Selling Edge Home Staging

Are You on the Offense or Defense?

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:37:45 -0600

Job losses, higher taxes, loss of jobs, H1N1, Iraq, war, hate ... fear, destruction and more. The news these days is not good. It is true, “When life gives you Lemons make Lemonade!!!” Within every cloud is a silver lining.

So perhaps you have lost your great paying job and just do not know what to do next. Have you forgotten that you disliked that job; that it was never what you pictured yourself doing every day and it certainly was NOT your passion. The silver lining is showing itself if you are out of that job ... you now have time to find your passion and a way to make work your reason to get up every morning! We still live in the greatest country in the world, have the greatest opportunities are available to us and we are Americans!

What are we to do with this Opportunity? May I use football to make my point? When the players take the field there are two teams, the offense & the defense. A good offense has the play and works their plan. If at first the strategy doesn’t work they have three more tries to gain 10 yards before starting a new set of downs. Without executing the offensive plan the team with the ball would fall prey to the defensive who will make take first move making victims of the offensive. I am always on the offense making a plan and "taking it 10 yards." If I lose yardage, drop the ball, fumble or am even intercepted I still go back to the drawing board and reformulate my plan. I press on no matter what!!

My point? There is a silver lining within any loss; freedom being one. In the case of a job loss you gain the freedom to turn your passion into your occupation. I never thought my passion for home design could possibly provide me money, success and the fulfillment it does today. I had never heard the term Home Staging yet I had been doing it for years. I certainly did not know it could be my career and professional success.

If your income is down, your house value has tanked you owe it to yourself to fight you way up, out & into a new life. Do not wait for something to happen. Do not be on the defense; it’s destructive!! Join the offense and make a plan/play. There are no promises of perfect sailing but we only have one chance at this thing called life. Live the life you have been given and make it the best it/you can me.

What are you good at? That is probably what you should examine as you make your offensive move. We all have hidden talents, some not so hidden that we could use to do our own thing and do it better than anyone else. What do you have to loose by following your dreams and living your passion? Trade that unemployment check for a life long dream, your dream! What could be better? It's not just about work, it's loving what you do, the pride of ownership and knowing your purpose for getting out of bed each day. All of these things are what America was built on. We need to pick ourselves up and get back to it! The government has never been the answer and it never will be, our perseverance and drive is the answer.

So get up and heal your wounds and get on with living the life the good Lord gave you! We will get back to the America I know and love through individual effort.

ASPM Course Atlanta, GA

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:08:49 -0500

I'm in Atlanta this week to further my Staging training under the teachings of Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging®. I look forward to seeing Barb today through Friday and making new ASP friends. As I arrived at the hotel last night I found some old & new ASP friends in the restaurant - what fun!! There were a lot of laughs as there will be all week ... can't wait! More later!

Harborside Condo - S Pasadena, FL

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:23:13 -0500

7974 Sailboat Blvd #203 - lovely upgraded unit move in ready!! Contact Denise Hobbs for showing 727-492-4175 - EMAIL Denise@DeniseHobbs.com

Top FOUR Home Improvement Myths

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 05:38:06 -0500

I receive an excellent newsletter, FrontDoor Unlocked from HGTV. It is one place where relevant facts are revealed by HGTV in regards to selling real estate; not always so on the shows. Often in the name of "drama", Staging and its proper use to sell a home quicker and for the highest market value is lost! That is a topic for another day ... Everyday I am confronted with sellers & Realtors® that are misinformed about Staging; how to & what to do ...

Please pay special attention to #2 as it's more than applicable when Staging your Home to Sell

From the HGTV FrontDoor Newsletter dated 9/11/09 Top FOUR Home Improvement Myths

http://www.frontdoor.com/sell/Top-Four-Home-Improvement-Myths/28/p1/?nl=FD_v092_4Myths

Myth #1: Any remodel is a good one.

You may think any home improvement is a good one, but not all improvements are created equal. For example, one homeowner had a concert hall of his very own built in his ranch-style home. Unless the next homeowner is an opera singer, he may not want a balcony in the den. When making a renovation like this, keep in mind you might want to sell the place one day.

Myth #2: I can do it myself.

You may be convinced that you can do it just as well as a contractor, but news flash! You can't. You may just have an unrealistic idea of your "knack" for remodeling. Doing it yourself can sometimes save money, but know your limits. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Certain low-risk projects are simple to tackle on your own, but there are others (like electrical work) for which you need a professional.

Myth #3: Pools add value.

A lot of people think adding a swimming pool or hot tub is a sure seller. That's not always true. Location is extremely important. If every day is summer in your climate and it's a pool-friendly region, that's one thing, but if you live in a cooler climate it could be different story. In most areas of the country, adding a pool is a scary proposition. It's a big liability and can be a lot of work to maintain in the off-season. You should think long and hard about building a pool. It could end up being a big money pit.

Myth #4: Follow the latest design trends.

Many homeowners think it's a good idea to follow the latest design trends. Not true. For instance, peach wallpaper went out in the '80s. Outdated features must go before a house goes on the market. Granite counters could be shag carpet of the future. Neutral colors or palettes have more of a timeless feel and will appeal to far more people.

Virtual Staging - Virtual Short Sale

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:35:26 -0500

In the context of trying to reinvent the wheel Home Staging has now entered the Virtual World. Although I have offered a different form of Virtual Staging on my web site for over a year now) I never intended and never would do it in the manner now being offered. I have been asked if I could take empty rooms and enhance them with furnishings. My answer is, "No, I don't & won't do it." It may be the latest in technology to Stage vacant homes but this road is full of pitfalls. My advise, be smart don't go down that road!

To achieve the Virtually Staged look pictures of empty rooms are taken and "virtual" furnishings, accessories & upgrades are dropped in all the show the property Staged. Here are the problems I see:

Buyers & Realtors alike will be sorely disappointed upon walking the property as it may still be:
- Unkept
- Outdated
- Dirty
If a property does not look as it is reflected in MLS pictures it is an absolute turn off for potential buyers. There are enough challenges in the current real estate. Selling is tough enough, I see no good reason for "virtually" creating another objection to overcome in order to make the deal.
Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging® makes another valid point about Virtual Staging. As Realtors you are bound by a Code of Ethics. One is NOT to misrepresent properties for sale. Virtual Staging could, in some cases be considered misrepresentation. You may read Barb's full blog post on this subject @ www.stagedhomes.com/blog

Technology is terrific but we live in real homes, with real walls, rooms, flooring etc. We all "live" in reality not the virtual world! Up to 87% of buyers may look for their next home on the Internet first they buy their next home by seeing, touching & feeling it! That is where decisions to buy are made! Buying a home is such an emotional experience, one that starts by viewing homes in person! We buy homes that excite us and that we fall in love with. Professional Home Staging evokes positive emotions in potential buyers; Real Professionally Staged properties will never be replaced by Virtually Staged ones.

I cannot tell you the times I have received PICS first before previewing a vacant home for Staging. I may have an idea of how to Stage it from the PICS but those options always changes once I walk the property. Home Staging in real Estate need to remain in "reality."

307-12th Avenue, Indian Rocks Beach, FL

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:23:40 -0500

For more information on this completely remodeled home call -

David Christ and Associates Keller Williams Realty Gulf Coast

Seminole, Fl. 33776 727-385-5275 Cell

DavidChrist@Realtor.com www.DavidChrist.com

www.BestDealsOnTheBeach.com www.REOsalesFL.com

Staging Scripts - What are yours?

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:10:50 -0500

I am realizing more & more many Realtors are apprehensive when it comes to approaching their Sellers about Professional Home Staging. Its tough and takes finesse. Myself, I have worked hard and with have practice become better at it. When I get an opportunity to speak to Realtors® my focus these days is to open their eyes & educate them on Staging Scripts. First, here are some wonderful sayings to add to your communication skills. In time they will become natural to you. Every single one works!

Phrases to remember - from Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging®

You can’t sell it if you can’t see it.
Tell me about that.
When I think I can, I can. If I think I can’t, I can’t.
I usually receive what I believe.
Buyers and agents only know what they see, not the way it is going to be.
Whether or not there is a budget, we can do a lot.
We don’t want you to spend money. But rather, we ask you to make an investment of your time, energy and dollars for the highest rate of return in the sale of your home.
Let me tell you how I work.
Remove the “if ’s” from your life and replace them with “as soon as”.
We are going to do this together as a team.
Staging is a feeling.
Stand at the doorway to each room and say what you feel about what you see.
Staging is creating a feeling in the room that makes buyers want to come in.
Staging each room begins at each room’s doorway
We need to get the buyers to mentally move into each room before the house will sell.

Scripts -

Homeowner has an odd collection of items on display all over the house.

“I see you collect . Tell me about it ... let them talk; the ensuing conversation will lead you to say ... I see, I’ll bet this is quite a conversation piece when you have visitors. Now, when we sell your home we don’t want potential buyers focusing on this. We want potential buyers to focus on the unique features of your home and lifestyle provided by living here. If we were to leave this collection on display I’m afraid it would distract them. I suggest you start packing for your anticipated move and place these treasured items in storage.”

Home is dirty; buried in clutter; it’s hard to tell the last time the place was cleaned well.

“In this kind of market, where Buyers have so many homes to choose from, they are very selective. Potential buyers will look in every closet, cupboard, under rugs and in every corner. It is very important that we get this home “Q-tip clean.” That means if you can get a Q-tip in a space it needs to shine. A Q-tip clean home shows that it has been well care for & well maintained over the years.

As you pull up to the house you cannot see the front for the overgrown trees & bushes.

How your home looks from the street should read like a best selling book cover. It needs to provide interest and a real desire to see more in potential buyers. We need to trim the trees from the bottom up and the shrubs from the top down making sure there is a clear view of the front entrance from the street.

House needs painting & repair.

Buyers today want move in ready homes that appear to have been updated within the last two years. You may not want to invest a great deal of money in remodeling and you do not have to. We agree that you should get as much bang for your buck! In this market your home needs to stand out from the crowd of distressed properties on the market. Well prepared & Professionally Staged homes are setting the standard for the homes for selling quickly today. I have a great Staging Professional that can come in with just right advice on what to do to make this property appeal to more buyers.

I don’t need a Stager to Stage my house it’s just fine the way it is.

Every home that goes up for sale need some preparation, by bringing in a Professional Home Stager we will gain that third party perspective needed to prepare your home specifically for a faster sale @ the highest market value. A professional Home Stager will know what is best and what we do to need to do in order to make a quick sale. Of course you will have the final say on all decisions.

Too much furniture.

During showings it’s vital for the flow in & between rooms be as easy as possible. Removing some furnishings will improve this and make showings easier for agents & buyers. By bringing in a Professional Stager to help us decide what to keep, what to store and the most advantageous furniture placement, to draw attention on your home’s great features we will preset your home as a quality investment.

It’s a Short Sale. I have no money to Stage

We need to be creative first, last & always. Currently, ASP Staged Homes sit on the market 32 days while non-staged homes are sitting on the market an average of 187 days - that’s a difference of 145 days or almost 5 months. Even with a short-sale the shortest amount of time on the market will save you time and money.

My neighbor is a good decorator; she/he can do it.

I am sure he/she is very talented, but by using a trained, Professional Home Stager we will know the home has been prepared with the buyer foremost in mind. There is a big difference between Decorating for Living & Staging to Sell. Please think about it and read the Staging information I have included in my listing packet.

So what are your Staging Scripts?

Like the Odometer Rolling over ... Perhaps Today I will top 11,000 AR Points

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:30:46 -0500

With this post @ 10,900+ points this post may just do it!

I am at a MAPS BOLD training in St Petersburg, Florida today. BOLD is a 7 week Training/Coaching class for Realtors held by MAPS out of Austin, TX. I love Real Estate Coaching even though I am not an agent. Real Estate Coaching can benefit related Real Estate Industries too. Today the discussion is about Mind Set, Energy & what you generate is what you receive in these same areas. I agree/agree!

I am this weeks sponsor; providing lunch in return for getting 15 minutes to talk about my business. It went very well! There are about 50 top agents from our area here - I love/love being with these type people - movers/shakers in real estate that are here for the long haul - learning and hunkering down in this economy. These Real Estate Professionals are still standing, still selling property and thriving. Its the mot encouraging things to see!!

MAPS training is terrific. I have been involved several times; once had the privilege of coaching Home Staging on 2 SHIFT calls with Tony DiCello, MAPS Coach. We must not quit, we must not stop and we must remain positive regardless of our circumstances.

Change comes from within us and what er project is returned to us.

Examine your energy and know you are the one that creates it.

How Staging Your Listings Can Make You More Money

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:59:38 -0500

Is is a proven fact that Staged Homes sell faster & for more money. According to StagedHomes.com -

In the current market Staged Homes are setting the bar for presentation in real estate AND selling first when compared to unprepared homes!

How does this make Realtors more money?

Fewer price reductions. When the average price reduction is between $25,000 & $50,000 not only is the seller loosing money - Realtors are loosing it too as commissions decreases are directly related to price reductions.
By limiting the price reductions on the limited listings in the current market you increase your commissions!
Adding Staging to your services offered to sellers means you present yourself as a full-service professional; a one stop shop so to speak.
When you provide more service(s) to the sellers they are less likely to ask you to reduce your commission.
When you provide more service(s) to the sellers they are less likely to go to another real estate professional.
You are bringing added value and making your clients extremely happy.
More referrals and expansion of your Word of Mouth business as happy clients tell their friends!
Your expenses are cut by Staging as the time on the market is reduced, directly effecting what you have to spend on marketing!

Staging your listings makes absolute sense! In your area look for a Staging Professional you can trust and work with well as an intrigal part of your team. They are out there.

Where do I find a Professional Stager?

www.stagedhomes.com
www.iahsp.com

Home Staging Changes Lives one House at a Time

Paying Others to Write Your Blog - Honest, Ethical - There is a Question!

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:21:41 -0500

I am beginning to think I am a rules gal; & a real purest, perhaps too much a purest! I (as many of us) have been receiving solicitation emails from "writers" that will write & post blogs for me for a fee. This just does not sit right with me. Am I the only one?

Blogging on ActiveRain is always on my mind yet I do not get to it as often as I should. I'm out there working & building my business, not sitting in my office writing. I don't have time to blog, even weekly, anymore. The thought of hiring someone to keep up (and keep my ranking in tact) is tempting but I cannot do it!

Is it wise? Is it ethical? Is it what the creators of ActiveRain intended? In my opinion, no.

Trust - It's not wise to put blog post out there, written by others, with your name on it. Of course proofing is always intended but will that be another thing you/we don't keep up with? Can we keep up an have true knowledge of all posts if we allow this? I would never trust a stranger to access my AR account or any blog using my name.
Content - yes, the general topics can be discussed even suggested with proper proofing before posting but who keeps up with the comments & responds to those?
Ethical - lastly is it ethical?

I'm just going to throw that one out there for discussion as it's opinion. In this fast paced world it takes a lot of energy to keep up. It can be downright overwhelming to stay ahead. Ethics out the window, many people care about getting ahead more than they care about how they have treated people and contributed to the well-being of their community at the end of the day.

Me, I cannot hire someone to write my blog although I should as writing does not come easily to me. I could up my rankings if I had someone to up my posts. I don't think so; not for this purest.

IAHSP talks with ASID to share the Real Staging Truth with You!

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:03:08 -0500

Via Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP, We Stage Sacramento (We Stage Sacramento):

Recently, our IAHSP® International Board Chairwoman & Founder, Barb Schwarz, and President, Jennie Norris, issued a position statement on behalf of IAHSP International and our membership regarding legislation surrounding the Interior Design industry and any potential impact to the Home Staging industry.

We researched extensively and put thought into our position paper, and sent it out to all members, as well as posted it online.

Several weeks ago, we were dismayed to find separate groups attempting to discredit our research and our IAHSP Association in what we see is an attempt to strike fear into the minds of Home Staging business owners, and their attempt to build membership for their groups to help "fight" legislation that truly has no impact on Home Stagers. This, to us, is highly irresponsible and could even be called by some reprehensible.

Rather than engage in futile finger pointing and use, as resources to back up our position, other online posts or articles spouting much of the same misleading and inaccurate rhetoric put out by these same groups (which is what they continue to do and use as their resources), we determined the most responsible thing to do was to go directly to the most reliable source - American Society for Interior Designers - at the National Level in Washington, DC.

We took the time and effort and contacted the American Society of Interior Designers - and spoke directly with the National Director of Government & Public Affairs, the Associate Director of Public Affairs, and the Government Affairs Assistant. These individuals are responsible for legislation pertaining to the Interior Design industry and their role is to lobby for and support ASID membership and the Interior Design industry nationwide.

These are the questions we put forth to the American Society of Interior Design and below are
the answers of the National Director of Government & Public Affairs,
the Associate Director of Public Affairs, and the Government Affairs Assistant
The ASID Response is in BLUE and the IAHSP Feedback or TIP is in GREEN.
(For your reference, sources for accurate data pertaining to this issue are found at the end of this summary.)

1. Does the ASID legislation in any way target those in the Home Staging industry?

ASID Response: Backing up a step - the legislation is not generated by ASID. The legislation is generated by Interior Design groups and individuals at the STATE level. ASID is just one of several groups involved in supporting legislation that would better define business practices and legal recognition of the interior design profession.

From the ASID Site: "The 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives states the powers not delegated to the federal government. Under this framework, states regulate professions that impact the health, safety and welfare of the public."

"Every decision an interior designer makes in one way or another affects the health, safety and welfare of the public. Those decisions include specifying furniture, fabrics and carpeting that comply with fire codes and space planning that provides proper means of egress. In addition, interior designers deal with accessibility issues, ergonomics, lighting, acoustics, and design solution for those with special needs."

IAHSP: Home Stagers do not traditionally engage in activities that impact the health, safety and welfare of the public, and we are NOT targets of any State regulation of the Interior Design industry. Since the structures (houses) we are working in have already met safety standards when they were constructed by the builder, we do not have to consider those aspects when we engage in traditional Home Staging work with advising clients on what to do to prepare their houses for sale.

Exceptions to this would be if you recommend remodeling to a client as part of the Home Staging process. Ensuring they comply with any building codes is the responsibility of the person conducting the work. Since that is typically NOT a Home Stager, you are not at risk.

Painting walls, changing out existing light fixtures or plumbing fixtures is not an issue of health and safety when the homeowner simply replaces what was already there. Removing walls, adjusting the structure from the original design, or enhancing things like electrical systems, is a potential building code issue.

IAHSP TIP: Always refer any upgrading or remodeling work to a licensed professional who does understand codes and laws and would properly apply any needed regulatory or safety codes and laws.

2. What does the legislation want to achieve relative to interior designers?

ASID Response: Based on the 10th Amendment, the regulation occurs at the State level for Interior Designers. The legislation wants to regulate those who call themselves "Registered Interior Designers" or "Certified Interior Designers" in each State. The only exemption to this would be Federal Buildings that would fall under the guidelines at the Federal Level.

Ideally, ASID would like to see all states have a consistent definition of "Interior Designers" - but since each state is responsible for enacting their own legislation and criteria, it is not expected.

IAHSP: REFERENCE SOURCE: http://www.asid.org/legislation/state/
When you review this link, you will see that in all cases, the states that are currently putting legislation into practice or are proposing legislation - in ALL cases - target ONLY those that call themselves "Registered Interior Designer," "Certified Interior Designer," or "Interior Designer."

There in not ONE "Home Stager" title on the list. This means they are NOT targeting Home Stagers that conduct Home Staging services in a Home Staging business.

3.   Does the legislation target any service done for a homeowner or business or just those related to codes and safety?

ASID Response: There is a broad exemption on the books for residential and architectural work in the laws, and structures with fewer than 4 buildings are part of this broad exemption - which would apply to single family houses. However, whenever codes and safety are involved, it is best to work with a licensed individual. This could be a licensed contractor who remodels a house, obtaining the correct permit, or a licensed Interior Designer who understands structural safety and codes, who would engage the correct personnel to get the work done.

IAHSP: As Professional Home Stagers, we do not normally get involved in this type of work, and if you do choose to add those services to your business, IAHSP recommends that you would want to be licensed and certified to do that type of work. Otherwise, you would refer it to qualified individual.

4. If enacted, will the ASID legislation prevent someone that is a Home Stager from practicing in business?

ASID Response: No. The legislation at the state level is not targeting Home Stagers. When Home Staging is largely about residential work, it is not included in the main concerns of building codes and safety related to larger commercial work. The only state that currently regulates Interior Designers is Florida, and the laws have not translated to Home Stagers who successfully operate businesses in the state of Florida. The only exception to that would be IF the Home Stager calls himself or herself an "Interior Designer" - then they would be targeted under the auspices of that law.

From a letter by Bruce Bigham, ASID President: "ASID will continue to support legal recognition of the profession, but not if that recognition prevents individuals from offering services such as selection of colors, materials and finishes or selection and specification of furniture, fixtures and equipment, so long as those services do not affect building code or other statute."

5. Does the ASID legislation prevent a person from moving decorative items (such as pillows) from one spot to another in a house or moving furniture?

ASID Response: The genesis for this unfounded fear came from the legislation passed in Alabama and people have taken that one example of a poorly written law (that was quickly overturned) to the absolute extreme, irresponsibly. The laws that are working to be enacted at the State level by Interior Design groups in no way wish to restrict what happens in an individual's home with respect to personal decorating or moving of items from one place to another.

IAHSP: We did discuss what Home Stagers do when we rearrange furniture - with the goal to be to open up the traffic flow in a room. Again, these services are not any sort of target for the Interior Design legislation. Recommending painting walls, removal of clutter, basic upgrades that the homeowner would conduct or hire out to a licensed contractor, does not mean we are targets of any sort of legislation. (See above quote from Bruce Bigham)

6. Would the ASID legislation (if enacted) prevent a Home Stager from Staging a vacant house - bringing in furniture and placing it in rooms?

ASID Response: No. The legislation does not target that aspect of the Home Staging business. If there are any regulations that would apply, it would fall under Building Codes and these are not part of the Interior Design focus. Regardless of what definitions or regulations the interior design industry is successful in implementing, if there are building codes that come in to play, that is totally separate. Since what we do in Home Staging is like moving in or out of a house as a homeowner, this is not regulated.

IAHSP: As a Home Stager if we do get involved in a unique property, it would be wise to check to make sure there are not any restrictive Building Codes in place that may be of concern in installing furniture and décor.

7. Is the goal of ASID legislation to shut down Home Staging businesses across America?

ASID Response: Absolutely not. They do not see us as competition for their business and see that we serve a totally different type of consumer. We are part of the Real Estate Industry as Home Stagers, and they are the Interior Design Industry. We are different industries and their intent is not to harm any Home Stagers in the Home Staging industry.

Summary:
Our positions on the IAHSP International Board are voluntary as we serve our members and the Home Staging industry at large, and yet we know this is an important concern for many of our members, because of the volume of misinformation and inaccurate positions that have been posted by outside groups. We are happy to devote our time and effort to put out yet another thoughtful and accurate statement.

However, at this juncture, we ask you to TRUST that we would not be steering our valued IAHSP members or the Home Staging community at large in the wrong direction or with the wrong focus, and ask you to think twice about groups that ARE attempting to do this.

Why would you trust or choose to belong to a group that is deliberately trying to scare you and strike un-necessary fear into the minds of business owners? This is highly irresponsible and just adds more emphasis on the fact that these other groups do not truly understand what Home Staging is relative to our goals, our focus and our purpose. It is evident that they believe we are in the design industry, and that couldn't be farther from the truth. We believe that this is an attempt to build membership in these other organizations and use your dollars for personal profit under the guise of "fighting" an issue that is not about you as a Home Stager.

It is also proof of how they are not a purely Home Staging group with a Home Staging focus. Because they have allowed "anyone" to join, they cannot serve just the Home Staging industry, and that creates this challenge they have to deal with. Because they had no standards for membership from the start, they now have issues with members that have one hand in the Home Staging business and the other in Interior Design, with no leadership making it clear that those two services and industries are totally different in goals and purpose.

We encourage you to stay focused on your ASP Home Staging Businesses and share with others you may come across that IAHSP is a responsible trade Association for the Home Staging industry that seeks truth, not fear; seeks support through responsible and value added services, not to gain membership through fear and misinformation.

When and if, this legislation ever does target Home Stagers, you will be the first to learn of it through IAHSP and our now positive and friendly relationship with ASID.

We ask you not to just "believe" positions that are shared by those with hidden agendas - do the research yourself to get answers if you are still concerned after reading this summation. Just as we have researched and read information and drawn conclusions, if you truly want to know if this impacts you, go to the SOURCE and get the facts yourself.

Rather than read a paper that is a biased interpretation of the facts, go get the facts directly and read the legislation and concerns of the interior design industry. A few of the reliable resources are listed below.

We love and support all our members and are proud of our IAHSP Association for being a responsible voice for the Home Staging industry.

With respect and support for you,

Barb Schwarz, ASPM®, IAHSP®
Chairwoman and Founder, IAHSP

Jennie Norris, ASPM®, IAHSP®
President, IAHSP - 2009-2010

And Your IAHSP International Board

Additional References:

The below resources found online are full of articles and links to the actual proposed or enacted legislation on the books. If you want to do further research, we recommend the following:

"Interior Design Legislation 101" - http://www.asid.org/NR/rdonlyres/982056F9-CBD4-4A42-9921-AE6F3B4E84D8/0/IDlegislation101.pdf

"Health, Safety and Welfare"
http://www.asid.org/NR/rdonlyres/EC6604D5-6173-4B52-BBDB-D6EA23AD0AED/0/HealthSafetyandWelfare2.pdf

Letter from Bruce Brigham, FASID, President, ASID
http://www.asid.org/legislation/Letter+from+ASID+President+Bruce+Brigham++FASID.htm

ASID Legislation and Advocacy Resources
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International Association of Home Staging Professionals

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 07:25:57 -0500

In these challenging economic times we are all looking for ways to stretch our dollars and use our pennies wisely. My membership in IAHSP is, of course, a priority. It has made me $$$. After being an ASP/ASPM/IAHSP member for years the many benefits became tangible this summer. Because of my IAHSP listing I landed a large vacant Staging job.

One benefit, often taken for granted, is Internet presence. As the search engines go (my knowledge is basic) they look for relevance, linked sites, rankings and longevity ... the last alone is reason enough to renew IAHSP without interruption! StagedHomes.com, IAHSP are leaders
on search engines for Home Staging. To be listed on both boosts ASP/IAHSP member even more with the dual listing. I value my local chapter for moral support and education among other benefits but I revere my web listing on IAHSP also as it is of tremendous benefit.

I have set the course for my Staging business. I shall continue not steering off course when I know that I know I have found what works and is driving my business forward.

VACANT HOME STAGING & HOME SITTING

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:52:11 -0500

After viewing a piece on 10 Connects on 7/8/9 about the copper thefts in St Petersburg I must mention a service company for vacant homes on the real estate market; Professional Home Sitters based in Tampa Bay.

www.ProHomeSitters.com offers Staging Services with Home Sitters at no charge to the seller or Realtor! Yes, seriously - they do! I believe you would be providing a great service to the community to share this service with your viewers. Professional Home Sitters is like throwing a life line to sellers out of cash and in desperate need to sell their home! As well as providing the Sitter, Pro Home Sitters also provides Professional Home Staging Services for each property.

This is truly a WIN/WIN! 94.8% of ASP Staged Homes sell on average in 37 days according to www.StagedHomes.com.

Pro Home Sitter Benefits to the Seller are -

Your home will be safer from vandalism and theft.
Your Utility Costs are Eliminated.
Your home will be lived in and taken care of.
Your Insurance costs will be less.
Your lawn is cared for.
Your home is kept clean inside and out.
Your Home will be ready and available to be shown at all times

Each Professional Home Sitter is carefully screened for:

Consumer Profile — which verifies SS#
Public Records
Credit Reports
Residential History
Rental Databases
Eviction History
Criminal Background
National Sex offenders
Employment Verification

Also as we see the declining look of vacant homes on many streets around Tampa Bay the need and appeal of having real people bring life back into these homes & neighborhoods is invaluable.

Doing what I can to Change Lives and Help the Real Estate Market in Tampa Bay.

RIGHT PLACE RIGHT TIME -- I was featured on the local CBS evening news.

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:57:57 -0500

Yesterday I received a call from a local TV station; they were looking for Home Staging Professionals to use in a piece about real estate. Like I said, right place, right time. I might note I have been (over several month) doing a lot of social networking and tasks all recommended to up your search engine ranking. I am here to tell you all - keep it up as it works.

I love this business, I will not quit, I will not stop and I will remain steadfast on the course I have set with www.stagedhomes.com and the International Association of Home Staging Professionals. Everything I have done for the last three years would be lost if I broke one single connection with any of these organizations.

Want to sell your home fast? Stage it! from www.10newsconnects.com

Having trouble selling your home in this buyer's market? Home staging may give you the edge over other homes up for sale.

Home stagers say they are seeing more business from frustrated home sellers. They're staging more homes that are owner occupied than are vacant.

The goal says Deborah Ehrlich is to stage for presentation not for function that's the difference between home staging and decorating.

"We don't want buyers to admire the baby pictures on the walls, but the rooms they are in," says Ehrlich.

Ehrlich owns Staging Plus, Inc in Hillsborough County. At the height of the market, 70% of her work was staging vacant homes, now it's staging occupied homes.

This week she's preparing a vacant home in the Water Chase subdivision for July 4^th open house. The owner is a realtor. Many realtors are turning to home stagers to sell homes.

"Vacant homes have no soul," says Ehrlich. "The investment in staging is always less than your last price reduction." She adds homes that are staged sell faster and for more money than homes that are not staged.

Ehrlich says 80 percent of people who walk into a vacant house can't imagine their things in the space and that's why staging is so important.

"In a vacant house, you stage what I call the buyer decision rooms. Those are the rooms buyers first see when they walk in the door."

Ehrlich focuses on the entrance area, the kitchen and family room, living room and dining room, the master bedroom and the bathroom.

"I don't want you to fall in love with the dining room set, I want you to fall in love with the dining room," says Ehrlich.

Colors are kept neutral and furnishings simple. Ehrlich says this highlights the house's features for a faster sale.

"Buyers, they know in seconds if they're interested in that house. We need to present the wow factor and they need to see their things in the space."

When home staging, Ehrlich says homeowners need to remember it's about presentation not function.

That's the goal for the owner of a 2,240 square foot Palm Harbor home. The house built in 1983 by Carol Willi and her husband has been on the market a couple of weeks.

"Our four kids are grown. It's time to move on. This house needs a new family," explains Willi.

Willi has hired home stager Jan Whitlow, owner of Selling Edge Home Staging, hoping for a fast sale.

Willi's family room is decorated with a collection of firefighting memorabilia her husband is a retired firefighters.

Whitlow suggests, "When we come here, the eye is distracted to the firefighting and family pictures fine for the way you live to sell its completely different."

In the dining room, Whitlow suggests setting the table. Another tip is to put away two-thirds to half of all persona belongings in the house.

"Staging is all about feeling creating a feeling for the buyer, 'This is where I want to live,'" says Whitlow. She adds less is more, set accessories in groups of three and remember a room's flow is important.

In the kitchen, she recommends rolling up and putting away the area rugs, "When you have area rugs it breaks up the floor. You want every room to appear as large as possible."

Willi says her walk and talk tour of her home has helped begin to detach herself emotionally from her house and her personal things. "The more she talked, the more I realized from a buyer's view point. What it looks like when a buyer comes in. Some things are too personal and I need to take them down and put them away," says Willi.

Whitlow says when selling a house keep this in mind, "Your home is not a home any longer. It's a house, a commodity for sale packaged marketed wrapped up in a bow and given as a gift to the next buyer. It's all about marketing, marketing, marketing."

The cost for home staging varies by the number of rooms and a home's square footage. An hour walk and talk tour for do-it-yourself tips starts at around $100 and up. Home staging can average between $500 and $1,000.

Isabel Mascarenas

Now is the Time to Use a Home Stager or Learn to Walk Away

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:53:28 -0500

Karen could not have stated this better!!

Via Karen Sue Serving Austin, Tulsa & Phoenix (Sellright Home Staging & Ace Casino Tours):

After talking to many Stagers throughout the US I have come to find that with real estate sales dropping so are the request for Staging. It should have been the opposite. In a sellers market homes were selling in days even if they weren't Staged. In a buyers market there is so much more competition on the market that buyers are going to buy the best value for their dollar. This is the time that Staging really becomes vaulable.

So for Realtors and home owners alike if you are not using a Home Stager, now is the time!

I have also found that when a Realtor becomes the go between of a Stager and a seller they find it difficult to sell the Stager. The Stager deserves the opportunity to sell their services directly to the seller, just like when a Realtor does a listing presentation they want all home owners present.

Would you like a seller to call you as a Realtor and ask what your commission rates are and hang up. That's what Realtors do to Stagers.

Working with one Stager works best. You learn their vocabulary for selling their services, you learn how they work. If you want to provide the seller with good customer service( which is the only reason I can think of why a Realtor would want to be the go between) just offer to be present when the Stager arrives. Otherwise, if the Realtor doesn't give the Stager the opportunity you actually hurt the seller. And why would a Realtor want to hurt their own client!

I cannot stress enough as a Realtor and successful home Stager how important Staging is especially on a vacant home. I am going on my fourth year as a Realtor and I would like to share what I have done in over 3 years.

Very simply put, every home that I have listed myself, I Staged. Every home sold in under 28 days! Some in 3 days, some in 7 days!

Is that not proof enough that when you keep control of the home selling process, and walking away from a client that won't listen to your advice you will maintain excellent statistics. What could be a better selling tool to your future clients? You can recommend price, you can recommend condition. If sellers won't listen to your advice, why do you want them as your client? They might as well list it on FSBO. Let then waste their marketing dollars not yours.

Be aggressive, learn to tell sellers what they need to do, and if they won't listen, learn to walk away.

Professional Associations can bring you business or drive it toward others

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:38:35 -0500

I had an amazing conversation with a client yesterday. He had already relocated to Texas but had not sold his house in Florida. As a vacant property, he already knew he needed to Stage the property to sell it faster. After doing extensive Internet research on Professional Home Staging he called me. His primary requirement in a Stager was someone in an “association”. He did numerous online searches and narrowed his search to the Professional Stagers from www.StagedHomes.com and specifically members of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals. He then furthered his search by going to individual web sites, looking at the work of Staging Professionals and calling around for a name.

In this technological world Internet searches are and will be more common for many reasons:

Sellers are finding it necessary to move before they sell their homes due their job.

Sellers are finding it more & more difficult to get proper direction for the right help to prepare their home for sale from miles away. There is an awful lot of misinformation out there.

Sellers are using the Internet to find the answers to questions & advise on the best Professional Stagers. Time & time again they are finding that ASP/ASPM’s are setting the bar in Professional Home Staging by preparing home properly, resulting in faster sales for the highest market value.

Sellers want the best Staging Professionals available and are concluding they need to find an ASP/ASPM in their area.

It is vital these days that we realize everything on the Internet about us will make or break our businesses. Any information, pictures, editorial, blog posts (by us or about us) and yes, our associations are available simply by searching the Internet. The world is smaller, faster and there are few secrets left.

Retaining the ASP affiliation as well as the International Association of Home Staging Professionals will only build your business now & in the future. I have the experience and the evidence to prove it!

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, IAHSP

We Live or Die by Technology

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:36:22 -0500

April 24, 2009 shall be etched in my mind! That is the day that Outlook stopped and my technology work life became a nightmare. As I had a Dell computer I called them first ... after (no kidding) about 12 hour on the phone with them over about 4 days Outlook was not restored; I had lost lost of my emails and lots of contact information but I was left with Incrediablemail and purchases "to fix everything" to the tune of about $450. The dancing butler and Elvis voice made me crazy!! I was D O N E with Dell told them never to call me again - I was not cursing, nor rude but definitely D O N E !! Here is the weird part - my customer service rep was overly enthusiastic, "scary helpful" and called me for 5-6 more days repeatedly on my office & cell phones - this is after I forbade him from caliing. He would call and leave 6-8 messages in a row everyday; sometimes more than once a day ... I call him my Dell stalker ... LOL Who could believe? Anyway, I never spoke to him/them again. Over the next several weeks I purchased an iPhone and proceeded to lose my old Blackberry before I was able to transfer all the numbers - oh me!

During this time I was trying to get my laptop up to speed and use it for business - that worked to a point as I had everything backed up via an external hard drive. I was in business say 85% - not so good really. In my opinion whatever infected my PC was transferred to my laptop - it was a mess too!! My laptop (not a year old) was slow, I began to see the negatives about VISTA in my life daily ... the iPhone was great and calling me to make the MAC switch ... but the laptop was not that old. What is a girl to do? I continued to try & try never getting all my 3 email accounts to work in my laptop. By this time I was limping along using my laptop but with the use of a memory stick printing from my PC - it was crazy to go on thus for so long! We installed Verizon FIOS durIng this time too - things were not faster - VISTA was the problem!

Over the next few weeks I brought in 3-4 "experts" to solve my problems. Improvements were made but never lasted - my email settings in Outlook would reset/fail after a shutdown. It was the nuts! I never did get some information back ... it is not to be ...

Saturday I broke - went to the Apple store in Tampa and purchased a MacBook & MAC. OH MY - this is heaven - LIFE IS GOOD. I left my new computers @ the Genius bar along with my old laptop; they transferred everything for me. Last night my son, Alex helped me set up all three email accounts. I had absolutely no idea how quick, clean & easy MAC is ... I had heard but I could not have envisioned how exceptional my experience was going to be!! I get goose bumps thinking about it. LOL

I now will have time to work in my business rather than on it - technology does not/should not take most of our time - it does when it fails. I have barely been keeping my head above water with what need to be done - I see the light as my friend & author Angela Ewell Hunt said ... she made the switch years ago ... does all her writing on her MAC.

Thanks go to many - my son Alex for forcing me to try the iPhone - it rocks. My ASPM friend Sharon Sanchez, Absolute Design of Tampa Bay for encouragement alway and my family; especially my husband Bob who has put up with a lot of my frustration during this ordeal.

APPLE is having a big sale - now is the time to make the switch!

Paint that Purple Wall, Will Ya?

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Fri, 29 May 2009 06:32:21 -0500

"The purple wall needs to be painted!", Jan Whitlow, ASPM, IAHSP.

Although strong colors, purple even pink may be absolutely fine for living and your personalized decor' it is not right for selling. "How we live on our Homes and how we Sell them are two different things.", according to Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging®.

During a sale a Home becomes a House and hence a commodity for sale - it has to be packaged properly and then marketed. By neutralizing colors throughout the home it is proven you get more showings, more interest & more offers!!! One of the worse pitfalls in real estate listings today is leaving dated colors and old wallpaper in the home. It draws attention to things the Seller may not like about the home, while 100% of their attention should be on what they love about the property; how well maintained it is and the grand lifestyle portrayed by living there. Knowledge of buyer criteria and preparing the house accordingly brings more attention to your listings. This is followed by less time on the market, less marketing dollars invested and the highest market sale price. Tell me again why you are not using ASP Home Stagers to prepare all your listings for sale.

Telling sellers the truth about marketing & selling their home takes courage; it can be done in a manner as not to offend ... after all - REALTOR/BROKER/Stager/Seller all have the same goal ... Get It SOLD! ASP Professional Home Stagers all have learned Barb Schwarz's Home Staging Business Model. This IS the original Professional Home Staging Model and the Home Staging Industry Standard with all the necessary tools to deal with Seller Objections in a non confrontational manner and respect. Trust an ASP!

Memorial Day - Remembering ...

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Sun, 24 May 2009 08:13:42 -0500

In times of remberance there most often is gratitude. What are you grateful for? In this current American muck of negativity let's all stop and reflect upon what is good about the American Way! My father was a WWII veteran and darn proud of his service. He "lived" his Army and passed on to his children great patriotism. Thank you, Dad!

I am of course grateful for our current troops that cannot be with family & friends this weekend as they are on foreign soil; I am grateful for the veterans that have served our great country over the last 233 years. America is great!! The AMERICAN WAY is not dead.

Frankly, I am not in favor of changing the American way. Yes, we can be excessive - big homes, big cars, bigger/better all the time. I do ask - is bigger/better always right? Probably not.

What is right about the American Way is our fight for freedom; our own as well as the freedom and human rights of others. Human rights must be defended as well as the right to chart each humans own course and choose personal paths.

This Memorial Day weekend let's refresh our minds to all that is good about America!! We exist because our founding fathers wanted freedom from government, personal choice and a better life. Thanks to them for providing thus. Let's celebrate freedom and the sacrifices made by our generations of veterans that have assurred us this legacy!

GOD BLESS AMERICA - GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS, SERVICE MEN & WOMEN

What is the right house for Staging?

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Thu, 14 May 2009 07:43:22 -0500

To be absolutely honest - there is not a house on the market today that will not benefit from Professional Home Staging ... all but the ones already "professionally" Staged.

In my market I have met hundreds of Realtors that are ready to Stage, "When I get an appropriate property." What? I have Staged properties from the luxury, multi-million dollar range all the way down to $70,000. ALL benefit!!

In Florida, where I am located there are many, many retirees. Upon their passing it is common to see properties placed on the market that with the remnants of a life - aka - what family & friends do not take. Some believe its better than nothing to leave a "staged" setting looking like the 60's - its not! It often can do more harm than good. Here's Why -

Homes often looks sad
Potential Buyers will talk about whats in there - not the home's features
If the good stuff is taken often what is left is dated, bland and boring
Reminds Buyers of their immortality - not usually a positive thing

Please check out these before & afters of a property @ Top of the World, Clearwater, FL that went into contract in under 60 days. The inventory of condominiums in our area is close to 4 years - its a pretty good sale time for a Staging Investment of $800!

Living Room Before

Living Room after

Guest Bedroom Before

Guest Bedroom After - looks much better with the beds made a two twind rather than a king.

Home Staging with House Sitting - What a Match!!

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:59:11 -0500

Selling Edge Home Staging Announces

House Sitting comes to Tampa Bay- a WIN/WIN!

Tampa Bay, Florida - April 7, 2009 - Selling Edge Home Staging is proud to announce they are the Staging Company for the new innovative, forward thinking Professional Home Sitters, Inc.

Professional Home Sitters provides house sitting services for vacant properties in the Tampa Bay area. Qualified sitters are matched with appropriate properties and each home is Professional Staged.

Sitters Benefits - *Live Large for Less *Great for temporary living - until you decide to purchase; during a transition period in life; military families and more.

Realtor Benefits - *Real Estate Ready to Show 24/7 *Listings are monitored by sitter; issues reported immediately *A Staged house with Professional Sitters sells faster!

Seller Benefits - *Maintained by the sitter *Utility costs are eliminated *Helped with expenses * Insurance reduced *Property maintain for you *House is kept clean in & out. AND MORE!

Professional Home Sitters, Inc

This unique service is designed to provide qualified Home Sitters for vacant home owners, snowbirds, and vacationers who want their home occupied and cared for while they are away.

Services are provided at no cost and no worry to Home Owners! An extensive screening process to carefully select conscientious Home Sitters that will provide you peace of mind.

Home Sitters benefit from the opportunity to live in a high quality home while paying a greatly reduced fee. In exchange they agree to take immaculate care of the inside and outside of the home. Frequent onsite inspections will ensure your confidence in Professional Home Sitters services and our Professional Home Sitters who continually maintain your property.

About Professional Home Sitters, Inc PO Box 8862, Madeira Beach, FL, 33738

Call 727-851-SITR (7487) FAX -727-209-1442

For more information go to
www.prohomesitters.com

The form to apply to be a House Sitter can be found on our web site.

The Seller's Market within this Buyers Market

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 05:06:07 -0500

Yesterday one of my Realtors called to tell me that another of my Staged properties was in contract!! Wonderful! This one is such a sweet story ...

THE CONTRACT IS FOR 50K - YES - $50,000 OVER ASKING PRICE

During one of my MAPS Coaching Calls with Tony DiCello, Director of MAPS Tony spoke about a priced right AND Staged home in Texas that sold for $100K over the asking price - in 2009. The home was prepared beautifully - STAGED; attracted several Buyers; a bidding war ensued ... talk about the good old days!!

Who out there can share a similiar story? Our Real Estate Industry needs positive news - do tell!

Production Bringing Results

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:55:48 -0500

2009 is proving to be my best year in business. I'm still feeling the growing pains and want a part time assistant in the worst way ... BUT ... I want a viable, healthy company more! I shall wait to get an assistant. The phone has been ringing with Realtors wanting Stagings ... its happening ... "in this economy".

SEVEN OF MY STAGED PROPERTIES HAVE GONE IN CONTRACT OR SOLD SINCE JANUARY 1. Two things contributed to this -

#1 Price #2 Condition of the home aka Staging.

When those two things are right buyers will be attracted. Homes sitting on the market are the ones over priced as the sellers have unrealistic expectations. Proper Staging (among other things) will also:

Give a lasting first impression - this is on the Internet!! Should the MLS PICS be lacking or dull the buyers will not want to be shown the property!
Make the home's features POP
Diminish property flaws by drawing the attention to it's features
Create positive emotion in the potential buyers - crucial if any home has a shot of making the short list
Allow for easy movement in & around the home
Make the space appear as large as possible
Convey to the potential Buyers the lifestyle of living in the home; neighborhood; city
Neutralizes the property so that it appeals to a wider range of buyers
Appears to have been updated within the last two years
"Buyer Beautiful" approaches a Model Home look ... builders know what is appealing to homeowners and convey that with furnishings, accessories & extras ... Staging too

Bigger & Better Ideas - Got Any?

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 15:01:40 -0500

Some of the best ideas come to me while I am drifting in & out of sleep. You? As I am continually trying to better my business, my services, save time and invent short cuts; I came up with the next thing I want to try.

IDEA - Garbage cans on wheels for transporting pillows & soft goods from the warehouse to the truck; the truck to the house and vice versa. Of course they need to be new & clean; It takes so many plastic bins to get all the pillows; throws, & bedding in each house! Too many; I need to pear that down somehow!! I'm going to try this one! I'll let you know how it goes. My first challenge will be tying the cans down in my truck so they do not roll around. LOL

What is your best Staging idea? Best tip? Innovation? Jan

Breaking the silence, thoughts on stimulus

Jan Whitlow, ASPM, #1 Pinellas Co AR Stager/Blogger (Selling Edge Home Staging) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:53:06 -0600

The post below is the most concise - right on - description of the latest stimulus package and how it is NOT a fix!!! Please read - please be a voice in Washington - write your congressman & senators.

Government intervention created this mess from several angles; more of the same is digging us a deeper economic hole; Matt is so right! Sometimes its best to do nothing ... and in this case a cooling off period may well prove to have been better.

"CHANGE" ... Quote me, "Life changes every day; more on some days than others." How much change are you ready for? How many of you realize that in the February "stimilus package" was a $93,000 pay increase for congress? In this economy - are you kidding?

My parents went through the depression and lived to tell about it. It was impressed & instilled in me at a young age to trust our government to never/never/never let that happen again. I believed in the FDIC and that we were protected yet even then they intervened. Looks like the beginning of more & more government! I have lost faith in my government which makes me sad ... if government is for the people and "Washington" only represents us -

Speak Up America!" They need to know what we want.

Via Matt Heaton (Timu Corp - CEO, ActiveRain - Co-founder):

So I haven't written a blog post in what pretty much seems forever, after my massive barrage this fall on the bank bailouts and economic issues. Many people are surprised I haven't chimed in on the massive "stimulus" bill that every-bodies been talking about. Part of the reason is I've been way getting things ready to launch with Timu and haven't followed all the details as closely as I have in the past but also because I just got burned out, frustrated and cynical with everything, particularly anything that involves Congress.

But, ok here's a few quick thoughts...

First of all and this one is gonna strike a nerve with a lot of ActiveRainer's, housing is not the core problem. Housing is a symptom of the core problem. True, it's a massive symptom that is causing pain for most Americans but because it's not the core problem, so we won't solve our economic issues by trying to fix housing alone. It won't lead us out of the mess like some claim, never has, never will. The core problem was/is massive amounts of cheap credit that caused people, corporations and even the government to take on a unsustainable debt load while at the same time not creating much of anything productive. Look at the LBO (leveraged buy out) boom that occurred at the exact same time as a prime example. Due to cheap credit corporate raiders bought out and literally destroyed thousands of productive companies for a short term gain. Enron should have been a warning, but it became a model.

Are amazing recovery after the .COM crash was a mirage, masked by financial wizardry, that attempted to create money out of nothing, and distorted the true state of the economy. Simply put we were looking for a quick fix but didn't create sustainable growth (thank you Greenspan and the financial industry).

Ok, now back to the stimulus, the problem is we are attempting to do the exact same thing, and I think it was Einstein that said the definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" The stimulus no matter what it is used for is no free lunch. It's simply the government taking on more debt which will come out of our pockets at a later date either via taxes or the government finally needing to start of the printing presses to not just inflate but hyper-inflate. Unless that stimulus is being used efficiently to create long term growth (which it's not) then it's a net negative for us, plus it masks the true problems a little bit longer allowing them to grow. I've read economics paper layout how similar attempts during the 1930's actually lengthened the great depression rather than saved the US, yet for some reason most economists seem to be gung hoe about it this time around.

But, but everybody is screaming about how the government HAS TO DO SOMETHING NOW. The problem is unless you do the right thing we've actually make the problem worse, and we've been stuck in this loop now for years. We have to get out of this near term thinking where we are just reacting to short term problems and kicking the can a little farther down the road.

If the government is going to use stimulus it has to be done very efficiently to make sure that you are creating more long term value with each dollar spent than is being spent. Think of it like taking out a loan to build a business or an investment. Unless you can use that money to make more money it's just a bad idea because YOU will have to pay it back. The stimulus roughly works out to $7,500 per tax payer before interest (and yes it's debt, there is interest), so ask yourself, is your $7,500 being invested wisely or are you just buying $7,500 of stock in the next Enron?