Yes I am and yes it is. It is an extremely fun and rewarding career and one that allows me to be creative over and over again. But…it's not for everyone.
As soon as someone finds out I am a Home Stager besides saying "What a fun job", the next thing is either "I have always wanted to do that". Or "How do you become a Home Stager?"
I always encourage people to follow their passion and do what they love. Life is short and you should have fun doing life. However, Home Staging is not for everyone.
Oh and before I forget…..WATHCING HGTV DOES NOT MAKE YOU A DESIGNER OR HOME STAGER. I have watched Dancing With the Stars for almost ten years and I still am not a Star nor a Professional Dancer. Shucks.
There are a few things you should be good at to be a Home Stager:
Being able to think outside of the box:
Every house is different and you will come across some tough floor plans and unusual situations. It is your job to find a fix for all situations.
Have a creative eye: 
Certain things can be taught and some weaknesses can be turned around through training. However, I truly believe either you are creative or you aren't. You know if you are, just like you know if you are good at math.
Being able to Visualize:
Some people are creative but need to see things in front of them to pull it together. As a Home Stager you need to see things before they are created. You need to be able to visualize. Again….I believe this is one area that you either can or can't do. It can't be taught but if you have this gifting it can be strengthened.
You have to be good with people:
You will be working with all kinds of people. Young and old, crabby and joyful, nice and not so nice. You need to be able to work with all kinds of people and be able to convince them why doing what you suggest will be to their best interest.
It's a Physical Job:
As a Home Stager you will be pushing furniture, do a lot of lifting, bending and hammering. It's not a cushy job and you will be exhausted at the end of most days.
The next thing I tell people , and the most important, is you have to be trained and certified. I repeat….WATCHING HGTV DOES NOT MAKE YOU A DESIGNER OR A STAGER.
There are many courses out there for training and this is how I would sum them up.
1) Ask questions to find out what type of class best fits you. If you have been trained as a designer or been doing home staging for years but never been Certified an online course is all you may need.
2) If you are not trained in Design OR just starting out as a Home Stager I highly recommend a Hands On Course. You want to learn by doing, not watching or you may as well watch HGTV and think you know it all.
3) Do your Homework on Hands On Courses as they are not all the same. You want to look for a course that will allow you to practice with furnishings and accessories. You want to plan and work on actual homes that are going to be put on the market. You want to work on occupied homes, vacant homes and learn how to do Consultations during your training. In training like everything in life you get what you pay for.
Twice a year I hold a Hands On Training and Certification Course in Minneapolis, MN. If you are looking for that new fun career in Home Staging you can get more information at www.CoursesInHomeStaging.com.
My next course is October 21-24, 2015 in Minneapolis! I would love to assist you in pursuing your dream.
Shar Sitter, owner Rooms With Style Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis MN.
CHSE and APSD Home Stager Pro Trainer
952-567-1124
