Staging is the process of preparing a home for sale by increasing its appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. People need help to think beyond what their eyes are showing them. This is critical as 90% of people cannot visualize a space — they need to be shown its potential. Luckily, How It Stacks Up professionals are among the 10% who can see how a space should be used, and can set up a home, apartment, or property presentation centre to reflect that vision.

There are benefits to choosing either option. Home staging neutralizes and de-personalizes the living space to appeal to a wide range of buyers. We do that by bringing in our own modern accessories and renting furniture to prepare the property for sale. Costs depend on the number of rooms being staged and the square footage.

A budget-friendly alternative is called “Showcasing,” where we use what the homeowner already has on hand. While the costs are less, as no furniture is rented (yet rented accessories are an option), the décor won’t appeal to every buyer as it is personalized to the homeowner’s taste.. However, it is better to have the home set up for potential buyers, rather than an empty space.

We provide free quotations for either option.

Once you are ready to get organized or sell your home, please fill in the Contact form on this website and tell us about your project. As a full-service provider, How It Stacks Up will get in touch to find out what you need.

1. We can schedule a visit to do a Pre-stage Consultation ($250-$350 depending on house size). You will receive a report outlining how to prepare your home to sell, with a list of high priority repairs and items to clear. If you are busy or live elsewhere, we can do the work for you. For that option, you will receive a free cost estimate for the job that outlines areas to be worked on and timing.
2. As Kathleen is also a Professional Organizer, she can declutter your spaces and store and/or dispose of your household items.
3. If you want full-service staging (rented decor and furniture) or showcasing (using what you have), we provide a free quotation after visiting your home or property.
4. Once accepted, both parties sign a Letter of Agreement outlining expectations, a deposit is paid, and the work begins. If you wish to have us sign a Confidentiality Agreement, we are happy to sign one.

An important part of the home preparation process is removing personal items, even if you are still living in the home, and getting rid of clutter that interferes with buyers seeing the space’s potential.

In order to highlight a home’s best assets, we can do a thorough walk through and provide a comprehensive list of repairs and simple home improvements to make. Our report will detail what repairs, upgrades or tasks to address while you get ready to sell.

How It Stacks Up can also help de-personalize and declutter., as Kathleen is a Trained Professional Organizer. We provide a free estimate on what it may cost to edit out your belongings and store and/or dispose of your household items.

Our showcasing or staging fee depends on the scope of the project. Staging includes renting accessories, decor, and furniture, and the Stager’s time to set up a well-appointed home or property. We accept cheques, credit cards, cash, and electronic transfers. Payment terms are due the day of consultation or staging.

We have rental agreements in place and are proud to work with a modern, stylish and contemporary supplier at Antigonish-based furniture store DeCoste Interiors. How It Stacks Up adds to that modern look by choosing from an updated inventory of modern and appealing accessories to accentuate the home or property. All furniture is rented monthly, and this includes delivery and pick up.

Professional home stagers use furniture and accessories as tools to market your home to sell. You can trust that as certified professionals, we have a keen eye, refined taste, and are trained to identify and highlight the positives of your home to buyers. With your real estate agent, we can give you an honest opinion on what works in your home, what doesn’t, and what needs to change in order to appeal to a specific audience (seniors, first time buyers, high-income) or a wide range of homebuyers. Our work results in well-appointed spaces.

Depending on the scope of the project, staging usually takes one day to set up and one to take down. If we are “showcasing” (using what you have), it is typically a half-day, after decluttering, depersonalizing and repairs have been completed by the homeowner.

Until the home is sold; they are rented by month. On average, staged homes sell 73% faster than non-staged homes (source: Study by the Real Estate Staging Association, 2018).

Absolutely. The process is the same and we are flexible when it comes to staging spaces to get them ready for sale or for potentials renters. We believe in helping you put your best foot forward! Staging does that.

We serve Northeastern Nova Scotia for about a 30-mile radius around Antigonish. Surrounding communities include Arisaig, Barneys River, Cape George, Heatherton, James River, Lochaber, Lower South River, Malignant Cove, Monastery, Pomquet, and Saint Andrews.

Because How It Stacks Up has specialty training and extensive experience as an Office Organizer, we are happy to work with offices, companies, and businesses based in Halifax if the project spans more than 8 hours’ work. Typical clients are small business owners, university professors, accountants, lawyers, entrepreneurs, architects, and executives. To book a consultation, please Contact us.

Nothing is required on your part. In fact, we ask that you do not clean up so we can get a true and accurate picture of your situation.

For organizing, what fits best is to work alongside us as we guide you to make decisions on what to keep, what to edit out, and where to place or store what’s left. The organizer can work independently once some momentum has been built, decisions are made, and an organizing system is ready to implement. There are situations, however, where the organizer can work alone.

For staging, the Consultation Report requires a guided tour of your home. But for the actual staging process, we work alone.

Before starting work, we ask the client if there are any off-limit areas. We respect your space and know we are temporary guests who will get in, help you, and get out. Organizers expect to find personal items since your home or office is where you spend time. Please be assured we will use discretion in dealing with anything of a personal or confidential nature.

Our policy is 48 hours’ notice to cancel a session. A cancellation made less than 24 hours before the appointment will result in a $25 cancellation fee, payable within seven business days.

Communication, goal setting, planning, and follow through are the keys to success. How It Stacks Up creates a maintainable plan tailored to your home or office in order to organize files and household items, maximize space, and clear clutter. Clients learn new habits, reduce stress, and increase efficiency. Our job is to construct an ideal environment where clients can thrive on their fresh start.

For Staging, we can give an honest opinion on what works in your home, what doesn’t, and what needs to change in order to appeal to a specific audience (seniors, first time buyers, high-income) or a wide range of homebuyers. Our work results in well-appointed spaces.

She sure is! Please check out these topics on which Kathleen can discuss:

• Cluttered Office Holding You Back? Tips & Tricks to Fix It
• Tips & Tricks to Stay Organized & Remain Productive
• Why Organizing is Key to A Peaceful Working Life
• How to Organize Your Workspace
• From Paper Mess to Organized Success
• Why We Procrastinate and How to Stop
• How to Optimize Your Desk
• 10 Tips for Smart Filing