Home Staging Tips from A Pro

A key component of selling a home, even in the current seller’s market, is proper staging. To learn the ins and outs of this service, we tapped local business woman Lisa Conover with Rearranged for Change. Conover focuses on superior home staging, which is the art of making your house aesthetically pleasing to attract potential buyers.

Rearranged For Change has been staging homes in Omaha and the surrounding areas for 15 years. “We were one of the first staging companies in Omaha, like we had to explain what it was to homeowners and agents. It was about that time that HGTV had introduced some shows about home staging and it was from that we (my business partner Liz Cooley and I) gained our inspiration”, shared the staging aficionado. Both Cooley and Conover embraced their college design backgrounds, went to a staging school in nearby Kansas City, and the business was born. Nowadays, Rearranged for Change boasts five assistants, 10 mover helpers, a book keeper, two warehouses and two trucks.

Courtesy of The Mullers for Rearranged for Change

Essentially, the home staging company focuses on two main services. One is staging consultations where representatives from Rearranged For Change meet with owner-occupied homes and do a walk through with them, giving them ideas and suggestions to make modifications to their home before they actually go on the market. “This is working with their decor and furniture arrangements to best use what they have in the home to present to potential buyers. During this appointment we also give suggestions on minor updates, paint color suggestions, decluttering, cleaning and organizing hacks”, shared Conover. The cost of this appointment is $150.00 for two professional stagers for up to two hours.

The second option can be broken into two parts. Conover continued, “We rent furniture and accessories to owner-occupied homes (with restrictions for pets) and we also stage vacant and model homes. We have a HUGE inventory of furniture, artwork, lamps, rugs and decor. We have these items available to rent to homeowners to add to their decor in place to add some wow to the listing”. Examples of these impactful items are usually art, lamps, end tables and decor. As referenced above, furniture may be included if the home is pet free.

Courtesy of The Mullers for Rearranged for Change

The entrepreneur shared that roughly 75% of Rearranged for Change’s business is renting furniture for vacant homes. In fact, their staging inventory is so massive they have the ability to furnish over 50 homes simultaneously. This type of update, furniture in vacant homes, provides distractions from imperfections, a wow factor for buyers as they tour the home, and the MLS photos are much more interesting and can provoke more showings. “The staging can actually make the home seem more valuable when it is furnished properly and furnished homes sell faster and for more money period!”, exclaimed Conover. The price structure for this service is bid per project so there is no set pricing, though the bids are no charge appointments. Homeowners should be prepared to spend $1000.00-$2000.00 for an average-sized home.

Courtesy of The Mullers for Rearranged for Change

For readers who want to learn more, Rearranged for Change has offered some of their professional tips for home staging. They want to draw attention to the fact that first impressions are absolutely critical. “We want to knock the buyers over the head when they walk in the door. If they love the way they “feel” as they enter the home then they are more forgiving as they tour if they already like it”, explained Conover. (So don’t waste time scrubbing the store room, replace the old brass light fixture in the entry and dining room.) Cleaning is majorly important as well. Sellers should deep clean, wash windows and present a neat and tidy atmosphere. Lastly, cute also sells. The cuter your house is the more appealing it is for photos and walkthroughs of potential buyers. Conover said, “Buy the cute new rug or canvas you have been wanting for the powder bath; pick out a fresh shower curtain, rod and rings in the main bath and the cute plant from Target that adds interest to the fireplace mantel. Those are inexpensive items you can take with you to the next house.”

Though it’s hard to pick a favorite project, the team at Rearranged for Change loves a good challenge, so give them the tough house and let them be super creative to transform into a beauty queen. They also appreciate the super cool new construction houses that look so amazing before furniture, where they can then add the comfy, homey feel that staging provides. Conover shared, “We recently did a condo in Aksarben, with a new and different sleek style which we really enjoyed putting together.”

Courtesy of The Mullers for Rearranged for Change

Still not sure where to start with home staging? I’m pleased to share that clients of mine receive a complimentary staging service with Rearranged for Change included in every listing. That means that once I have a listing, I bring Lisa or Liz in to walk the home with the owner. They give pointers on what to do, what furniture to remove, how to rearrange it to make the home look bigger, etc. It’s a great bonus service I am happy to provide to help my clients succeed. Clients then have the option to purchase a higher staging level if so desired.