do and have fun it is also a lot of hard work. To build a successful Styling business you need more than just a creative eye. It’s about building relationships, solving complex problems, being flexible and adaptive, learning to run a business, requires some real estate understanding and can also be quite a physical job.

The best advice I can give is find someone you can work with so you can get first hand knowledge of what’s involved. If its what you want to do then educate yourself in Home Staging as this is very different to just Interiors training.

To get in touch with Dimitra, head over to Staging Designs at www.stagingdesigns.com.au.

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Perth Style Co. | Home Stager of the Month

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At IIHS we love having the opportunity to showcase the work of our Shine members as one of our many membership perks! This month, our Home Stager of the Month is the lovely Sara James from Perth Style Co.

Running her own business for three years, Sara absolutely loves her new home staging career. Since changing her career in 2014, Sara has seen clear improvements in her attitude to work because she loves her job and is able to have an adaptable schedule, something that is near impossible in the corporate world.

Image via Perth Style Co.

What made you want to get into the industry?

With a history in property finance, I have an extensive insight into real estate transactions and how to influence the value of a property.

With this in mind, I recognised a niche opportunity in Perth to bring something completely different to our home staging market, that being a powerful combination of visual differentiation and property marketability.

Image via Perth Styling Co.

What is your favourite part of working in home staging?

Working with an extensive variety of agents and homeowners to get them excited about their new listings with innovative, on-trend design concepts and marketing initiatives.

Image via Perth Style Co.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter the industry?

It’s important to recognise that being successful in the home staging industry is not just about creative flair and good visuals, but about having the ability to understand the needs of an agent, their client and how you can impact the property transaction.

Image via Perth Style Co.

To get in contact with Sara, check out her website! 

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IIHS Success Story: Jaculin Dodson

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Here at IIHS, we strive to make a difference in the lives of our students that goes beyond the course content. It could be through giving you the tools you need to succeed, or the confidence you need to make positive changes in your lives. Each year, we are so proud of the growth and determination we see in our students and we’re over the moon to share some amazing success stories of some of the best home stagers and stylists from the IIHS community!

So without further ado, we would like to introduce…

Jaculin Dodson – Peony Property Staging

Home staging graduate of the IIHS

How has your business grown since studying with IIHS?

“I’ve always had a passion for interiors and for property. While on maternity break with my children, I knew that I didn’t want to get back into the corporate world and I wanted something that would give me the freedom to be around for my growing family and that also fuelled my passion.

I came across the International Institute of Home Staging, as being a Newcastle based girl, had followed the growth of Naomi’s Silk Home business with much interest.

I took my leap of faith and bought my ticket to attend the first Home Staging Symposium in 2015. My business was a dream at this time and after attending the Symposium in Sydney, I was inspired and fired up to make this a reality”.

Home stager success
Image from Peony Property Staging

What has been one of the best parts of becoming a member of the IIHS community?

“I signed up as a Shine/Professional Member at the Symposium and also enrolled in Course 1, The Art of Home Staging and to be honest, I haven’t looked back. I completed my studies in the Art of Home Staging and then enrolled in Advanced Home Staging and Business Development.

My business growth has been incredible since I studied and I took on Home Staging as a full time job. I have moved from being home based, to storage sheds and a desk in a collective office, to recently taking on my own warehouse and office in Newcastle where I now operate all facets of my business. I’ve taken on staff and the plan is to bring my husband into the business next year!

I will not ever look back and I’m so glad that I took that leap and went along to the IIHS Symposium and studied with IIHS”.

Home stager success
Image from Peony Property Staging

What are the goals you have for your business and how did studying with IIHS help you achieve these?

“I am wanting to continue to grow and increase my capacity to service more agents and clients in the local area.

I am a believer in investing in myself and in my business and aside from the IIHS Course, I have also attended a number of other events organised by IIHS including travelling to Bali for Business & Balance Retreat!”

Home stager success
Image from Peony Property Staging

We are so proud of you Jacci!

You can find out more about Peony Property Staging here: http://www.peonystaging.com.au/

If you would like to follow in Jacci’s footsteps and take a step closer to getting your dream job, you can enroll in our last home staging course of the year here.

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IIHS Success Story: Belinda Litster

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Here at IIHS, we strive to make a difference in the lives of our students that goes beyond the course content. It could be through giving you the tools you need to succeed, or the confidence you need to make positive changes in your lives. Each year, we are so proud of the growth and determination we see in our students and we’re over the moon to share some amazing success stories of some of the best home stagers and stylists from the IIHS community!

So without further ado, we would like to introduce…

Belinda Litster – CHEZ B

Home staging graduate of the IIHS

How has your business grown since studying with IIHS?

“IIHS has been a wonderful course to complete knowing that I’m on the right track with my Business Model. When you can present your business to vendors and agents with facts and proof that styling works, which I learnt through the IIHS Course, this gives you an edge that perhaps other stylists don’t have to win the job!”

home stager
Image from Chez B

What were the biggest things you learnt from studying with IIHS?

“Styling is NOT decorating! There is a science behind what to improve in a vendor’s property for them to get the highest return with the least amount of outlay. The IIHS course guides you through this process so you know how to best service your clients.”

home stager
Image from Chez B

What are the goals you have for your business and how did studying with IIHS help you achieve these?

 “I love the being part of the IIHS community. What the course has given me is knowledge and knowledge is a powerful thing to have when presenting your Styling Business to Vendors and Real Estate Agents. My goal is to continue to grow my Property Styling Business and provide a high quality Customer Service Experience so clients will return to Chez B and recommend my Styling Business to their friends and family.”

home stager
Image from Chez B

 Good luck Belinda, we’re so proud of you!

You can find out more about Chez B here: https://www.chezb.com.au

If you would like to follow in the footsteps of Belinda and kickstart your career in home staging, you can enroll in our last course of 2017 here.

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