staging: 100,000 DING DONG's, Stage It Forward Calling... with a Member Button for YOU! - 06/04/07 02:35 PM
With this post I have gone over the 100k Point. How befitting to reach this milestone with this post. While I did not time it as such, (I actually thought it would be this Friday with a Good Word Series post.) this post really does make this special for me ... because this post … (55 comments)
|
staging: ENTER THE RAIN... from a New, Beautiful & Different Perspective - 04/05/07 09:37 PM
Every Realtor knows that first impressions matter. So can I be honest here? (And this has bugged me about Active Rain from the start.) Active Rain's front door is UGLY.
Yup UGLY! Yes, Yes I know it is fully "functional" door... but let's face it... its ugly. It has NO … (65 comments)
|
staging: Recycling a Full Circle Moment - 03/16/07 10:31 AM
Last November I took a business trip to China. I went there because the professional designer "me" was needed, however to my surprise the personal "me" was profoundly impacted.
While I was in China, I visited both Hong Kong and a city called Shenzhen (45 minutes from Hong Kong via water taxi) on the … (62 comments)
|
staging: I Confess... I've used the UGLY "R" WORD on the streets of metro Chicago - 03/16/07 07:07 AM
I happen to know among clients, home selling professionals, developers and stagers that there is controversy swirling around this very hot topic. It seems like everyone is chiming in on one side or the other, having a very strong and opinion on the subject. However, some of these negative opinions I feel are quite prejudiced. I feel … (33 comments)
|
staging: Town-home sits UNSOLD for 7 months... THEN SELLS JUST 2 DAYS AFTER STAGING - 03/09/07 09:22 AM
Here in Chicago, the Bucktown area has risen up to be a beautiful renaissance neighborhood. Just about 10 years ago it wasn't much to look at. However due to its close proximity to to downtown, builders came in tore out or rehabbed much of the old and built new. NOW Bucktown is … (23 comments)
|
staging: Active Rain created One Stage for an entirely new industry - 03/08/07 12:41 AM
The guys that created Active Rain might not realize it (and I KNOW they definitely did not intend it) but they have created something wonderful.
They have created a stage so that the voices of an entire industry, only in its infancy and struggling to be heard, could be heard. That industry is … (32 comments)
|
staging: THINK CRUSTY THOUGHTS... When Taking Listing Photos - 03/06/07 09:38 AM
Realtors you'll notice that while I am a home stager, a number of my blog postings have to do with taking better photos of listings. This is because I KNOW that what a home buyers SEES influences their desire to purchase... or NOT. But what a buyer SEES often starts BEFORE they drive up to … (56 comments)
|
staging: REALTORS... Selling a home is as easy as riding a Tricycle - 03/04/07 03:24 PM
When a home seller puts their home up for sale, they are much like kids about to go on a tricycle ride. But for this selling ride there are 4 basic elements impacting how smoothly the ride will go: Market, Location, Condition, and Price.
The Market is the sidewalk that the seller's … (57 comments)
|
staging: Home Stagers... Your Website is the Display Window of Your Talent & Skills - 03/03/07 04:35 PM
Knowing that the home staging industry is in the business of creating great first impressions, I often search the Internet looking at the websites of home stagers to see what kind of first impression they are or are NOT creating for the consuming public.
I first started checking out home staging websites 3 1/2 years ago when … (19 comments)
|
staging: Staged it Wright in Oak Park / River Forest IL - 03/02/07 09:23 AM
When it comes to Architecture, the Oak Park / River Forest area of Illinois is one of the most historically significant areas in the world! For it is here that Frank Lloyd Wright had his first "studio" and created the now famous and easily recognizable form of architecture known as the Prairie … (15 comments)
|
staging: Classic Georgian beautifully staged in Winnetka Illinois - 02/28/07 07:11 PM
Since the start of Active Rain I know I have been a bit of a yapper. But lately I have been very quiet... but for good reason. WE HAVE BEEN BUSY!
I thought you all might like to see some of what our crew here at Real Estaging has been working … (26 comments)
|
staging: Set Your Sites Low... to Raise Your Standards - 01/15/07 12:49 PM
The brilliance of Active Rain and Localism is that they can work together to everyone's benefit. As Active Rain provides a forum to share ideas and information amongst peers, Localism provides a place to apply this knowledge and better reach clients... immediately. Here is an example to make my point...
As a home stager … (42 comments)
|
staging: For Crying Out Loud... it's CHRISTMAS! - 12/22/06 09:32 AM
Well I thought this picture really captured the essence of the last few post I created.
In light of my recent post on Tears, and then all the boo-hooing and belly aching I was doing this past week... this seemed the perfect transition into Christmas.
Oh and NO... they are NOT my … (34 comments)
|
staging: Joy to the Rain - 12/17/06 01:35 AM
To all my friends in the rain...
I would just like to take a moment to wish you the very best and hope you have a joyous time with family and friends during the Holiday Season.
It truly has been a gift to meet, learn and share with you here in the rain.
Stage … (72 comments)
|
staging: I can’t hold it any longer… this old Blog-Dog is gonna hit his 100th Post. - 12/08/06 09:25 AM
Well I am about to a hit a personal milestone here in the rain. My next post will be #100!
And while that may not seem like a lot for some bloggers here in the rain... it is for me. You see prior to joining Active Rain I barely knew what … (33 comments)
|
staging: TRIX FIX 12 PIX - 12/01/06 08:22 PM
For both the realtor and a stager... GOOD photography of the property for sale is a necessity. For the realtor, the photos you take of your listing show the product you are trying to sell. For the stager the photos of your work capture and chronicle your staging skills.
Therefore it is to BOTH … (38 comments)
|
staging: Welcome Stagers! I have a "pumped up" idea... - 11/28/06 05:21 PM
FIRST!!! WOW.... You gotta love them AR guys. Those "drips" know how to "drop" in nice features.
To prime our new STAGE IT FORWARD GROUP pump... please go back to your blog postings about staging and re-assign its group under the new Stage It Forward catigory. That way, your best and most informative blogs will appear … (9 comments)
|
staging: DID OPRAH'S SHOW HELP HOME SELLERS....or was the message mixed and confusing? - 11/25/06 06:27 PM
It's no secret how much I admire and am inspired by Oprah. So when I finally watched last week's show on preparing a home for its sale I have to admit I was a bit disappointed.
While I applaud the shows desire to help home sellers who currently find themselves emotionally and financially … (37 comments)
|
staging: Working with Seniors... requires some flexibility! - 11/20/06 06:49 AM
Well I finally had my opportunity to talk about real estate staging to the group of seniors selling their homes. The auditorium was PACKED with an overflow crowd... to a point that there were those that needed to be turned away. To be honest I did NOT expect so many.
Upset and anxiety filled the room. You could feel that the folks … (47 comments)
|
staging: The CRAPPY part of a staging business is JUMBO sized CHALLENGES! - 11/18/06 06:29 PM
So you are or want to be a real estate stager? Well, it is a fun and rewarding business... but I would be lying if I said it was not with out it JUMBO challenges.
Since I have been blogging about staging I have "connected" with stagers from all over the United … (39 comments)
|
staging: This Clown gets a Carnival and I owe it to being Active in the Rain - 11/11/06 09:34 AM
You gotta admit one of the GREAT things you can say about Matt and Active Rain is if you DIDN'T know what the heck a blog was, you sure will in a very short time. If you got kids... you might even be able to stand proud, puff out your chest and … (43 comments)
|
staging: Visting the Edge of 2 Worlds - 11/05/06 08:22 AM
So I have been back for a week from my trip to China...and what a trip it was. While I went there because the professional merchandising/design advice of "me" was needed, the personal "me" was impacted.
Since returning I have been asked questions like: "How was it?" "Did you have a nice time?" "What did … (21 comments)
|
staging: STAGE IT FORWARD... - 11/03/06 08:33 AM
Active Rain has given me a platform from where I can share my voice. So I get a LOT of stagers asking for my advice, my help, my thoughts and I am honored and humbled... and a bit frustrated.
I am “frustrated” because I see a huge need and want to help. There … (30 comments)
|
staging: WOW does this stager have "IT" or what? - 11/02/06 07:40 AM
With nearly 170 Real Estate Stagers now listed here on Active Rain I tend to only have time to "check out" those who have jumped further in the puddle and participate more fully by blogging and commenting.
Recently I stumbled upon Jessica Hughes of Ambiance Staging. a new stager that I believe has … (11 comments)
|
staging: DRIVE-BY Comment HITS one of my Blogs... AGAIN! - 11/01/06 07:38 AM
Well for the second time this week one of my blogs has been “hit” with a comment from someone outside Active Rain.
This time the anonymous comment hit a blog I posted way back on August 10th entitled Stepping on "accredited/certified” stager’s toes…
And while I could let just the anonymous comment … (16 comments)
|
staging: Blog Comments: Thorns amongst the flowers. - 10/30/06 10:47 PM
When I posted my “Little Orphan Rodney” blog this morning I never thought it would create such a firestorm of comments.
I been so inspired by the spirit of kindness and generosity on Active Rain that I try hard to make my voice here be a voice of inclusion, a voice a … (10 comments)
|
staging: Staging Realtors... how big are your guns? - 10/25/06 06:07 AM
When should a realtor, who considers themselves to be a stager, bring in a professional real estate stager? In my opinion it really comes down to 3 key elements: TIME, TALENT, & TREASURE. A keen and rich knowledge of these basic 3 elements and a system for implementing and administering them is … (14 comments)
|
staging: Staged Property does NOT sell... BUT WHY? - 10/18/06 10:06 PM
Here is a set of Before & After pictures of a TOTALLY VACANT property we staged back in mid June and un-staged today.
IT DID NOT SELL. WHY? Was it because staging really does not help?
SOME nay-sayers might (and will) jump to that conclusion. I happen to have experienced … (15 comments)
|
staging: Paint a HOME'S SALE into a corner... by not making repairs! - 10/18/06 07:30 AM
While many stagers talk a lot about cleaning, depersonalizing, decluttering and rearranging a home, which ARE important aspects of what we do, there is another area a GOOD stager will focus attention on and find solutions for... home repairs.
Much like a buyer, the moment a real estate stager steps into a house they … (6 comments)
|
staging: Who has recently touched you professionally? - 10/11/06 07:35 AM
Who have you meet professionally that really impresses you and are glad you met?
Well here is my “touching” story…
For me it is Kim Ashely here in Chicago. I had bumped into Kim a couple times at various real estate luncheons... and I basically steered clear of her. WHY? Well my company, Real … (9 comments)
|
staging: ASP? HSE? What's-a-stager-SUPPOSED-to-be? - 10/08/06 08:24 AM
My answer is... EITHER. NEITHER. BOTH.
Cindy Lin, a new stager here on AR commented on one of my previous blogs. Cindy summed up her desire for training and her training experience well when she said, "granted the talent of staging is not teachable, but business models and skills are. i … (32 comments)
|
staging: Real Estate Stagers establish a new record here on the A.R. Blogger Hwy. - 10/07/06 06:16 PM
Well, I personally want to welcome Active Rain's 100th Stager: Maureen Henry of Rockland Home Staging.
Being #100 is truely is a milestone for stagers here on AR... who currently expirience a ratio of 40:1 when you compare realtors to stagers here on AR.
Realtors... more and more stagers are out there.... I encourage you … (14 comments)
|
staging: ANNOUNCING: My new book on Real Estate Staging - 10/07/06 12:17 PM
While there are a few books out there that talk about real estate staging. I still feel there is room for a more comprehensive discussion.
I have been working on my own staging book and am PROUD to début the cover HERE on ACTIVE RAIN.
For marketing purposes (so that I … (29 comments)
|
staging: If Switzerland was a color, what color would it be? - 10/05/06 06:52 PM
Ok… so this is NOT a blog on behalf of the Swiss Visitor & Convention Bureau.
It is a blog with another basic staging tip about color of and in a house
Q: What is the RIGHT color to use in a home that is on the market… most notably for paint and carpet?
A: … (6 comments)
|
staging: Over Done vs. Done Right - 10/03/06 04:05 PM
Here is a picture of the livingroom of property we just completed yesterday. Which version of the same room do you think more people will relate to as "their new home"? This happens to be a property on the markete in an ultra HOT gentrifying area on Chicago's north side.
The room on the left has … (14 comments)
|
staging: NO SALE! for Good Morning America - 10/02/06 05:12 PM
If you didn't catch the conclusion of GMA's "Sell Your House In a Week Challenge"... well it was NOT a happy ending. Real estate expert Barbara Corcoran gave it her all to prepare and market the NJ house and get it sold in 1 week. And while they had 80 people … (15 comments)
|
staging: 2 Sides of the Real Estate Transaction - 10/01/06 01:22 PM
It is often said that buying a home is the biggest PURCHASE one will ever make in their lives.
But there are 2 sides to every story.
Does it NOT stand to reason that putting one's home on the market would then be a person's biggest SALE in their life?
I think sometimes … (5 comments)
|
staging: BUDDING STAGERS... here are 7 tips to OPEN DOORS to business. - 09/28/06 07:09 PM
One of the delights of being on Active Rain is receiving emails like this...
"Hi craig, Im in the process of getting my staging business off the ground but so far no one seems interested! I live in a area that staging is very new. My business is the first of its … (7 comments)
|
staging: USE YOUR EYES! - 09/27/06 07:13 PM
I know there are those realtors out there that have never heard of staging... even here on AR. So I blog on.. for YOU are the gateway for recommendation of our staging services.
If you are interested in considering using a stager... USE YOUR EYES and look at stagers here on AR as … (7 comments)
|
staging: Another FEISTY BLOG about "Professional" Staging! - 09/27/06 06:22 PM
Well it seems like everyone and there brother/sister is becoming a stager. Which is a good and bad thing.
GOOD... because it means the industry and the concept is growing.
BAD... because is seem like all a person needs to do is get a cute name, business card and an accredited/certified “staging … (5 comments)
|
staging: Your Royal Highness: The CLEAN of Staging - 09/24/06 08:29 AM
When we speak of staging, we talk of a lot of things. Like thinning, de-cluttering, organizing, rearranging, repairing, trimming, mowing, painting, etc… but Cleaning reigns over all. The house on market should be cleaned as if Royalty was coming to visit… and remember royals wear gloves.
In today’s age, with all the … (9 comments)
|
staging: Staging Web Sites - 09/22/06 09:31 PM
Since I have been a member of Active Rain I have be in contact with so many people "intrigued" with staging and the possibility of staging.
I am honored to "field" the questions of stagers or wanna be stagers ( by "wanna be" I mean people intrigued in the opportunity staging offers). So … (8 comments)
|
staging: An event INSPIRED by Active Rain's community of friendly cooperation... - 09/20/06 06:16 PM
I am thrilled to share what I have been working on ALL day. Influenced by the kind and generous spirit of cooperation here on AR a realtor/friend of mine Annie Alexander, of Keller Williams, and I came up with the idea of creating a building wide Realtor Open House Tour.
Knowing and believing … (16 comments)
|
staging: Back-story... what we wish people REALLY knew about us. - 09/19/06 07:56 PM
Marketing typically crafts and packages "our messages" in perfected snippets we HOPE connect with our clients.
How often do we just wish that our clients REALLY knew us for who we were?
We wished they "got" our love for what we do… our commitment to being HONEST… our wanting to be … (3 comments)
|
staging: Be careful what you ask for - 09/17/06 06:09 PM
Well this past week has been the busiest of my life. Hard, long and both physically and mentally exhausting. This is the one thing about staging I fear all the staging seminars are not teaching in their weekend workshops.
I woke a 3 AM 3 times this week to try to get … (13 comments)
|
staging: Stager’s Prop Library: YES or NO? - 09/11/06 06:30 PM
To follow up on an earlier blog, I wanted to share with other stagers my thoughts on why creating and maintaining a Prop Library is a GOOD business decision.
While some stager's suggest that it is easy to find perfect "hidden treasures" in and around a home that could be used … (13 comments)
|
staging: God really knows how to be a kill joy! - 09/09/06 07:11 AM
(Alternate blog title: "Church Blocks view and ends sale.")
So all week long I have been "ranting and raving" about the high rise luxury condo we just had completed staging and how the priced was raised and how a person who had first scene it at the lower price was now considering it … (4 comments)
|
staging: Tips for Stagers: regarding Before & After Pictures - 09/07/06 07:27 AM
Photograph EVERY project. Pictures are SOOOO important... they tell our story in an instant. THAT is why I have so many posted on my website. You can write and write and write... but people will ALWAYS look at the pictures.
AND I keep updating them too, because you have 2 … (11 comments)
|
staging: This Staging Story keeps GETTING BETTER... offer is coming in. - 09/05/06 09:12 PM
I told all my fellow Rain Drops that I would keep you posted...
So today the listing agent called to tell me she had a 3rd showing to the same client of the property we JUST finished staging on Friday.
You may all recall that this is the property where the priced was RAISED … (4 comments)
|
staging: You might need a kleenix for this Labor Day blog - 09/03/06 05:57 PM
So this past week has been a week from staging HELL. That is right... I used the whole word. I didn't pussy foot around and use symbols like %$##. I called it like it was.
So to RELAX I rented an AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING movie: "Akeelah and the Bee" At one … (17 comments)
|
staging: Asking Price RAISED $55,000 after Real Estaging! - 09/02/06 11:47 AM
I know I keep ranting and raving about how staging can impact the asking price of real estate. So I am just THRILLED to share this story of a property we JUST finished staging yesterday morning (September 1). We fully staged the Foyer, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Hallway, Master Bedroom and Master Bathroom … (22 comments)
|
staging: Curb Appeal Dilemma - 09/02/06 09:56 AM
Seller's know that curb appeal matters. Unfortunately, many seller's have limited budgets to spend when they are preparing their property for its sale.
So we at Real Estaging have come up with a novel solution for the seller who not only needs to repaint the exterior of their home, but also need some … (21 comments)
|
staging: History CAN repeat itself... even for stagers - 08/27/06 11:51 AM
I love the staging industry... but sometimes I am dismayed by it.
I can't help but compare what I see happening in this industry to what has happened to the auto industry.
Years ago (back in the 60's) my father bought a Toyota. People laughed, ridiculed, and dismissed these cars by … (2 comments)
|
staging: Staging 101: Remove personal pictures. - 08/26/06 07:13 AM
Any realtor who has shown real estate will tell you that a buyer's eyes will lock on to the seller's personal items, (ie. wedding photos -see below) like a heat seeking missile.
That's why when preparing a home for sale stagers will start by having the seller de-personalize the property.
We often suggest … (11 comments)
|
staging: Staging is hard PHYSICAL WORK! - 08/15/06 05:11 AM
I don't think people realize just what it takes to stage a property. Let me PERSONALLY tell you it is NOT for the meek and mild.
My associates and I have been on the RUN trying to get various properties unstaged and then new properties staged!
To do this right, you need … (14 comments)
|
staging: AUTHENTIC & UNIVERSAL Credentialing for Stagers - 08/13/06 11:40 AM
THIS is why I love ActiveRain.... actually JoAnn Guida came up with the perfect parallel to help explain my concerns and wishes for AUTHENTIC and UNIVERSAL credentialing of stagers. (Now why didn't I think of this? LOL)
Anyway, JoAnn made the GOOD POINT that ... "Once upon a time Interior Designers … (6 comments)
|
staging: REAL ESTAGING announces a whole new level of service! - 08/11/06 06:24 PM
Here at Real Estaging we are constantaly trying to offer the best in real estate staging services.
That is why we are proud to announce that we are the first staging company in North America to offer this level of service. We call it Real Erazing... perfect for properties that have no … (5 comments)
|
staging: Stepping on "accredited/certified” stager’s toes… - 08/10/06 06:24 AM
I've said it before... staging talent is NOT just acquired by sitting in a weekend seminar or EVEN a week-long workshop. I have worked with people that have NO formal training and they have "it".
Real Estate staging is having an eye for symmetry, balance, scale, proportion, and color. It is also a … (25 comments)
|
staging: GET THIS... real estate staging is NOT interior design! - 08/09/06 07:40 PM
So in the last week now, twice I have had clients that want to tell ME how to stage their totally vacant properties. That is like going to the dentist and telling him you know how to drill our own teeth... and asking for the drill while he watches. Real Estate … (5 comments)
|
staging: UP STAGING the competition... 2 VERY different stagings on the same property - 07/29/06 10:25 AM
Realtors need to know that just because a person or business call themelves "stagers" does not mean that they can actually do a professional job. EVEN if they are "Accrediated".
Here is an actual job we recently re-staged. The builder has paid an unbelievable $9,000 in fees to this furniture rental company! This type of … (34 comments)
|
;)
Links;)
Tags (Tag Cloud);)
Archives
