8 Questions You Need Answered - Choosing the Right Home Staging Course For You

When it comes to selecting a training program that will jump-start your new home staging practice, you want to be sure that the course will equip you with both the practical skills and sound business fundamentals needed to achieve your goals. The questions below can help guide your decision and ensure that you make the right choice.

Does the home staging training course offer hands-on training?
Our approach to teaching at The Academy of Home Staging is simple - "learn by doing." There simply is no substitute for working in a home with color, furniture, and accessories. During the course, each student undertakes a step-by-step preparation of a consultation project and a vacant home bid on a real home - complete with furniture selections and a written proposal for the job. It is then presented to the class for feedback.

Does the instructor have demonstrated experience in home staging?
The Academy of Home Staging was founded by Kim Kapellusch, who owns Prepared to Sell Home Design Company, located in the Santa Clarita Valley. Sought after by Realtors and homeowners alike, Kim is a former real estate agent who has more than 15 years of experience in home staging, model home design, consulting for remodel projects and investment flips, redesign, set design, and art direction. A recognized expert in the field of home staging, Kim has been featured in The Signal, Daily Breeze, and San Fernando Valley Business Journal newspapers, on public access television, SCTV, KCET, and the Jeff Eisenberg radio show.

Does the course deal with the business aspects of home staging?
The Academy of Home Staging is unique in its approach to home staging training. Students will finish the course having written a business plan they can use to launch their own home staging practice. During the five-day course, all aspects of business startup are covered - what works and what doesn't in marketing, networking, branding, getting and making client presentations, pricing, how to talk to clients, insurance, small business loans, contracts, proposals, staging design tips, color theory, space planning and more.

How is the home staging course structured?
The program offered by The Academy of Home Staging is an open forum where students learn by doing, asking questions, and completing practical exercises that encourage feedback and prompt instructor suggestions. Group presentations help students prepare for client interactions and give them the confidence necessary to obtaining work in the industry through networking among real estate professionals in their own community. Special course segments delivered by industry professionals give our students valuable firsthand experience in working with furniture reps, insurance agents, and others who provide services to home stagers.

Do the claims made by the program sound realistic?
At The Academy of Home Staging, we pride ourselves in delivering what we've promised - staging and design fundamentals, along with sound business guidance, that will enable students to launch their own successful home staging practices upon completing the training.

Is ongoing support available to graduates?
Students who complete The Academy of Home Staging can participate in any future class at no cost to refresh their skills. Email or phone coaching is also available to further guide and support the student after leaving The Academy. And, tuition includes a one-year membership in the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), which offers a directory where stagers can advertise (basic listing included), vendor discounts, articles and statistical information, an informative blog, and local chapters around the nation.

What makes the course you are considering unique from others?
At The Academy of Home Staging, we don't assume our students come to us with any business, marketing or design training. Our format is informal, with opportunities to ask questions, flexible with regards to the needs of the attendees, and incorporates the expertise of guest speakers.

Unlike other courses taught by an individual, our speakers bring a wide range of skill sets to the table. Our guest experts include a marketing and business coach who helps each student write a business plan in class, offers networking tips, and explains the process of obtaining a small business loan. A furniture rental representative demystifies the rental process and reviews furniture rental procedures. And, an insurance agent explains available coverage unique to the needs of home stagers.

Our design exercises are one-of-a-kind and structured to help novices create effective floor plans and choose complimentary color schemes that showcase a home's features. Not all home staging courses offer training exercises with regards to consultations and vacant homes. These exercises are critical to starting a home staging business with integrity, confidence and the ability to assist clients in selling their home. Our exercises include presentations, group discussions and role playing to help attendees cultivate effective client communication skills.

Can you learn more about the program and ask specific questions before enrolling?
We welcome your calls and questions. Call Kim Kapellusch directly at 800.574.5576
or email her at academyofstaging@sbcglobal.net.

Click to Enroll now in The Academy of Home Staging