Holly's Blog

Room Revisions Wedding Registry Launches this Weekend!

2008-03-18T14:20:45Z

We have created a wedding registry which we will launch this weekend at a bridal show. The bridal show will be held at Ashley Furniture in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Room Revisions serves the Fredericksburg, Stafford and the surrounding areas. Click here to view our registry website. Since we are in the pre-launch phase, we have created one mock up registry page for a fictitious couple. Brides and grooms can create their own free website through freewebs and link it to our registry site, where their guests will find their customized registry page.

Thanks for looking, please feel free to leave feedback so that we can perfect this new service!

FOR SALE BY OWNER EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR

2008-02-26T12:47:35Z

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A FREE EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28. INFORMATION WILL BE PRESENTED BY LOCAL REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS.

Here's a brief overview of our agenda:

What are the top 5 home selling preparations that yield the biggest return? Learn this and much more from professional home stagers!
How do the trends in our current market affect your sale? What is your competition?
Marketing techniques - how to get the most exposure!
Can you effectively market your home without listing with a Realtor? Yes! Come find out how.
Learn how to work with pre-approved buyers only!
How to protect yourself during and after the sale of your property.
Receive coupons and discounts on services that fit your moving and selling needs.

...PLUS MUCH MORE!!!

Limited seating available, so RSVP right away to reserve your spot!

Hosted at Cartaret Mortgage
1809 William Street
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401

(540) 899-3775

This seminar will be presented by:

Visit the JDR Title website

Visit the Sun Realty website

Visit the Room Revisions website

Visit the Cartaret Mortgage Corp. website

Free Networking Opportunity in Virginia!

2008-01-21T10:56:10Z

FreeNI is a group that was created by local business people, with "no strings attached" networking in mind. As the name suggests, there is no charge to be a part of this group. At each meeting we do a 50/50 raffle, which is optional, to raise money for promotional items. Come as much as you can, but don't worry about attendance requirements! FreeNI has a philosophy that business comes first, then networking. This group is also open to any trade, and does not have limitations on how many persons from each industry can attend. In a nutshell, it's just a different approach to your everyday networking group.

FreeNI meetings are held in Richmond on Mondays, Stafford on Tuesdays, Culpeper on Wednesdays, Fredericksburg on Thursdays and there will be one in Fairfax starting Jan. 30! Click here for more information on locations, maps and times.

If you don't see a FreeNI meeting near you, contact Dave or Marty through the form at the bottom of the FreeNI web page. You may be able to organize a chapter near you!

Happy Networking, I hope to see you there!

11600 Pine Hollow Lane, Spotsylvainia VA

2008-01-19T11:56:59Z

A model home located in Virginia's desirable Fawn Lake... a gated waterfront community.

Click here to learn more about beautiful Fawn Lake's Real estate, and to obtain contact information.

Have you used local artists in your staging?

2008-01-18T22:44:39Z

Here's an idea, and I would love to hear your feedback. We have recently considered asking local artists if they would be interested in displaying their artwork in staged vacant homes. Our area, Fredericksburg, Virginia is rich with wonderfully talented artists. We would certainly have no problem finding talent!

THE PROS:

We would have a potentially huge supply and selection of original artwork
There would be no cost involved for our business
This would facilitate a "showing" for local artists, and we love to help others in our community succeed

THE CONS:

Of course, the artist would want their name and a pricing info. on the artwork, which may distract from the whole point of staging... showcasing the home!
Hmmm... that's the only con I can really think of.

What do you think? Have any of you stagers tried this?

An inexpensive way to create drama!

2008-01-15T12:36:16Z

This was a fun project, and the best part was the price tag! I found these (4) curtain panels for $10 each, the valance was about $15, and the hardware added up to about $10. Add it all up, and that's about 65 bucks to create a focal point and a lot of drama! This was a redesign where the client was a renter, unable to paint. She wanted a sophisticated bedroom, but had to stick with white walls. A canopy was on her wish list, and the challenge was the vaulted ceiling (it was not in the budget to purchase a canopy bed). The canopy is composed of 3 pre-cut 1" diameter PVC pipes. They happen to come in 5 ft. pieces - just the right size for a queen size bed width wise, and I cut the 3rd one in half for a 2.5 ft. depth. I attached hardware, had the chains cut at the store, and cut tiny holes in the top of the curtain panels so there would be no gaps. The canopy is suspended from the ceiling with an anchored hook. Pretty sweet, huh?

BEFORE AFTER

CLEAR CANOPY SHOTS:

The room was transformed with less than $300 (not including my fees). Share your creative ideas, too!

How Pro Do You Go With Interior Photos?

2008-01-14T23:44:23Z

There is no question that insufficient lighting can be an issue when photographing interiors. As a new stager, I'm learning new things every day, and one thing I would like to learn more about is how to take beautiful, clear, light filled "after" photos. I must say, we have come a long way since we started last September as far as our pictures go. We have purchased a camera with a wide angle lens, and a work light from home depot. These two factors alone have made a huge improvement in our results. Now I'm interested in taking it up a notch and purchasing an umbrella light or two because:

The bulbs replicate daylight, and I have read that it's best not to mix light sources when photographing indoors (incandescent, fluorescent, daylight).
For best results, you should have at least one light source aside from your camera's flash (and of course the lighting of the room itself) when photographing indoors.
The light would be softer than a glaring work light.
The idea is to "paint with light"...shouldn't we use the same light the pros use?
They're affordable, if you're a savvy shopper (and I know we all are!) .
The more professional your equipment, the more professional the outcome...right???

So, being that I have been reading many of your blogs over the past 6 months (yes, I've been lurking) and never heard this mentioned - I wanted to ask my fellow stagers and realtors... Have you tried this? How were your results? Have you found it to be practical? I would love to hear your feedback.

Improper lighting just doesn't do your work justice... even the best (which is the middle one in my opinion) of these three could be better!

Fawn Lake Home, Newly Staged

2008-01-11T11:35:16Z

I am proud to post information about Room Revisions' most recent vacant home staging. This 4BR 3 1/2 Bath model is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia's exclusive Fawn Lake community. Some of the home's features are beautiful vaulted ceilings in entryway, a spacious floor plan, a main-level master bedroom, and much more. The basement will be finished when builder has a signed contract, adding an additional bedroom, bathroom, bar, and living area with a fireplace! The main living area has been staged, and we're very happy with the results. The listing price is $799,900.

Please contact us for more information and/or pictures! www.room-revisions.com