If you’re new to the home staging industry and are trying to land your first client, you’re probably wondering how to create a proposal that will convert. Creating proposals is not uncommon, especially for service-based businesses like home staging. Your proposal will serve as the bridge to the gap between your service and your client. And to close a deal, your proposal should be detailed enough to highlight how you can solve the problem your clients have.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to write a home staging proposal, what you need to include, and additional tips you should know. So, keep reading and see how you can improve your current draft!
Do Your Research
Physically visiting the property allows you to note important things, create a plan, and get a first-hand feel of the vibe you want to stage it for. Research is always the first step in creating proposals.
This is how you “get to know” what you’re staging and gives you a glimpse of what kind of home you want it to be. While FaceTime and video calls can be done easily, there’s just that difference when you’re there in person.
Before you can bid, you need to know the property at heart to make sure you’re putting it up there to be sold at a higher value. Some things you should know about the property are the following:
1. Size
Knowing the square footage of the house is the most basic you should note since your quote will partially depend on this information.
2. Price point
The approximate price point of the house will influence how you stage it and how you price your service. This also shows an estimate of how much money a realtor can sell the home for above market value.
3. Best features of the property
Whether there’s a lap pool in the backyard or a spacious multiple-car garage space, you need to note areas you can highlight. If you’re impressed with home features like these, buyers will be too! Now, that’s up to you to focus on these features and make sure they’re seen by potential buyers. Your client will surely appreciate this as well.
4. Rooms
The total number of rooms, specific dimensions and sizes, and their purpose are paramount to your proposal. It can be a tiny entry for a pantry or an oversized living room – these will help you visualize what furniture and color palette you’ll use and how you want to project the room ambiance.
5. Any problem areas
This is where you need to shine – make problem areas stand out by eliminating the perceived problem. Ask the realtor or homeowner about areas in the house that they think have a negative downside to start. For example, a poorly lit room can seem brighter and more inviting if you add movable lighting fixtures. Your staging can also influence buyers that there isn’t any issue in that specific area.
Highlight Their Problem and Your Solution
A beautiful and educational home staging proposal is actually what converts sellers and realtors into clients. In this part of your proposal, it’s time to enumerate problems they might not have realized and your suggested solution. We also encourage you to look at other home staging proposal examples to compare.
1. Lack of Design
A home seller might not realize it, but staging homes is important if you want to sell it quickly and at a high price. As a home stager, you’re pitching right now because you’re highlighting your skills in design. So this is your chance to make them think that you’re the solution to their design problems.
2. Leaving Vacant Rooms
We understand that renting furniture can be expensive, but there’s nothing more unattractive than walking into a vacant room during an ocular. Seeing vacant rooms can turn potential buyers off, and this is exactly what typical sellers are missing. Home staging should be treated as an investment rather than an expense.
3. Leaving Clutter
When a listing is put up, it projects as a house ready to be sold. And when clutter forms a mess, it clearly gives the impression that the home isn’t ready for a quick sale. They don’t realize it, but seeing clutter influences a buyer’s decision to buy or pass on a house. Use this to frame yourself as an expert to help solve and prevent mess inside the home you’re bidding on.
4. Neglecting Exteriors
The home exterior can easily be overlooked as sellers can be too focused on the inside. What’s missing here is that the facade of the house and its surroundings are what a buyer sees first. And when a person is looking to buy a home, they’re looking directly at the outside first. Unpainted walls and dead grass can be a major disappointment. Recreate this problem area by staging the lawn and giving it a homey feel.
List Down Benefits of Home Staging Services
Benefits always attract leads and influence their conversion. In the competitive real estate market, staging is not just an option. It has become a necessity to get a property ahead of other listings strategically.
Think of a home as a canvas that you will eventually transform into a welcoming environment where potential buyers can envision their future. Every seller should know these benefits:
- Better market appeal – a staged home appeals consistently to buyers. With carefully curated furniture and decor, it accentuates a home’s best features. As we mentioned above, highlighting features will make a home stand out.
- Higher selling price – the enhanced perceived value of staged homes can command a higher selling price. Substantial returns often result after presenting a home that is at its best. While staging requires an upfront investment, you can be assured that this elevates your property’s market value.
- Quicker turnaround – more than just making homes look nice, staging gives buyers a visual nudge that can make a difference. Expect offers to come in quickly as buyers will surely fall in love with a property that’s been meticulously staged.
- Lasting first impressions – the magic of a good first impression is immediately captivating buyers to picture themselves living in the home they’re viewing. Let your staging become a lasting impression that will stick to buyers.
- Emotional connection – an emotional bond is powerful as it transforms a house into someone’s dream home. Initiate a possible quicker sale when you hit that perfect spot in a buyer.
Add Your Portfolio
Now, when creating your proposal, remember to add your portfolio of other successful listings. If you don’t have one yet, we suggest using a home stage visual that represents your capabilities as a stager.
Talk About the Process
It’s important to include the process of home staging in your proposal to let the seller know how you plan to do it specifically. It’s imperative for them to know, especially the schedule you have in mind so that no conflicting issues arise.
Guide them through the initial contract, prep, and on-site staging and destaging. Logistics is also a big part of the discussion, although you probably have this covered. Give them a gist of what’s going to happen in the next few days before the open house.
Break Down Plans and Pricing
Offer different plans and pricing. While this can vary depending on the property specifics, sellers should be given options on what will fit their need and their budget. Remember key factors to consider in your pricing: costs, labor, and profit margin. Incidental expenses like gas, parking tickets, and tips should also be taken into consideration.
Include a Contract
Be proactive in entailing the full package you offer. Don’t forget to include a contract so they can immediately sign if impressed by your proposal. No time should be wasted when you’re bidding, a contract ready for signing shows how ready you are to provide the services.
While it can take time to create a proposal for staging homes, if you’re in this industry, it’s the only way to secure a project. You can easily search the web for some free home staging proposal software to help you. Also, consider drafting a vacant home staging proposal just in case you find listings like this.
Looking to hire a home stager instead? Contact us at HolmeStage to learn more about our home staging in Los Angeles!
