All the furniture in this room was rented.

By Patricia Kelly-Ruiz

Most homeowners have never been involved with furniture rentals and even many seasoned real estate agents have never dealt with it.

At my Toronto staging company, when we talk about renting furniture we mean the larger items such as sofas and chairs, dining sets, large carpets, bistro sets and beds. We own wall art, decorative items and accessories and linens but rent these larger items.

We work with what a homeowner has whenever we can. This means furniture rental can involve complete rooms or partial rooms or just one impactful piece.

Here how it works. First, we come to the property to do a consult or a needs assessment. We also discuss budget and create a vision for the space. We keep in mind the target market, staging principals and the all-important photos. Every home and homeowner is different and each staging scenario is unique.

This room has a mix of rented and vendor-owned furniture.

Next we order the furniture we need, receive it at the home and determine the furniture configuration, placement and co-ordination with accessories. When the furniture is delivered, the best rental companies bring it wrapped, clean and with floor protectors.

Once the home is sold we make arrangements for pick up.

The rental is based on a one-month period and must be paid for by the client (homeowner or agent) before delivery. If an extension is required, most rental companies charge either 20 per cent less for the second month or will pro-rate.

We have worked with agents who pay 100 per cent of staging costs and with agents who pay up to a certain amount with the vendor paying the balance. Sometimes vendors foot the whole bill. Usually agents pay for our initial consult or needs assessment fee when there is one.

Patricia Kelly-Ruiz is the founder and principal stager of Regroup Property Stylists. Madeleine (Maddy) Kelly-Ruiz is senior stager and graphic designer.

www.regroupps.com; 416-277-3282; [email protected]