Home Stagers Today - Home Staging People Profile

Home Staging People Profile - Jitka Kobzova

Interior Designer, Jitka Kobzova, moved to England in 2008 to expand her existing interior design business and add London to her international client base, namely, Dubai, Kuwait and her native Czech Republic.

In order to offer the best service possible and improve her understanding of the English market more extensively, Jitka studied at the JJAADA Academy of Art and Design in West London, and the British Academy of Home Staging. Now a Certified Home Staging and Styling Professional, and member of The Home Staging Network, Jitka realizes how important Home Staging has become in helping to get the housing market moving again in the current economic crisis. With so many people experiencing difficulty selling or letting their homes, she is a passionate advocate for Home Staging.

BEFORE	AFTER

“So many people find it hard to move out of their property in an emotional sense before selling or letting it,” said Jitka. “A lot of people really don’t even think about that aspect of the process. They may have lived in their homes for several years and, when it comes time to sell they don’t even notice the clutter under the stairs, or the dated wallpaper in the dining room.” She continued, “When the house market was thriving, it wasn’t such a problem, but now that things are so hard financially for everyone, and house prices have fallen, potential buyers are much more careful and critical of what they spend their money on. That is where Home Staging comes in and really makes a difference.”

Jitka is busier with the Home Staging side of her business than her interior design work at the moment, and loves the human side of the story. “I cannot tell you how rewarding it feels when I have helped someone transform their home into a saleable commodity. It’s not just about creating a house that appeals to buyers, it also transforms that person - enabling them to move on with their life. It’s thrilling for me to experience this positive change.”

One example of just such a scenario happened recently when Jitka was approached by a prospective client who owned a flat in an apartment block in a prestigious area of Central London. Jitka explained, “The client needed to sell quickly as he was already in the process of purchasing his new home. His apartment, however, had been on the market for 3 months and he hadn’t received any interest at all, and viewings had completely stopped.

Once I saw the apartment, it was clear to me where the problems were. Although it was in good general condition, it was packed with rather dated furniture and a little run down in places. By spending two days removing the excess furniture, repositioning some pieces, thoroughly cleaning throughout and re-painting, removing personal items and updating light shades and soft furnishings, the difference was remarkable.” Jitka beamed as she informed me that her client received an offer on his apartment for the full asking price the very next day!

Jitka’s Czech branch of her Home Staging business, Home Staging s.r.o., is the first Home Staging company ever launched in Czech Republic. “There isn’t even a word for it in the Czech language!”, laughed Jitka. “I am very excited about introducing Home Staging to a new marketplace.”

Jitka Kobzova was born in Czech Republic and lived in Kuwait and Dubai from 1981-2008. Now based in London, she continues to expand her business, working internationally in London, Czech Republic, Kuwait and Dubai, building on the expertise she has achieved over the last 20 years.