Building a Successful Home Staging Business

Let Barb Schwarz—the creator of the Home Staging concept—show you what it takes to make it in the Home Staging industry. In 1972, Barb Schwarz coined the term "Staging" to refer to the process of preparing a home for sale, and turned her idea into a brand new industry. Today, thanks to Schwarz's pioneering efforts, Home Staging has become a big business with enormous profit potential. If you are thinking about starting a Home Staging business of your own or just want to improve upon an existing one, then Building a Successful Home Staging Business is the book for you. Written in a straightforward and accessible style, this practical guide will show you exactly how to set up a Home Staging business, and help you run and maintain the business as it grows. Some of the issues outlined throughout these pages include: How to write a business plan, market your company, and make the most of your resources How to work through the consulting, bidding, and Staging processes How to establish solid relationships with real estate agents and brokers How to obtain your Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) designation Filled with in-depth insights, expert advice, and proven strategies that Schwarz has developed over the course of her stellar career, Building a Successful Home Staging Business will put you in the perfect position to profit from the many opportunities that exist in this dynamic market.

Acknowledgments ix Introduction 1 Chapter 1 From the Beginning 7 Chapter 2 Starting Your Home Staging Business 21 Chapter 3 Your Business Plan 35 Chapter 4 Cover Yourself! 45 Chapter 5 Services Provided by Home Stagers 61 Chapter 6 Bids, Fees, and Consultations 75 Chapter 7 Marketing Your Home Staging Business 95 Chapter 8 How to Work with Real Estate Professionals 117 Chapter 9 Lights, Camera, Action! Actual Staging 129 Chapter 10 The Future of Home Staging 155 Appendix A Sample Documents 171 Appendix B Increasing Real Estate Agent Earnings through Staging 201 Appendix C Showing Instructions for Homeowners 205 Appendix D Staging Criteria 207 Appendix E Moving Checklist 215 Appendix F Regional Chapters for the International Association of Home Staging Professionals 219 Index 231