Many homeowners, Realtors as well as new home stagers are confused about the designations that are used in a home stager’s name. There is no real designation or certification and no state or federal official training to use the Home Stager name. Please do not mistake me for someone who is against anyone who uses either of these certifications or designations. Many have asked me for recommendations on training and what difference there is between Home Stagers who use letters and those who do not. This article is just another step closer in educating everyone about Home Staging.

I have never been asked about my name or lack of certification initials. However many have asked Debra Gould of the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program (which I have completed) why she has chosen NOT to provide credentials after the completion of her training. “Schools teach home staging training through their online programs and in class training and provide credentials, which is basically an acronym for their specific completed course.”

“Not one single designation can claim to be the one and only best in the home staging industry and not a single home stager is like any other. Many home stagers have their own policies, procedures and, obviously, their own design skills. However, this industry is working to create common wordage and implementations we, as Home Stagers, can practice. The more Homeowners and Realtors know about our procedures and common practices, the easier it will be to understand and use home staging and redesigning for their properties.”

Who do you call; HSR, ASP, CSP, IRIS, Staging Diva? Some very talented home stagers do not have any letters behind their name. 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, request to see a home stager’s portfolio or design photos and ask about pricing and the time frame needed to complete your job. As you talk and meet with a Home Stager you will know if their personality and the delivery of their estimate presentation is someone you want to work with. It’s not always about price.

Working with a professional home stager will leave you with a beautiful designed home that stands out from all other homes on the market.  Once you find your preferred stager, add her to your team. The talent and advice she provides will be unmeasureable. You will have an excellent team member who you can trust and increase your home sales.

There are a couple of associations for all home stagers to be a part of which 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, Realtors, and Affiliates to join offering support through education and business tools focusing on the needs of all stagers. We can all unite into one Association of Home Stagers!

Diane Concialdi is owner and lead design for DC Redesign and Home Staging, located in Orange County, CA and services all of Orange County and surrounding areas. If you have questions about home staging, give me a call, I’d be glad to help! diane@dcredesign.com  or 714-815-3506