Home Stager certifications and designations may be confusing.  There is no real designation or certification and there is no official state or federal training required to be a home stager. Please do not mistake me for someone who is against anyone who uses any letters behind their names. Many have asked me what the difference is from a home stager who has letters and those who do not.  

I have never been asked about my name and certification - or lack of.  However many have asked Debra Gould of the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program (which I have completed and have also asked) why she has chosen NOT to provide credentials for the completion of her training. As we all know, schools teach home staging training through their online programs and in-class training and provide credentials - that is an acronym for their specific training school. Her explanation is very good and quite humorous!

Not one single designation can claim to be the one and only best in the home staging industry. Many have their own policies, procedures and obviously their own design skills.  However, this industry is working to create common wordage and implementations home stagers can practice.  The more homeowners and realtors know about our procedures the easier it will be to understand and use home staging for their properties. 

So how do you choose a home stager? To start, ask for a referral from another homeowner or realtor, view the home stager's website for professionalism or read their blog, request to see a home stager's portfolio of design photos and ask about pricing and the time frame needed to complete your request. As you talk and meet with her you will know if the personality and delivery of her estimate presentation is someone you want to work with.  It's not always about price.

Working with a professional home stager provides a beautiful design and a home that will stand out from all other homes on the market. Once you find your preferred stager, hang on to her and use her talent and advice for all your listings.  You will have an excellent team member who you can trust and most likely increase your home sales for the year. 

There are a couple of associations for all home stagers to be a part of and are not based on any designation or training requirements - RESA, the Real Estate Staging Association and ASHSR, the American Society of Home Stagers and Redesigners. Both associations invite all professional real estate stagers to join, offering support through education and business tools focusing on the needs of all stagers!

Diane Concialdi DC Redesign - Orange County CA and surrounding cities 714.815.3506 - RESA Orange County Chapter President - Ask me about joining the Real Estate Staging Association - Many Chapters Forming Now