Stager

One idea is to check in furniture stores, or stores that sell new kitchens. Some employ decorators or "designers" that will give free advice if you buy new cabinets, etc. I would presume that they would be more mass appeal oriented as opposed to a true interior decorator. In "home tours" around here, they are the ones who decorate the homes for viewing, with their store's products.

I did exactly what you are wanting to do, I used an ID. They are also very adept at knowing the market and know what to do for cost vs. return. Mine did a great job, I sold in December at a very high price for my area.
What area of SoCal are you in?

This is what I did for years-find a good stager. It will be less expensive and this is what they are trained for. A GREAT stager can help you accomplish what you need to with a minimum cash outlay. My fees as a designer ewere different and invariably higher-it's a whole different ballgame!
Pattie

Where are you in S. Ca? If you have found an agent, he may have a recommendation for a stager~IMO, an ID would charge more(read pattiem93's post).

You might want to stat by posting over at the decorating forum~you can get some great help over there! If you can post pictures, a couple of the gals can even photo shop for you, which can give you a pespective before you paint/make purchaces. ;o)

patty_cakes

Staging is not decorating. (I we had signature lines that would be mine.) A stager is geared to help you present your home in a manner that appeals to a broad audience. An ID will decorate according to your taste, budget and family life. Definitely not what you want for selling. You are trying to depersonalize your house. Decorating is personalizing your home.

Vast difference.

I'd speak to the realtor 1st. In this market you may not need to do all you are planning.

Well said xamsx!

I'm in Orange County, specifically Newport.

As pattiem93 mentioned, stagers are great when we're talking about minimizing the money spent. From what I've read about staging, its about mainly using what you already have and making it appear nicer. And, that's great but my concern is what happens when the place needs a rehaul where things need to replaced because they're either broken or dated. Do stagers really have experience for that type of work?

I'm also somewhat concerned because the requirements can be so minimal- something like a three day course. How do I know if I'm dealing with a Great one or just a mediocre one? Sure, there's the portfolio but that requires a certain level of taste to be able to judge how succesful the staging was. But, if I had that taste level, then I probably wouldn't be using a stager in the first place.

Maybe you could find somebody that is both. An interior designer that also does staging. That should cover all you are concerned with.

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Selling or Renting it?