Most everyone will have you believe that today’s consumers are looking for the cheapest price in their search for securing the best bang for the buck. Struggling through an economic recession, budgets get squeezed tight and when push comes to shove lowering your price may lure you in an effort to secure business and cash flo
Everyone understands “You get what you pay for” but in the race for market supremacy, low price leader mentality has been driven home as the rational purchase determinator. However, if everyone only ever sells cheap price, quality will forever disappear. The key to a successful staging business is selling solutions to problems that people will value. We encourage graduates not to peddle services; rather focus on the value of what you offer to the customer.
Have You Become a Best-Price Consumer?
Most everyone will have you believe that today’s consumers are looking for the cheapest price, in their search for securing the best bang for the buck. As many parts of the World are still struggling through an economic recession, budgets are squeezed tight and when many low price option stores are flourishing it seems rational to believe.
I would argue that value vs. price still has a place in this market and is one of the keys to economic recovery. Everyone understands “You get what you pay for” but in the race for market supremacy, price leader mentality has been driven home as the rational purchase determinator. However, if all we ever sell is cheap price, quality will disappear in order for companies to remain in business. So the question to ask yourself is “Are you scrimping in areas which will cost you more in the long run”?
People recognize the value and know the worth of difference when deciding on a car for instance; all cars have four wheels and get you from point A to point B so why do some cost three and four times as much as others and why do people buy them? They buy the value and perceived benefits vs the price. Let’s think about a staple in North America like coffee; many of the price leaders are loosing market share to gourmet coffee houses and their subsequent brand; why? Because a higher value is placed on the experience and taste vs. price. What about cleaning and health products? Do we scrimp when it comes to the health and welfare of our family?
At CSP Internationl, we pride ourselves on the quality of our products and services. Over the last six years we have focused our marketing strategy on differentiation, and superior product/delivery – not on positioning ourselves at the lowest price. Although other staging training competitors battle for cost leadership, we stand firmly behind our position of upholding our training standards and growing the industry with quality educated professionals. We are successful because we know what we offer provides a higher return for the staging professionals’ investments.
Enduring an economic downturn will make almost any shopper scope out a bargain. Television and print media coupled with the onslaught of group coupon marketing mania are making shopping cheaply a highly acceptable practice. But when consumers focus on price rather than value, they miss out on experiencing a product or service that is a step above the rest. They don’t get to enjoy the differentiating factors which provide a more satisfying result. We have all I am sure, realized the impact of the “Second price tag” when buying a low priced bargain option led to disappointment and frustration when we found the parts to sustain it were cost prohibitive or it didn’t live up to our expectations. Warren Buffet said “Price is what you pay; value is what you get” and starting a business in any industry is tough; but starting out with the lowest price education puts you in a precarious situation because you don’t know what you don’t know. Struggling and sustaining your business with out vital best practices makes success almost impossible. What I’m encouraging you to evaluate is value over lower price when it comes to investing in your own future.
I would easily make a fortune if I took what I know about home staging, and sold my knowledge online. I don’t do that because I believe in the value of a hands-on experience by a successful, proven in the field instructor, who is held accountable for results. When you review home staging training companies to harness your dream to.. be careful NOT to simply choose the most cheaply priced look for the qualities you deserve, measure results and service to the industry, then refuse to participate in the race to the bottom.
"I Am A Successful Certified Staging Professional!"
This month's Featured Stagers share what being a staging professional means to them!
Kelly Peletier
CCSP, Cambridge Criminal Investigation Student... now a stager!
"My biggest achievement is that I never quit or gave up. I held onto the courage to go forward no matter what. I found ways for what I didn't know..I found answers to questions etc. I learned more about my strengths and weaknesses.
Real Estate Staging: This Is A Business, Not An HGTV Makeover Show!
The real estate staging business is far from decorating. It’s about business; about real estate. It’s about making a sale. It’s about marketing a client’s home for a successful real estate contract, high ROI and closing. That’s what my business trains you to do well. At the CSP International Business Training Academy, graduates learn this concept in great detail. The distinction is very important.
When thinking about property for sale, it’s critical to consider it as a marketable commodity rather than a place of residence. This is significant for the seller also. Rather than their home continuing to function as the place of solace and comfort it has been for years, it must be considered as sellable product to be marketed to buyers for all of its compelling features. This is, often, a challenging transition of thought. But that’s what staging is all about.
Once you have shifted your thinking, your actions will change accordingly. Rather than selecting a new paint color which appeals to your own personal taste, you’ll choose one based on a psychological strategy for which hues attract the targeted buyer for your client’s home. Similarly, you’ll think differently about the real estate sale process. The rooms throughout the house should convey the message that the buyer can have the lifestyle of their dreams. This could mean that the knitting hobby room would be better shown as a great space for at-home yoga.
Certified Staging Professional, International Trainer, Author and Real Estate Design Expert, Christine Rae Publishes New Article Addressing Today’s Rocky Economic Climate
Christine Rae, Founder and CEO of Certified Staging Professional International Business Training Academy, an educational program for home staging consultants, responds to real estate reports on the current home sales marketplace.
St. Catharines, Ontario – September 16, 2011 – Christine Rae, Founder and CEO of Certified Staging Professionals International Business Training Academy, recently published an article on her website www.stagingtraining.com that relates the metaphor of classic film, Wizard of Oz, to encourage real estate professionals to make the best of the economic slump. The article, titled “The Yellow Brick Road to a Successful Home Sale” argues that the power of professional home staging can distinguish a for-sale home from its competition, especially in a down market.
Rae writes, “Unfortunately, many people are clinging to the hope that our economy will return to pre-recession business. We’re uncomfortable with the competitive marketplace in which we are working, and we’d like for our jobs to get easier. The truth is, however, our current economic state has become the marketplace’s new “normal.” The quiet and comfortable surroundings of our “Kansas” home are long gone. But there is a “yellow brick road” we can follow to a better business – professional real estate home staging.”
“Just like merchandising products in a retail store, proper home staging techniques will display the product that is your home in a way which will strategically position it for sale. Through the use of professional staging techniques such as furniture positioning, color stratification, organization, and more, any property can be set apart from the competition. Despite the slow flow of qualified prospective home buyers, property gets a distinct marketing advantage,” reports Ms. Rae.
Certified Staging Professionals trains home stagers through a comprehensive course of study that includes 3 days in the field and classroom, 4 weeks of home study and 6 weeks of hands-on market coaching. CSP is also a resource for Realtors and home sellers to find and hire graduates of this highly accredited staging education program, for assisting them in successfully closing their real estate sale.
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Sincerely, Christine Rae
President, Founder
CSP International Business Training Academy
"Forget what you thought you knew about decorating! From colour theory to working with fabrics and integral elements of design, Cheryl delves deep into the concepts and gives you tools you can put to use immediately; an excellent educational experience and a great foundation for expanding your business into restaging!" Sandra Porter
"Cheryl Cousin's CSP Staging For Living class is a must for anyone wanting to expand their staging business to include decorating and redesign. She is an exceptionally talented decorator with a wealth of knowledge of her industry. Cheryl made the classroom instruction and field trip fun, challenging and rewarding, and the tips and ideas she shared were invaluable. I was in total awe of Cheryl's skills as a decorator, and I'm convinced there is not a single room she can't make beautiful!" Susi Pereira - Well Dressed Home
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Is Home Staging the Path For You?
September 27, 2011
Mastering the Art of Difficult Conversations with Sellers
