Why can’t I just use my own furniture?

You can certainly stage with your own furniture, and we are happy to help you with some guidance. But most home buyers can tell when a space is owner-staged, because the decor has a very specific and personal style. And knowing that it’s owner-staged doesn’t help potential buyers envision themselves living in the space. Staging furniture is chosen to “neutralize” the interior; it helps buyers picture how they will use the space.

What is your decor style?

Our style leans heavily toward contemporary. This is because the clean lines of contemporary furnishings work with just about any home style and are attractive to just about any buyer. We aren’t staging to sell furniture, we’re staging to sell a home. We want the key features of the home to sing, not some daring decorating choices.

Is home staging worth it?

You are likely to recoup your staging investment and then some when you sell. Most sellers receive offers 5-15% higher as a result of staging their home. Compared to the cost of staging, it’s well worth it.

How much time do I have to spend with the stager?

Homeowners don’t need to spend time with us unless we are doing a consult or owner-occupied stage. If we are staging a vacant home, the realtor is our point of contact.

What rooms should be staged?

The most important rooms to stage are the living room, dining room and kitchen, the primary bedroom and one additional bedroom (whether office, guest room, kid room or something else). Having said that, we pride ourselves on a “full stage.” That means we create staging that flows through the home. If a hallway or stair landing needs a little something, we take care of it.

Is there something different about Essential Home Staging?

Our stages will create harmony throughout your home decor. As mentioned above, we will include transitional areas in our staging plan, so there aren’t areas of your home that feel blank or disjointed.

We also take the time to truly understand your potential buyer and incorporate that information into our design plan. Your home should be staged for a target buyer, not the public at large.

Can you stage my home while I am living in it?

We can do soft stages or owner-occupied stages. Often these stages involve a combination of seller-owned items and staging furniture and decor. We know not everyone can completely move out while their home is on the market. We will work with you and your realtor to create a staging plan that makes your house shine while still letting you live in it.

Can you help me stage with my own stuff?

We can! This is where a staging consult comes in. We will work with you to go through your home room by room to identify what stays and goes, what furniture arrangements work, and what decor to use. This is a cost-effective option for folks living in their home while it’s on the market.

How long does the staging process take?

We will schedule the staging of your home over the course of 2 days. This gives us the opportunity to get everything in place and then go back to our warehouse to pick up items that will make the stage even better. We are sticklers for details and that extra day is worth it.

In terms of the overall timeline, that really depends on you and your realtor and any preparations that need to happen before we get there.

What do you need from me pre-stage?

The most important things we are looking for are a clean and empty home. That means empty of both things and people. We’d also like any driveways or access areas to be clear of other vehicles so we can get our truck or trailer in to unload. In the winter, we’d appreciate the heat in the home to be adjustable, so we have a comfortable working environment.

If I hire a stager, does it mean I have bad style?

It does not! It means you have YOUR style. We aren’t in this business to judge peoples’ style. Just think of staging as a tool to connect potential buyers to your home’s interior without distraction.

What are some other benefits of staging?

Aside from higher offers and less time on the market? Well, staging is tax deductible as a selling cost. It also results in ah-mazing listing photos, which will get the right people in your door. And when it’s time to list, you will feel truly ready.