"Staging" - A Minor Production For A Major Result Lights, Camera, Action…
By Tracy Rolling

Course Trainer Bette Vos, left, of ASP, with Tawni Oppenheim of Staged 4 Sale.

Staging is the art of redefining space and depersonalizing a home to show off its selling features while spending little or no money by using clients' existing furnishings. It is a growing trend that is sweeping across the nation and has found its way to Ramona.

Accredited Staging Professionals (ASP) is a national organization that specializes in training and certifying real estate and design experts on how to stage a house for today's market.

Last month, Ramona experienced its first ASP training course in a home off Magnolia and Black Canyon roads. Arrangements for the staging were courtesy of Chris Anderson of Town & Country Realty in Ramona, who won an ASP Staging (a $2,500 value). She selected to showcase the 1,800-square-foot home.

Because of the growing trend and since this was the first training course in San Diego, it debuted on KGTV channel 10 News, scheduled to air on March 1, 2007.

Course trainer Bette Vos says the three-day training program is based on two and one-half days of classroom instruction, which includes a before and after slide presentation of homes that have been previously staged.

Group photo of 'Stagers in training.' Photos by Tracy Rolling

In addition, there are handout materials and DVDs that teach ways to de-clutter and rearrange furniture so that a buyer will see more space and a focal point in each room.

On the final day, the 'stagers in training' take a field trip and apply their newly learned skills to a real house. This experience completes the certification process for becoming an ASP. Through this exercise, trainees are able to apply the professional skills created by ASP President Barb Schwarz.

Schwarz shares her philosophy and technique in her book titled, "Home Staging, the winning way to sell your house for more money."

Vos says there are about 4,000 ASP's nationwide and 125 Master ASP's (a superior level of staging that requiring additional training). Vos also says it's a growing profession because of the end result. Sellers, who capitalize on creating 'buyer interest' by staging their house, have reported shorter listing times and higher sales prices.

Tawni Oppenheim commentates for Channel 10 news correspondent Michael Gleenson while team's box up home owners' memorabilia.

Although staging is an inexpensive way to increase your home's value, there are often fees associated for such services.

For more information or to hear personal testimonies of ASP graduates, please visit www.stagedhomes.com.

Staging Tips

Stand in the doorway of each room to view it from buyers' perspective.

+ Pick a focal point for each room - i.e.; the bed for a bedroom, a fireplace for a living room, or a table in a dinning room.

+ Clear the clutter by removing accessorizes and wall hangings.

+ Divide items into piles; pack, toss, give away and sell.

+ Make sure each room is not over-crowded with furniture (less furniture means that a buyer sees more square footage).

+ Arrange furniture so that the rooms look as spacious and open as possible.

+ Return accessories (even using ones from another room).

Stand in the doorways again to see the "improved" buyers' perspective.

Courtesy of "Home Staging, the winning way to sell your house for more money," by Barb Schwarz.