Frequently Asked Questions

Home Staging, the RESP® Certification Program, and Continued Education

Click one of these links to go to the frequently asked questions that are most relevant to your questions

General FAQs

I purchased something from your website, but now I can’t find where to access it – can you help?

To log in and access your product/course/ebook, go to Courses.StyledListedSold.com and click on “Login” in the top right corner (if you can’t remember your password, you can click on “Forgot Password” to reset it). Once you are logged in, click on “My Dashboard” in the top left-hand corner. This will bring up your Student Dashboard and show you the courses/products that you have. Click on the course/product that you wish to access. 

Do you offer other courses for home staging besides the certification course?

Yes, we offer a variety of continuing education courses, focused around all facets of running a home staging business, from perfecting the various techniques to operating the day-to-day business. Click here for a full listing of the courses available now and coming soon.

I recently registered for an upcoming webinar but cannot attend – will there be a replay?

All of our live webinars provide a free limited-time replay to all those that registered for the webinar, but you MUST be registered to receive this. That said, if you can attend live we highly recommend trying to do so as this will provide you with the opportunity to ask specific questions. In addition, we often offer a special “gift” to those that attend live.

Is home decorating the same as home staging?

Home decorating and home staging are quite different. In general, while home decorating focuses on making the interior of a home more pleasing and functional for its owners, home staging focuses on marketing a property. Home staging uses processes, techniques and standard principles for showcasing and merchandising a property. It also includes understanding buyers and buyer perceptions.

Do I need to have a creative eye for design to become a Real Estate Staging Professional?

Yes, absolutely. While you can be taught tips and techniques to put your natural abilities to great use, if creativity is something that does not come naturally to you, you will likely struggle to create the solutions that your clients need.

Do I need a license to become a home stager?

Home staging is a self-regulated industry. This means that there is no set standard of training or certification that is required in order to operate as a home stager. 

While you may have a creative eye, there is significant value to being certified as a home staging professional, and having a greater understanding of home staging principles. With your RESP® Certification, you will learn how to provide professional home staging services (not just make a home look pretty), manage clients, find clients, run a business, and scale without burning out, in order to provide your clients with the highest quality of service. There are a number of changes coming to the home staging industry, and a level of regulation is in the works, with certification being a requirement.  What the “regulation” will look like as a whole has yet to be determined, but you can expect to see this rolled out over the next couple of years. Whether you are operating your business part-time or full-time, your clients will have an expectation to receive expert advice for preparing their largest investment for sale, ensuring that they attract the right buyers and maximize the sale of their home.

We want you to have realistic expectations, and we want to help you to achieve your goals. As with any career you embark upon, it is important that you understand what is entailed and what will be expected from you. Home Staging is gruelling work but very rewarding if you have a passion for it. SLS Academy and the Real Estate Staging Professional (RESP®) Certification can provide you with the professional home stager training you need, providing a real-world view. Your professional training can be a key differentiator in the marketplace. 

Do you offer any live/in-person training, or is it all done online?

SLS Academy’s training is primarily structured as on-demand online training. This allows you to learn at your own pace, while also providing you with 24/7 access to training materials should you need a refresher. Your lifetime access also allows you to receive any updated training and modules without the need to re-attend a full class. SLS Academy CEO Shauna Lynn Simon often speaks at live events and conferences, and we also offer frequent live webinars.

Do I need to download any specific software or program to complete your courses/use your products?
When it comes to viewing your training materials, technically all you will need is a computer, or a mobile device, and an Internet connection! This is a fully functioning online platform, so if you would prefer to keep all of your training materials online, you won’t need any additional software.

If you wish to download the module notes, and other reading files, you can do so with Adobe Reader, which you can get here:

We offer numerous templates in many of our courses. For our “Create-your-own” templates, you will need Microsoft Office, or a compatible spreadsheet, word processing, and PowerPoint presentation program. You can get your Office software here:

What if I have questions about a course or product once I’ve purchased it?

We offer in-course discussion in all of our courses. Simply click on the “Discussion” button in the upper left-hand corner of your course or product and ask what you need help with. Someone else may have already asked your question as well – when you click on “Discussion” you will see previous questions asked, and the answers received.

How long do I have access to the product/course that I purchased?

All SLS Academy courses and digital products are sold with lifetime access. You will not be charged a renewal membership fee, nor do we have additional fees for future course updates, these are all provided to you automatically at no cost. We are committed to providing you with the most up to date information. If you have a Home Staging Business Builders Training Centre membership, you will be charged for your membership monthly until you cancel it.

Can I purchase the course in my local currency?

All of our pricing is in USD – since we service all over the world, and USD is the most universal currency. We do offer CDN and US versions of many downloads due to the spelling inconsistencies of the two countries, but the pricing remains the same. All information is provided in English only, but CDN versions will provide the correct spelling for most countries outside of the US (i.e. CDN version spells “colour” where the US version spells “color”).

What if I am not happy with my purchase, can I get my money back?

Course fees will be refunded, in their entirety, provided that no more than ten (10) percent of the course material has been viewed and downloaded. In addition, a request for refund or exchange credit is submitted, in writing, no later than the 7th day after purchase.

If for any reason you feel that our course or product is not of an acceptable standard, or does not deliver what we promised, you may be eligible for a full refund. Contact us within 10 days of completing the course or product to review your options. For full money-back guarantee details, click here.

How do I get started?

Ready to get started on your way to becoming a certified Home Stager? Simply head over to the Get Started page to sign up and to take advantage of some of our fantastic – and free – resources.

I still have questions…

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@styledlistedsold.com.

RESP Certification FAQs

Is home decorating the same as home staging?
Home decorating and home staging are quite different. In general, while home decorating focuses on making the interior of a home more pleasing and functional for its owners, home staging focuses on marketing a property. Home staging uses processes, techniques and standard principles for showcasing and merchandising a property. It also includes understanding buyers and buyer perceptions.
Do I need to have a creative eye for design to become a Real Estate Staging Professional?

Yes, absolutely. While you can be taught tips and techniques to put your natural abilities to great use, if creativity is something that does not come naturally to you, you will likely struggle to create the solutions that your clients need.

Is a Home Staging business a low-cost start-up?
The initial investment required will depend on your business model, but regardless, it’s a business like any other business, and you should expect to invest in its success. We have a great FREE mini-course that provides additional insights about the investment that you can expect from a career in home staging. To register for this free course, click here.
How much money can I expect to make as a home stager?

Ultimately, you dictate your success – how successful you are, and how much money you make, will depend on the time that you invest to build and grow your business. It will also vary depending on the size of the company that you build, and the business model that you select. SLS Academy can help you to choose the direction that best fits your needs, and help you to achieve your goals. We are dedicated to your success, and turning your passion into a profitable and sustainable career!

How do I decide if home staging is for me?

We understand that you likely have some questions before getting started. Here are just a few options to help you to get the answers that you are looking for:

  • We have a great FREE mini-course that provides additional insights about the investment that you can expect from a career in home staging. To register for this free course, click here.
  • Set up a 1-on-1 chat with Shauna Lynn Simon, CEO and Lead Trainer.  You can ask any questions you have about what a career in staging involves, discuss what your goals are, and create a bit of an action plan.
  • We also offer the opportunity to job-shadow a local home stager prior to enrolling in the RESP certification program, for an additional fee and no strings attached. Taking advantage of this prior to receiving your certification allows you a glimpse at what it means to become a Real Estate Staging Professional BEFORE you invest in the training. 
Do I really need training?

It’s true what they say – knowledge truly is power.

Home staging is a self-regulated industry. Unlike real estate, you can choose to ignore professional training. And people who do often struggle, fall into debt buying inventory without planning, and give up within their first year of business.

While you may have a creative eye, there is significant value to being certified as a home staging professional, and having a greater understanding of home staging principles. With your RESP® Certification, you will learn how to provide professional home staging services (not just make a home look pretty), manage clients, find clients, run a business, and scale without burning out, in order to provide your clients with the highest quality of service. There are a number of changes coming to the home staging industry, and a level of regulation is in the works, with certification being a requirement.  What the “regulation” will look like as a whole has yet to be determined, but you can expect to see this rolled out over the next couple of years. Whether you are operating your business part-time or full-time, your clients will have an expectation to receive expert advise for preparing their largest investment for sale, ensuring that they attract the right buyers and maximize the sale of their home.

We want you to have realistic expectations, and we want to help you to achieve your goals. As with any career you embark upon, it is important that you understand what is entailed and what will be expected from you. Home Staging is gruelling work but very rewarding if you have a passion for it. SLS Academy and the Real Estate Staging Professional (RESP) Certification can provide you with the professional home staging training you need ~ providing a real-world view. Your professional training can be a key differentiator in the marketplace.

What sets the RESP® Certification Program apart from other training programs?

SLS Academy was created because Shauna Lynn Simon saw a critical need for a better training program! One that offers extensive training, support, and real insights into the world of a home stager, and the real estate industry. Shauna Lynn Simon is an active, practicing home stager. This means that all of the course material is current and applies to today’s world of home staging. We believe that real-world experiences are key, and provide actual staging scenarios throughout the training.  Our training program offers multi-media training, including video tutorials, slides, worksheets plus other downloads, including cheat sheets, and customizable templates.  Additionally, our mentoring and job shadowing services help to ensure that you receive the complete picture. All of this, plus lifetime access to your training means that you will never miss a critical industry update!

What does my RESP® certification training include?

This is an all-inclusive program. You will receive all of the course materials and tools to complete your training, along with access to SLS Academy accredited vendors, and additional special offers exclusive to RESP®’s.  You will receive access to the online training program (included 22 comprehensive training modules plus countless customizable templates), and you will also be sent tools to complete your training, including your RESP® toolbelt and consultation tool kit along with a colour wheel, tote bag, and Sherwin Williams fan deck. You will also receive access to our exclusive members-only Facebook group AND upon completion of your training you will receive access to our Webinar Replay All-Access Pass (including all past and future webinars) and our award-winning Client Care Package.

Does the RESP™ Certification Training Course offer redesign training?

With completion of the RESP™ training, you will be qualified to work as both in home staging and redesign, and provide these services confidently to your clients. We cover a variety of design elements in detail, and address the difference between staging a home for selling vs staging a home for living.

What is the training format?

Our online-based training allows you to learn conveniently at your own pace, and provides information in easy to understand, bite-sized pieces. The course is laid out in 22 modules, which are released over 22 days, and offers detailed insights into buyer and seller behaviours, as well as all of the techniques needed to be a successful home stager, from home staging principles to managing your home staging projects. Each module contains training videos, notes, and useful downloads and templates.

I learn better in a classroom setting – does SLS Academy offer an in-class training option?

At this time, all SLS Academy courses are offered online only. This allows us to continue to provide you with valuable content as soon as it is available.

What if I have questions throughout the course?

We offer discussion opportunities, both within our online training, as well as our private Facebook group for RESP students and graduates. Within the online training, you can ask questions about any of the material that you have, or discuss projects and/or challenges. Our Facebook group is a great resource for you to meet other stagers that you might want to collaborate with, share ideas, and receive honest feedback. We also host regular “office hours” within the Facebook group, where Shauna Lynn answers questions live in real-time.

Will I receive any feedback while I am completing the course modules?

While you have the opportunity to ask questions while working through the modules, overall feedback is provided when you have completed the course; typically within two weeks of completion. An assigned tutor will grade your assignments and provide you with personalized feedback. Any questions that you may have thereafter can be directed to your tutor who is assigned to support you.  

How much is the course?

Currently, the cost of the RESP® Certification Program is $1,497 USD. We also offer a 3-payment option of only $575 / payment.

Can I purchase the course in my local currency?

All of our pricing is in USD – since we service all over the world, and USD is the most universal currency. We do offer CDN and US versions of many downloads due to the spelling inconsistencies of the two countries, but the pricing remains the same. All information is provided in English only, but CDN versions will provide the correct spelling for most countries outside of the US (i.e. CDN version spells “colour” where the US version spells “color”).

What happens once I have registered for the course?

You will receive a registration email immediately after enrolling in the course (if you do not see it in your inbox, be sure to check your spam/junk folder).  You will want to log in to your training platform as soon as possible to provide us with your mailing address so that we can ship you all of the training materials that you need.

To login and access your product, go to Courses.StyledListedSold.com and click on “Login” in the top right corner (if you can’t remember your password, you can click on “Forgot Password” to reset it). Once you’re logged in, click on “My Dashboard” in the top left-hand corner. This will bring up your Student Dashboard and show you the courses/products that you have. The RESP course consists of 22 modules, and has been designed to release a new module each day.  Each module should be completed in the order that it appears, as it may be referenced in a future module. Since the course is online, you can start any time. That’s the beauty of a self-paced course!

Note: We recommend completing the RESP Certification course BEFORE starting the Business of Staging course. 

Should I take the Business of Staging course, or will I get everything that I need from the RESP® Certification course?

The RESP® Certification Program provides detailed online course instruction that will help you understand the nature of the home staging industry, how to create winning designs, and access to an extensive library of templates and checklists to help you to execute every service seamlessly. 

Our Business of Staging course provides you with everything that you need to launch your home staging business. Focus is placed on the skills and knowledge needed to execute a successful business plan, including but not limited to, setting your policies and procedures, identifying your key service market, marketing message, pricing, and contracts, and the course takes you step-by-step through executing a business plan to suit your new business.

Most of our students find benefit in taking both courses, however if you have a strong business background, you may not feel that you need the Business of Staging course.

If I take the certification training from SLS Academy, what other fees will I be expected to pay, either immediately or in the future?

NONE! Your initial course investment will provide you with lifetime access to the certification training modules online, as well as any other online training materials provided.  You will not be charged a renewal membership fee, nor do we have additional fees for our templates for RESP students.  We are committed to providing you with the most up to date information regarding the industry and home staging trends. Since your RESP membership doesn’t expire, you will be able to enjoy all of the value that we continue to add to the program, for no additional cost.  

If you wish to continue to invest in your continuing education, there are a number of additional courses available. Some are offered at no charge, while others may charge a small fee.  We also offer additional coaching and mentoring opportunities for a fee, and we offer a complimentary Strategy Session to get you started.​

I operate a home staging team and would like to provide training to my team members – can I purchase the RESP® Certification for my team members?

Absolutely! Not only can you train your team members as RESP®s, but we offer a special team package specifically designed for employers like yourself. Our packages provide special employer extras and bonuses for helping you to manage your team, including an employee handbook template, sample job postings, review form templates, and more! Click here to see all of the packages available. To set up a time to review your options with Shauna Lynn, click here.

What happens when I have completed the RESP® Certification course?

Congratulations! Your home staging career is off to a great start. You will receive your RESP® completion certificate by mail, and will be provided with all affiliated authorized trademarks and logos immediately by email. This includes a RESP® badge that may be used on all of your promotional materials. We will continue to update our training material as real estate and design trends change over the years, and since you have lifetime access to the RESP® course material, you will be notified of any future updates that may be made to the course.

What if I want additional learning opportunities after I have completed the RESP® Certification course?

We offer a variety of continuing education courses, focused around all facets of running a home staging business, from perfecting the various techniques to operating the day-to-day business. Click here for a full listing of the courses available.

What if I am not happy with the RESP® course - can I get my money back?

We’ve invested time, money and creativity into our revolutionary home stager training program, and we fully guarantee it. If for any reason you feel that our course is not of an acceptable standard, or does not deliver what we promised, you may request a full refund. Some conditions apply – for full details, click here.

We are committed to your success. We want you to succeed! We want you to invest in your own professional development and reap the benefits in your career. That’s why we’re happy to take all the financial risk on your behalf.

I’m ready to sign up for the RESP Certification Program. What do I need to do?

You can use this secure link to register and process your payment.  Thank you for trusting us with your further education in Home Staging and welcome to SLS Academy.

I still have questions…

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@styledlistedsold.com

Continued Education FAQs

What is the Business of Staging course?

Our Business of Staging course provides you with everything that you need to launch your home staging business. Focus is placed on the skills and knowledge needed to execute a successful business plan, including but not limited to, setting your policies and procedures, identifying your key service market, marketing message, pricing, and contracts, and the course takes you step-by-step through executing a business plan to suit your new business.

NOTE: This course is designed for home staging professionals that have already received their certification training, either through SLS Academy’s RESP® Certification program, or another qualified provider.

Thank you for your interest in SLS Academy and the RESP Certification Program.

We look forward to joining you on your journey to becoming a Real Estate Staging Professional (RESP®)!