17 HOME Stager Interview Questions and Answers

A home stager is a professional who helps sellers prepare their homes for sale by making it look its best. Home staging is about selling the lifestyle that comes with the home, not just the house itself.

While the job of a home stager is to make a house look good, the job of a real estate agent is to sell the house. That’s why it’s important for agents to understand what home stagers do and how they can help them sell more homes.

If you’re a real estate agent who is thinking about working with a home stager, this guide will help you understand what to expect. We’ve compiled a list of common questions agents have about home staging, as well as answers from experienced home stagers.

Are you familiar with the latest trends in home staging?

Home staging is a constantly evolving industry, and the interviewer may want to know if you are up-to-date on the latest trends. This question can also be an opportunity for you to show your passion for home staging by sharing what you have learned recently.

Example: “I am always looking for new ways to make my clients’ homes more appealing to buyers. I regularly attend seminars and webinars about the latest techniques in home staging. For example, I recently attended a seminar where a professional stager discussed how homeowners can use color psychology to appeal to potential buyers. I plan to incorporate some of these tips into my next project.”

What are some of the most important elements of a successful home staging project?

Home staging is a complex process that requires the ability to multitask and prioritize. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you can effectively manage your time and organize projects. In your answer, explain what steps you take when organizing a home staging project. Consider including some of the most important elements of a successful home staging project such as:

Organization Time management Communication Example: “I always start by creating an inventory of all furniture and accessories in the house. This helps me keep track of everything I need to move or replace during the staging process. Next, I create a timeline for the entire project so I know how much time I have to complete each task. Finally, I make sure to communicate with my client about any changes they might want to make to the project.”

How do you help clients understand the importance of small details when staging a home?

Home staging is a process that requires attention to detail. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to communicate with clients and help them understand the importance of small details when you’re staging their home. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped clients understand why certain elements were important in the overall design of a space.

Example: “I find that many people don’t realize how small changes can make a big difference in the overall feel of a room. For example, I worked with a client who wanted to sell her house but was unsure if she should paint it or not. She thought painting would be too much work for her, so we talked about different ways she could update the look of her home without having to repaint. We decided on new window treatments and some rearranging of furniture to give the home a fresh look.”

What is your process for working with clients to create a cohesive look throughout a home?

Home staging is a creative process that requires you to be able to work with clients and create a cohesive look throughout the home. The interviewer wants to know how you plan out your projects, so give them an example of how you would approach this task.

Example: “I start by meeting with my client to discuss their preferences for color schemes and style. I then take photos of each room in the house and use those images as inspiration when choosing furniture and decor items. Once I have all of the necessary pieces, I arrange everything in the rooms to ensure it looks like the client’s vision.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a client make a quick decision about a staging element.

Home staging is a process that can take time, and clients may need to make quick decisions about certain elements of their home. This question helps the interviewer understand how you approach making important decisions quickly.

Example: “In my previous role as a home stager, I had a client who needed to sell her house within two weeks. She was unsure about whether or not she wanted to paint the walls in her living room, so I helped her decide by telling her what colors sold best in her area. We also discussed ways to add color without painting the walls, such as adding throw pillows and other decor items.”

If you had an entire day to stage a home, what would you do?

This question is a great way to see how you prioritize your time and what steps you would take when staging a home. Your answer should include the order in which you would complete each task, as well as any specific details about how you would go about completing it.

Example: “If I had an entire day to stage a home, I would start by cleaning every surface of the house thoroughly. Next, I would arrange furniture and accessories so that they are aesthetically pleasing and functional. Finally, I would make sure everything was placed back where it belongs before leaving.”

What would you do if you noticed that a client’s current furniture and decorations clashed with the look you were trying to create?

Home staging is a creative process that requires you to be able to think outside the box. This question allows an interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, demonstrate your ability to work with clients to find solutions to problems.

Example: “I have had this happen before when working with a client who was moving into a new home but didn’t want to spend money on new furniture or decorations. I asked them if they were willing to hold off selling their current house for six months so we could stage it properly. They agreed, and I found some inexpensive decor items at thrift stores and discount retailers. We staged the house, sold it within two weeks and the client moved into their new home shortly after.”

How well do you handle constructive criticism?

Home staging is a creative process that requires you to make decisions about how to best present a home for sale. Sometimes, your ideas may not be the most effective and clients or employers may offer constructive criticism. It’s important to have an open mind when receiving feedback so you can learn from it and improve your future work.

Example: “I understand that my clients are the experts in their homes and know what they like and don’t like. I always try to listen carefully to any feedback they give me and use it to inform my future work. If I disagree with their opinion, I explain why I made certain design choices and ask if there’s anything else I can do to help them feel more comfortable in the space.”

Do you have any experience working with real estate agents?

Home staging is often a collaborative process, and the interviewer may want to know if you have experience working with real estate agents. If you do, describe your relationship with them and how it helped you in your work.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different real estate agents over the years, and I find that they’re all very unique individuals who each have their own style of marketing homes for sale. Some are more hands-off while others like to be involved in every step of the home staging process. My goal is always to make sure my clients are happy, so I try to accommodate both types of real estate agents by being responsive and flexible.”

When staging a home for sale, what is your process for taking inventory of a home’s contents?

Home staging is a process that requires you to be organized and methodical. The interviewer will want to know how you approach this task, as it’s an important part of the job. Your answer should show your ability to stay on track and manage multiple tasks at once.

Example: “I start by taking inventory of all furniture and accessories in the home. I note any damage or wear and tear so I can make sure to replace these items before showing the house to potential buyers. Next, I take photos of each room with my phone so I have a record of what the rooms looked like when I started working on them. Then, I remove anything from the walls that isn’t nailed down, such as artwork and mirrors. Finally, I clean the floors, dust the surfaces and vacuum the rugs.”

We want to attract buyers who are in a specific price range. How would you adjust your decorating choices if the current setup was too expensive-looking?

Home staging is a service that can be used by sellers to make their home more attractive to buyers. The interviewer may ask this question to see how you would adjust your decorating choices if the current setup was too expensive-looking for potential buyers in a specific price range. Use examples from past experiences where you adjusted your decorating style to appeal to different types of buyers.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked with a client who wanted to sell her house quickly and at a good price. She had recently renovated her kitchen and living room, so we decided to keep those rooms as they were but remove some of the decorative items like vases and candles. We also removed some furniture pieces to create more space in the living room.”

Describe your process for creating a welcoming atmosphere in a home.

Home staging is a creative process that requires you to think about how the home will appeal to potential buyers. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with this type of project and what your approach was for creating an appealing space.

Example: “I start by assessing the current state of the home, including its layout, furniture and decor. I then consider the target audience and their preferences when it comes to style and color scheme. Next, I rearrange the furniture and accessories in the home to create more open spaces and make rooms appear larger than they are. Finally, I clean up any clutter or messes so the home looks tidy and well-kept.”

What makes you stand out from other home stagers?

This question is an opportunity to show your unique skills and talents. Think about what you do that makes you a great candidate for this role, such as your experience or education. You can also talk about any special certifications you have.

Example: “I am passionate about home staging because I love helping people sell their homes quickly and at the best price. In my last job, I helped a family stage their home in just two weeks so they could move into their new house before their baby was born. They were so grateful, and it made me feel good knowing I had contributed to their happiness. Another thing that makes me stand out from other stagers is my attention to detail. I always make sure every room looks its absolute best.”

Which home stager do you admire the most and why?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply what you’ve learned. When answering this question, it’s important to mention someone who has had an impact on your career or inspired you in some way.

Example: “I admire my mentor, Jane Smith, because she taught me everything I know about home staging. She was always willing to answer questions and help out when needed. She also helped me get my first job as a home stager by recommending me for an internship at her company. She really cares about her clients and wants them to have the best experience possible.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a home stager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine what you value in a home stager. It also helps them understand how your skills and abilities match up with those of other successful candidates. When answering this question, it can be helpful to identify one skill that is important and then explain why it’s so valuable.

Example: “I think the most important skill for a home stager is their ability to communicate effectively. Home staging requires working with clients who may have different ideas about what they want or need from a home stager. I am very good at communicating my vision for a space and helping clients see how I can achieve their goals through staging.”

How often do you think a home should be staged?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how often you stage homes and what your process is. Your answer should include the frequency of staging, as well as a few reasons why it’s important to do so.

Example: “I think every home should be staged at least once before going on the market. This allows me to get an idea of what I need to work with when staging. It also gives me time to gather furniture and other items that I can use for staging. In my experience, staging a home twice or more before listing it has helped sellers sell their homes faster.”

There is a bug infestation in the home you’re currently staging. What do you do?

Bugs can be a common problem in homes, especially during the summer months. An interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle unexpected problems that arise while staging a home. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the bugs don’t damage the property and that you still present it as attractive as possible.

Example: “I would first try to find out if there are any other homes nearby with similar bug infestations. If so, I would contact the owners of those homes and offer to stage their homes for free until the bugs were gone. This way, they could avoid having to cancel showings or put off potential buyers.

If there aren’t any other homes nearby with similar issues, I would call my client and let them know about the issue. Then, I would work with them to reschedule all showings until the bugs were gone. Once the bugs were gone, I would return to the home and finish staging it.”