Career Development

What Does a HOME Stager Do?

Learn more about what it takes to succeed as a home stager, the skills you'll need to become one, and what you can expect on the job.

A home stager is an interior designer who specializes in staging homes for sale. They help homeowners prepare their property for sale by arranging furniture, accessories, and other items to make the space look its best.

HOME Stager Job Duties

Home stagers typically have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

  • Working with real estate agents to determine the most effective ways to stage a home for sale
  • Making recommendations to sellers about how to improve the appearance of their home in order to increase its market value
  • Assisting buyers in choosing homes that meet their needs and tastes
  • Researching local real estate trends to determine how they may affect home values in a given area
  • Creating floor plans and 3D models of homes in order to help buyers visualize how they might use the space
  • Preparing homes for sale by removing personal items such as family photos, children’s toys, etc.
  • Selecting furnishings and decor to create a welcoming environment that appeals to potential buyers
  • Preparing brochures and other marketing materials designed to attract potential buyers to a home
  • Working with real estate agents to set up showings of homes for sale

HOME Stager Salary & Outlook

The average salary of a stager can vary depending on their level of experience, the size of the project they’re working on, and the region where they’re located.

  • Median Annual Salary: $51,500 ($24.76/hour)
  • Top 10% Annual Salary: $80,500 ($38.7/hour)

The employment of home stagers is expected to grow slower than average over the next decade.

The need for home stagers will depend on the housing market. As real estate markets become more competitive, home stagers may be needed to help sellers show their homes in the best light and attract prospective buyers.

Related: HOME Stager Interview Questions and Answers

HOME Stager Job Requirements

Home stagers typically need to have the following background:

Education: Home stagers typically need only a high school diploma or GED. However, some employers may require a bachelor’s degree in interior design, real estate or another related field. These degrees typically include courses in business, marketing, design and construction.

Training & Experience: Home stagers typically receive on-the-job training from their employer. This training can include shadowing another stager or performing duties under the supervision of a supervisor.

Certifications & Licenses: Certifications allow professionals to prove their qualifications and allow them to seek employment opportunities that suit their skills and qualifications. Professionals can also earn certifications to gain additional knowledge about their responsibilities and further their career advancement opportunities.

HOME Stager Skills

HOME stagers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Marketing: Stagers often have strong marketing skills, as they often work with real estate agents to market a home. Marketing skills can help you understand how to advertise a home and attract potential buyers.

Design: Home staging requires a strong understanding of design principles. Stagers use their knowledge of design to create a space that appeals to potential buyers. They also use their design skills to make a space appear larger or smaller than it actually is.

Customer service: Customer service skills can help you interact with clients and potential clients. You can use these skills to help clients understand the staging process and the benefits of hiring a stager. You can also use customer service skills to help clients feel comfortable in their home while it’s being staged.

Negotiation: Negotiation is the ability to persuade others to agree with your ideas. Home stagers often use negotiation skills to convince sellers to make changes to their home that will make it more appealing to buyers. For example, a stager might convince a seller to remove a large piece of furniture from a room to make the space appear larger.

Time management: Staging a home can take several days, so it’s important for home stagers to have good time management skills. Staging a home can involve many different tasks, including finding furniture, cleaning the home and making any necessary repairs. Home stagers should be able to prioritize their tasks and complete them in a timely manner.

HOME Stager Work Environment

Home stagers typically work in the homes of their clients, which means they must be able to work in a variety of settings. They may also have an office where they meet with clients and store their supplies. Home stagers typically work during regular business hours, but they may need to be available to meet with clients or work on projects outside of normal business hours. Some home stagers may travel to meet with clients or to attend trade shows or conferences. Home stagers may work on multiple projects at the same time and must be able to juggle multiple deadlines. The work can be physically demanding, as home stagers may need to move furniture and other heavy objects.

HOME Stager Trends

Here are three trends influencing how home stagers work. Home stagers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Rise of the DIY Staging Industry

The rise of the DIY staging industry is a trend that is quickly gaining popularity among homeowners. This trend is driven by the fact that many people are now able to stage their own homes without the help of a professional stager.

As more and more people turn to DIY staging, home stagers will need to learn how to work with clients who are not professionals. They will also need to be able to provide guidance and support for those who are just starting out.

More Homeowners Will Use Technology to Stage Their Homes

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the real estate market. In particular, home buyers are using technology to stage their homes before they put them on the market.

This means that home stagers will need to be familiar with the latest technologies that can help make a house look its best. They will also need to be able to advise home owners on how to use these technologies to their advantage.

A Greater Focus on the Customer Experience

The customer experience is becoming more and more important in today’s economy. Businesses are realizing that if they want to stay competitive, they need to focus on providing a great experience for their customers.

Home stagers can capitalize on this trend by developing expertise in creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for potential buyers. By doing so, they can help to create a positive impression that will lead to more sales.

How to Become a HOME Stager

A home stager career can be a great way to use your design skills and help people sell their homes. As a home stager, you’ll work with homeowners to make their house look its best when it goes on the market. This could include rearranging furniture, adding decorative touches, and making small changes that will have a big impact.

To become a home stager, you’ll need to have a strong background in interior design. You should also be familiar with color theory and have an eye for detail. It’s important to keep up with trends in home decor so you can advise clients on what looks good and what doesn’t.

Advancement Prospects

There are several ways to advance in the field of home staging. One is to become a certified home stager. This credential is offered by several organizations and requires the completion of a course and passing an exam. Once certified, home stagers can use the credential after their name to demonstrate their professional status and to market their business to potential clients.

Another way to advance is to become a trainer or consultant for other home stagers. This can be done by starting a home staging business that provides training and consulting services to other home stagers. This type of business can be run from a home office and can be quite profitable.

Still another way to advance in the field of home staging is to become a real estate agent. Many home stagers are also real estate agents, as the two professions complement each other quite well. Real estate agents can use their knowledge of the housing market to help home stagers find properties that are likely to sell quickly and for a good price.

HOME Stager Job Description Example

[CompanyX] is a home staging company that is looking for a creative and experienced individual to join our team as a home stager. As a home stager, you will be responsible for transforming vacant properties into warm and inviting homes that potential buyers can see themselves living in. This will involve furniture selection, placement, and styling, as well as the use of color and accessories to create a cohesive and appealing look. A successful candidate will have a strong sense of style, an eye for detail, and the ability to work within the budget and time constraints of each project.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Consult with clients to understand their specific staging needs and objectives
  • Develop a custom staging plan for each client that outlines the scope of work and associated costs
  • Procure or rent furniture, artwork, and other necessary items to stage the home according to the approved plan
  • Arrange and rearrange furniture, art, and accessories to create an inviting and appealing space that highlights the home’s best features
  • Work within the budget and timeframe specified in the staging plan
  • Coordinate with other professionals as needed to complete the staging project, such as painters, cleaners, and movers
  • Take before and after photos of the staged home to document the transformation for the client
  • De-stage the home once it is sold or the contract period expires
  • Maintain a portfolio of past projects to showcase to potential clients
  • Stay up-to-date on current trends in home staging and design
  • Attend trade shows, workshops, and other events to network with other professionals and learn about new products
  • Market staging services to real estate agents, homeowners, and others who may need them

Required Skills and Qualifications

  • Proven experience as a home stager
  • Exceptional creativity and innovative design skills
  • 5+ years experience (academic and professional) with design software, including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc.
  • Proven experience with graphic design, with a strong portfolio of work
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Organizational and time-management skills for meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

  • 3+ years in professional graphic design, preferably with a creative or marketing agency
  • Working knowledge of CSS3, HTML5, and JavaScript
  • Knowledge of WordPress and content management systems a plus
  • Photography experience and proficiency with photo-editing software
  • Desire to continue to grow skill set with ongoing education and training

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