International Institute Of Home Staging

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How to Ensure Brand Loyalty in Home Staging

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When most people think of brand loyalty, their first thought is about brands they use in their own day-to-day life.

What supermarket do you shop at? What brand of cereal do you buy? What fast food do you get?

Unlike food brands, home staging isn’t a service or product that is needed for every household on a weekly basis.

Home staging is a service that most households wouldn’t even use once a year. Some people spend their lifetime living in the same property, some people never plan to sell once they find their dream house. So, how can you create brand loyalty for an industry where repeat customers only happen every few years if that?!

Image Source: adoremagazine.com

Social media and advertising

Being front of mind for your potential customers is a great way to ensure that when they hear the term ‘home staging’, their first thought is you!

No matter if you want to solely advertise online, hand out flyers to mailboxes or run a Facebook ad; advertising is the most effective way to ensure that your company is everywhere.

If someone keeps seeing your brand pop up online or on social media, when it comes time to sell their property or they know someone who is, their first thought is your company.

Offer incentives

Spread the word of your business and encourage repeat customers by offering them an incentive. It could be a free service or bonus inclusion if your client shares something on social media, recommends you to a friend or is a repeat customer. This is all about creating a strong and positive relationship with your customers. You don’t necessarily have to drop your prices to meet your competitors’, but you can make your customers feel valued.

Image Source: ventandcover.com

Listen to customer feedback

Feedback isn’t always good feedback, but it can always be used for the better.

By looking at your feedback, be it online or face-to-face, you are able to understand what your customers want and need from your service and then it is up to you to meet those needs. If you keep getting feedback that the customer felt left out during the process, then make an effort to install a system which means the customer is kept up to date every step of the way.

Maintaining and improving quality

It’s important for businesses to strive for all customers to leave completely satisfied with your quality of service.

Continually improving your business ensures that you blow your customers’ expectations out of the water so they keep talking about how great their experience was. With a great experience, comes a memory so even if someone had a great experience 10 years ago they may still try to hunt down that business and hire them again.

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Bathroom Renovations for Sale: The Must-Do’s

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It is inevitable that before you sell your property you will have to do some bits and bobs around the house.

Renovating your bathroom ready for sale can get quite expensive quickly so it is important to figure out what you should be investing in.

Your bathroom could make or break how fast and how much your property sells for.  So, what should you invest your money in to and what should you skip when renovating?

Here’s 6 must-do’s that should be on your list:

  1. Ensure that the toilet is in complete working order – it’s a must! This is something that will start being used as soon as the new owners move in so it is absolutely essential. If the toilet bowl is cracked, leaking, wobbly or looks old then it is time to replace it for the market. No one wants to buy a house with a toilet that looks gross or broken so it is of utmost importance to fix this up right away!
Image Source: Pinterest
Image Source: Pinterest

2. Make sure all taps are working correctly. Fix any leaks or loose handles before you put your property on the market. The good thing about this is that it can be done in half an hour at a reasonably low price! Don’t stress if the hot and cold labels are mixed up or the wrong way around. This is common and not difficult to figure out.

3. Ensure that all drawers in the vanity and bathroom area are in working order.  Focus on making sure they are clean, and open and close smoothly.

4. Fix any cracked, chipped or mouldy tiles. As most bathrooms have tiles on the floor and walls, it is absolutely essential that the tiles look clean and new.

5. Ensuring that all plumbing is in working order. If your plumbing looks dodgy or doesn’t work properly, your property will probably not get the price it deserves on the market.

Image Source: Pinterest
Image Source: Pinterest

6. Fix any lights that are hanging out of their socket. Not only is this a hazard but it also makes the bathroom look neglected. Installing new lights in this instance is essential.

While your bathroom may only be a small part of your property, it is an area that is used everyday and therefore needs to be presented well when you go to market.

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Why is Defining the Function of a Space Important?

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When someone moves into a new property, one of the first things they think is ‘what will I use this space for?’

Some spaces are obvious…the kitchen is for cooking, the bedroom is for sleeping, the lounge room is for watching television. But as home stagers, we know there’s so much more to it than that!

The spaces we create don’t necessarily have to be practical for day to day living. By that, I mean we don’t need to include a ‘play room’ for kids or a spot for all the shoes at the front door.

It is important that we hold onto the hopeful  mentality that buyers have and create a space that would be used in an ideal world (without the clutter!)

So, why is it so important to define the function of a space as a home stager?

Image via amberinteriordesign.com

When an empty property is put on the market, potential buyers are likely to become overwhelmed over the prospect of what they will use each space for. What room is better for a teenager and what one for a preteen? Should there be two living spaces? Is there enough room for a study space or home office?

Similarly, when a property is put on the market without professional property styling and using the seller’s current layout, the property is less likely to appeal to the buyer. Leaving the property in it’s original state  will create elements of clutter and uncertainty about what space is to be used for what. This is because we adapt to how our families use a space and often don’t notice that there is anything out of the ordinary about this.

This is where the magic of home staging comes in.

When staging a property, it is up to the home stager to determine what a space is best used for. If there is an awkward space between two bedrooms, a home stager may place a study desk there. This is something potential buyers might not have thought of doing, but seeing the desk there allows for the space to seem larger, and like the desk was always supposed to go there.

Image via cocolapinedesign.com

The accessories and furniture home stagers use allow for a space to have a clear and obvious activity attached to it. The items in the bedroom show that the space is used for sleeping, and the same goes for the lounge room, study space and kitchen. Doing this allows for potential buyers to see the size of the space, as well as the ideal activity to be done in the space, creating a homely and ‘I could live here’ atmosphere for all potential buyers.


Image via myscandinavianhome.com

How to Get the Most Out of Your Home Staging Experience

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When you are preparing to put your property on the market, chances are you want the best price possible right? Of course!

This usually means hiring a home stager to give you the best chance at getting the highest return. You can choose to have your property completely staged (if you are planning on removing all your furniture prior to inspections), or you can opt for partial styling.

Now, if you want to use home staging to your fullest advantage, there’s a few things you should do before having a consultation with your property stylist.

1. De-clutter

De-cluttering your property is a must before it goes on sale and before you have a consultation with a home stager. Remove the stacks of DVD’s, CD’s, and bookshelves stacked high with odds and ends. All the things you have been meaning to clear out and anything that doesn’t have a spot must be sorted. Not only will this help in the moving process but it will instantly make your property feel more spacious and fresh!

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Image via apartment34.com

2. Remove valuables and images

You don’t want your valuables to be damaged during the sale process. If something is special to you but it does not go with the theme of the property, removing it prior to a home stager coming in is a good idea so someone else doesn’t have to tell you to remove it. Similarly, removing images is a must! Potential buyers don’t want to feel like they are walking through someone else’s property so family photos are unnecessary.

3. Remove toys

Even if you are living in the property during the sale process, limiting the amount of toys used to a small box that can easily be packed away in the car during open homes is a great idea. Toys are not necessary when displaying a home as a family home. Not only that but toys in the home during open houses make the property feel as if it is someone else’s and potential buyers cannot fully imagine themselves living in the space.

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Image via mydomainehome.com.au

4. Yard cleanliness

Keeping your yard in immaculate condition during the sale process is of utmost importance! Street appeal is the first thing that draws a buyer in so ensuring that the yard looks well-kept, with trimmed hedges, cut grass and clean footpaths is absolutely essential!

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Image via homestolove.co.nz

5. Be open

There is no point hiring a stager if you are going to shut down every idea they have. Good home stagers are experts in design and the real estate market, which means they know what sells and what doesn’t. If you hire a stager but then rearrange everything as soon as they leave, then the whole process was a waste of your time and money. The property design does not have to be to your personal taste, or even to the personal taste of the stager, it just has to be that of the market.

Do these things combined with the guidance of your property stylist, and you’ll see your property selling faster and for more money!

 

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What To Look for in a Real Estate Agent

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As a home stager, creating and maintaining a strong relationship with real estate agents is an essential part of generating referred business.

When you have a strong relationship with a real estate agent you will constantly have business flowing and you will always have a direct line of call when something goes wrong if a property.

Selecting the right real estate agent for your business can be difficult though. You may have a great relationship with one agent in the beginning but as your business grows that agent may not fit with your business anymore.

Image via silkhome.com.au

When choosing a real estate agent to maintain a strong relationship with, always look for someone who is:

  • An established real estate agent. Agents who are not new to selling properties are more likely to develop a relationship with a home stager as they are always looking to expand their connections
  • You want to be able to trust your real estate! As a home stager you want to know if the agent has any relationships with other home stagers and if they are referring their clients to you or to other home stagers
  • A people person. A real estate agent won’t get very far if they aren’t a people person. They must be approachable, friendly and great at negotiating
  • As a home stager it makes sense that you would want to have strong relationships with multiple real estate agents but a real estate agent doesn’t need a relationship with more than one home stager.
  • At the same level as you. There is no point forming a relationship with a real estate agent whose clients would not be able to afford your service. Make sure your agent has the same client demographic as you do to ensure maximum results

Once you have established a relationship with a real estate agent it is important to maintain that relationship. This can be achieved through a variety of ways such as:

  • Referring business. If a client gets their property staged but they aren’t sure what agent to go with yet, encourage them to go with the agent you are affiliated with
  • Buying ‘Thank You’ gifts. If your affiliate has a big win, sells a great property or smashes a record, giving them a small gift is a great way to maintain a relationship and show the agent that you are about their successes
  • Providing statistics. At a milestone during the year, be it yearly, half-yearly or quarterly, providing your affiliate with statistics about how your business is benefiting real estate is a great idea and a push to ensure that the agent will want to keep working with you

Having a strong relationship with a real estate agent is a great way ensure that you are constantly getting business and referring business. Having grounded relationships and affiliations with real estate agents is the best relationship that a home stager can have as it means that you are the first point of call to help that agent with a property.

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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Chanelrae Property Styling | 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 Chanel Williams from Chanelrae Propety Styling.

Staging properties in Perth, Western Australia, Chanel has been running her own home staging business since 2016.

According to Chanel, “I wanted to have more flexibility so I could spend more time with my young daughter”.

What is your favourite part of working in home staging?

The joy of making spaces beautiful – using a mix of trends and classic pieces to make something stylish and unique.

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

Stay true to yourself, work hard and don’t give up on your dreams and passions.

To get in touch with Chanel, head over to Chanelrae Property Styling

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Styling By Jackie | 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 Jackie Fyfe from Styling by Jackie.

Staging properties in the south eastern suburbs of Victoria, Jackie has been running her own home staging business since 2013.

According to Jackie, “with a background in graphic design, fashion and furniture retail, interior styling was a natural progression”.

What made you get into the industry?

I wanted to unleash my creative side and in return, empower and help others to successfully sell their homes for a premium rate.

It all started with a friend in real estate who know I had a ‘flair’ in the interior sector. I was asked to help a neighbour prepare her house for sale.

With some tweaking and practical advice, the neighbour’s house sold within a week for a substantial amount more than expected!

Now consulting and styling, on average, four to five properties a week, the rest is history!

What is your favourite part of working in home staging?

Being able to look back at before and after photos, witnessing the incredible transformations that are made in bringing out the best in properties.

I also love working with homes that are unique, such as mud brick, farm and art deco.

These different styles of homes challenge my creative boundaries in selecting appropriate furniture and accessories to compliment their individual styles.

It’s about creating a unique and tailored look, not simply a one style fits all.

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

My advice would be to definitely research the industry thoroughly before diving in.

Although this career is completely rewarding and totally creative, styling properties is hard work.

It involves an innate ability , patience, real estate and vendor understanding, and, of course, a love for all things interior.

A sense of humour is also essential!

To get in touch with Jackie, head over to her instagram @stylingbyjackie

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First Quarterly Blog Review 2017

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Each quarter last year we produced a blog ever quarter reviewing the most popular blogs of that quarter. You all loved these recaps so much that we thought we would do it again this year!

Wow! Can you believe we are already in June?

We have also been producing content about home staging that you have all been loving as well!
So, what are your favourite blogs of 2017 so far?

BLOG #1: Business Best Friends

 

This blog was a hit among all of you home stagers!

In an unregulated industry, it can be extremely difficult to find ‘business best friends’, or even someone else to talk to about what is going on in the industry.

Through this blog, it becomes clear that by ‘business best friend’ we don’t necessarily mean people in the same industry, though. Instead, what we mean are friends in related industries that can help boost your business.

Without giving too much away, some of these ‘business best friends’ are people like entrepreneurs, a legal expert and many more!

BLOG #2: Hanging Art

Image via Pinterest

Art is something that is essential for home stagers. Without art, a home can seem dull and unexciting.

Throughout this blog, we explain the need for art height, how to pick the right room for the art and how different rooms can change how the art looks.

When it comes to hanging art in properties, it is important to remember that there is no set rule for the art height, or what type and style of art should be hung in what space.

This blog is an essential blog for all home stagers to read, especially for home stagers who are beginning to invest in artwork in their business.

BLOG #3: Must-Have Home Staging Stock

 

Image via Pinterest

You all loved this blog, and for a valid reason too!

As home stagers, there are multiple stages of developing your business. When you start out, you probably won’t have any stock. When your business has started making a small profit, you may start to invest in soft furnishings. When your business has started making a significant profit, you may start to invest in hard furnishings.

It is important to know what sort of furnishings to invest in.

The blog discusses what home staging stock we a must from the beginning, and what stock you should invest in when your business is flourishing.

BLOG #4: 2017 Scholarships – Apply NOW!

 

Now this is no surprise!

There’s not too much to say about this blog except HOW AWESOME!

We were so excited to announce that this year, we are again offering TWO scholarships for up and coming home stagers.

While the application is closed now, you can still grab your ticket for the 2017 National Home Staging Symposium and develop your home staging skills.

 

What was your favourite blog in the last quarter?

What else would you like to see on the blog? As home stagers, we aim to produce content that YOU want to know about!

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Greg Logue | 2017 National Home Staging Symposium

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At this year’s National Home Staging Symposium, we have been lucky enough to secure some of the most influential and inspirational Australian businesspeople as of 2017 and we are super excited!

Greg Logue

Business: Senior Accountant

Role: DFK Crosbie

He is pushing the boundaries in accounting. He knows the struggle niche industries, such as Home Staging, have in accounting. You have the opportunity to see Greg present LIVE at the 2017 National Home Staging Symposium! Purchase my tickets here!

Greg is the Senior Accountant at DFK Crosbie, an accounting, business services, audit services, wealth management, finance, superannuation and specialized industries business. DFK Crosbie are known for the acceptance of working with niche industries, such as Home Staging.

What you probably don’t know is that Greg graduated the University of Newcastle in 2012 which a Bachelor of Commerce and Accounting. Greg is also a member of CPA Australia, a membership program providing members with expert and exclusive knowledge about accounting. Greg has been in the accounting industry for close to a decade, previously working at B Walker & Company Chartered Accountants.

Greg loves discussing everything accounting with people from niche industries, such as Home Staging, to explain to them that accounting isn’t as scary as it seems!

At the 2017 National Home Staging Symposium coming up in July, Greg is going to share some amazing strategies that will help all Home Stagers.

Some of the key topics Greg is going to discuss at the event include:

  • Essential points Home Stagers must consider when it comes to accounting

I promise you that Greg’s presentation will be one of the most informative and practical presentations of the whole weekend!

Greg is an expert in accounting, so who better to talk to than him! Make sure you don’t miss out on this informative presentation that Greg has packed full of must-know information for Home Stagers!

If you are bursting out of your skin to see Greg present, make sure you like DFK Crosbie on Facebook and keep up with the DFK Crosbie blog!

I can’t wait to see you all the event!

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Andrew Dart | 2017 National Home Staging Symposium

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At this year’s National Home Staging Symposium, we have been lucky enough to secure some of the most influential and insightful businesspeople as of 2017 and we are super excited!

Andrew Dart  

Business: Director

Role: Silk Home Staging and Styling

Andrew is the director of one of the most prominent home staging businesses in Newcastle, NSW. He knows how to secure project after project until every day is making a profit in the business. You have the opportunity to see Andrew present LIVE at the 2017 National Home Staging Symposium! Purchase my tickets here!

Andrew coordinates the day-to-day logistics and management of Newcastle business Silk Home Staging and Styling. If you have attended the National Home Staging Symposium in previous years, you will have seen Andrew present. This year, however, Andrew’s presentation will go to the next level, with specific insight into how he runs and directs Silk Home Staging and Styling.

What you probably don’t know is that Andrew completed a Diploma of Health Science at the University of Newcastle and worked for 12 years as a sales representative for Pfizer, a research-based pharmaceutical company. Andrew has combined his sales techniques from his previous career with his knowledge of home staging to develop a foolproof home staging logistics technique.

According to Andrew, his “two core values are to develop [himself] and others; and to help and serve people. Working in my own business allows me to focus on these values every day in a way that brings me great satisfaction”.

Image via BNI Sunrisers

Some of the key topics Andrew is going to discuss at the event include:

  • Keys to successful selling in Home Staging
  • Objection handling
  • Communication

I am so excited for you all to develop your knowledge of Home Staging selling techniques and communication with the wealth of information Andrew is going to provide at the event.

The 2017 National Home Staging Symposium is not going to be one of those events you attend and at the end of it you wonder why went. Andrew’s presentation alone is priceless in the value it will immediately provide.

Andrew has been in the Home Staging industry for nearly a decade. He has narrowed down his knowledge to discover the key tips that are necessary to become a successful Home Stager and has been kind enough to share this knowledge with you all!

If you are bursting out of your skin to see Andrew present, make sure you follow Silk Home Staging and Styling on Facebook!

I can’t wait to see you all the event!

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Tara O’Connell | 2017 National Home Staging Symposium

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At this years National Home Staging Symposium, we have been lucky enough to secure some of the most powerful and influential Australian women in business as of 2017 and we are super excited!

Tara O’Connell

Business: The Baby Diaries

Role: Creator, Founder and Director  

She loves teaching people about how to gain success with their online business in a short time frame and about the importance of partnering in business! You have the opportunity to see Tara present LIVE at the 2017 National Home Staging Symposium! Purchase my tickets here!

Tara is the creator, founder and director of The Baby Diaries and The Pet Diaries, phone apps that help parents and pet owners keep track of all the vital information you need to know about your child and pet such as vaccination dates and feeding schedules. Tara’s drive to create a career that allowed her to care full-time for her second son resulted in the creation of The Baby Diaries…talk about a successful idea!

Tara has a range of programs available to help anyone and everyone shine, with Shine Online eCourses, Executive Programs and Coaching Clinic’s, Tara knows how to Shine in business and online. In 2016, Tara was awarded first place in the Ausmumpreneur awards Digital Innovation category.

What you probably don’t know is that Tara graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2003 with a Bachelor of Psychology and Management, the backbone of Tara’s success in effectively running multiple businesses. Before becoming a mumpreneur, Tara was the CEO of the Hunter Wetlands Centre for 6 years and was a chairman for Tourism Hunter for the next 4 years. Tara is also currently the director (for the 8th year in a row!) of The Tarani Group Pty Ltd, a group dedicated to creating sustainable business, education and tourism initiatives.

One of Tara’s best qualities is that she LOVES to share her knowledge and passion with other people, like you!

At the 2017 National Home Staging Symposium coming up in July, Tara is going to share some amazing strategies that will help you make money as an entrepreneur!

Image via tara-oconnell.com

Some of the key topics Tara is going to discuss at the event include:

  • Amplify your business
  • Maximise your results
  • Partnerships

I am absolutely positive that you are going to love Tara’s presentation and will finish listening to her with a million pieces of new information that will help you in your business!

The 2017 National Home Staging Symposium is not going to be one of those events you attend and at the end of it you wonder why you bothered going. I promise you that Tara’s presentation alone will make the whole weekend worth your time, money and energy!

Tara knows what works in making your business shine and she knows what doesn’t work. Make sure you purchase your tickets to the 2017 National Home Staging Symposium to see Tara present and fill you with knowledge!

If you are bursting out of your skin to see Tara present, make sure you like her on Facebook and keep up with her blog!

I can’t wait to see you all the event!

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