Michelle and Joe's Blog

You git what you git and you won't throw a fit!

Michelle and Joe Kaspari (Essential Home Staging) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:17:45 -0500

I am glad these days are looking farther and farther behind us!

During a Realtor presentation today I asked for a show of hands for anyone in the room that has used a home stager. We had about 10% of the hands raise.

Hmmm. So my next question was. "Were you happy with the outcome?" The same 10% raised.

Hmmm.

So being from a customer service background I had always been taught certain rules. One of these rules is the 80/10/10 rule for customer service. Out of every 10 unsatisfied customers:

One (1) will always complain to management about it.
The other one (1) will complain only if it is convenient or if they are prevoked. For example, at the end of a meal the server askes "How was everything"?
The other eight (8) will say nothing but will take their business elsewhere in the future.

So back to that realtor meeting we presented at today. Did I mention earlier it was a caravan tour meeting?

How lucky were we I thought? We get to tour a property of a Real Estate Agent that believes in staging and has used a stager and is "happy with the outcome". At least that is what I thought she said by raising her hand?

As we were waiting to begin our tour of the properties the Real Estate Agent (you know the one that that believes in staging and has used a stager and is "happy with the outcome") showed a lot of interest in us and mentioned that this property "really could use staging".

Hmmm....

(yes, my third deep thought)

Why did she not contact her stager that she used before if she was "happy with the outcome"? Answer, becasue she is like 80% of people out there that do not complain, they just take their business elsewhere.

We were happy to meet her and provide her and the home owner with a proposal for Professional Home Staging.

So say good bye to the days were you "git what you git and you won't throw a fit" and say hello to getting value out of your Professional Home Staging investment.

Realtors need it, Home owners ask for it, and the Professional Home Staging Industry depends on it!

New RESA Chapter / Sacramento, CA

Michelle and Joe Kaspari (Essential Home Staging) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:27:07 -0500

I am pleased to announce the creation of a new RESA (Real Estate Staging Association) chapter in Sacramento and surrounding areas. We look to have our first chapter icebreaker / meeting mid August (exact date and location to come soon).

We are looking for an active board to help get this chapter off to a great start. We also will have exciting committee opportunities as well!

So if you are looking to be a part of an all inclusive, active, Real Estate, and Professional Home Staging Trade Organization, look no further. The Sacramento Chapter of RESA is sure to meet your needs. Contact Michelle Kaspari (916) 402-6098.

President

Essential Home Staging, LLC and the Sacramento Chapter of RESA

THANK YOU!

Michelle and Joe Kaspari (Essential Home Staging) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:39:03 -0500

We just picked up an occupied property (with furniture and accesory rental) today. SOLD in 31 days, after being staged, with a full price, $1.4 million offer. This of course was after being on the market since November 2007 unstaged.

Thought we would share our thank you gift we left our clients!

I simple basket with a "Thank You" card, mini bottle of champagne, change of address forms, "just moved" cards and a self adressed stamped envelope with our testimonial form.

Another success story for the books! I love it when home owners "get it". Too bad they didn't get it 6 months earlier.

Joe Kaspari

Essential Home Staging, LLC

For more information on how to sell your home quickly at a higher price please contact Essential Home Staging, LLC. The Greater Sacramento Area's Premier Home Staging Company at (916) 402-6098 or visit our website. essentialstaging.com

Do you have any other Questions? What you should ask when hiring a home stager!

Michelle and Joe Kaspari (Essential Home Staging) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:38:32 -0500

Do you have any other questions?

I often find myself asking this question to clients during a bid proposal. Typically this is after a review of our homeowner or realtor staging packet. If my clients are anything like me they will think of a great question just after I have walked out the door.

Education is priceless! Especially when it comes to HUGE investments such as a single family home.

Because of this we provide our clients with a few questions that may have, unfortunately only came after we parted our ways.

Questions to ask when hiring a home stager...

1. Are they Licensed? According to the State of California, designers or relevant trades are required to obtain a "Special" Business License. This allows consumers relevant information regarding their business practices. A Professional Home Stager should always be able to provide their licensing information.

2. Are they insured? Although it is not required by law, Professional Home Stagers should be insured for any potential damages. While Professional Home Stagers use extreme caution staging there is a possibility of potential damages occuring. Who will incur the costs should damages arise?

3. Do they have a portfolio of their work? Don't assume the photos you have seen on their website are their own. It has been discovered on the Internet, that some Home Stagers are "borrowing" photos from other Staging websites and passing them along as their own. A Professional Home Stager should be able to provide you with a portfolio at the time of consultation.

4. Can they provide references or have testimonials? Like any other contracted services, it is important to check references of previous clients. Was the client pleased with the outcome of the Staging or redesign process? Where there any challenges that came up, and if so, how were they handled?

5. What is their background? With today's Internet community, it is extremely easy to become "certified" in any profession. Look for a Home Stager that has had work in the 'Visual Merchandising' or 'Interior Design' field. People with these backgrounds will have more ideas for challenging spaces. They have been responsible for creating environments that appeal to 'buyers'

The goal here is to give a prospective client enough information to make an educated decision on investing in a Professional Home Staging Company.

Joe Kaspari, Essential Home Staging, LLC

Do you have any questions? Top 5 a homeowner or Real Estate Agent should ask a Home Stager!

Michelle and Joe Kaspari (Essential Home Staging) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:33:01 -0500

Do you have any other questions?

Education is priceless! Especially when it comes to HUGE investments such as a single family home.

Because of this we provide our clients with a few questions that may have, unfortunately only came after we parted our ways.

Questions to ask when hiring a home stager...

The goal here is to give a prospective client enough information to make an educated decision on investing in a Professional Home Staging Company.

Joe Kaspari, Essential Home Staging, LLC

Wham Bam vs. Bling Bling

Michelle and Joe Kaspari (Essential Home Staging) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:24:43 -0500

Wham Bam vs. Bling Bling! After a great week of successful staging projects I have a moment to look back. And I find myself once again.... Looking forward at our market and our industry. It is fascinating how the market and industry have changed in the last two years. Not being a "pioneer", and certainly not a "newbie" I feel I have a good feel on the industry today.

It is disappointing however, that there is so much division in our industry. From our business models to our individual design expertise and everywhere in between. I have dreamt of this divine world in which all Professional Home Stagers see out of the same proverbial scope. I have now concluded and accepted that this will never happen and am pleased to say that I feel good about it.

There is an obvious difference between the Wham Bam vs. the Bling Bling! I recently read a realtor post that stated something to the effect of the following...

...It is tiring seeing the same staging décor items plopped in different homes, with no attention to the homes personal architecture. (this is not an exact quote, just my perception on the BLOG comment)

Most (if not all) homes are built with a specific design and layout in mind. Often we find the original "style" of the home may have been changed with an eager homeowner with his or her own personal style. This creates a challenge for us Professional Home Stager's.

This is where education, design background, training and the "it" factor come into play with home staging. This has nothing to do with overdoing a staging project or under doing a project. This has everything to do with doing the project right. Right by the industry, right by the client, right by the real estate agent, and right by design standards.

There have been many definitions of what home staging is and is not. Some of the common denominators, which are tried and true and go without question in Professional Home Staging, are...

Create flow to a property. Layout of rooms should be inviting to potential homebuyers to view the property in its entirety.
Update! Professional Home Staging should be an affordable way to give a home an updated feel to potential homebuyers. This would include quality furniture and accessories that follow current trends. The greatest pieces are typically timelessJ.
Define the space. This is sometimes where design expertise and experience in space planning come into play.
Help potential homebuyers make an emotional connection with the property. This is what we refer to as the WOW factor. A homebuyer is more likely to spend more time in a home and generate more excitement when they feel emotionally connected to a property.

With that said the design concept for Professional Home Staging is always the same, but may take on many different "styles". The concept is to stage the property to sell quickly and for the most money. That we must all agree with?

This may involve elaborate details including faux food, "Spa like" vignettes, fully set and beautifully dressed formal dinning rooms etc. This may also be a striped down version of the same to meet a wide variety of budgetary concerns. The Home Stager or the homeowner should not make this choice. This choice should be made by the HOME itself.

Does one wash their car before selling it? Probably 99%, and I for one add dressing to the tires and even get an oil change. A home is the largest purchase anyone will ever make, thus the largest sale anyone will ever encounter. Isn't your property worthy of an investment? Done right it will sell faster, at a higher price, and thus pays for itself. Staging should never be looked at as an expense, always an investment.

Failing to consider a homes architectural feature does not do it any good, and only creates distractions for potential homebuyers.

This may create a lower bid for a client/homeowner (if a stager uses what they have in inventory vs. what is best to enhance a properties architectural features). However this is the "Wham Bam" that gives poor light to the Professional Home Staging Industry. And, ultimately devalues the Service of professional Home Staging.

So, take your time, get it right, and make sure your staging service does the client, the homebuyer, and most importantly the property it's justice. There should always be some Bling Bling or WOW factor to any staging project. The proof is in the details.

Joe Kaspari

Essential Home Staging, LLC

www.essentialstaging.com

Realtors Free food, beverages, and giveaways TODAY! Roseville, CA 2-4pm

Michelle and Joe Kaspari (Essential Home Staging) — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:33:41 -0500

Realtor's please drop in today, get some food and drinks, and some great Home Staging Information

According to Economics Focus, Volume 12, Issue 12,

"Location, Condition, and Price" Today's new mantra for real estate...

It's time to find out everything you wanted to know about the Home Staging Industry...

Essential Home Staging, LLC is holding an Informational Mixer.

Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008

Where: Welcome Home Furniture Rental

7311 Galilee Road, Suite 170, Roseville California

Who: Real Estate Professionals that want to get an edge on the competition

Time: 2-4 pm

Cost: FREE

*** Beverages and Hors d'oeuvers will be provided ***

PLUS great GIVEAWAYS from our sponsors:

Welcome Home Furniture Rental
Too-Organized, Professional Organizer
Bubble Boys Window Washing Service
Wendy Baker Photography, Real Estate Photography Services
The Tile Lady, Tile and Grout Cleaning

Please join us for this exciting event! Any questions please feel free to contact us at (916) 402-6098

Essential Home Staging

Attention Real Estate Professionals - Location, Condition, and Price - Roseville/Sacramento

Michelle and Joe Kaspari (Essential Home Staging) — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:02:38 -0500

Attention Real Estate Professionals

According to Economics Focus, Volume 12, Issue 12,

"Location, Condition, and Price" Today's new mantra for real estate...

It's time to find out everything you wanted to know about the Home Staging Industry...

Essential Home Staging, LLC is holding an Informational Mixer.

Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008

Where: Welcome Home Furniture Rental

7311 Galilee Road, Suite 170, Roseville California

Who: Real Estate Professionals that want to get an edge on the competition

Time: 2-4 pm

Cost: FREE

*** Beverages and Hors d'oeuvers will be provided ***

PLUS great GIVEAWAYS from our sponsors:

Welcome Home Furniture Rental
Too-Organized, Professional Organizer
Bubble Boys Window Washing Service
Wendy Baker Photography, Real Estate Photography Services
The Tile Lady, Tile and Grout Cleaning

Please join us for this exciting event! Any questions please feel free to contact us at (916) 402-6098

Essential Home Staging

Attention Real Estate Professionals - Location, Condition, and Price - Roseville/Sacramento

Michelle and Joe Kaspari (Essential Home Staging) — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:53:28 -0500

Attention Real Estate Professionals

According to Economics Focus, Volume 12, Issue 12,

"Location, Condition, and Price" Today's new mantra for real estate...

It's time to find out everything you wanted to know about the Home Staging Industry...

Essential Home Staging, LLC is holding an Informational Mixer.

Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008

Where: Welcome Home Furniture Rental

7311 Galilee Road, Suite 170, Roseville California

Who: Real Estate Professionals that want to get an edge on the competition

Time: 2-4 pm

Cost: FREE

*** Beverages and Hors d'oeuvers will be provided ***

PLUS great GIVEAWAYS from our sponsors:

Welcome Home Furniture Rental
Too-Organized, Professional Organizer
Bubble Boys Window Washing Service
Wendy Baker Photography, Real Estate Photography Services
The Tile Lady, Tile and Grout Cleaning

Please join us for this exciting event! Any questions please feel free to contact us at (916) 402-6098

Essential Home Staging

Is A Price Drop your First Option?

Michelle and Joe Kaspari (Essential Home Staging) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:05:17 -0500

It really amazes me to see price drops on homes that have so much potential. Keeping in mind our current market I just don't get it. I see listing after listing with reduced prices. Unfortunately most of these listings have really undesirable photos. Even more unfortunate these photos are the best parts of the home. I just wish I could wave a magic wand for everyone to realize that a home is and always should be considered and investment. Not something that you "get out of" and place blame on a bad market. Who recommends these price drops? My last unfortunate would be the Realtor. I know this because I have friends that are Realtors and some of which don't use staging and just recommend price drops. This is the fall out of the "right place at the right time Realtors" who came into the market when it was booming and don't know the tried and true techniques that veteran Realtors have spent years to perfect.

So here it goes, the magic wand has been waved. So, call a "Professional Home Stager" before you recommend a price drop! It may turn a current home seller into a future home buyer. This benefits us all.

Joe Kaspari

Essential Home Staging, LLC - Sacramento, CA

essentialstaging.com

Your Staging Team, Where do you get your creative influences from?

Michelle and Joe Kaspari (Essential Home Staging) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:35:29 -0500

Over the past year after venturing out of the 'corporate' world and creating my own, I realized how fortunate I am.

Kym Hough, who recently posted about 'taking a village of friends' when staging brought up a very important point. We all are creative as stagers and each have a unique flair to bring something new to the homes we work on.

Although I am the full time staging guru for my company I have the pleasure of joining forces with my husband, Joe. I have been quite surprised over the past year when he has outshined me on floor plans and unique touches when we've staged a home!

As our company grows he is becoming more and more an important part of our business, not just someone who I pass accounting stuff too. He is now working on understanding Active Rain and all the 'blogging' efforts, which can be a little overwhelming at first!

So look for us at future seminars, and markets...pick his brian, he's got an extensive business and management background that has helped our business tremendously! He's even a pretty good accessory shopper!

With all that said, who's in your staging team that may be 'unnoticed' or have some hidden talents you don't want to admit to? :)

Michelle and Joe's Blog

You git what you git and you won't throw a fit!

New RESA Chapter / Sacramento, CA

THANK YOU!

Do you have any other Questions? What you should ask when hiring a home stager!

Do you have any questions? Top 5 a homeowner or Real Estate Agent should ask a Home Stager!

Wham Bam vs. Bling Bling

** Realtors ** Free food, beverages, and giveaways TODAY! Roseville, CA 2-4pm

Attention Real Estate Professionals - Location, Condition, and Price - Roseville/Sacramento

Attention Real Estate Professionals - Location, Condition, and Price - Roseville/Sacramento

Is A Price Drop your First Option?

Your Staging Team, Where do you get your creative influences from?

Realtors Free food, beverages, and giveaways TODAY! Roseville, CA 2-4pm