Keep business running at full speed even in
a slow
market by branching out into new business segments.
BY MICHELLE HOFMANN
One great advantage of working in an
entrepreneurial field such as real estate: You have full control
over the direction of your career and the growth of your
business. Even if the housing market slows down, you can branch
out into related fields to generate extra income and build your
client base.
We chatted with practitioners [some] who’ve pursued new careers
while continuing to sell residential real estate, [others who
have expanded what they offer their clients]. From home staging
to public speaking, we learned there’s no shortage of
opportunities for real estate professionals who want to expand
what they do.
Home Staging Expert
“Staging satisfies my interest in rolling up my sleeves and
actively helping my sellers prepare their homes for the market,”
says Mary McDonald, ABR®, a sales associate on the Mary
Opfer Team, RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest, Cary, Ill. McDonald also
earned her Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) designation,
which is offered through the
International
Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP).
Skill set: Good eye for exterior and interior design,
with a knack for seeing a home as if you were a buyer. Ability
to use your imagination to make simple changes that will enhance
the space. Must use diplomacy as you encourage clients to spruce
up their home and minimize clutter.
Training: A background in real estate, home design, or
interior decorating is a big plus. IAHSP, which runs the Web
site
StagedHomes.com offers two-day ($349) and three-day ($1,995)
courses to earn the ASP designation; and a five-day ($3,450)
Accredited Staging Master Professional program.
International
Redesign Industry Specialists and the
Society of
Decorating Professionals offer related certifications and
training programs.
Earning potential: The average industry per room rate is
about $400, according to StagedHomes.com. Hourly rates range
from $100 to $250 for the first hour and $100 for each
additional hour.
Benefits: Staging expert Barb Schwartz, founder of
StagedHomes.com, says staged homes sell 50 percent faster and
for about 7 percent more than nonstaged properties. Even if you
don’t pursue it as a new career, you can add staging to your
selling services or offer to professionally stage a room as a
closing gift.
Drawbacks: Requires extra time dealing with clients who
may be opposed to change. If you have a hard time doling out
constructive criticism, you may quickly discover this path isn’t
for you.
