Behind the scene

Sellers who want to hire a stager are advised to interview several, ask to see a portfolio and speak to references.

"Don't just go by the lowest price," Tebyani cautioned.

Home seller Bruce Carlson was a little hesitant about hiring a stager for his parents' Pasadena home of 55 years. But living in Seattle now and not wanting the house to languish on the market, he knew he needed to do something.

"I've seen a lot of those TV shows on staging," he said, "and it seemed to make such a difference." To improve the chances for a quick sale of the five-bedroom, four-bathroom, 3,900-square-foot home, he committed to staging the house for two months with rented furniture at a cost of $2,500. The house, listed at $1,385,000, went on the MLS this week.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed," he said.

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ann.brenoff@latimes.com

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A few tips for picking a pro

Pasadena-based stager Michelle Minch offers these tips to sellers:

Hire the stager with the most real-world experience.

Ask to see the stager's portfolio. If he or she doesn't have one, move on.

Does the portfolio display a wide range of styles, or do all the homes look the same? Make sure the stager is capable of presenting the home in a manner that accentuates its architecture.

Ask if the stager rents furniture from another source or owns the furniture he or she will be using. Renting will cost more. Make sure the furniture the stager uses is appropriate to the style of your home and not just what he or she happens to have in inventory at that time.

Make sure none of the photos in the portfolio are stock photos that were purchased or lifted off someone else's website. All photos should show that stager's work and not be part of a group class project from a training program. If you are suspicious, ask to speak to the client.

Ask for references, including phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses. Check those references and ask whether they would hire that stager again.

Ask for proof of liability insurance. If the stager is not insured, then you may be liable for any damages or injuries that may occur as a result of the staging.

Make sure that you are given a clearly written contract and that you understand all aspects of it. If you don't understand something, or something that you discussed previously is not in writing, don't hesitate to ask for clarification.

You often get what you pay for. You are selling your most valuable asset -- your home. Look for the staging professional with the greatest competency, experience and professionalism, rather than the cheapest price.

-- Ann Brenoff