Ana Hitzel's Blog

The Price of Ideas

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:08:31 -0600

Madison avenue makes tons of money for ideas in advertising. Donatella Versace makes money for her fashion ideas. Ideas and creativity are a commodity that many pay top dollar for. If creativity, innovation and problem solving were so easy, everyone would do it and there would be no Madison Avenue or Versace.

How do you put a price on creativity and the ability to envision a plan before it even is put on paper? How do you put a price on problem solving and the ability to improvise?

One of the most common complaints and misconceptions about Staging is the cost. Staging is too expensive and not worthy of the fees being charged. Why should Stagers be paid at time of service instead of when the property closes? After all, how hard is it pick colors, pare down floor plans or pick out "knick knacks".

Staging is advertising; very cost effective advertising when you consider the potential returns. Think about it. Staging is live advertising that people can reach out and touch. How much is that worth? Especially when it doesn't come across as high gloss and contrived.

If it involves little skill or creativity, why has the industry emerged? Anyone can do it, right? Why denigrate the worth of this service?

As a seller, I have listened to agents we interviewed brag about how much they spent in advertising and getting the word out about their listings. "Nobody does more." I have heard this common theme from homeowner clients who have not seen the results of all this marketing and advertising. Well how much did all that advertising cost? Advertising a listing that shows poorly for a typical listing period is way more expensive than Staging.

A simple Consultation, depending on the company, can range from $500 on the high end to about $150 on the low end. This many times alone is all that is required to get a home ready to show and shorten time on the market. How much was that print spread that just shows the outside of a listing and not always in a flattering light? What will generate more interest, that or photos taken of a ready to show listing loaded on multiple Internet websites for all to see.

Consider the price of ideas and then take your pick.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and online. We Service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Hear Me Loud and Clear

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:16:23 -0600

Attention Competitors, Realtor "Stagers" and Stager hopefuls: I've had it, had it, HAD IT!!!!

My little shop has been in business now for over two years. I started with nothing. Some of the things I did....I took a small business course. Researched the industry, looked at other websites and listened and read quite a bit here on AR before I jumped into the forum. I am always studying and trying to find ways to make my skills better, my service better, hear that...not just bigger but BETTER.

I don't fleece my customers with unnecessary services or charges and I am up front about what I can and can't do. I refer to other Stagers gladly, I don't ask for a fee, just reciprocal consideration when the opportunity presents itself. That's how good business is done.

Bottom line is I was not lazy, I did not steal or use subterfuge to set up my pricing structure, determine services or steal clients. I am not huge but I found a niche and I work at it to make it better.

Posing as a potential client, using names of dead authors (might work on some, I read a ton) and requesting answers to all your staging questions be in writing instead of speaking with a human on the phone are dead give aways as to who you are. When you cancel your consultation after you get or can't get what you were looking for please don't tell me "I ran into a friend who is a realty stager, and she asked to come over first." PALEEESE!

Try the good old fashion way of making it. WORK, WORK and WORK some more. Stop stealing staging photos and calling them your own. Stop plagerizing other peoples words and methods of doing things.

Be honest and ethical about the way you do things and only good will follow.

I have found much support here on Activerain by other Stagers and Real Estate professionals. I am always trying to return that courtesy within reason. I am not nearly as experienced as many of the Stagers here on AR but I share what I know willingly. I have spent upwards of 45 minutes or more on the phone with the honest types who call and want to know what I know about the business. I am not stingy.

Bottom line, if you can't do it yourself honestly, maybe you should not try to do it at all. While you are trying to figure it out, Don't email or call our company, yeah that's right, I don't need your "business."

Thanks for your attention.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and online. We service the Inland Empire Area of Southern California.

Hanging Pot Rack: Art or Eyesore

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:06:40 -0600

Hanging pot racks are a common fixture in many "gourmet" kitchens. You see them in many style homes where they may not even belong. They can make run of the mill kitchens look a little more upscale, adding contrast and interest to an otherwise boring space.

Hanging such a fixture must be thought out carefully as much for style as function. The most common mistake made when hanging these is the location. They will most often close in a kitchen with low ceilings and outdated lighting. Another common error is hanging racks in spots that actually block overhead lighting and so low that heads hit the pots.

Placement should make sense, like over an island prep area or next to a cooking surface, again not blocking lighting or chopping up walking around space. It's not fun hitting your head on a pot when walking around the room getting to things.

When hanging a rack, consider how it will be used and how often. Some like hanging racks as decor, others like the function aspect. When staging a home for sale that thought process will tell you if you should take it down. In small homes, where kitchen storage is at a premium, it can be an attractive selling feature if presented neatly and in a location that makes sense.

It must be totally spotless with the minimum number of clean, colorful items hanging from them. The items should appear functional and complement the kitchen and it's surroundings. No fake chili peppers or garlic bulbs please!

It should look sturdy and stylish. There is nothing uglier than a homemade rack that looks homemade. I have seen many that are barely hanging on by a thread. It must be securely mounted or a nice smack in the head could be on the horizon.

Probably the above left could be considered art, but what about below?

An exaggerated example? Yes but as a Stager, the most common problem I see is that many who have hanging pot racks use them as a catch all for everything that won't fit in cabinet or drawer storage. They gather dust and grease if not cleaned on a regular basis and so do the items hanging from them.

Nothing says yuk! better than greasy dusty pots hanging from the ceiling. It most certainly gets potential buyers thinking there is not enough storage in the kitchen.

If you have a pot rack hanging in your kitchen, step back and really look hard. If you use it and can't do without it, pare it down and spiff it up. Many buyers like them.

If you are not sure about it, take it down. You can always take it with you to the next place!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and online. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Ode to Seinfeld

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:42:09 -0600

"I am so busy doing nothing, that the idea of doing anything..which as you know always leads to something...cuts into the nothing and then forces me to have to drop everything." Jerry Seinfeld

Those of you who were fans knew that Jerry always said his show's premise was a show about nothing. That's right, he and his cast could turn 30 minutes of nothing into a whole lotta funny. Whether it was Kramer eating Jerry's cereal or Newman and a look, it was funny and entertaining.

I often wonder if the same principle could hold true for blogging. I have found the well run dry recently. Just not into it as much. I haven't been feeling well. Sucking up too much dirt on the softball fields of socal.

Could I too write a blog about a whole lotta nothing? I have seen them on AR.

I feel the pressure to blog about a topic, any topic. I have thought of none interesting to ME lately. How rude of me to not consider what others may find interesting, I know.

I try to keep my blog subjects tight, you know, somehow related to Real Estate. I do stray here and there into the political or bitchy but not too much.

I know you people out there don't want to read a blog by me bragging about how Staging works, those never get many comments, for me anyway. I don't do many of those.

My keyboard stares back at me in silence lately. It screams, write somthing you dummy....anything....it will make you feel better.

I say...why clog the blog with nothing? Is "nothing" going to inform anyone, make them laugh or cry? Shoot, I can't even think of any good realtor jokes lately, that's something my best friend loves. Did you hear the one about the realtor who......aghh you've already heard that one.

So if you've stuck to reading down this far you obviously have realized that this blog really is about a whole lotta nothing! Thanks for reading it!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and online. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California

It's In The Air

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:14:42 -0500

This is my most absolutely favorite time of the year. Playoff time, World Series just around the corner.

Time stands still for me in October. I plan everything around access to radio, TV anywhere or any place I can catch a glimpse of the game, a score an instant replay.

I believe the big man upstairs must have invented the internet accessible cell phone for baseball junkies. Football, forget about it!

I love the smell of the grass, the roar of the crowd and that smack sound when bat meets ball. There's nothing like the hearing the pop of a ball in the glove after some high cheese.

It's been rough being a Braves fan these past seasons but even living in Angels-Dodgers terrritory hasn't dimmed my loyalty to the chop. We Braves fans don't wave girly hankys we swing tomahawks! I know it's not as PC but I don't care, it's fun!

Some of my best memories revolve around baseball. When you're in that stadium, it's really great to see so many people in one place who don't know each other have something in common.

Sounds naive but wouldn't it be great if countries could settle their differences in a best of 7 series. A coin toss to determine who bats first and off they go!

Some of the best food on the planet can be had at a ballpark and I'm not talking fish tacos and chardonnay. Oh Yah...big greasy hot dogs and messy nachos with beer.

That's all American.

So to all baseball lovers out there savor every remaining moment of this season, I know I will. The boys of summer are soon leaving the stage and the countdown to spring training begins.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Behind the Scenes

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:06:25 -0500

Stagers wear many hats and one of them is as close to being a relationship counselor as it gets. Of course I am speaking about the relationship between a seller, their house and their "stuff".

We all know moving and selling a home can be very stressful and overwhelming. It's a letting go process for many. I have seen the look of relief on more than one face in the past as I arrived to do a consultation.

Stress is a lot of little tiny things that eventually add up to a mountain. That mountain is really just a little pile if you look at things in a simpler way. Sellers need a little help letting go, it's normal. We can speed up the letting go process and this has both emotional and financial benefits.

The polish and bling of a fully completed Staging job is the public face but what about what goes on behind the scenes?

One of the most important questions we should ask a client; "How much do you really need?"

This linen closet is one of 3 in a home with 3 bathrooms. Each bathroom had its own closet.

After some discussion and listening and understanding, this was the answer to the question.

We even found sets of sheets never opened ready for use when the seller sets up their new place!

This behind the scenes example won't make the MLS and it won't be on a brochure but it will impress a potential buyer. It's an important part of the selling package. What's backstage at your place?

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on sight and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California

Member

High Expectations

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:22:58 -0500

It's funny as you get on in years, the things that you would roll your eyes about when younger start making sense. Have you ever caught yourself sounding like your mother? Something many of us swore would never happen right?

I have four very great kids, healthy, happy and yes deprived. Some of their friends have every known electronic, toy or gadget known to exist. The latest, greatest and newest. They wear the latest, greatest and newest. We are way behind in our neighborhood. Why just last year we purchased a play station! No we don't have a Wi!

Just like the kids in our neighborhood, the real estate landscape around my area became inundated with every bell and whistle a homeowner could want. Unchecked refinancing, low interest rates and inflated property values fueled this consumption to excess. Hummers and spanking new RVs became visible on every block for a time. Boats, new pool construction and loft room addtitions were the rage. You couldn't pay a contractor enough to answer your calls, show up for appointments on time or treat you semi respectfully on a job.

So I have a friend who is a buyer's agent. She has allowed me to tag along with her as an "assistant" when showing homes to clients. I felt this would be another education in seeing what buyer's expectations are out there, especially now in this market. What an education!

High expectations they are, even for first time home buyers. In an era of HGTV and FLN, many people absolutely believe a house is a dump unless it has certain amenities that were once considered high end. Hardwoods, granite, fancy moldings and high end appliances. Yes they want it all. They want it all and now they want if for nothing...because they can.

The cycle of a buyer's market and a seller's market has always been a given. But now it has become an especially vicious buyer's market in my opinion.

In Staging this has created many high expectations also. Recommending ROI improvements and advice on correcting "design" flaws are a large part of Staging Consultations. It isn't just about presenting a pleasing livable space, it has to WOW the folks. The wowier the better.

What ever happened to the the good old buyer that was looking for maintained, clean, spacious and in a good school district? Big yard not good enough, must have BBQ from heaven and rock pool.

This may sound like a rant longing for the good ole days but it's not really. What it is is a lament on how spoiled, superficial and materialistic we are and why things are headed down the economic roads they are.

I don't mean we shouldn't want better things or more things but it's like people now view it as a right, a given and they are being cheated or deprived if they don't get what they want right now. Like children.

So I am back where I started this. With my children. My kids have offered to sell their play station and other stuff if mommy and daddy don't have money to pay for their house. Everyday they walk past houses in our neighborhood, houses where their friends lived, that have bank owned notices in the windows.

Maybe just maybe we can teach them that there is a better form of high expectations; human kindness, empathy and responsiblility.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Does the house come with the TV?

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:35:31 -0500

Today the average American home has more TVs than people. Over half of all homes have at least 3 or more sets. Even in homes of families considered below the poverty line, televisions are plentiful.

Big screen, flat screen, everywhere a screen screen. Those dang outlets are everywhere and such an eyesore when trying to present a property for sale. Not to mention the sets themselves.

Not everyone who buys a set takes into consideration how it looks and where it will look and fit best. They wing it and many times end up with something too large for the space or too awkwardly shaped to fit against the wall leaving an eyesore of exposed cables and wires.

TVs are even being substituted for or presented as art. I guess that's ok, I am not really of that mind but they certainly are more stylish than they used to be.

You will see them over fireplaces like this. Many times they are placed too high, a common mistake made with art pieces also. You need to crane your neck to view the screen. I am not a fan of this placement, as in this photo, I think it takes away from the lovely fireplace.

I think the TV would look nicer in the big empty hole to the left. If a TV is to be wall mounted, mount it as art at eye level. As a seller, I would want to have the prospective buyer notice the beautiful stonework that stays with the house, not the cool TV.

How many homes have you been in where the very first thing you see is the TV? Funny how house hunters are put off by this but have the same going on in their own homes most likely. I always tell sellers to pack em up, all but one. The horrified expressions are mind boggling. It's like you may have told someone to pack grandma off to the old folks home. TVs in bedrooms and bathrooms detract and are huge dust collectors.

Buyers do like to be able to visualize where their set or sets will go though. If the spot where the set sits is awkward and cumbersome, consider moving the outlet to an area that makes more sense. Builders choices and prior owners choices don't always make sense. Moving an outlet is not a huge cost.

The local cable company charges $19.95 to move an outlet to another wall or room and will put it on the regular cable bill. A small price to pay for better flow and function. The whole look and balance of a room could change on simply moving one outlet. this applys to lighting as well.

Many times it is hard to talk a client into these small but effective changes but it is worth the effort and result. As a seller, you don't want the buyer wondering if the house or your TVs are for sale!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on sight and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

The Color Purple

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:46:57 -0500

The color purple is really hot now days. Yes it is. It's splashed all over the design magazines and TV shows, it's the "it" color at this very moment. Purple has always been by oldest daughter's favorite color.

Now I am not afraid of color and never have been. Bright reds, greens of all shades I can work with and it will not look like a Christmas scheme. I love the challenge of making bold colors work in spaces. I never feel the urge to plaster or cover everything in whites, tans and beiges, never have. When I enter a home on a Consult I make every possible effort to work with the existing color scheme unless it is very dirty or dingy and not salvagable.

I must confess that Purple and Pink scare the living daylights out of me. They take me back to many former house hunts where I ran across the purple and mauve color scheme. This color would cower me in fright and indecision. I absolutely hated it and was very vocal about it to anyone who would listen. When I think purple, I think Barney The Dinosaur.....yea let's not go there!

Recently though, I have seen some really exceptional use of the color purple in Staging. It gives me pause and makes me think there is hope for me yet. I just need to get over it and take the plunge. So I thought it would be really great to see some examples from any fellow Stagers out there who are using this color and how. I recently saw a blog where the color purple was worked in through dining room chairs. Absolutely beautiful.

So it is my hope that any of you fine Stagers out there that are using this very trendy color will post some of your examples to inspire those like me who are chicken. Either Redesign or Staging examples would be great. Also, I would like to know if this color is getting good reviews from clients both Redesign and Staging.

Happy fun and safe Halloween!

AccentPositives provides economical and effective Home Staging Consultations. We service the Inland Empire Area of Southern California.

MLS Descriptions...what do they really mean?

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:45:49 -0500

This morning I listened to a very amusing talk on the radio about a NABA piece released discussing the disconnect between the reality a buyer sees and MLS descriptions used to market homes.

Take the description "COZY", you may have heard the old joke the house is so small you have to go outside to change your mind!

This brought to mind the descriptions I read when house hunting and what I actually saw after crossing the threshold. A buyer's agent I worked with on a house hunt many years ago joked with me about this after going into the 4th or 5th house with mauve carpet and pink counters. Whenever we saw a description that read "custom" or "tastefully decorated" we would both roll our eyes and chuckle a bit.

Have you any recent good ones to share?

LOVELY, TRUE TO PERIOD HOUSE!

FOR THE GARDENING ENTHUSIAST ! Really, Really old.

You may need a machete to get to the front door.

So....what's in your MLS description?

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on sight and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Kitchen Spice

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:53:28 -0500

You can get rid of the kitchen blahs for very little cost by creating small areas of contrast that make sense. Spicing up this boring bar and desk center was a relatively easy project. A glass mosaic tile back splash was added to the bar area. The bottom cabinets and desk were stained to break up the wall of oak. Everything was finished off with the addition of cabinet pulls and some nice flowers!

The area behind the desk will be finished off with cork board to house kids and household notes.

Let's look at what this easy update cost:

1/2 Quart Sherwin Williams Bistro Walnut (left over from bathroom makeover, fresh can would be $28)

4 X 1x1 Squares Glass Mosaic Tiles @ 4.99 Ea. 19.96

1 Quart Cermaic Tile Adhesive 5.29

1 Quart Tile Grout 7.94

Adhesive Trowel 2.79

Grout Float 4.87

Grout Sponge 2.29

5 x Nickle Cabinet Pulls @ 2.97 Ea. 14.85

4 X Bronzed Cabinet Pulls @ 3.99 Ea. 15.96

Total = $101.95

Labor 17 1/2 Hours. Time includes prepping, sanding and clean up. It ran longer as I did not wipe all the grout off well enough before it dried so I spent several hours scraping and cleaning the tiles. Here's my tip, Wipe excess grout off immediately after applying:)

The beautifull fresh flowers were 7.99 at Sam's Club.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on sight and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

So You Want Me To Hire You...

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:57:45 -0500

Ok, so those of you who read my blogs know I have a real problem with Christmas lights left up year round. There is another pet peeve of mine you may not know about which brings me to the subject of this post.

I run a pretty tight ship. I am a lean and mean business. I handle all Consultations and Redesigns. The occasional full service Stages; I get help from my hubby and a few friends I trust. I have no full time employees. I recently brought on a marketing partner on a commission basis, that's it.

On a regular basis, I get emails from job hunters. Individuals who are looking to either intern with my company or get hired on as full time employees. Nearly all these job seekers seem to have one common trait....They can't write proper English or put together a well constructed, properly spelled and non redundant paragraph. Yes, that's right....HORRIBLE GRAMMAR!

As Real Estate Professionals know, first impressions are everything in this business. The scene that hits a prospective buyer when they walk in a front door...the image you present to prospective clients on first meeting, your business cards and your ability to communicate professionally all determine where you will end up in this business.

Now I'm no snob, I don't mean everyone who wants to work for me has to speak or write perfect Queen's English. I don't. However, I do expect that any employee or representative of my business be able to communicate in a professional and coherent manner. I may not be hiring now, but I will be in the future. Any person who cannot communicate professionally will not be on my prospect list. I know I am not alone in this method of weeding through the chaff in today's job market.

The lack of professionalism in today's world of business communications is to me a sad reflection of what our public schools and universities are no longer teaching. Effective communication skills and professional etiqutte are no longer the linchpins of a good liberal arts education. I do digress as this would be a blog topic in itself!

So you want me to hire you...Go back to school.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on sight and on line. We service the Inland Empire Area of Southern California

Easy Vanity Makeover

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:20:13 -0500

Getting tired of all that builder's grade oak? Don't have the budget to replace or reface? It's an easy project for just about anyone if you have the time and inclination. Below is an example of how a little bit of change goes a long way.

Before

An oil based stain was used for this project instead of paint. Stain gives cheap looking cabinets a richer look and is easy to work with. It does smell and takes a bit longer to dry than paint but the look is worth it. As it drys, it gets tacky, so you can keep brushing until you get the look and finish you are pleased with and any imperfections look natural. This color is Sherwin Williams Bistro Walnut.

So how much did this project cost and how long did it take? Here's the breakdown.

SW Bistro Walnut 1 quart $28 (over half left for touchups down the road)

Paint Brush $1.79

Sponge .99 cents

5 x Brushed Nickle Drawer pulls @ 2.44 each

Painters Tape $2.67

Fine Grit Sand Block $3.67

Labor 6 Hours includes sanding, coating and in between coat drying.

Total = $49.32, yes that's right, less than $50.

Always work in a well covered and ventelated area. You don't want dust bunnies and bugs in your stain and you don't want to pass out from the fumes! Make sure to poly coat your stain if using it in areas like kitchens and baths. Poly can be purchased in a variety of glosses.

This makeover will be complete once the old track light is replaced. There are many styles to choose from under $100 or even clearance if you look hard enough!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Christmas in July...Aug...Sept.....

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:04:10 -0500

Yes, it's time once more for my rant about year round holiday lighting....

Moving here six years ago from the Midwest, it was an adjustment around holiday time. Palm trees and 80-90 degree temperatures made it quite hard for me to get in the Christmas spirit. Even after all this time, it is strange.

It seems others here do not have this problem and they celebrate the season throughout the year... year after year. They love it so much that they continue the celebration even when their home is on the market.

The icicles may project a feeling of coolness in 100 degree heat but let's face it, they are not that attractive in the light of day, especially in the off season. They remind me more of dirty spaghetti than icicles. This particular home has been on and off the market several times, never having taken down the lights.

In addition to year round holiday lighting, this home features the added bonus of gym equipment on the porch and a basketball hoop. This home has also been listed numerous times.

Curb appeal is one of the single most important visions that will attract a buyer. It is the very first impression that will set the tone for the rest of a buyer's tour. The outside condition of a home will tell prospective buyers if the home is well taken care of and worth taking a second look at. So please remember these small tips when readying a home for sale. Clean it up, take them down and please...always remember no matter what time of the year, celebrate responsibly!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Peanut Butter And Jelly

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:56:10 -0500

I don't know about everyone else, but I love Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. It's just that everything goes so well together. It's sweet, sticky and filling. I tend to have food on the brain, maybe watching too many cooking shows but guilty I am.

Thinking of Peanut Butter and Jelly brought to mind all the great professionals sandwiched here together on AR. Realtors, Inspectors, Appraisers, Stagers, Mortgage folks. All the great fillings for a Super Real Estate Sandwich.

cheezy analogy you say....OK.... maybe another blog.

We all have so much to offer each other professionally and in that offering all our respective clients come out on the winning end I think. The knowledge shared here, the experiences and diversified opinions all serve our customers in the best way. Even our disagreements and differing opinions are valuable as they spark ideas on how to serve our clients better.

Peanut Butter and Jelly is simple, straight forward and hard to get wrong.

I read so many great blogs on this forum and marvel at the thought that goes into them. The smiles, laughs and comfort that derive from these blogs is just like the simple comfort of a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich.

So, as I am constantly dieting, I freely admit the one thing I will never, ever give up, are my Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches, both literal and figurative!

A great Labor Day to all!

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Staging, It's Not Just About Pretty

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:12:20 -0500

"Forget staging it has no value in the appraisal..... I look for updated kitchen and baths (if its an older home) condition of the exterior and interior. This will determine the effective age of your house. You can have a 35 year old house and never has been updated or very little and a effective age of 30 years and the same house next door that is 35 years old and completly remodeled with a effective age of 5 years. Appraisers look at condition and updated items. We also look for deferred maintenance like worn carpet, moss on the roof, bad gutters, house needs painting, bad roof, ect. if your house is in average conditon you will be fine. Your home is based on other comparables sales (withing the last 6 months) and within 1-2 miles of your home, with similar design....

This was part of a comment made by an appraiser responding to a blog question on whether a homeowner should Stage her house prior to her appraisal. Staging as a part of home selling, to many, has no value. You may already see where I am going with this.

I can't speak for what every appraiser looks at when evaluating a home but I have seen what some commented on and looked at when appraising my own homes for sale.

While we as Stagers don't get into evaluating the "bones" of a house (although I have pointed out cracked and falling shingles visible from the street) we should and do address many of those things this particular appraiser mentioned.

When a Professional Stager does a thorough consultation, these are some of the many things we look at and give objective observations on. These "Staging" recommendations do affect the value of a home. We help the homeowner determine which updates and fixes will affect their home value the most while spending the least.

A good Stager has an understanding of these things. We are up on the latest trends and research what similar homes in a particular neighborhood have as far as cosmetic features too. If a house has laminate counters and most everyone else in the neighborhood has granite and modern faucets, does this affect the asking price of a home? Size and location top of the list but condition is the other huge consideration.

A Staging consultation is about being brutally honest in an understanding and respectful way. It's not just about what curtains to hang and where the couch should go. Preparing a home for sale is a time consuming process but more than that it is an investment.

So as a seller or listing agent, would you rather be prepared to stack up against your competition saving time, money and possibly getting better offers or would you "Forget staging" ?

No, pretty pots on the porch won't get you a higher appraisal, but fixing the cracked steps and painting your worn front door and replacing the hardware just may.

Staging is not just about the pretty.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Member

What Do You Want From Us?

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 14:33:17 -0500

I was recently surfing other blogs about Virtual Staging. Interesting trend but not the subject of this blog. I came across one by a realtor considering using or testing it, interesting I thought and then....

a realtor posted this comment ....."First of all, I'm not sold on staging as anything more than smoke and mirrors. I am still of the belief that cleaning out the clutter, cleaning, etc., will sell a home just as well." ....."The claims of more sales for more money are impossible to document. Mostly just claims by stagers"

part of my response.... You above described major components of Staging. I am definitely sure people don't like the listings they walk into in which they have to step over things or hold their noses. If so, all you would do is stick the sign in the front yard on all homes for sale...(you wouldn't need to market....just show and show) that is Staging not smoke and mirrors....

I guess what really most bothered me was the second statement. The one about Stagers are the ones mostly claiming sucess statistics.....it's come up on other blogs before. Our statistics are somehow less trustworthy. Well ok then all the statistics that NAR releases are to be discredited because they come from realtors?

A survey from last year released by HomeGain, I am sure many of you saw it. Is HomeGain a Stager run service and did they handpick realtors who participated in the survey?

If other statistics out there are not to be believed and realtor and client testimonials not believable, what exactly is? We as an industry are headed to some sort of regulation and standard that hopefully will go a long way in weeding out those not qualified much as the real estate broker industry did. Will you view us differently then?

I guess my blog title may seem a bit belligerent, it's not my intention. It's a sincere, from the bottom of my heart question. I know there are many realtors who are believers in staging whether they hire out or do it themselves, they believe in it's value to their clients. There are more who don't.

What do you want from us that will make you realize that we can be a valuable part of services you offer a client?

What do you want from us that will convince you that we are not out to take away but to add?

What do you want from us that will help you accept us as the professionals that we are and the industry that is here to stay?

Just askin.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

"Failing at the right thing."

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:06:20 -0500

"...that is why I am standing in front of you today, I may fail, but I'm failing at the right thing." Melissa D'Arabian.

I heard this phrase recently from the winner of The Next Food Network Star, while she was in the midst of competition. Wow I thought, that is a statement. I think it sums it up for many who choose to start their own business and those who choose to follow their passion and dream.

Think back on some of the reasons you started your business. What motivated the idea and what was the journey you took to get to that idea? In there lies the answer, for me anyway, on how to run my business and set my goals. All the things I would never do. How I would structure. How I would and would not treat clients and employees; how much money would I be satisfied with. The list is long. All the things I would do. Perservere, embrace each success or failure as a learning experience; listen, listen and listen some more.

Staging and Design are so out there...meaning in front of everyone...your ideas are in front of everyone's faces to see. People will love it or hate it, sometimes there is an in between but not often.

You call that a "living"? Who is responsible if your work doesn't work? You because you are the public face, pictures and all? If the client or agent changes things, moves, adds to or deletes your work, it is still your face and reputation out there.

Add to that the responsibility of knowing in most cases, people are putting their most valuable possession in your hands. Trusting you to make it all right or help them move on.

I really love seeing the work of fellow Stagers and Designers. It is a piece of each and everyone's heart and soul (yes... even the depersonalizing part!) It is someone telling you who they are and that they do what they love.

We are a people business in more ways than one. It is a challenge everyday between marketing myself, fighting stubborn clients and handling life in general around it. But I am happy doing it and as Melissa said if I fail, it will be failing at the right thing.

How do you feel about what you do?

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

By The Blog

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:14:00 -0500

There are lots of blogs here on AR about blogging. Great ones, short ones, long ones, fun silly ones and serious ones. They all have a common thread. In business now days you can live by the blog or die a slow, quiet and unnoticed death in cyberspace.

I joined Active Rain in early 2008. I had only been in business a few months and was pretty new to the blog thing. I definitely didn't get or appreciate the whole internet scene.

I kind of jumped right in and in a matter of a few short months, I noticed I was getting calls from prospective clients that had found me on the internet through my AR activity. This mind you with no understanding of SEO stuff, tags, meta tags and all that other jargon. All I did was write here and there (not so well) and commented (ticked off a few, excel at that).

Then I did a really stupid thing. I frequented this wonderful scene less and less. I had many excuses for this, some valid, some not. I was worried about being original, relevant...I would get no comments...I had no time....who reads this stuff anyway....

Guess what happened? My Google "juice" not that strong to begin with but getting better, died off. Still got calls but the drop was noticeable. I said to self....self, times are tough out there. I guess I may not have been totally convinced of the whole blogging thing, but in the back of my head I knew the ugly truth.

Not only did I feel cyberspace fading away, I was missing all the funny, informative and cutting edge stuff that gets posted on here about everything from Real Estate to Virtual trends and yes even Politics.

Great people who I might never meet otherwise abound on Active Rain. Great, supportive, entertaining and knowledge sharing people.

Moral of my story, you can either fade your potential, or live by the blog.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Go Naked

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:38:12 -0500

Many times a home's best features are those that need no Staging at all. It's under our very noses but is so heavily clothed, it escapes us. So which would you rather see?

This formal living room was the first thing you saw upon entry to this home. It is directly in front of the foyer. Nice you say...

And this was what you saw directly outside the formal living room French doors once you got past drapes, blinds and patio umbrella.

Sometimes it's best to go naked. Heavy drapery, blinds and obstructions can bring a property down. When showing and Staging, these are things that are best gotten rid of immediately. Pull them up or pull them down.

All you need after that are REALLY clean windows!

AccentPositives offers effective and economical consultations on sight and online. We serve the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Consultations Make The Difference

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:43:04 -0500

Yes, I know, you have all seen the blogs about how Staging does sell a property faster and how just a few changes can make all the difference.

We did a consultation for this homeowner in April before listing. We provided him with a detailed room by room plan to follow complete with interior and exterior color selections. This homeowner did a great job in implementing recommended changes based on his budget. Decluttering alone made this home shine and cost nothing but a little time. Below are some before and afters. The home has sold already after listing in June...nuff said!

If you are overwhelmed, bring in a Professional Stager. Let someone help you sort it out.

AccentPositives offers effective and economical consultations on sight and online. We serve the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Report Card On Corona

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:39:33 -0500

As it is back to school time around here, I thought to submit a report card on my hometown.

It's been six years this month that our family settled in Corona. Moving from the Cincinnati area, we didn't know what to expect. We came at a time of skyrocketing housing prices and jumped right into a faster pace of living that California can be known for.

Looking back on those times it seems so long ago. Our children were still very small so school and safety were huge considerations when choosing to settle here. We became a part of this community with little effort and haven't looked back since. It has always been our home it seems. It's a great family community with so much to offer when you slow down that faster pace.

The South Corona area of town has Crossroads Community Church as a neighbor. This 4th of July, I was able to sit in a back yard and enjoy the music and a beautiful fireworks display to celebrate the holiday. Just a few minutes from there, we can enjoy the outdoor summer concerts at Dos Lagos.

There's every sport league imaginable for families and kids to participate in year round. Museums, parks, Big League sporting events and amusement parks are all within easy reach and beaches too. I guess you can tell by now I am a fan of my hometown.

Running a small business, even in these challenging times, has been rewarding. Connecting and networking with other small business owners seems easier. I have made friends and found fellow business owners chatting at the counter of Home Depot or out in a parking lot, when they see my advertising, wanting to exchange cards and talk about their challenges.

So after six years, when friends and family from other places I have lived ask me to rate my hometown...you guessed it...I give Corona an A.

Visit some of these links below and see for yourself.

http://www.discovercorona.org/documents/parks/Concerts_Flyer_web.pdf

http://www.ci.corona.ca.us/?section=About%20Corona&page=Calendar%20of%20Events

http://www.ci.corona.ca.us/?section=About%20Corona&page=Community%20Profile

www.cgsa.org

www.coronapony.com

Get It Done Yesterday!!

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:19:38 -0500

As a Stager, dealing with the client that wants it all done yesterday is all too common. Proper preparation before listing and marketing seems to be an afterthought to so many sellers. Granted there are always those cases where it has to get done and done fast but most times sellers tend to put off the inevitable.

Many times I come in when the house is not selling and they want to know why and without the blessing of an REA. Around here the MLS is full of photos of unprepped properties and they are not all foreclosures and short sells.

On a recent consultation, I showed up to find the painter already in place and the client wanting color recommendations now! Call me crazy but I like to sample before committing, mistakes cost money and end up doing more harm than good.

How long has that floor been warped? How long has the dirt line up the staircase wall been around? When was the last time weeds were pulled and landscape trimmed?

As a seller, preparation should be your top priority. Agents be honest with prospective clients. If neither is possible a Stager can accomplish this for both of you and in an effective and low cost way.

Everyone knows price is not the only consideration to most buyers, if it were....there would be no inventory ...around here anyway.

As a seller, the minute you decide you are going to list your home, start looking around. How do you stack up!

If you are overwhelmed, bring in a Professional Stager. Let someone help you before it's too late. AccentPositives offers effective and economical consultations on sight and online. We serve the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Blood, Sweat and Staging

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:39:55 -0600

Don't you just love those awesome two day makeovers on HGTV? Don't you just love the wonderful decorating ideas that cost next to nothing and make a huge difference? We all do, but there is so much more to the story. The recipe has some vital ingredients....mainly a motivated Seller, a cooperative Agent and a concientious Stager.

All these ingredients can only come together if everyone is on the same page and all are educated as to their roles. Each must know their place in the mix and how to blend with the whole. We Stagers are not miracle workers but we can make success more likely if we take primary responsibility for this education.

Sellers must realize they can't achieve something for nothing and Agents must help Stagers impart this to their Sellers. Get rid of the junk, clean up and MAINTAIN it so that all the wonderful results of a good Staging job don't go down the drain along with the dollars. I guess that is why they call it "sweat equity".

That is why Staging to live is so imperative. Stage to who is in the home as well as who will be looking at the home. It can be done.

The completed Staging job is not the end of the story. When the Stager walks out the door, Sellers and Agents must keep "cooking" until the stew is done. Stagers need to follow up even after the check has been signed. It is a lesson I have learned more than once.

"The End" doesn't appear until a buyer signs on the dotted line.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

A GREAT REMINDER

AccentPositives Corona, CA ("Putting Your Best Space Forward") — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:36:13 -0600

I've been out of the rain these past couple months, wow all the changes! Sometimes life just takes over and I get sidetracked and crunched for time and my health has suffered as of late. I do what lots of Mom-Business owners do and forget to take time out for me and the things that will help me most. But there is one thing I did not pass up on and am grateful I didn't.

I accepted an invitation to speak to a design class at Fullerton College, a talk on a Career in Home Staging. Funny how things roll. I really was not that jazzed about doing it at first but decided why not? What could it hurt? It might actually help others considering taking the Staging road. Little did I realize how more than anything else, it would help ME!

The class was small and the instructor was very kind and gracious, she owns her own successful design business. I got off to a rough start in my brain trying to encapsulate everything I thought should be said about our business. The students appeared a mix of ages, were attentive and asked some good questions. When I left it hit me just how great an experience it was for me.

It was a great reminder of why I started my business and how I decided to run it. It was a walk down memory lane about all the dumb things I did and some of the not so dumb. The things I shared with these women got me jazzed up again about going out there and kicking some fanny! I have entered my second year in the business, I AM STILL HERE! I realize that is something to be proud and excited about. It has been sporadic and rough going off and on these past 3 months but only because I needed to be reminded that you get out what you put in. Just like with relationships, a business needs a jolt more often than not, it's easy to be complacent if you are doing "OK." I know I don't want to rule the world but I definitely don't want to be just OK.

So I make my resolution here to reconnect, so to speak. with all that is good for me and my company and our family. AR is definitely on my list. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. In our home we celebrate what we affectionately call Chrismakah. I hope all of you have a wonderful end of year and holiday season and best of Luck in everything.