What to Ask A Home Stager Before Listing Your Property

When selling your home in Oakville, presenting it in the best light is crucial, and home staging plays a key role in this. A professional stager can enhance a property’s appeal and increase its market value. However, before homeowners hire a home stager, they should ask the right questions to ensure they’re a good fit for their needs. These questions can help ensure the stager’s expertise aligns with the homeowner’s vision and goals for the property. This article highlights common questions homeowners ask, why they matter, and how they can influence a successful sale.

1. What is your experience and background in home staging?

Homeowners want to ensure that the home stager they hire has the necessary experience and expertise to make their home stand out. This question helps homeowners gauge the stager's track record and knowledge. An experienced stager knows how to work within different design styles, stay on budget, and target the right buyers for the area. They may also have a portfolio of past projects they can share, offering insight into their capabilities and aesthetic style.

Why it’s important: Experience in home staging is crucial because staging involves more than just decorating; it's about strategically highlighting a home’s best features to attract buyers and avoid choices that might detract from its appeal. An experienced stager will know how to maximize space, use furniture and decor to highlight the property’s strengths and avoid any missteps that could detract from the home’s appeal. They also typically know the market in Oakville and what buyers are looking for in your neighbourhood. 

2. What is your approach to home staging, and how do you tailor it to different homes?

Every home is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach to staging rarely works. Homeowners need to understand how the stager plans to personalize their specific property.  Homeowners should understand how their stager plans to personalize the staging process. A good stager assesses the home’s layout and features to create a tailored plan that showcases its strengths, considering the target buyer demographic and neighborhood.

Why it’s important: Personalized staging is crucial because it helps the property attract the right audience and stand out in a competitive market, potentially leading to a quicker sale at a higher price.

3. What is your process for staging a home?

Homeowners should ask about the step-by-step process the stager follows. This process typically includes an initial consultation, during which the stager assesses the property; staging, where furniture and decor are arranged; and, in some cases, a post-staging phase, where the stager offers maintenance or adjustments to the setup.

Why is this important? Understanding the stager’s process helps homeowners manage their expectations. By knowing what to expect and when, they can plan accordingly and avoid surprises. A clear process ensures that the staging is efficient and that the property will be ready for showings in a timely manner.

4. How do you determine what needs to be staged or changed in my home?

A professional home stager understands how to prioritize the areas of a home that need attention. Whether it’s the furniture layout, colour scheme, or the removal of personal items, a skilled stager can identify key areas that will make the most impact on potential buyers. Homeowners should ask how the stager will asses the space and make staging decisions.

Why it’s important: This question helps homeowners understand how the stager will enhance the property. A good stager will focus on both aesthetics and functionality, creating a home that is both visually appealing and easy to envision as a living space for buyers.

5. Do you have a specific style or design aesthetic you prefer, and does it align with my home?

Homeowners often have specific tastes and design preferences, so it’s important to ensure that the stager's style aligns with their vision. Some stagers specialize in certain design styles, such as modern, traditional, or farmhouse, while others are more adaptable and can work with various aesthetics. Homeowners should inquire whether the stager can work within their preferred style or provide suggestions that complement the existing elements in the home. Keep in mind, staging is for the buyer, so often the homeowners' preferences are not necessarily what is needed to attract the right buyer for the property.  

Why it’s important: Ensuring that the stager’s style complements the homeowner’s vision can create a more harmonious final result.  The homeowner’s comfort with the stager’s direction is essential, as it impacts how the property is showcased to potential buyers, but again - the property should be staged for the right type of buyer. If the property is likely to attract a young professional couple raising children, the staging should reflect this. 

6. What is your pricing structure, and what is included in your fee?

Homeowners should always ask about the stager’s pricing structure and what services are included in the fee. Some stagers charge flat rates, while others charge hourly. The cost might also vary depending on the size of the home and the scope of the staging. Homeowners should inquire about additional fees, such as furniture rentals, transportation, or accessories.

Why it’s important: Understanding the cost upfront allows homeowners to budget accordingly and avoid unexpected expenses. Knowing what is included in the fee helps homeowners evaluate whether the stager offers good value for their money. Most professional stagers have contracts providing all necessary details so there is no guessing involved in what the services entail. 

7. Do you offer virtual staging services?

In today’s digital age, virtual staging is becoming increasingly popular. This method allows homeowners to digitally furnish their homes, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional staging. Homeowners should inquire whether the stager offers virtual staging and if it would be a suitable option for their property.

During my experience as a certified professional home stager, I observed a significant increase in homeowners’ interest in virtual staging. It is an innovative approach to traditional staging but be cautious of misrepresentation. 

Why it’s important: Virtual staging can be a great option for homes that are vacant or for homeowners on a budget. However, it’s important to understand the limitations of virtual staging and whether it will provide the same impact as physical staging.

8. How long will the staging process take, and when will my home be ready for showings?

Timing is a critical factor in the process of selling a home, and it is imperative for homeowners to understand when their property will be available for viewing by prospective buyers. Homeowners should inquire about the length of the staging process, which includes furniture delivery, installation, and any necessary adjustments.

Why it’s important: Understanding the timeline ensures that homeowners can coordinate the staging process with other parts of the home-selling process, such as photography, open houses, and marketing. It also helps manage expectations around how quickly the home will be market-ready.

9. What are the expected outcomes after staging?

Homeowners want to understand how staging will affect the sale of their home. A professional home stager should be able to explain how staging can enhance the home’s appeal and potentially increase its sale price, drawing from their experience and knowledge of current market conditions.

Why it’s important: This question helps homeowners comprehend the potential return on investment (associated with home staging. Although staging involves upfront costs, its primary objective is to increase the home’s selling price,  reduce the time the property remains on the market, and ultimately facilitate a more advantageous sale.

Choosing the right home stager, like Carmen at LaPerla Group Staging and Design is essential for homeowners aiming to sell their property quickly and at the best possible price. By asking key questions, homeowners in the Oakville area can better understand the stager's experience, methodology, and pricing structure. This ensures a successful partnership, resulting in a beautifully staged home that attracts a wide range of buyers. Grasping the staging process and how it aligns with the homeowner's objectives can significantly impact both the speed and profitability of the sale. Carmen is a Certified Staging Professional (CSP).  Contact her today for a discovery call and how to get your property sold in Oakville.