http://www.trulia.com/profile/leighnewport/The latest answers submitted by Leigh Newport to questions asked on Trulia Voicesen-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Design_and_Decor/HI_MY_THING_IS_STAGING_THE_HOME_BEFORE_AN_AGENT_-138623Answer by Leigh Newport: Most home stagers are independent business owners. I would start by determining the top staging company in your area, and inquire as to whether they have openings. Most require accreditation of some kind, but not all. You might try www.stagedhomes.com. Good luck to you! Leigh Newport Staged by Design Northern Virginia Home Staging and Interior RedesignSat, 20 Jun 2009 06:25:59 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Remodel_and_Renovate/Hubby_and_I_wanted_to_put_house_on_market_we_cont-120728Answer by Leigh Newport: Hello Melanie, I am sorry that you had a negative experience with this particular Home Stager. As an Accredited Staging Professional, I can share my perspective, which I hope will help the situation. When a home owner contacts me for a consultation (where I share what the home owner needs to do to prepare their home), there is a fee, but there is no signed agreement prior to my giving my recommendations. Having said that, the home owner's are obviously told up front what the charges will be, as well as presented with a bill, in addition to my report before I leave. In this situation, she told you that you would not be charged, and she should abide by her verbal agreement. However, she would be under no obligation to offer you further advice when you called, or return to your home to assess your progress, even if you did pay for the initial consultation, unless that was agreed upon in advance. For my business, I provide unlimited follow up via email and phone for my clients after their consultation, but I know that is not the norm. I do not return to the home to assess progress, but the home owners do send my photos, and I provide feedback from what I see. Staging is not a regulated industry, which means that there is no official guidelines or licensing requirements that Stagers must abide by. However, most credible Stagers belong to trade associations or Staging associations that require them members to adhere to a code of ethics. I would review her credentials which should be readily available on her website, and contact the organization where she received her certification. (Staged Homes, Certified Staging Professionals, or the Real Estate Staging Association, etc. where any certified Stager can join, but in doing so, they also must adhere to standards) You can send your concerns to them, in addition to pursuing any legal options. I hope this has been helpful. Please feel free to email me with any additional questions. Leigh Newport leigh@staged-by-design.com Accredited Staging Professional serving Northern VirginiaThu, 7 May 2009 04:52:07 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Why_don_t_Realtors_recommend_professional_staging_-111208Answer by Leigh Newport: Hi- I know you are looking for responses from Realtors, but I thought I'd share my experiences as well. As an ASP Home Stager, I often experience homes that have been on the market for many, many months. By the time that I have been asked to prepare an estimate to Stage the home, the sellers have exhausted their funds by paying double mortgages and the Realtors have paid for months of advertising. When faced with a few thousand dollars to Stage the listing, they more often than not end up simply lowering the cost by additional tens of thousands instead of investing in Staging. Had they made the investment from the beginning, the chances that the home would have sold earlier and for more money are so much greater. 95% of all Staged Homes sell in 33 days or less! Even for Realtors to pay for the Staging and have it sell in less than two months would have been a return on investment as the home price wouldn't have been reduced for months, and their commission would have been higher. Some agents are just hesitant to ask their clients to pay anything additional, even when it is a tool to make their home show better. Sellers and agents simply don't see it as an investment, which is tax deductible as either an advertising tool or improvement to their home. I hope this helps! Leigh Newport, ASP, IAHSP Staged by DesignThu, 16 Apr 2009 04:48:44 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Any_ideas_on_finding_a_buyer_for_our_c_farmhouse_-88581Answer by Leigh Newport: Hello Marie, I agree with Kristina regarding comparing your home to others out there on the market. As a Home Stager, I am focused on the home showing to it's potential, regardless of the homes age or character. As many older homes often have smaller room sizes, I would stand in the doorway of each room and take photos. If you see more furniture than the room, remove non-crucial pieces that highlight the focal points of the room. If you are unsure of where to begin, the small investment in a consultation by an Accredited Staging Professional can maximize your homes potential. You can search for an ASP Stager in your area at www. StagedHomes.com As a lover of old homes, I have long received updates of Historic Homes from this site, which is throughout the US: http://www.historicproperties.com/. Best of luck to you in selling your home. Leigh Newport Staged by Design www.staged-by-design.comSun, 15 Feb 2009 06:17:50 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Design_and_Decor/Home_Staging-87908Answer by Leigh Newport: Hello Ashley, I'm an ASP Home Stager based in Northern Virginia and I highly recommend the course offerings at www.StagedHomes.com. I am also a mentor for our local IAHSP chapter, and am contacted frequently and asked the exact same sort of questions from others looking to get into the business. I'd be happy to speak with you regarding my personal experience, what I've learned, and what I wish had known before getting started. You can reach me at 571-291-0614. Good luck! Leigh Newport, ASP, IAHSP Staged by Design leigh@staged-by-design.comThu, 12 Feb 2009 04:54:35 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Will_Staging_get_you_more_money_for_your_home_or_j-86969Answer by Leigh Newport: Hello Claudine, You have received some terrific answers already, but I just want to elaborate that Staging will get you more money BECAUSE your home sells faster. A property will not warrant a higher list price simply due to the fact that it shows better once it is Staged. However, your home will often appraise higher as Stagers recommend repairing those deferred maintenance items that homeowners overlook. Since 95% of all homes Staged by an Accredited Staging Professional sell in 33 days or less, this will save you in mortgage and insurance costs by having the home sell quicker. It was also impact your overall equity as the cost of Staging will ALWAYS be less than your first price reduction. Best of luck! Leigh Newport, ASP Staged by DesignMon, 9 Feb 2009 04:38:39 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/I_ve_had_a_home_on_the_market_for_a_full_year_Any-85871Answer by Leigh Newport: Hi- You've received many good responses, but I wanted to add my two cents as well. As far as postcards, try www.expresscopy.com. They will not only print but mail a standard postcard for less than .50 each. You can't beat that! As a Home Stager, I wonder what sort of impression the home makes with potential buyers online, as well as in person. For a very minimum investment, (often less than $350.00), an Accredited Home Stager can provide you with an in-depth report detailing exactly what needs to be done for the home to basically live up to it's potential. Be sure to select a Home Stager with a proven track record (ask about their Days on Market statistics). You can find and ASP in your area at www.stagedhomes.com. If the price is not competitive, however, Staging will still enhance the look of the home, but may not bring in the offers your clients are looking for. Leigh Newport Staged by DesignThu, 5 Feb 2009 05:38:21 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Design_and_Decor/removed-82769Answer by Leigh Newport: Hi Doreen, Have you had the opportunity to search at www.stagedhomes.com? You can search by location, and also whether they are an ASP Realtor such as yourself, or simply an ASP Stager. Good luck. I checked the site myself, and although I am not familiar with your area, it appears that there are several that serve Newtown, including an ASP Master Stager. Best of luck in your search. If you have any questions regarding how to partner with a Stager or what to look for when choosing who to work with, feel free to ask. Leigh Newport Staged by Design www.staged-by-design.com 571-291-0614Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:40:36 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Remodel_and_Renovate/I_bought_a_house_last_December_I_don_t_plan_on_m-75895Answer by Leigh Newport: Hi Lee, I would consult with a Realtor and an Accredited Home Stager prior to making any major renovations. A skilled Realtor can provide you with comps for your area, and should have a good idea of what updates have been made to homes in your area. A Home Stager can assist you in prioritizing those choices, assisting with selection of materials and contractors so that the renovations you make will assist you in selling your home when you are ready to do so. You may want to search for a Stager in your area at www.stagedhomes.com. A consultation should run you less than $500.00 and will provide you with a step by step plan. Best of luck and Happy New Year. Leigh Newport Staged by Design leigh@staged-by-design.com Northern Virginia Home Staging and RedesignTue, 30 Dec 2008 05:34:10 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Is_staging_a_home_for_sale_effective_in_this_mar-46333Answer by Leigh Newport: Karen, Absolutely! 94% of all homes Staged by an Accredited Staging Professional sell in 33 days or less. (www.stagedhomes.com). Staging increases your appeal through online media, with 70-90% of homeowners previewing homes online before seeing them. Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression, make it a good one, and Stage your home! With so many homes vacant, or needing updates and maintenance, a home that shows well will stand out, and that's what you need in this market. Leigh Newport Staged by DesignFri, 19 Dec 2008 07:00:56 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/What_about_if_a_staging_company_charges_a_succ-73901Answer by Leigh Newport: Kristi- I apologize. I didn't not see your second follow up question. I'm not an attorney, so cannot say for sure whether the practice of a success fee is legal, but I think it is the Staging company simply using verbiage that a Real Estate broker would usually use. As a small business owner, I can set my own fees, and call them what I want, whether it's a % upon the sale of the home, or an up front fee. If it is in the contract, you will more than likely be responsible for the charges, whether you feel it is appropriate or not, unfortunately. Most Real Estate agents have attorneys they deal with frequently who work for title companies. Perhaps your agent could make a quick call on your behalf to clarify the question for you. Leigh Newport Staged by Design Northern VirginiaFri, 19 Dec 2008 06:52:28 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/What_about_if_a_staging_company_charges_a_succ-73901Answer by Leigh Newport: Wow-that must have come as a surprise! I agree that you might have a case the success fee is not clearly stated in your contract. As a Stager, I do no structure my fees in the same way. If I provide full Staging, my proposal includes all costs, delivery, loading, unloading, staging and de-staging. There is a separate re-occurring monthly fee if the homeowner rents furniture or accessories from me. I have heard that some Stagers charge 1% of the sales price as their total feel. That to me could be considered price fixing, and quite frankly, a small home that is cluttered can be much more labor intensive than a larger, less cluttered home, and I charge according to the time it will take me to complete it, not how much the home is listed for. I have also worked on an hourly basis if the homeowner just needs a helping hand, not full Staging. Another Stager I know has worked with Show Homes in the past. I do not know if this was the practice for her location or not. Show Homes is a franchise and they may be able to set their own fee structure as state and legal limits allow. If you are not satisfied with the results you receive with this local branch, I would certainly pursue their corporate headquarters. Their website is: http://www.showhomes.com/ Good luck. I'm sorry that you've had such a negative experience and hope that this works out in your favor! Please feel free to email me should you have any other questions. Best of luck and Happy Holidays. Leigh Newport Staged by Design leigh@staged-by-design.comFri, 19 Dec 2008 06:39:59 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Remodel_and_Renovate/Updating_the_bathroom_New_Condo_TRYING_TO_SELL-69363Answer by Leigh Newport: Hi Ashley, It really depends on what your competition is offering. A consultation with an Accredited Home Stager can economically provide you with recommendations that will be suitable for your market, as well as provide you with options for economical purchases. The consultations typically run between $200-$350. If you replace the vanity and mirror but neglect to emphasize the rest of your condo's terrific attributes, you may lose out on the opportunity for a fast sale without a price reduction. I'd be happy to refer to someone in your area, or you can search for an ASP at www.Stagedhomes.com. Best of luck! Leigh Newport Staged by DesignFri, 21 Nov 2008 05:13:35 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/How_important_is_staging_a_home_is_a_question_that-69534Answer by Leigh Newport: In addition to better gauging room size or purposes, Staging makes your home stand out in your marketing. When searching on the internet, potential buyers make rapid decisions as to whether they even want to view your home. In print advertising, your home will shine. Staging appeals to the emotions of the buyer, allowing them to see themselves living there. In vacant homes, the absence of something to focus on will draw the seller to see any flaws the home might have. Sellers and Realtors should view Staging as a investment in the sale of the home. It is an additional marketing tool that shortens the length of time the home will be on the market. 94.6% of Staged homes sell in 35 days or less. Also, if the home is sold with a gain, Staging services can be tax deductible. As an ASP Home Stager, many Realtors contact me after the home has been sitting on the market for months without offers. Something to consider: the cost of Staging will always be less than your first price reduction. I'd be happy to refer you to an ASP Stager in your area.Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:03:38 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Quality_of_Life/Brentwood_or_Oakley_California_-62377Answer by Leigh Newport: Hi- I lived in Antioch, CA. for three years from 2002-2005, which borders both Brentwood and Oakley. In my opinion, Brentwood has better infrastructure, such as brand new schools and housing developments, yet still surrounded by the rural agriculture. We always went to Brentwood for the fabulous farm stands and u-pick farms. Brentwood is more visually appealing as well, to me personally. I would try to prioritize what your biggest needs are for your future home. Is it schools, a reasonable commute, access to transportation? You may also want to check the crime rates for each area to help you make your decision. Have you been to both locations? Good luck with your search. Feel free to email me with any additional questions you might have regarding that general area. I am a Home Stager, not a realtor, so can only provide you information based upon my personal experience. Leigh Newport leigh@staged-by-design.comTue, 14 Oct 2008 20:03:10 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Remodel_and_Renovate/Should_I_bother_updating_my_house_-61569Answer by Leigh Newport: Hi Jenny, You didn't say if you wanted to sell right away, or were just thinking ahead. I think you should consult both your Realtor and also with a Home Stager before you make these decisions. Your Realtor can tell you how much money you can expect to get for your home. An Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) can help you determine which upgrades will give you the best return on investment should you decide to continue with renovations. Even if you decide against renovations, the consultation will provide you with specific instructions on what to do so that your home shows the absolute best when selling, even without the upgrades. An ASP can also provide you with economical solutions and/or sources for any updates you might choose. I'd be happy to put you in touch with ASP's in your area or feel free to search www.stagedhomes.com. Leigh Newport Staged by Design www.staged-by-design.comFri, 10 Oct 2008 05:01:11 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Design_and_Decor/Do_i_need_to_repaint_the_bold_colored_rooms_in_my_-61523Answer by Leigh Newport: Hi Jennifer, Definitely! I agree with the answers already posted. Go for a warm, neutral beige throughout your home. Benjamin Moore has a nice color palette, although Behr paint from Home Depot is less expensive. Home Depot can mix colors from other paint companies, so start from there. They also offer coupons on Behr paint around holiday weekends, so you might get lucky with Columbus Day! You may also want to have a consultation from an Accredited Staging Professional. (ASP) You can search online for one in your area at www.stagedhomes.com, or I'd be happy to help you locate someone in your area. Good luck! Leigh Newport Staged by Design www.staged-by-design.comFri, 10 Oct 2008 04:53:29 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/removed-60684Answer by Leigh Newport: Although I'm a Home Stager, not a real estate agent, I have worked with some of the best agents in the Washington D.C. area. From my perspective, the ones that are selling consistently incorporate Home Staging as part of their listing services, as they understand that a home must look it's best from the first impression, whether it's in person or online. They are also realistic on the appropriate selling price for the market, and price the home accordingly. In addition, they utilize the internet to it's fullest, with 6 or more online listing sites with high traffic, and send out email blasts or e-flyers with their new listings to their mailing list. They are creative in their ways to market, and great communicators. Good luck in your efforts to sell your home. Leigh Newport Staged by Design Home Staging in Northern VirginiaMon, 6 Oct 2008 04:44:37 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Selling_my_home_on_the_market_since_hasn_t_so-60141Answer by Leigh Newport: Hi Paula, Another option to consider is Home Staging. I'm not sure if you are currently living in your home while it is on the market, or whether it is vacant, but statistics show that staged homes are on the market for an average of 33 days, vs. 171 days nationwide. Feel free to contact me and I'd be happy to talk with you about your situation, or refer you to an Accredited Home Stager in your area. Good luck! Leigh Newport Staged by Design leigh@staged-by-design.comThu, 2 Oct 2008 19:00:09 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Remodel_and_Renovate/I_would_like_to_increase_the_value_of_my_townhome_-56421Answer by Leigh Newport: Hello Peg, Bringing an Accredited Home Stager in will assist you in making choices that will have the most impact on your return on investment. So many updates can be made for very little investment. I'd be happy to refer you to someone in your area. Best of luck on the sale of your home! Leigh Newport Staged by Design www.staged-by-design.com leigh@staged-by-design.comMon, 8 Sep 2008 05:21:15 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/What_should_I_upgrade_on_a_older_townhouse_-55034Answer by Leigh Newport: Hi Shelly, Many of the upgrades you mention can be accomplished economically, such as updating knobs and fixtures, and have a huge impact on the overall impression of your home. In some cases, you may even replace the fronts of your appliances such as a dishwasher with stainless steel, instead of the entire appliance. I recommend you consult an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) in your area to help you with your choices. They know what looks are current, as well as the best local sources, whether you are looking to sell your home now, or would like to upgrade just for you. I'd be happy to refer you to someone in your area, or you can access www.StagedHomes.com and search by your zip code. I'd also be happy to assist you in any way I can. Best of luck! Leigh Newport, ASP, IAHSP Staged by Design 571-291-0614 leigh@staged-by-design.comThu, 28 Aug 2008 04:40:30 PDT