Washington state has been home to many great people. Jimi Hendrix, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Bing Crosby have all at one time called Washington home. This is an eclectic state, with some wondrous scenery and amazing cities. As a home stager in Washington, you’re spoiled with a fantastic array of stunning properties to work with, and you never know, perhaps you’ll get the chance to stage a home for one of Washington’s famous residents!
Homeowners and real estate agents across Washington are engaging the skills of home stagers across Seattle, Vancouver, Everett, and every other city in the state. There’s certainly work out there if you’re up to the challenge of becoming the best in the industry and working hard to achieve your goals. Do you have what it takes?
Simply by arriving here to read this article, we believe you are on the right track to success. You have an interest, perhaps you already have some of the skills needed to be an excellent home stager. Maybe all you need is to gain a little home staging training in Washington and you can start your very own business.
Does that sound like a great future? Then read on…
So, how do you become a home stager in Washington?
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 several paths you can take towards becoming a home stager, but the most successful home stagers tend to have achieved home staging certification in Washington. With this certification, they have proof of their abilities, which makes getting a foot in doorway of the world of home staging that much easier.
But as well as getting that coveted certification, there’s more you should know…
Steps to becoming a home stager in Washington
From learning the skills of the industry and discovering tricks of trade to understanding tax and insurance, there’s a lot to learn.
But you can gain knowledge, and combine that learning with your own unique talents and eye for design.
Step 1: Take a home staging certification course in Washington
As with any career, the more effort you put in, the greater the rewards. While you can jump right in and offer your services as a home stager to Washington realtors and homeowners, you’ll be able to command higher fees and get the chance to stage the most splendid homes, if you are a certificated home stager. When you take a course with the Home Staging Institute, not only will you receive expert advice and a wealth of valuable knowledge, but you’ll also receive a certificate to prove your capabilities as a home stager.
You’ll find our unique courses interesting and incredibly useful. You’ll cover all aspects of home staging, including how to run your own home staging business. If you want to get ahead of the crowd and be the very best home stager in Washington, then check out our courses, there’s sure to be one that will suit you perfectly.
Step 2: Understand the local Washington market
From mountains and rivers to the great cities, Washington has a lot to offer. It’s a magnificent place to live, with so many fantastic locations, each with its particular style and vibe. When you’re staging homes in Washington, you can certainly take inspiration from the environment. Breathe in that fresh mountain air in Leavenworth and gaze upon the endless panoramic views of Richland.
It is this ability to bring a little of the outside in, to take the essence of a town or city and instil it into simple additions to the décor of a room, that encapsulates the difference between a decent home stager, and a truly excellent one. The best home stagers understand the needs of each client and each property, taken in context with its surrounding environment.
Step 3: Learn from other home stagers in Washington
You’re not the first home stager in Washington, but a little healthy competition is good for you! Of course you don’t want to become a carbon copy of another Washington home stager, but you can certainly get some inspiration and ideas from the other stagers in the area.
Open up your browser and get searching on Google. ‘Home stagers in Washington’ or ‘Find me a home stager in Seattle’ would be good places to start. Grab a notebook and pen and jot down anything that stands out to you. Imagine you’re a potential client, what would make you think ‘That’s the one?’
Step 4: Start a home staging business in Washington
If you take a course to achieve home staging certification in Washington, be sure to pick one that teaches you not only how to stage a room, but how to run a business.
While we can’t cover everything in this article, here are some pointers to think about…
- Do you need to register your business? (details here)
- What type of insurance policies should you have in place?
- What will your website look like? (StagingWebsites.com is offering 40% off with the code HSIDiscount)
- Will you have a graphic designer create a logo for your business?
- Do you need a separate cell phone number or postal address?
- Do you have all the contacts you need to get the materials and workers you need? (we provide a supplier list as part of our home staging courses)
- Where will you advertise? What is your advertising budget?
Step 5: Begin marketing
Next, you need to spread the word, and let the world know that you’re in business. There are plenty of other home stagers in Washington, so you need to make your advertising stand out from the crowd. You may want to consider hiring an expert to manage your social media and advertising campaigns, it could be an excellent investment in the long term.
They say a picture speaks a thousand words, so make sure you have some high quality images on your website and your social media pages. You may be thinking “But I haven’t got a client yet, so I can’t take any photos of my work,” but you can’t let this stop you. Stage rooms in your own home, ask friends and family if you can stage a room in their house. Or offer your services for free to a charity. In the early stages of your career, getting that portfolio of images together is incredibly important.
Other facts about becoming a home stager in Washington
How much do home stagers make in Washington?
Our findings suggest that home stagers in Washington generally earn between $42,000 and $62,000 per year, with hourly rates ranging from $21 to $31. Those with extensive experience or working in high-demand regions can earn over $72,000 annually. Earnings may vary based on factors like location, clientele, and the volume of projects undertaken.
Do I need a license to become a home stager in Washington?
You don’t need to purchase an expensive license in order to work as a home stager in the state of Washington. So many home stagers opt to invest in their skills by taking home staging courses instead.
Do you need a degree to become a home stager in Washington?
There is no requirement for you to be educated to degree level to become a home stager in Washington. It’s perhaps far more useful to take a shorter course that is specific to the industry, to give you the skills you need to excel as a home stager. You’ll find our courses easy to fit around other commitments. You’ll learn so much and have some fun too!
