Reality is......You Can't Afford NOT To Stage in Concord California! - 09/27/08 12:33 AM
Two short sales, one REO on our street.....
should we stage our home Cathy Lee?????
Professional Home Staging before listing the property is essential to set your home apart from the competition.   This beautiful home is on a lovely cul de sac in a newer development with views of the majestic mountains and scenic hills.  It is only 3 years old and is loaded with upgrades, slab granite, stainless appliances, marble and stone flooring, arched doorways, crown molding to name a few!!
Many of the homeowners in the subdivision are "upside down" with the changes we've experienced in the market.  Financial … (19 comments)

5 Easy Tips to Live Green In Your Home in California! - 09/23/08 12:49 AM
The September issue of California Real Estate is "The Green Issue" It lists 30 tips and why it matters to live green. These 5 tips are easy to implement and very energy and cost effective.       
Change Your Light Bulbs
Reduce emissions and save energy by changing to Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
or Compact Fluorescent Light (CFLs) bulbs.
 
Unplug and Turn Off
Unplugging appliances you seldom use could save up to $10 on your monthly utility bill.
 
Recycle
Recycling saves energy in addition to keeping waste out of our land fills.
 
Stop Junk Mail
Save 100 million trees a year by signing up with … (10 comments)

Color and Size Matters in Walnut Creek California..... - 09/18/08 02:08 AM
In Home Staging!!
Preparing your home for sale can be stress free when you hire www.CLDesignServices.com professional home staging.   We can maximize your selling potential while enhancing the features and focal points of each room.  The colors of the rooms will create a warm, harmonious atmosphere and the scale of the furniture will be correct.
 The lovely home we prepared today has wonderful paint colors in every room.
We removed the loveseat for a full sofa, added pillows to enhance the green and blue walls in the large living room.
Before
    
After
 

 We painted the yellow Kitchen … (31 comments)

Come one, Come All to SIF Home Staging Awareness Roundtable in Walnut Creek California!! - 09/16/08 01:47 AM
                                       
Brook Furniture Rental, Walnut Creek and Cathy Lee, owner of C.L. Design Services Home Staging, Danville are supporting the home staging industry this November during Home Staging Awareness Month.  Professional Home Stagers will Gather to Discuss Industry News and Promote Home Staging.
The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) the Trade Association for Professional Home Stagers has announced that November is Home Staging Awareness Month.  RESA's goals are to facilitate positive interactions within the home staging industry, provide support to professional stagers in addition to promoting the benefits of home staging to the consumer.  The Interior Redesign Industry Specialists (IRIS), … (14 comments)

AR Stagers Assist Home Staging in Walnut Creek California Via SIF!! - 09/13/08 12:17 AM
My job today was an AR referral.  He "liked my style and what he read" so he called and drove to meet me from Los Angeles.  The property we prepared for sale is in Danville.  
The Staging was a collaborative job. Thank you Tom Scanlon, Michele Kurelich,Cheryl Gilliam, Susan Peters, Elaine Manes and Donna Schoby!!   I am so grateful for your assistance with this project!!
The Fortune Cookies will arrive in time for the broker's tour.......Thank You Tom!

 The Powder Room has guest towels. The Realtors can pee on the tour..Thank You Susan!
  
 The Soaps are wrapped in … (24 comments)

My Legacy Online........ - 09/09/08 11:14 PM

 
 
There is Magic that occurs with Sharing and with Unity!!  This is my attraction with Active Rain.
I was drawn to stageitforward  by my yearning to learn from the incredible Craig Schiller.  I read his, and many other posts, for almost one year.  I commented a few times on his and Kate Hart's post while being tutored by a local blogger, John Harper.  After much encouragement and completing a marketing class I made the big leap and posted my first article on February 22, 2008.
My goal in blogging is never to accumulate points.  I focus on Professionalism,Honesty … (26 comments)

Staging Bookshelves In Orinda California In A Decorative Style - 09/07/08 10:57 PM
 
A home office is a reflection of you and your work style.
Bookshelves can tell many things, what type of work you do,where you like to travel, what your hobbies are and books show many other things.  
First and foremost your bookshelves should be clean and organized.
If your bookshelves have only collectibles displayed, it looks as though something is missing.
Mix books with important pieces and you have added a wonderful decorative touch to your home.




 
Cathy Lee is owner of C. L. Design Services a full service professional home staging company in … (19 comments)

Staging Before Listing the Home Maximizes The Selling Potential Of This Walnut Creek California Home! - 09/06/08 10:37 AM
The home we staged yesterday has many lovely features.  Our job was to work as a team with the homeowners to store, then stage to expose them to the many potential buyers coming to buy this home.
This family worked very hard and diligently! They were receptive to removing many window treatments, refinishing wood flooring, installing new carpeting, painting the interior walls, planting new flowers and replacing the bark in all their flower beds. The want to sell their home!! 
Curb, Paint, Carpeting, Clean and then Stage.....The 5 Essentials to Success were completed in 3 weeks. 
The rooms are light, bright, colorful and spacious!!   Now the lovely … (8 comments)

Staging or Redesign? Hints for Choosing the Perfect Paint Palette for Your Home - 09/06/08 02:32 AM
Wall color is one of the most impactful aspects of home decorating.  Paint can create a mood and atmosphere that expresses your personality and make your home unique.  If you are selling, it can set your home apart from the competition.
Painting is an easy and economical way to update your home and reflect current trends, styles and tastes.
To get started, consult a professional home stager or redesigner.  Guidance in choosing your color scheme is a wise investment.
Pastels Create Serenity
    Light colors allow a great deal of flexibility and create an atmosphere of spaciousness.

 
Be Bold … (3 comments)

THANK YOU GARY WOLTAL!!!!! - 09/06/08 12:25 AM
I had the opportunity to speak and share a little bit about what I do this morning at www.ValleyMarketing.com.  A past blog of Gary's gave me inspiration and a great idea for an ice breaker.
I passed out purple, blue, hot pink, and lime green framed sunglasses to each Realtor and Affiliate as they arrived for our weekly marketing meeting .
When I had the opportunity to share, I began my message by saying ....
"Good Morning!!!  It's time to put your sunglasses on!
Real Realtors and Affiliates wear sunglasses because our futures look Bright!
We have positive attitudes, We inspire others!
 We … (4 comments)

Use The Internet To Get Off The Internet - 09/01/08 11:26 PM
 Real Groups Make a Real Difference
 Meet Face to Face 
 Connect With Others That Share Your Passion    www.meetup.com
 Realtors
Broker's
Lender's
Builder's
Stagers
Photographers
Golfers
Hikers
Bikers
Citizen Groups
and many other professionals are meeting in groups across the US and networking!
 
Happy Networking!  Cathy Lee
 
 
 
… (5 comments)