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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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Want to start your own home staging business?  Our flagship course, The Art of Home Staging is open for enrolment this week!  Grab your spot here! 

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How to Find Your First Client

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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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Must Have Home Staging Stock and Accessories

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Acquiring a variety of stock and accessories is a must for your home staging business. At first, purchasing stock might seem like a bit of a leap. However, if you are smart about what stock you purchase, you’ll find you can use it over and over again with great results.

When it comes to stock there is typically two categories, soft furnishings and hard furnishings.

Soft furnishings include pillows, linen, lamps and small accessories. Soft furnishings are those items that,  if you needed to, you could pack them in a box and put them in your car. On the other hand, there are hard furnishings. Hard furnishings are big items such as lounges, armchairs, dining tables, coffee tables, and so on. These are the items that can’t be packed into a box and loaded into your car.

Logically, soft furnishings should be acquired first, and then later down the track hard furnishings can be acquired. However, as everyone is at different stages in their business, it is important to be able to look down the track and consider what sort of stock you should be acquiring.

 

SOFT FURNISHINGS

When it comes to soft furnishings, you can generally purchase these items cheap and in bulk. They should include:

Image Source: mcgee.com

 

Cushions: Purchasing pillows that work well in a wide range of environments is a great way to get the most out of your money. Try buying cushions in a few colours and designs as they can be used on their own or grouped together.

Faux flowers and plants: When the right ones are purchased, faux plants can look amazing and be used in a range of spaces and styles. The best part is how long they last!

Books:  Books are a great way to add texture and a create ‘lived-in’ feeling to any space. These are the most cost-effective soft furnishings and can be used in any environment, from a study, bedroom or a lounge room. Just purchase a few books from your local op shop or you might even have some hanging around the house.

Knick-knack accessories: By this I mean small accessories that can be used in a variety of environments – anything from vessels, small bowls, candle holders, or any other small accessories.

Linen packs: This isn’t absolutely necessary, but I like to at least have a few coverlets and toppers as it can really transform a room from something dull to something amazing.

Image Source: tessaneustadt.com

HARD FURNISHINGS

Hard furnishings are more expensive so it’s usually beneficial to go for quality over quantity. The stock I recommend purchasing includes:

Image Source: ventandcover.com

 

Mattresses:  Often clients do not have enough beds to show off the best of the space, or they have moved and have taken their mattresses with them.

Dining chairs: Not all dining chairs go with all tables, so having some neutral dining chairs that work with a range of colours is a great idea.

Bedside tables: Bedside tables have the potential to open up the bedroom and create a space for your soft furnishings. Tables that are unique, yet work well in a variety of environments is essential.

Lounges: When used everyday, lounges can easily begin to look old, worn and unpleasant. Having lounges in stock that are a neutral colour is a great idea as they can be used in a range of spaces in a range of different styled homes.

Coffee tables: Not everyone has a coffee table and if they do, it’s often old and worn. Investing in a few coffee tables can help you to transform and fill a living space amazingly.

Image Source: fionalynch.com.au

 

Purchasing stock doesn’t have to be a huge expense at first, in fact it shouldn’t be a huge expense when you first start accumulating inventory. As your business beings to flourish with the large amount of stock you accumulate, you will be able to stage more properties and further grow your business.

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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.

Want more tips? Get your FREE Crash Course in Home Staging below!

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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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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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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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