Indiana is an exciting state within which to hone your home staging skills. From ultra-modern apartments in the skyscrapers of Indianapolis to the quaint timber single-storey homes in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, you’ll have the opportunity to work with such a wide variety of home styles.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling you get when a property you’ve staged sells for more than expected, and you’ve exceeded the expectations of your client. That’s the thrill that keeps you engaged in this business. Home staging can be quite addictive!
If you’ve wondered how to become a home stager in Indiana, then you’ve come to the right place. As specialists in home training certification in Indiana, we can help you decide if this is the right career for you and guide you through the process of getting certificated and established as a home stager.
This could be the life-changing career you’ve been looking for. Find out more…
So, how do you become a home stager in Indiana?
We’ll look at this from the point of view of starting your own home staging business. If you want to start with getting a home staging job, read our articles on resume tips, how to get a home staging job, and our overview of home staging careers.
There are a few pathways to becoming a home stager and some are harder than others. The easiest way is to take home staging training in Indiana and so you’ll be armed with everything you need to be a success in this somewhat competitive field. While some people skip training or earning certification in home staging, this puts them at a distinct disadvantage. When you can prove your credentials, you’ll get more clients willing to put their faith in you, it’s that simple.
While some of what you do will be intuitive, no doubt you have a creative streak and that’s what has brought you here, to look into this rewarding career, knowledge is also incredibly important. There are so many tips and tricks you can learn to improve your home staging, and ensure you can create a great effect quickly, and within budget. You’ll also need to know how to set up a business and run it successfully, which takes a whole different skillset from the artistry of home staging. These are all skills that can be learnt though.
Steps to becoming a home stager in Indiana
If you feel that a career that blends interior design with real estate sales would be a great choice for you, then read on to discover more about this fascinating, fun and potentially lucrative career…
Step 1: Take a home staging certification course in Indiana
You should never underestimate the power of learning. While the certificate you receive at the end of your home staging training in Indiana might be your goal, it really is all about the journey when you pick one of the best home staging courses that truly delivers high quality training that can be readily applied to real-world situations.
When you take a course with the Home Staging Institute, you’re experiencing a course that has been developed and enhanced over many years. With guidance and tuition from top industry experts, you’ll learn the secrets of the very best home stagers. We appreciate that not everyone has the time to commit to full-time learning, and we understand you want to gain your certification and get started on your new career. That’s why we offer a range of courses that teach you a lot, without expecting you to dedicate a huge amount of your time. You can learn in your own time, at your own pace. It’s so flexible!
Step 2: Understand the local Indiana market
The most dedicated home stager will not simply recreate the same tried and trusted style in every property. Instead, they’ll take into account the type of property, the local area, and the market demands at the current time. A good home stager keeps on top of trends and understands the needs of different demographics.
Indiana has specific requirements of its own, with winters that can be particularly harsh, each home will need to portray a sense of warmth, with potential buyers feeling reassured that they will be warm and cosy there during the cold winter months. It is this understanding of the area, the climate, and the local population that makes a home stager truly stand out from the crowd.
Step 3: Learn from other home stagers in Indiana
You can learn a lot by studying the work of others. You can visit properties and see for real, how other home stagers in Indiana are setting the scene for a sale. While booking an individual viewing purely for the chance to look at the staging may be frowned upon, attending an open day is a less conspicuous way of checking out some great examples of home staging in your local area.
You’ll also want to head online and take a look at how Indiana home stagers are presenting themselves on the internet. Check out the information they’ve included on their website. They are likely to have a list of services, a portfolio of past work, testimonials, and contact details, but do they have anything else you could take inspiration from? Maybe they offer some tips and tricks for interior décor that will bring in visitors and get people clicking through. Perhaps there is something extra that you could add to your own site that would add value and attract people to it.
Step 4: Start a home staging business in Indiana
You’ve achieved home staging certification in Indiana, you’re brimming with ideas and enthusiasm, so let’s get down to business…
Get started with these essential points…
- Register your business with the relevant authorities
- Get your accounts organized
- Get liability insurance in place
- Develop your online presence – website and social media (Get a 40% discount at StagingWebsites.com by using code HSIDiscount)
- Decide if you need a dedicated phone number and / or postal address
- Network with realtors
- Look into advertising options and determine your advertising budget
Step 5: Begin marketing
When you have all the above in place, you’re certified, you’re confident in your skills and you have your website up and running, it’s time to get on with marketing your new business. Social media will likely play a big role in this, so you’ll need to dedicate some time to this or hire an agency to manage it for you. Paid advertising can also be a big help, especially when you’re getting established, and your website has yet to hit the top of the search results.
Image is everything, and people want proof of your abilities. While your home staging certification will go a long way towards proving your talents, potential clients are going to want to see photographs of your work, and if you don’t have any, this can put people off. The trick here is to get some photos of your staging efforts by any means possible. Stage your own home as if you were trying to sell it, and offer your services to friends and family in return for the chance to take photos.
Other facts about becoming a home stager in Indiana
How much do home stagers make in Indiana?
According to our findings, home stagers in Indiana generally earn between $34,000 and $54,000 annually, with hourly rates ranging from $17 to $27. Experienced professionals or those in high-demand areas can earn over $64,000 per year. Earnings can vary based on factors such as location, client base, and the number of projects completed.
Do I need a license to become a home stager in Indiana?
No, you don’t need a license to become a home stager in the state of Indiana, however, you may have to register your business with the local authorities.
Do you need a degree to become a home stager in Indiana?
There are no requirements to complete a degree course to start your home staging business in Indiana. While qualifications will always put you at an advantage, this is not a legal requirement, so if you don’t have a degree, don’t be put off pursuing a career as a home stager in Indiana.