Jun 20 2011
Home Staging as a Career
By Dana J. Smithers
So you think you would like to become a Home Stager? My name is Dana J. Smithers and I have had the privilege of teaching Redesign & Home Staging to some very talented and amazing people – mainly women, for the last 4 years. I offer a 5 Day Certified Professional Redesign & Home Staging course and I am a founding member of the Canadian ReDesigners Association.
‘HOME STAGING’ is a fairly new business and term in Canada although many homes have been ‘staged’ for selling over the years. There are also many terms for home staging such as House Fluffing, Real Estate Staging, Showcasing Houses for Selling, Property Enhancement, etc. and new terms are emerging as the business takes off.
Definition from Sun On My Back Redesigns:
“Home Staging encompasses everything involved with preparing a house for selling. The end objective is that the house has broad buyer appeal so that it will sell sooner and for more money than a house that is not staged.”
How I Got Started
I went through the same process and stages that many of my students who are looking for a career change have gone through. My previous work experience included a very successful 20 year corporate career but I always had ‘hobbies’ that involved decorating and provided a creative outlet for me. When I was approaching my 50s I decided I wanted to change careers and do something that I really really loved. So, I got my interior decorating diploma and became a certified Redesigner. I built my client base by starting part time and those initial clients not only wanted decorating and redesign advice, they wanted me to help them get their houses ready for selling. It was a ‘no brainer’ for me! And the rest is history…
