Got questions? We’ve got answers! Take a look at the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQ) about home staging, vacant staging, and color consultations, along with our cancellation policy and terms and conditions.
Home Staging FAQ
Why should I stage my home?
You should stage your home because it will help you sell faster and more profitably.
- According to the National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Staging, nearly half of buyers’ agents believe staging a home increases the dollar value buyers are willing to offer by up to 10 percent.
- A National Association of Realtors survey found that the longer a home stays on the market, the further below list price it drops.
- The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) Report found that, on average, sellers who invest in home staging before listing will sell 87% faster.
How much does home staging cost?
It depends on what you need. For example, staging a vacant home with furniture and accessories can be expensive. Staging is typically far more cost-effective using your existing furnishings (i.e., if you’re planning to occupy the house while it’s on the market).
At Three Bears Home Staging, we teach you how to make the most out of what you already have. We specialize in consultations that provide immediate, one-on-one feedback to homeowners who plan to occupy their home while it is on the market. Our positive, no-nonsense approach empowers homeowners with all the tools and information they need to prepare for a faster, more profitable sale. Read more about specific pricing information for our consultation services.
Do you offer Vacant Home Staging?
No — but we can still help you! Since 2013, we have staged or consulted on hundreds of properties in Houston’s western suburbs. In late 2019, we made the decision to focus on consultations for occupied homes. Over the years, we’ve recognized there is a huge need for a home staging company that specializes in positive, empowering consultations for home sellers who plan to occupy their homes while on the market. By shifting our focus, we have been able to meet those needs. We now help even more homeowners learn how to maximize what they already have in order to sell their homes faster and more profitably!
If you are looking for a stager who specializes in vacant home staging, we can still help you! We are connected with a talented co-op of professionally accredited home stagers across the United States, all wonderfully equipped to stage any vacant home. Call us, and we’ll get you set up with a fine professional who is insured, accredited, and effective!
I have some great furniture I need to sell. Do you buy furniture?
No, we do not buy furniture (new or used).
Can’t I just stage my own home? Why do I need a professional?
We may be one of the only companies who say “YES, you can stage your own home!” BUT… you need a little objective guidance.
There is a lot of emotional attachment in homeownership (sometimes good, sometimes not). For your home marketing to be effective, you must be objective — and it’s really challenging for most homeowners to do that. Consulting with a professionally certified home stager is a cost-effective way to get your home into its most advantageous condition for showing. We are trained and experienced in analyzing buyer demographics, along with the scale and flow of the house. As such, we can provide objective, cost-saving recommendations and feedback.
Of course, we realize that not all homeowners have access to professional home staging. And some simply prefer to do DIY. For those homeowners, we offer a self-paced, online course Easy DIY Home Staging for Home Sellers™. We also encourage you to take a look at our book, Just Right: Easy DIY Home Staging, available in paperback and e-reader versions on Amazon.
Buyers are going to make their own changes anyway — why do I need to rearrange my stuff? Can’t buyers just look past it?
No, most buyers cannot. Only about 10% of home buyers can visualize the potential of a home. That’s why staging a home is critical! You don’t want the advantages of your home overlooked and left up to the buyer’s imagination.
What is your cancellation policy for consultations?
We ask that you please reschedule or cancel at least 6 hours before the beginning of your appointment. Otherwise, you may be charged a cancellation fee of $50. Please read more Cancellations, Terms and Conditions page for additional information.
What is your service area?
All of our services are available online. We have literally done virtual home staging consultations for clients all across the country, from California to Georgia. If you’ve got an Internet connection, we can help!
Are there any tax advantages to staging my home?
Yes! The money you make on the sale of your home may be tax-free. The money you spend on staging services to improve and sell your home could be tax-deductible! *We are not tax pros, though, so please consult your accountant!
What are the licensing or accreditation requirements for home stagers?
Home staging is an unregulated industry. This means that anyone can advertise themselves as a “stager,” and there are no licensing, insurance, or education requirements. Often, these hobby stagers are inexperienced in analyzing the buyer demographic for the neighborhood, the scale and flow of the house, and don’t have the resources to do a home justice.
Three Bears Home Staging offers award-winning, professional service. We are insured and accredited HSR Certified Home Staging and Redesign professionals, winning Best of Houzz Customer Service Awards in Home Staging every year since 2015. Three Bears Home Staging is also a 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 winner of the Real Estate Staging Association’s Most Influential People in Real Estate Staging Award and a published expert on home staging. We encourage you to ensure that your house is being staged by a legitimate, insured business and not by a hobby stager.
Why does hiring an insured home stager matter?
We are very quick to point out to potential clients that we are insured in our business. Why does it matter?
Because…things can happen! Even with the best of intentions and proper planning accidents can happen. Part of being a professional is looking ahead in order to better serve and protect our client’s interests. Regardless of which staging service we provide you can rest assured that we’ve got you covered…literally!
When I first started my home staging business, I was hanging artwork for a client who had just purchased a home in the beautiful, upscale Rice Military District in Houston. I remarked to the client how much I liked one framed piece in particular. As it turned out…it was a Rembrandt! Signed and everything! Wow…I can’t even begin to imagine how terrifying it would have been to hold this piece (let alone hang it) without insurance!
Even if you don’t have a Rembrandt hanging in your living room, you do have things that are valuable to you. By having insurance, we are demonstrating they are valuable to us as well!
Color Consultations FAQ
How will you know my style/what I like?
Our questionnaire helps us understand what your personal style is. We also ask that clients provide “inspiration” photos from Pinterest or Houzz to help us better learn your style preferences.
How will we communicate?
All color consultation services and correspondence for your project will be conducted entirely online.
When and how am I charged?
You are charged a flat fee and are required to pay for your color consultation at checkout. Once your payment is made, the process begins. No hidden fees or agenda! Click here to see our Terms & Conditions.
What if I don’t like my design or color recommendations?
This is a collaborative process, and it’s important to make sure we design something you love! Our questionnaire and the inspiration photos you provide are the best way to help us understand your style preferences.
While we will make every effort to ensure your satisfaction, design is inherently subjective. By purchasing our services, you agree that Three Bears Home Staging cannot and does not warrant or guarantee your satisfaction with design services and/or ideas you receive from Three Bears Home Staging.
Three Bears Home Staging is not financially responsible for the material and labor finishes from our consultations or reports. Each virtual color report includes at least three color palette choices. If you are not satisfied we will allow for one revision based on your feedback within five business days.
I’ve changed my mind. Can I have a refund?
All sales are final, and no refunds are provided. It is your responsibility to research and ensure your wants and needs prior to purchasing a color consultation. For more information, please visit our Terms & Conditions page prior to purchasing.
Canva Templates, Courses, & Other Digital Products FAQ
I have a question about one of your courses.
You can read frequently asked questions about our online courses on the individual course page. Visit either Easy DIY Home Staging for Home Sellers™ or Color By The Numbers™, and scroll to the bottom of the page to read the course FAQ.
I’m having trouble accessing my template/download or logging in. What should I do?
You can find detailed instructions on how to access your digital product on the individual product page under “How It Works.” Still having trouble? Please contact us directly with a specific description of the problem you’re having, and we’ll help!
What’s included in the Three Bears Home Staging Canva Template Shop Membership?
Our Template Shop members get access to everything for a full year! When you purchase a Membership to our template shop you have access to every template in the shop (for home stagers, real estate agents, and home sellers) for one year from your date of purchase. You can save each template as a copy in your personal template account so that you have your own copy forever! You also have access to all additional templates we add to the shop throughout that one-year period (about one per month).
Do you have a question that isn’t answered on our FAQ? Please contact us directly, and we’ll be happy to help you out!