Home Staging Gets a Red Eye in Chicago

"You can rent movies. You can rent an apartment. If you live or work in a street-parking desert, you can even rent a space for your ride. So why not add luxury to that list?" This is what Kyra Kyles wrote the introduction to her cover story in last weeks Red Eye Newspaper. (For those of you that don't know what a "Red Eye" is... well it is the hip urban free daily newspaper published by the Tribune Corporation here in Chicago.)

The article, entitled "Rent An Image" looked at some of the interesting luxury items that are available to rent in Chicago-land. Well, I have to admit I never considered the props we have available as ubber LUXURY items, like the Austin Martin automobiles and the Prada handbags the article spoke of. But Kyra who interviewed Real Estaging for a side bar story entitled "Go ahead and rent that furniture", (Click on image on lwft to enlarge) pointed out the fact that props can be rented to help you sell your home for more money (Click on image at left to read it). Besides making homes look more appealing, staging has helped sellers make more money when they RAISED the asking price. as well as help to sell homes faster... and considering "time is money" staging a home should be a considered in this current market.

Most home seller's think that staging props are rented for use ONLY in and for vacant property sales. Seller's don't know that some home stager's can also rent just the right piece or pieces to finish off the look and appeal of their property as they live there while it on the market. The main advantage of renting is the fact that the seller need not spend the time to shop for decorative items or spend full retail prices to buy those items. The other VERY important advantage of using a stager's props is the fact that a stager knows to use pieces that are UNDERSTATED. When selling your home, your house needs to be the star, not the stuff in it. Experienced stagers know how to create a "put together look" with out our stuff ending up being a beautiful distraction.

So thanks Red Eye... your unique story angle helps to make another fine point about home staging.

Me


PS: If you would like to see an entire PDF sample of Chicago's Red Eye Newspaper... CLICK HERE.

Home Staging Gets a Red Eye in Chicago

"You can rent movies. You can rent an apartment. If you live or work in a street-parking desert, you can even rent a space for your ride. So why not add luxury to that list?" This is what Kyra Kyles wrote the introduction to her cover story in last weeks Red Eye Newspaper. (For those of you that don't know what a "Red Eye" is... well it is the hip urban free daily newspaper published by the Tribune Corporation here in Chicago.)

The article, entitled "Rent An Image" looked at some of the interesting luxury items that are available to rent in Chicago-land. Well, I have to admit I never considered the props we have available as ubber LUXURY items, like the Austin Martin automobiles and the Prada handbags the article spoke of. But Kyra who interviewed Real Estaging for a side bar story entitled "Go ahead and rent that furniture", (Click on image on lwft to enlarge) pointed out the fact that props can be rented to help you sell your home for more money (Click on image at left to read it). Besides making homes look more appealing, staging has helped sellers make more money when they RAISED the asking price. as well as help to sell homes faster... and considering "time is money" staging a home should be a considered in this current market.

Most home seller's think that staging props are rented for use ONLY in and for vacant property sales. Seller's don't know that some home stager's can also rent just the right piece or pieces to finish off the look and appeal of their property as they live there while it on the market. The main advantage of renting is the fact that the seller need not spend the time to shop for decorative items or spend full retail prices to buy those items. The other VERY important advantage of using a stager's props is the fact that a stager knows to use pieces that are UNDERSTATED. When selling your home, your house needs to be the star, not the stuff in it. Experienced stagers know how to create a "put together look" with out our stuff ending up being a beautiful distraction.

So thanks Red Eye... your unique story angle helps to make another fine point about home staging.

Me


PS: If you would like to see an entire PDF sample of Chicago's Red Eye Newspaper... CLICK HERE.

3 years Ago TODAY, We First Appeared on "STAGE"

Today, is the third anniversary of my first home I ever staged. So, I thought I would reveal the back-story behind my own first home staging experience and how it proved to ME that home staging really works.

Back in March of 2004, after I had completed my studies in interior design at Harrington College of Design, I was asked by a Realtor to "stage" a high rise condo in Chicago, which actually had a lot working against its potential sale. I can remember thinking... "Staging? What the heck is that?" You see at that time, I really knew NOTHING about home staging. So I researched what I could on the web. However, unfortunately at that time, there was not as much information available as there is today on sits such as in Active Rain's Stage It Forward group. But there was enough that I was able to get the "basics" of what staging is all about… which was to de-clutter and let the HOUSE be the STAR not the STUFF in it.So with this new found LIMITED information I did the next best thing I could do... I blended this new understanding with: 1.) My own life experiences of multiple moves (where my father, an account executive for United Air Lines, always had us get the house "ready for selling" each time we were transferred) 2.) My newly educated creative passion (interior design) and 3.) My professional career experiences spanning the past 20 years (sales, marketing and most importantly and helpful... advertising).

I can recall going out and buying nearly $700 worth of props for this 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo and thinking "what would I do with all these nic-nacs & fake plants when the condo sold?" But, I didn't worry too much... as I figured I could always use the after photos as part of my interior design portfolio. (Odd thing is I DON'T use these photos in either our interior design portfolio OR our staging portfolio.)

Well, anyway, the home staging not only worked... and worked FANTASTICALLY!

The property sold in 10 days, had 3 offers and sold over its original list price! While selling over list is not unheard of, what makes this QUITE unique is the fact that NOTHING had been selling it the ENTIRE high-rise for months as any new owner was going to be hit with a special assessment for new windows. In the case of this particular corner unit the special assessment was going to be an astounding $20,000!

Plus what was also working against the sale was its original kitchen (ugly dated metal cabinets) and there were OTHER units in the same tier of the high-rise with fully renovated kitchens. So you can see why I say much was working against the sale of this condo.

It is no surprise, and rightfully so, that the Listing Realtor still takes great pride in the fact that for over 2 years after it sold this unit held the selling price record for a non-renovated 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom unit in this condominium high-rise.

This whole experience was AMAZING to me… I learned FIRST HAND just how awesome of a marketing tool home staging can be when it comes to selling real estate.

Needless to say, I was SOLD ON STAGING in Chicago… and on that day I became a home stager and Real Estaging was born.

Stage It Forward...
Me

3 years Ago TODAY, We First Appeared on "STAGE"

Today, is the third anniversary of my first home I ever staged. So, I thought I would reveal the back-story behind my own first home staging experience and how it proved to ME that home staging really works.

Back in March of 2004, after I had completed my studies in interior design at Harrington College of Design, I was asked by a Realtor to "stage" a high rise condo in Chicago, which actually had a lot working against its potential sale. I can remember thinking... "Staging? What the heck is that?" You see at that time, I really knew NOTHING about home staging. So I researched what I could on the web. However, unfortunately at that time, there was not as much information available as there is today on sits such as in Active Rain's Stage It Forward group. But there was enough that I was able to get the "basics" of what staging is all about… which was to de-clutter and let the HOUSE be the STAR not the STUFF in it.So with this new found LIMITED information I did the next best thing I could do... I blended this new understanding with: 1.) My own life experiences of multiple moves (where my father, an account executive for United Air Lines, always had us get the house "ready for selling" each time we were transferred) 2.) My newly educated creative passion (interior design) and 3.) My professional career experiences spanning the past 20 years (sales, marketing and most importantly and helpful... advertising).

I can recall going out and buying nearly $700 worth of props for this 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo and thinking "what would I do with all these nic-nacs & fake plants when the condo sold?" But, I didn't worry too much... as I figured I could always use the after photos as part of my interior design portfolio. (Odd thing is I DON'T use these photos in either our interior design portfolio OR our staging portfolio.)

Well, anyway, the home staging not only worked... and worked FANTASTICALLY!

The property sold in 10 days, had 3 offers and sold over its original list price! While selling over list is not unheard of, what makes this QUITE unique is the fact that NOTHING had been selling it the ENTIRE high-rise for months as any new owner was going to be hit with a special assessment for new windows. In the case of this particular corner unit the special assessment was going to be an astounding $20,000!

Plus what was also working against the sale was its original kitchen (ugly dated metal cabinets) and there were OTHER units in the same tier of the high-rise with fully renovated kitchens. So you can see why I say much was working against the sale of this condo.

It is no surprise, and rightfully so, that the Listing Realtor still takes great pride in the fact that for over 2 years after it sold this unit held the selling price record for a non-renovated 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom unit in this condominium high-rise.

This whole experience was AMAZING to me… I learned FIRST HAND just how awesome of a marketing tool home staging can be when it comes to selling real estate.

Needless to say, I was SOLD ON STAGING in Chicago… and on that day I became a home stager and Real Estaging was born.

Stage It Forward...
Me

Show Thanks & Share Your Message... in a Bubbly Way

I know I write a lot on real estate staging. But my REAL passion is marketing and advertising. I LOVE finding new ways to break through the typical "advertising noise" and connect with people in the market. (Staging happens to be an amazing tool that cuts through the noise of other ordinary properties in the market... that is why I am so committed to it.)

Anyway, a few years ago we decide to divert some of our advertising dollars out of our print media budget and find ways to connect to our clients and potential clients in more creative and rewarding way. So what did we do? We threw a small party!

Well, actually we always had a personal holiday party... we just decided to give it over to our company.

We gave the party a name "Tween the Holidays" so that ALL (regardless of religious beliefs) knew they were welcome. (We don't specify which holidays it is ‘tween... heck, we could be talking about Halloween and Valentines Day.) THEN we gave it a theme twist... we made it a Champagne Party!

The best date to have this party we found is the night right BEFORE the last work day before the New Year's holiday break. Why on this day? Because no one typically plans a party for that night, hence no conflicts. And since no one really WANTS to work the next day... our party is well attended! Last year we had over 125 people.

Providing Champagne for this many party goers could be costly venture. So to spread the expense around we ask those we invite to bring one bottle of (QUALITY) champagne. We then of course provide more drink and the food. Typically we can cover the night's food and drink for under $800... which is really not the expensive when you look at the cost of ONE 1/4 page ad in a local newspaper.

To make the party a bit more intriguing there is another fun gimmick tied to the party night. Well, we also ask that people bring and donate one champagne flute. To date we have nearly 100 different glasses in the party's collection. THIS is a great ice breaker... and a unique conversation starter.

Finally, we invite EVERYONE! Friends, clients, family, colleagues, network contacts, neighbors, potential clients... you name all are welcome! All who are invited are welcome to invite who ever they like too.

The party is starting to generate and ride on its own "BUZZ!" So to make it even better we are "giving" the party over to a local not-for-profit. Of course our name is "on" it... but someone else now can benefit too.

I share this with you all because it doesn't take much time, its effective and its fun. I hope you spin my idea in your own way to help you and your business

Stage it forward...

Craig (Me)

PS: Consider yourself invited, if you are interested in attending. Again ALL are welcome. If interested please RSVP. (I will send you the location details.)

POST SCRIPT & UPDATE:

All of us, at Real Estaging, were delighted and thrilled when Chicago Agent Magazine, Chicago's premier news & trade publication reporting on Chicago's real estate industry, choose to cover our event. I have to say that Chicago Agent Magazine has consistently been a champion for Real Estaging's success... so I don't know how to thank them enough. But I will find a way...

Anyway, here is a reprint of the photo spread that Chicago Agent published on our event in there February 12th issue.

THANK YOU so very much Jennifer Morrell, Editor. In this age where ONLY the "big dogs" seem to get all the attention, Jennifer choose to include us... a small dog of the real estate industry here in Chicago.

Plus, we would like to extend an EXTRA SPECIAL THANK YOU to Jodi Schallman, Events Photographer for the magazine. Next year, Jodi you need to come as a GUEST and let some one else shoot us... you are TOO much fun.

Me (Again)

Show Thanks & Share Your Message... in a Bubbly Way

I know I write a lot on real estate staging. But my REAL passion is marketing and advertising. I LOVE finding new ways to break through the typical "advertising noise" and connect with people in the market. (Staging happens to be an amazing tool that cuts through the noise of other ordinary properties in the market... that is why I am so committed to it.)

Anyway, a few years ago we decide to divert some of our advertising dollars out of our print media budget and find ways to connect to our clients and potential clients in more creative and rewarding way. So what did we do? We threw a small party!

Well, actually we always had a personal holiday party... we just decided to give it over to our company.

We gave the party a name "Tween the Holidays" so that ALL (regardless of religious beliefs) knew they were welcome. (We don't specify which holidays it is ‘tween... heck, we could be talking about Halloween and Valentines Day.) THEN we gave it a theme twist... we made it a Champagne Party!

The best date to have this party we found is the night right BEFORE the last work day before the New Year's holiday break. Why on this day? Because no one typically plans a party for that night, hence no conflicts. And since no one really WANTS to work the next day... our party is well attended! Last year we had over 125 people.

Providing Champagne for this many party goers could be costly venture. So to spread the expense around we ask those we invite to bring one bottle of (QUALITY) champagne. We then of course provide more drink and the food. Typically we can cover the night's food and drink for under $800... which is really not the expensive when you look at the cost of ONE 1/4 page ad in a local newspaper.

To make the party a bit more intriguing there is another fun gimmick tied to the party night. Well, we also ask that people bring and donate one champagne flute. To date we have nearly 100 different glasses in the party's collection. THIS is a great ice breaker... and a unique conversation starter.

Finally, we invite EVERYONE! Friends, clients, family, colleagues, network contacts, neighbors, potential clients... you name all are welcome! All who are invited are welcome to invite who ever they like too.

The party is starting to generate and ride on its own "BUZZ!" So to make it even better we are "giving" the party over to a local not-for-profit. Of course our name is "on" it... but someone else now can benefit too.

I share this with you all because it doesn't take much time, its effective and its fun. I hope you spin my idea in your own way to help you and your business

Stage it forward...

Craig (Me)

PS: Consider yourself invited, if you are interested in attending. Again ALL are welcome. If interested please RSVP. (I will send you the location details.)

POST SCRIPT & UPDATE:

All of us, at Real Estaging, were delighted and thrilled when Chicago Agent Magazine, Chicago's premier news & trade publication reporting on Chicago's real estate industry, choose to cover our event. I have to say that Chicago Agent Magazine has consistently been a champion for Real Estaging's success... so I don't know how to thank them enough. But I will find a way...

Anyway, here is a reprint of the photo spread that Chicago Agent published on our event in there February 12th issue.

THANK YOU so very much Jennifer Morrell, Editor. In this age where ONLY the "big dogs" seem to get all the attention, Jennifer choose to include us... a small dog of the real estate industry here in Chicago.

Plus, we would like to extend an EXTRA SPECIAL THANK YOU to Jodi Schallman, Events Photographer for the magazine. Next year, Jodi you need to come as a GUEST and let some one else shoot us... you are TOO much fun.

Me (Again)

Did OPRAH'S SHOW Send a Mixed Message to Home Sellers?

It's no secret how much I admire and respect Oprah. So this week when I finally watched Oprah’s show on preparing a home for its sale I have to say I was let down.

I applaud the shows hope to help home sellers who currently find themselves financially and emotionally burdened with a house that won't sell... after watching this segment I felt the show sent a confusing and false message about what it takes to ready a house for its sale… especially in a TOUGH “buyer's market”. In this episode, the efforts of Oprah's design guru Nate Berkus were chronicled as he helped a financially strapped couple, Zigi & Yosef Edmonds, repair and visually prepare their townhouse before being put up for sale. The home located in Redondo Beach, has 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ bath and eventually listed for $609,999.

The show made it quite clear that in a buyers market the buyer can be fussy. Following Nate's Top 10 tips to ready a house for its sale, is sound "staging" advice. Implementing these tips would surly prove to be beneficial to struggling home sellers.

Unfortunately, my first let down with the show has to do with fact that the staging budget for the Edmond's property was a whopping $10,000. This $10k covered furniture, fixtures and finishes. Unfortunately this "Hollywood" budget is totally unrealistic and fear it will end up discouraging the most home sellers who would and could benefit from less costly home staging solutions. So while home looked FANTASTIC... the show NEVER made it clear just WHO was paying the $10k for all the merchandise that was bought in. I do know that in the introductory bio piece produced on the Edmonds the show said they were financially strapped. The bio went on to say the Edmonds had to sell their home because of grave financial problems.

So my first point I want to make to home sellers interested in staging is that real estate staging typically DOES NOT cost what was spent by Nate on this segment of the Oprah Show.

Now with that being said, it is also important to understand just that real estate staging is breaks down to 3 key areas...TIME, TALENT & TREASURE. And while we know the Edmond's staging budget included $10k worth of "treasure"... I believe it is unfair and misleading not to point out the fact that staging also takes TIME and TALENT to achieve an overall merchandising solution. Therefore, with regards to TIME & TALENT required for Edmund's staging, I have 2 questions:

1. Who paid for the TIME to perform the physical labor of painting, planting, installing, building, removing old carpet & flooring, installing new carpet & flooring, and removing the out dated appliances? (Note: Zigi and Yosef were part of the labor force... but NOT the entire force.)
2. Who paid for the creative TALENT (staging know-how) of both Nate (Interior Decor) and Jamie Durie (Deckscaping)?

So my second major let down with the show is the fact that it was NOT made clear that implementing effective and successful staging requires the seller to know what to do, how to do it, and have skill and physical ability to do it. If the seller does not have knowledge, skill and ability... those who do need to be hired and paid for what they provide.

I am happy to say that while the show may have ended up sending a bit of an over simplified message regarding real estate staging... it still exceeded my expectations in a way that only Oprah does so well. (So, NO I am NOT throwing an “Oprah baby” out with its bath water.)

In typical Oprah fashion she found a wonderful family that NEEDED a home staging jumpstart (a prime "Stage it Forward..." cause for sure). Life for the Edmonds has been a very sad course of events. Yosef, who quit his job in hopes to pursue dreams of freedom and success through self employment, has not triumphed. So to help keep his family of 4 financially alive they MUST sell their home and since January 2006 they have been trying. On top of all the financial problems plaguing the Edmonds, Zigi is a also suffering from a brain tumor. So all in all, they see selling their home as a much needed opportunity to escape some their problems.

The good news is as of last Saturday... a sale is pending for the Zigi and Yosef’s home. I pray this is a sign that the Edmonds are finally turning a corner.

Stage it forward...

Craig (Me)

Did OPRAH'S SHOW Send a Mixed Message to Home Sellers?

It's no secret how much I admire and respect Oprah. So this week when I finally watched Oprah’s show on preparing a home for its sale I have to say I was let down.

I applaud the shows hope to help home sellers who currently find themselves financially and emotionally burdened with a house that won't sell... after watching this segment I felt the show sent a confusing and false message about what it takes to ready a house for its sale… especially in a TOUGH “buyer's market”. In this episode, the efforts of Oprah's design guru Nate Berkus were chronicled as he helped a financially strapped couple, Zigi & Yosef Edmonds, repair and visually prepare their townhouse before being put up for sale. The home located in Redondo Beach, has 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ bath and eventually listed for $609,999.

The show made it quite clear that in a buyers market the buyer can be fussy. Following Nate's Top 10 tips to ready a house for its sale, is sound "staging" advice. Implementing these tips would surly prove to be beneficial to struggling home sellers.

Unfortunately, my first let down with the show has to do with fact that the staging budget for the Edmond's property was a whopping $10,000. This $10k covered furniture, fixtures and finishes. Unfortunately this "Hollywood" budget is totally unrealistic and fear it will end up discouraging the most home sellers who would and could benefit from less costly home staging solutions. So while home looked FANTASTIC... the show NEVER made it clear just WHO was paying the $10k for all the merchandise that was bought in. I do know that in the introductory bio piece produced on the Edmonds the show said they were financially strapped. The bio went on to say the Edmonds had to sell their home because of grave financial problems.

So my first point I want to make to home sellers interested in staging is that real estate staging typically DOES NOT cost what was spent by Nate on this segment of the Oprah Show.

Now with that being said, it is also important to understand just that real estate staging is breaks down to 3 key areas...TIME, TALENT & TREASURE. And while we know the Edmond's staging budget included $10k worth of "treasure"... I believe it is unfair and misleading not to point out the fact that staging also takes TIME and TALENT to achieve an overall merchandising solution. Therefore, with regards to TIME & TALENT required for Edmund's staging, I have 2 questions:

1. Who paid for the TIME to perform the physical labor of painting, planting, installing, building, removing old carpet & flooring, installing new carpet & flooring, and removing the out dated appliances? (Note: Zigi and Yosef were part of the labor force... but NOT the entire force.)
2. Who paid for the creative TALENT (staging know-how) of both Nate (Interior Decor) and Jamie Durie (Deckscaping)?

So my second major let down with the show is the fact that it was NOT made clear that implementing effective and successful staging requires the seller to know what to do, how to do it, and have skill and physical ability to do it. If the seller does not have knowledge, skill and ability... those who do need to be hired and paid for what they provide.

I am happy to say that while the show may have ended up sending a bit of an over simplified message regarding real estate staging... it still exceeded my expectations in a way that only Oprah does so well. (So, NO I am NOT throwing an “Oprah baby” out with its bath water.)

In typical Oprah fashion she found a wonderful family that NEEDED a home staging jumpstart (a prime "Stage it Forward..." cause for sure). Life for the Edmonds has been a very sad course of events. Yosef, who quit his job in hopes to pursue dreams of freedom and success through self employment, has not triumphed. So to help keep his family of 4 financially alive they MUST sell their home and since January 2006 they have been trying. On top of all the financial problems plaguing the Edmonds, Zigi is a also suffering from a brain tumor. So all in all, they see selling their home as a much needed opportunity to escape some their problems.

The good news is as of last Saturday... a sale is pending for the Zigi and Yosef’s home. I pray this is a sign that the Edmonds are finally turning a corner.

Stage it forward...

Craig (Me)

Flexibility is Required.... when Working with Seniors

Well it finally happened… I had my opportunity to talk about home staging to the group of seniors selling their homes. Everyone was surprised to see that the auditorium PACKED with an overflow audience... in fact there were those that had to be turned away. To be honest was surprised as I honestly did NOT expect so many people to attend.

Anyway, anxiety and upset was thick in the room. You could feel that the folks attending were searching for any answers that would help them sell their properties. I glad I prepared my story and "staging" case. The practice of staging a house to help ready it for a faster sale is still for new concept for most. And... It has been my experience that the SENIOR market is a little less accepting of new ideas. THAT, coupled with the facts that they have strong emotional ties to the homes they are selling, make seniors a tough "sell" for a stager.

So to get those attending to appreciate the benefits of staging, I knew I had to FIRST get them to understand that their homes can no longer be THEIR "homes". I had to get them to understand the basic HOUSE vs. HOME theory. To do this I started my talk from a place THEY understood and moved them to a place they may never have thought about. You might say I flexed their minds. I began the workshop talking about common everyday phrases like:

* House sweet House.
* Be it ever so humble, there's no place like house.
* House is were the heart is.
* Welcome house.

A few hearty chuckles later, I followed this up with a discussion about how “love” created the emotional bond they had with THEIR house… ultimately making it THIER home. The audience began to see what I was saying.

So then to make a statement "YEARS AGO, you bought a HOUSE and turned it into your HOME" and then flip it and say "TODAY, to sell your HOME you must return it to being a HOUSE" was a concept they could get AND be open to.

With new distinction of House and Home… I then went on to share with them into my 7 Basic Principles of Staging and 7 Tips I associate with each principal. The 7 Tips are:

1. Buyers infer a clean house has been kept in good repair.
2. Buyers are looking to buy a house that fits THEIR needs, lifestyle and personality... don't distract them with yours.
3. Store it, Sell it, or Trash it.
4. Bring a home inspector in PRIOR to listing, and fix problems before a buyer's inspector finds them.
5. Neutralize it... think beige thoughts.
6. Remove beautiful distractions.
7. The front doorway MUST be clean and welcoming.

Now it was easy for the crowd to accept my closing statement: "Staging creates a blanker canvas for a buyer to start painting the picture of their own lives and make your HOUSE their HOME."

So while it took some flexing and bending... in 25 minutes I got this group of seniors to wrap their minds around the new concept of staging and how it CAN help them sell their HOUSES.

I share this with other stagers so that you can, "stage it forward..."
Craig (Me)

PS: This seminar went so well, I've been invited back in January 2007 for another mind bender.

Flexibility is Required.... when Working with Seniors

Well it finally happened… I had my opportunity to talk about home staging to the group of seniors selling their homes. Everyone was surprised to see that the auditorium PACKED with an overflow audience... in fact there were those that had to be turned away. To be honest was surprised as I honestly did NOT expect so many people to attend.

Anyway, anxiety and upset was thick in the room. You could feel that the folks attending were searching for any answers that would help them sell their properties. I glad I prepared my story and "staging" case. The practice of staging a house to help ready it for a faster sale is still for new concept for most. And... It has been my experience that the SENIOR market is a little less accepting of new ideas. THAT, coupled with the facts that they have strong emotional ties to the homes they are selling, make seniors a tough "sell" for a stager.

So to get those attending to appreciate the benefits of staging, I knew I had to FIRST get them to understand that their homes can no longer be THEIR "homes". I had to get them to understand the basic HOUSE vs. HOME theory. To do this I started my talk from a place THEY understood and moved them to a place they may never have thought about. You might say I flexed their minds. I began the workshop talking about common everyday phrases like:

* House sweet House.
* Be it ever so humble, there's no place like house.
* House is were the heart is.
* Welcome house.

A few hearty chuckles later, I followed this up with a discussion about how “love” created the emotional bond they had with THEIR house… ultimately making it THIER home. The audience began to see what I was saying.

So then to make a statement "YEARS AGO, you bought a HOUSE and turned it into your HOME" and then flip it and say "TODAY, to sell your HOME you must return it to being a HOUSE" was a concept they could get AND be open to.

With new distinction of House and Home… I then went on to share with them into my 7 Basic Principles of Staging and 7 Tips I associate with each principal. The 7 Tips are:

1. Buyers infer a clean house has been kept in good repair.
2. Buyers are looking to buy a house that fits THEIR needs, lifestyle and personality... don't distract them with yours.
3. Store it, Sell it, or Trash it.
4. Bring a home inspector in PRIOR to listing, and fix problems before a buyer's inspector finds them.
5. Neutralize it... think beige thoughts.
6. Remove beautiful distractions.
7. The front doorway MUST be clean and welcoming.

Now it was easy for the crowd to accept my closing statement: "Staging creates a blanker canvas for a buyer to start painting the picture of their own lives and make your HOUSE their HOME."

So while it took some flexing and bending... in 25 minutes I got this group of seniors to wrap their minds around the new concept of staging and how it CAN help them sell their HOUSES.

I share this with other stagers so that you can, "stage it forward..."
Craig (Me)

PS: This seminar went so well, I've been invited back in January 2007 for another mind bender.

CHICAGO REALTORS... tune into this opportunity NOW!

So I've been talking to Kim Segal a researcher working for HGTV.

Kim has shared with me a BIG OPPROTUNITY for realtors in Chicago-land... it is the fact that HGTV's #1 Real Estate Show wants to feature realtors in Chicago! (Kim is also looking for realtors in Denver, Raleigh, Vancouver, and Montreal!)

"BUY ME" is HGTV's reality-based TV series that chronicles the real-life drama of selling a home. From "For Sale" to "SOLD", each episode features a new story with a different entertaining twist.

"BUY ME" will tell your story by taking their viewers behind-the-scenes to meet your sellers, buyers, contractors, stagers and home inspectors. Televised across Canada and the United States, "Buy Me" gives participating agents TV exposure on a massive scale. As an added incentive, Homeowners receive a cash bonus.

Debbie Travis - famous for her decorating flair and hit series' The Painted House and Facelift, is the show's executive producer.

GOOD NEWS for Real Estate Agents in DENVER, RALEIGH, VANCOUVER, CALGARY and MONTREAL they are looking agents there too!

Kim's Criteria: Extroverted homeowners and agents, single family homes, more then 1 person occupying the home, new listings preferred.

INTERESTED in being on the show? Well you can contact Kim Segal (a major sweetheart!) via phone at: (514) 846-1940 ext. 242 or email Kim directly at kim@buymetv.com.

This is an AWESOME OPPORTUNITY and is just what "stage it forward..." is all about... professionals helping each other succeed.

PS: THANK YOU Kim!

stage it forward...

CHICAGO REALTORS... tune into this opportunity NOW!

So I've been talking to Kim Segal a researcher working for HGTV.

Kim has shared with me a BIG OPPROTUNITY for realtors in Chicago-land... it is the fact that HGTV's #1 Real Estate Show wants to feature realtors in Chicago! (Kim is also looking for realtors in Denver, Raleigh, Vancouver, and Montreal!)

"BUY ME" is HGTV's reality-based TV series that chronicles the real-life drama of selling a home. From "For Sale" to "SOLD", each episode features a new story with a different entertaining twist.

"BUY ME" will tell your story by taking their viewers behind-the-scenes to meet your sellers, buyers, contractors, stagers and home inspectors. Televised across Canada and the United States, "Buy Me" gives participating agents TV exposure on a massive scale. As an added incentive, Homeowners receive a cash bonus.

Debbie Travis - famous for her decorating flair and hit series' The Painted House and Facelift, is the show's executive producer.

GOOD NEWS for Real Estate Agents in DENVER, RALEIGH, VANCOUVER, CALGARY and MONTREAL they are looking agents there too!

Kim's Criteria: Extroverted homeowners and agents, single family homes, more then 1 person occupying the home, new listings preferred.

INTERESTED in being on the show? Well you can contact Kim Segal (a major sweetheart!) via phone at: (514) 846-1940 ext. 242 or email Kim directly at kim@buymetv.com.

This is an AWESOME OPPORTUNITY and is just what "stage it forward..." is all about... professionals helping each other succeed.

PS: THANK YOU Kim!

stage it forward...

"CHEERS" to new marketing opportunities for stagers!

So if you have not figured it out yet... I have a BIG mouth.

I would rather share what I know and NEW THINGS I have learned about staging then hold it as a trade secret. WHY? Because the staging industry is young and the faster we all share what we learn the better realtors are helped, seller's benifit and the quicker the enitire industry grows.

Anyway, today I visited a Retirement Community to set up a time to come in (open my big mouth) and talk to "residents in waiting". What I mean is that the Retirment Community has new residents who are wanting to move in and enjoy their golden years... if only they could sell their existing homes.

The Retirement Community wants me to come in and share my ideas, insights, thoughts and benifits of staging with these folks. The management is being both savvy and proactive... as they want to educate and help future residents sell their current homes. HOW cool and clever is that?
Considering the audience, this will take a bit of targeted message crafting for sure... but it is an opportunity I welcome.

Oh and where did the Retirement Community find me and my big mouth? Right here... because of my blogging.

CHEERS TO BLOGGING... it is making a difference!

"CHEERS" to new marketing opportunities for stagers!

So if you have not figured it out yet... I have a BIG mouth.

I would rather share what I know and NEW THINGS I have learned about staging then hold it as a trade secret. WHY? Because the staging industry is young and the faster we all share what we learn the better realtors are helped, seller's benifit and the quicker the enitire industry grows.

Anyway, today I visited a Retirement Community to set up a time to come in (open my big mouth) and talk to "residents in waiting". What I mean is that the Retirment Community has new residents who are wanting to move in and enjoy their golden years... if only they could sell their existing homes.

The Retirement Community wants me to come in and share my ideas, insights, thoughts and benifits of staging with these folks. The management is being both savvy and proactive... as they want to educate and help future residents sell their current homes. HOW cool and clever is that?
Considering the audience, this will take a bit of targeted message crafting for sure... but it is an opportunity I welcome.

Oh and where did the Retirement Community find me and my big mouth? Right here... because of my blogging.

CHEERS TO BLOGGING... it is making a difference!

Under qualifed "stagers" flood the market

Too many unqualified and nontalented people are entering the field of staging... seeing it as a way to make a quick buck. It is easy to separate the amateurs from the professionals. Since they are in the business of "good first impressions" then their websites (heck, their business card) should give you just that. If the site and the protfolio of their work leaves you with a good impression... then I would bet they will be good for you and you seller. But if their own site to looks poor... then my advice is to move on. Staging is not rocket science... but it is creative talent.

Well that's enough for now...
CRAIG

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