Have you seen the new show Stager Invasion on TLC? It premiered last night with two back-to-back episodes. It's a totally different take than The Stagers on HGTV.
After watching it I'm not sure that it's the best representation of how staging really works, but anything that keeps the business and concept out there in front of potential clients can't be a bad thing, can it?
The concept of this show is that they go into occupied homes that are a disaster and stage them with a team of about 20 people in 8 hours. The team walks down the street much like Extreme Home Makeover. They paint, landscape, build, and stage all in 8 hours. The stager, Lisa Lynch, likes to take every item out of the house into the driveway, do all the interior work, and then bring everything back in.
While many of us stage occupied homes - it's always annoying to me when they put time limits on these types of tv shows. In the real world a house in this shape could never be staged in 8 hours except at a large expense. I guess the added pressure makes good tv. They attempt to show the limited budget they can work on by purchasing only a few items for the home. In reality, the labor and staging cost would be exorbitant with that many people working on a house.
Though some feel the budgets on The Stagers are high, at least they are all disclosed and paint a more realistic picture of how staging works (although when do we ever get 5 days for each project!)
But I digress - some of the concepts that Lisa shares on the show are sound (de-cluttering, de-personalizing, use of space, etc.) but the idea that this is how staging works is not realistic. However, it does show how preparing a house for sale can help it sell quicker and for top dollar. The homeowners may not feel like a project of this magnitude is something they would like to tackle, so they may bring in a professional stager to help them. That's where we come in...
So what are your thoughts?
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I missed the show but agree with your comments on how staging is actually carried out. It would be exhorbitant to pay for 20 people to work on your home at once, however, as you say it does outline how much labour actually goes in to a staging job and that is where we come in as professional stagers. Let us tackle the hard work and merchandise the property to sell. Hope the catch the repeat of this show later in the week.
Hi David -- I watched both episodes and found it a bit high on the "drama" side and as you said with WAY too many people on scene, but still think the concept of staging was presented well -- and I particularly liked that Lisa said she works with what the homeowner already has and limits her budget to $1000 for needed materials. There was no mention of the labor cost of staging, and it would drive me bonkers to work with a team of 20 in one house! But the end result was positive and in both cases the homes sold quickly.
David, I did watch both episodes and even though the suggestions and concepts were great, it basically is another unrealistic show about staging. I did like the realistic results though using mostly what the homeowner had but they need to speak about the labor costs associated with a project of that magnitude, don't you think?
David, I did not catch the show either. I'm torn between the shows that have all of the free carpentry work and this one with all the additional labor. Either way, i'm sure its a great show that further markets our indusry.
David, I didn't even realize that TLC has a staging show so I will have to TIVO it. From your comments, it looks like it will be interesting . If nothing else I want to see how in the world 20 stagers in one house function!
Michelle ~ I hope you have a chance to see the show as well. None of us could afford a team of that size, but most of us also don't do such extensive repair work. But it is great to show the difference of a staged versus a non-staged home.
Maureen ~ It was a bit dramatic - but that's part of the tv show. It is good that they show homeowners can work with what they have and it's our job to let them know that the pieces they don't have can be rented from us so they don't have to buy anything new that may not work in their new home. The quick sales were very positive! They haven't been showing those end results on The Stagers which makes you wonder about the Vancouver market.
Luci ~ I agree that it's important to educate the public about pricing, although it seems most shows let that go, whether it's a design show or a full renovation show - the costs are very rarely discussed for labor - only materials.
Janelle ~ As I said above, most shows throw in the labor for free and some potential clients may think they can stage the home for the small budgets they have when those numbers only include actual materials. But it definitely helps market the industry, so that is a positive!
Kathy ~ It is definitely crazy with that many people there at one time working on so many different tasks. It would be hard to make sure everything is getting done. It's definitely interesting.
I have mixed feelings about this new show. I like the fact that there are staging shows, but this one was really over the top unrealistic. I hope that viewers don't get the impression that they can call a stager with one days notice for an open house or broker's tour, and think that all of this can get done in one day. It's hard enough to educate the public about how we work, and now this!
I also winced when I heard the insults being hurled at the homeowners regarding their choice in furnishings. I don't treat my clients like that. All of the stagers I know are really much more respectful, yet get the same outcome.
However, I did like the end results!
Peg ~ I agree with your take on the show. Not the greatest process, but the end result, and quick sale, does show the impact of staging which is a positive message.
Back again ... I agree with Peg. I heard the stager say to the first couple in their bedroom "It looks like a bomb went off in here!!" Wow -- I would never, ever be that rude to the homeowners who had just hired me!
Wow, after hearing about this show, it totally re-confirms that when I got rid of television 8 years ago, it was a GOOD thing! I think the exagerations do us more harm than good in portraying completely unrealistic scenarios and not accurately representing costs. But then, I suppose we just need to point out to our clients that it is television, and about as "real" as the so-called "reality shows".
I didn't see this show, (didn't even know it was out there) but all I can say is that it isounds as if it is grossly misrepresenting what can be done realistically. 20 people on hand and in one day?! And if $1,000 is the only "cost" mentioned?!?!? Great, I think this is filming here in SoCal - another thing we'll have to educate the public on.....
To answer your question: No, I don't think shows like THIS may be good for the industry. It's one thing to keep Staging in peoples minds, it's quite another to mis-represent what can be accomplished and be realistic.
Maureen ~ It's a bad precedent to set in juding our clients furnishings and taste in front of them. There is certainly a more gracious way to approach that than she did!
Pangaea ~ No tv for 8 years. Good for you. I couldn't imagine! It's a good point to point out that it is television should a question or expectation ever arise from a client.
Connie ~ While is might mis-represent what we all do, if it drives more people to realize that staging is an integral part of the selling process, much like a home inspection, that is good for all of us.
This is why I get calls asking for houses to be staged tomorrow morning because the photographer is coming tomorrow afternoon.
Hi David,
I just got back from a mini vacation and finally watched Stager Invasion. I posted an announcement of this show a while back - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1123244/new-home-staging-tv-show-coming-our-way
Some people were wondering "what up with that title?"
I guess we know now why they call it Stager Invasion. By presenting a project in one day the producers add more drama but after watching just 2 episodes the predictability factor is evident. Future shows will undoubtably present the following format:
Lisa meets the clients, walks through the home and tells them EXACTLY what she thinks
Orange troup appears with obligatory drill and wheelbarrow down the street
Big group huddle with empathy for their client - Arms in the air!
Unseen dilemma is unveiled adding more stress to Lisa
Curmudgeon dad to the rescue - attempt at comic relief (notice I used the word attempt)
Lisa flips out realizing the job won't be finished on time
Dad arrives in the last hour. What would Lisa do without him?
Of course the job is finished and perfect nd the clients love it
Broker's open
House sells quickly over initial asking price
Ta Da!
I don't understand why Lisa would have to use her father when she has a stable of experienced stagers at her disposal but I believe someone developing that show thought it would be super cute.
I prefer The Stagers on HGTV since it's not nearly as formulaic as Stager Invasion. What I do like about SI is that it shows that staging works to get your house sold quicker and for more money and that's really our bottom line isn't it?
If you're missing Matthew Finlason from The Stagers he will appear on HGTV Showdown this Sunday night on HGTV.
Thanks for your post David. It's interesting what people think of the new show.
One last comment from me: I guess the bottom line is that the TV producers don't care how accurate it is, they just care if it sells advertising time! True of all shows.
Didn't see the show but liked reading your overview David - While I do like the exposure for the industry and keeping it in the media it still has a ways to go with the real world aspect of home staging.
Teams of 20 are not the norm as are $1,000 budgets to do everything. But, this is the problem of most of the TV shows that reflect our industry or home improvement - the more extreme the better - it sells ad space and brings in viewers. Labor never seems to be a factor.
I honestly think The Stagers budget is more in line with real world staging (yes, even the higher budgets in higher end homes - do you see what they bring in??) also the drama (to a certain degree) and the emotions involved (it's not always fluid and natural, you gotta work it!).
I'll have to catch an episode one of these days. Heck, how do we team up and get ourselves one of these shows??
David,
I didn't see the show and didn't know it was out there. Thanks for posting this to create dialog for us all to express our take on the show.
Right away when I was reading your post the name of the show "Stager Invasion" caught my attention. As a home owner if I thought there was going to be a Invasion in my home I probably would shut all the doors and windows to keep the Invasion out. My feeling is those two words Stager Invasion should never be used together. Sounds like the aliens are coming. So my first impression wasn't off to a good start, then reading all the comments it sounds like the name of the show fit perfectly with what went on in the show. Probably not a show I would want to watch...but I really like that they ended on a positive note. Staging Works!!!
Sharon ~ There's always going to be people who work at the last minute. They also don't realize the planning and preparation that go into a successful staging.
Kate ~ Thanks for the summary. You've probably nailed it, but we'll have to see if the formula changes at all. I don't get the dad piece either - it's just annoying. It was fun to see Matthew on Showdown last night.
Peg ~ This is true. I hope that staging continues to be a money maker for television production companies as it will show an interest, and they will have to come up with more creative ways to showcase our industry.
Karen ~ I agree that The Stagers is more realistic and representative of the actual work that goes into a job, even with the dilemmas and emotion. Every job we get certainly has its own challenges.
Linda ~ I like that they end on a positive note as well. We'll have to see if future episodes have just as successful end results with quick sales. I hope so!
Hi David. I watched both shows that night. Though there are some great ideas. The truth is, it is too scripted and over the top drama. I know there are deadlines and not everything goes according to plan. It can be a much to watch the drama and overacting.
Once again they go in. This time with an army and all that is mentioned is the $1000 she has to spend to stage the house.
Isabel ~ I watched the next two episodes and it's very much the same with a lot of unnecessary drama. It's the fee that is unrealistic, but we'll see how it all plays out!
I thought the show was fun, super dramatic and, yes, unrealistic. But would we watch it if it weren't? Might be kind of boring just to watch professional stagers go in and do their thing. That might be more of an infomercial or training show, wouldn't it? I say, good for TLC! Let them bring us more attention. I can educate and fill the customers in on what it's really like after I get my foot in their door. Anything that lets the public know that staging is an effective tool for selling--has got to be good!
Lori ~ Thanks for your perspective. I do agree that bringing staging more to the fore front is beneficial for everyonel.
dear all, my son is matt, one of the carpenters on the show. matt is also a professional at what he does and most of the crew were chosen for their expertise in other fields. the pace at which they do their jobs on the show is accelerated for the purpose of tv and not routine. i would hope that this would be obvious to the audience of viewers. i agree with home stager lori donegan, i do not want to watch an infomercial or training show but prefer the fun and drama relaxing on my sofa. seeing the home initially, the team hustle and the end result is the concise programing i enjoy. do i think it is practical...of course not. designing the make-over, coordinating the contractors, deadlines etc. takes time and should be done by professionals. lori would be my pick! her positive nature, educating the customer and no whining makes her the effective tool. thanks for listening. ps. he is the tall good-looking one!
Janice--I know that TV is way different than our perception of it. Lots of hours of planning and pre-work go into a 1 hour show that we never even know about. I think that we should just watch and have fun--no critiques needed. The show is overly-dramatized to attract the greatest amount of viewers--even those who might not be interested in home selling and staging. Which is much like staging itself--we want to prepare a home to appeal to everyone--and we even use a few tricks and small deceptions along the way--for instance using blow up mattresses on a bed! So there--we can all play that game. I will continue to watch the show and I'll be looking for your son. Thanks for commenting and mentioning my name. And David--thanks for bringing up this interesting subject.
I only caught this show only once and I really liked it. I searched the guide to see when it was on again, but had no luck. I guess it was the last show that I caught. I hope it's coming back for a second season. I did find a place on line where I can watch all the shows that I missed. I liked it because unlike HGTV's "The Stagers", (which I don't watch) they do modest homes on a budget. Also great shows on this channel are Moving up and the Real Estate Professionals. I believe Sell this house is also on the TLC channel and I love that show as well.