Let’s face it, we all love deals.  Why should we buy something at full retail markup when you can buy the same item below wholesale price?  In Toronto there are many places to go in one’s search for “the great deal” – i.e. Aarons Clearance Centre. The best kept secrets are at furniture rental companies.

For the stationary, sitting in front of the computer and searching on marketplaces such as Kijiji, Craigslist or eBay, may be a start to find out what is available at any given time by people wanting to re-sell their personal property.  Consignment stores can be fun.  These are, retail stores dedicated to have individual’s products put in a showroom, for a consignment fee, so the public can visit.  You’ll be amazed at some of the treasures (and junk!) that you will see.  Sometimes newspapers and even websites announce weekly bargains that retail stores are having.  My favourite, of course, is visiting reputable furniture rental companies who have structured clearance centres.  If they are legitimate clearance stores, they truly will have their furnishings below original wholesale price.

All products like sofas, living room sets, mattresses, dining room sets, kitchen sets, bedroom sets and so much more have been previously rented to executives who have temporarily been relocated, used for home staging (to sell homes).  In addition, office furniture, such as filing cabinets, desks, office chairs, workstations, screens, worktables, etc. have come back from lease, tradeshows or simply became excess inventory.  I suggest you visit and actually see the furniture first hand.  Ask if there are any monthly discount coupons.  If you like to bargain, make the sales person sweat a bit (hey, it’s used furniture!!) but don’t be unreasonable or rude.  Remember, a good deal is only good if both parties walk away satisfied (My Dad always said that!).

I came across an interesting quote the other day, and I think it aptly applies to bargain hunting.  It read “Perception is reality….only to the ignorant.”  If you are truly looking for something at a good price, research the product and who you are buying it from.  Perhaps ask for references.  Do they stand behind the product or simply say, It’s used.  You get what you paid for”.  False expectation should never be sold….by anyone!

So, need to find the perfect piece of furniture for your basement, or furnish a complete office with furniture that has been depreciated?  No problem.  Find a reputable furniture rental company and enjoy the hunt! Contact us for more information about furniture rental.

I love home staging! Over the past 10 years, home staging has exploded into a legitimate, professional full time industry, when in fact, it once was the exclusive domain of “home decorators” and interior designers. It is estimated that over 1300+  graduate an initial certificated home staging course annually in Ontario . Hey, you can even buy a copy of “Home Staging for Dummies”.

So what makes home stagers good? Well, like all professions, the “good ones” are locked in the 20/80 rule. Twenty per cent of all home stagers are doing 80% of all the business. It is not too dissimilar to what is experienced by the real estate industry. Like real estate, the top home stagers are entrepreneurial, professional, detail-oriented and have an instinctive feeling of what is best for the client and their main objective – to sell his/her property!

Although from the outside home staging may seem easy to do….like just taking a 3-day course and off you go! But that only takes you to the 5-yard line. It prepares potential home stagers with the tools to become a successful professional. Enhancing one’s education with additional learning modules and experience greatly helps, learning to be resourceful takes any home stager to a new level.

Aside from window coverings, paint and accessories, furniture rental for home staging can be essential to the look required. Everything from living to dining to bedroom furnishings are available to transform a home in 48 hours.

Honestly, I have seen homes sit on the market for 4 months, yet, after home staging with furniture rentals, it sold in one weekend!!

What I don’t understand is that some home sellers are prepared to pay up to 5%  in commission, yet balk at an introductory consultation with a home stager for around $250. Furthermore, I have seen home sellers pay as low as .002% of the selling price to have a home sell quickly with home staging. That’s a lot of zeros in the opposite direction. It doesn’t result to much money, yet, it works!

As home staging further progresses as a marketing tool, I foresee national or international standards created for home stagers, again to be compared to the real estate industry or design community who have created licensing qualifications for its  members. This would even instill greater confidence to clients and more importantly, it will just make better home stagers.

I hope in the future to further illustrate how furniture rental in Toronto (Ontario) has transformed itself very quickly to the demand of home staging professionals. In fact, it has made furniture rental companies better from a product offering and service perspective.

Moral to the Blog: Hire a home stager and sell that home now!