As President of IAHSP for 2009-2010, it is my joy and honor to share that Worldwide Staging Service Week is coming up soon! If you are an ASP and want to get involved in your community project for this year, simply email Bette@iahsp.com to let her know you want to volunteer your time and ideas.
Worldwide Staging Service Week was started by Barb Schwarz who believes in giving back to our communities, our country and our world. WWSSW is conducted under the auspices of the IAHSP Foundation, a non-profit arm of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP).
Our wonderful IAHSP Chapters all over North America have helped charities, individuals, and those in need for the past 5 years. This year, we know more than ever there are people and groups that need our support. We have Staged homeless shelters, battered women's shelters, transitional living homes, military homes, troubled children's centers, Ronald McDonald house charities, senior citizen centers, and more. The hundreds of projects that have been done over the years have truly blessed those involved - who served from their hearts to help those in need.
Be a part of something bigger than just yourself - and volunteer to be part of Worldwide Staging Service Week (WWSSW). Worldwide Staging Service Week (WWSSW) will be conducted the week of September 11th - and you can find out more about how to get involved by going to www.iahsp.com.
If you would like to contribute to the Worldwide Staging Service week with a donation that will be used to help Stage for a charity, organization or individual in need, please go to the following link:
Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging(R) has just released her third book on Home Staging entitled "Staging to Sell - the Secret to Selling Homes in a Down Market." ISBN #9780470447123
Pick up your copy today! It has been endorsed by wonderful leaders in the Real Estate industry that are featured on the back cover. On the inside, it has valuable information for today's market and economy, and even features ASP Home Stagers that shared their success stories and testimonials with Barb!
Dear Accredited Staging Professional Masters® (ASPM®), Accredited Staging Professionals® (ASP®), and International Association of Home Staging Professional® (IAHSP®) Members:
We are writing this letter to share some insights into an issue that has been raised regarding a sister industry, and the fears that are being spread by other associations regarding how this issue impacts us as ASP Home Stagers and the Home Staging industry in general.
As your professional Association, IAHSP stays on top of and monitors legislation and other newsworthy issues of concern. As always, we have the best interests of our membership and ASP & ASPMs at heart. Our IAHSP Association truly serves the Home Staging industry and our membership of ASPM & ASP Home Stagers. Other associations that do not have a membership based in consistent standards are attempting to position themselves as "advocates" for our industry, when in reality, they are chasing issues that have nothing to do with Home Staging, and creating fear and concern in the minds of their members and colleagues.
This is of great concern to us because we want to make sure that our members know that any issues that could potentially impact our businesses as ASPM & ASP Home Stagers, would be shared with you by IAHSP. This issue discussed in this position paper is not of concern, and you will understand that better when you read through the information we have prepared for you.
The reasons this document has been prepared for you is because of the amount of misinformation and fear that has been perpetuated by other associations, and we want you to be informed. It is one thing to be knowledgeable about potential legal issues or situation and it is another thing entirely to knowingly drag Home Stagers into an issue that is not about us at all. We find that to be irresponsible and do not want our ASPM and ASPs to be misled.
The issue discussed in this document is not the precursor to any sort of regulation of Home Staging. Those that understand our roots are part of the real estate industry and not decorating and design will see clearly that this is not our battle. IAHSP sees that and understands the industry we serve. IAHSP, as your professional Home Staging association, hopes that you appreciate our ability to separate the two as it is evident other associations are not able to do this. And we hope you trust that when and if the day comes that Home Staging is regulated by outside entities, IAHSP would be leading the way as the only association that for a decade has set standards of education, ethics and excellence in its membership.
Congratulations to the International Association of Home Staging Professionals who this year is celebrating 10 years - that's right - a DECADE of Excellence!
In 1999, Founder Barb Schwarz had the vision and foresight to establish the first professional Association to serve the Home Staging industry. Patterned after other professional Associations - the National Association of Realtors and the National Speakers Association - IAHSP based its membership in excellence, education and ethics. It is also the only professional Home Staging Association that has hosted an annual Educational Symposium and Convention for six years, and the only association that has a non-profit IAHSP Foundation established to give back to communities and individuals in needs all over North America!
CELEBRATE with us - 10 years is an accomplishment worth shouting about!!
To find out how you can be part of this amazing professional Association that sets business standards, ethics standards and performance standards for the Home Staging industry, go to www.iahsp.com or email Jennie@iahsp.com
The International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) - the only professional association that is based on education, excellence and ethics and serves the Home Staging Industry raised over a half million dollars for Worldwide Staging Service Week! Contributions of time, money, furnishings, materials, and decor were given to charitable groups such as the Ronald McDonald House, women's shelters, abused children's homes, homeless shelters, and more.
As the only association serving the Home Staging industry that has an annual goal of giving back to communities around the country, we are very proud of the accomplishments of many of our over 100 chapters nationwide and in Canada. This year, more than ever, the people that received the efforts of our IAHSP Chapter members and ASPs were very much in need.
Although the economy may have taken a toll on other groups reaching out to support those in need, IAHSP continued its commitment to providing help and support to people all over.
You can watch the Worldwide Staging Service Week video montage that shows some of our IAHSP Chapter projects by linking to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11KhloxKFVc where it is featured on You Tube.
Congratulations to IAHSP, our IAHSP Chapters and the IAHSP Foundation on another successful year!
I was watching this media segment on some celebrity nonsense, and they kept referring to people as "Posers." In fact, one urban dictionary definition of "Poser" is:
A poser is someone who tries to fit into a profile they aren't. People who try to give off the impression that they are one thing when they are really another.
Also, a poser can be one who says they can do something that they can't.
I know we all have Staging Posers in our markets. I ran across one that was hired to do a Staging project, and turns out he was a Realtor "Posing" as a Stager - who picked out rental furniture that was a total mish-mash, but was cheaper than a real Stager. End result - the house did not sell when it should - and the client ended up spending way more money to have it done right the second time around!
These Posers are people that claim they know how to Stage but really don't. This person could be anyone from the homeowner who thinks because they watch HGTV they can successfully Stage their house, to a person that reads a book or a "how-to" pamphlet created and all of a sudden is an "expert" on what to do, to someone that actually starts up a Staging business, but really has no idea what Staging is all about. Although some of the media shows and publications help, the GIFT of Staging is not something you can just wake up one day and claim to have. To me it is a God-given gift was have from birth - the abiltiy to see things in a new way, to picture and envision rooms, yards, houses transformed. Not everyone has it - so not everyone can be a Stager.
According to one website: Calling someone a poser is the same thing as accusing them of being fake or inauthentic. They may talk the talk, but they don't walk the walk
How do we overcome the Posers in our own industry?
First, I hate to say it here on a blog site, but just because someone is writing about it - does not mean they are actually doing it. The public has to be savvy about not just picking someone because they have a bunch of points. Sadly, some are impressed by that, but as I blogged in the past, http://activerain.com/blogsview/371376/If-You-Are-In-Here-You-Are-Not-Out-There if a person is always in "here" blogging, and on numerous other sites posting things, they could not possibly be out "there" as much as a they claim, unless they literally never sleep. That, to me, is a Poser.
Writing about it and DOING it are two totally different things! Now I know Blogging can be like a full-time job - and it IS for some that actually get paid to comment on life, websites, etc., or for those that want to parlay their blog sites into publiciations. . . However, when our full time job we "blog about" is Staging - how can we be wearing both hats and be legit in our business? I know there are some that make it work, but a non-Poser will have a balance - not spending all their time on a blog site, and have real examples of productive work - which brings me to the next point.
Hopefully the public is savvy enough to actually look at the portfolios of the potential Stager -andmakes sure that the photos included are of their work. And a Stager that is really out there running a business will have RECENT examples of successful Staging work, and statistics they track. Or at least they should. If they are promoting the same old photo from a year ago, chances are they have not really been "out there" Staging and are "posing" with those that have been out there working.
I know the tough market has meant business slow down for many markets - mine included - and yet because we are in this long term, we have recent examples and success stories we could share. A Poser will not have those.
Next - ASK for Credentials.A Poser won't have any. That is a pretty simple solution there. A Home Staging Poser will most likely talk about how much they love decorating, or perhaps they even came from a different parallel field, but they really won't be able to talk too much about how they have self-educated themselves in this field, or reference classes they may have taken.
How about ASKING for Insurance.A Poser probably will not have made the investmentto insure a business that does not really exist. They want to be considered a Home Stager, but they don't really want to make the investment in a business. Not only does it leave their clients at risk, but they are putting their own family at risk by not insuring their business.
How about this important distinction: A Poser will not have success. Because they really don't know what they are doing, their houses don't sell and they cannot toot their horn over fabulous Staging transformations that result in record sales, or other stats that help sustain the Staging market.
Finally I think this question really weeds out the Posers from the Home Stagers that really plan on doing this as long as their minds will allow . . . Ask the Poser "How long do you see yourself doing this and why?" The Poser usually looks at Staging as a quick buck, and gets out as fast as they got in when the going gets tough. Or the Poser does not understand truly how Staging can work to sell a house - and will just dump in basic decor or a ton of greenery and call the house "Staged."
Posers are all talk and very little walk. They want to be like those that are successful in this fun, exciting, roller coaster ride of a business we call Staging - but it's time to identify the Posers so that the public does not get led down a primrose path of false expectations.
What is your take - and how many of you have met a Poser in your Market? Do tell!!
I was reminded yesterday as we celebrated Thanksgiving about so many things I have to be thankful for - and that we all can be thankful for in our lives. Maybe you had a more poignant Thanksgiving yourself because of our economic times, and all the drama that has unfolded over the past months with our markets, businesses, elections, and even lives. Nearly everyone I know has been impacted by what has happened - some in small ways, others in huge ways.
It has been a rough year for a lot of people financially and personally - and yet even with the numerous foreclosures, business shut downs and struggles, at our worst we still have it better than most of the world. I think that for some it has drawn them closer to others - and caused a good sort of dependency and attitude of "together we will make it through!"
But even at our worst, we have it pretty good. We do not live in squalor - there are countries that have never seen a flushing toilet. Most of us do not wonder where our next meal will come from, and most of us have clothing and shelter that would be a grand lifestyle in third world countries.
At the end of our Thanksgiving dinner last night before our dessert, we went around the table to say what we were thankful for - and most everyone had an easy time coming up with things - mostly family and friends. I was reminded that attitude is a choice and when we come from a place of lack, it's easy to feel sorry for ourselves and our circumstances, instead of looking at the blessings we DO have.
Instead of being depressed or sad about our circumstances, the best remedy for that is to go help someone that is truly suffering. Help someone who is starving, or cannot move physically or is dying. That is a quick awakening to us to be thankful that we have moving limbs, we have a place to lie down and sleep inside, and we have our health.
And I was reminded last night of my brother in law who this year will not celebrate with his family, eating and playing around - but instead is struggling to just move his body and respond to commands as he continues to recover from his coma. Things could be much worse for all of us, that is for sure, and we need to be thankful for our health and ability to do basic things like think, speak, and move.
I find that in most cases, the circumstances we find ourselves or our struggles are largely our own making. We either made choices that led us astray, did not put focus out on obtaining jobs or see the light or respond in time to circumstances unraveling around us, or have a plan B in place. We are not victims unless we choose to be.
I love what one of my fellow ASPs shares - she says simply, "I refuse to participate in a recession or down economy" - and her attitude is not one of denial, it is of finding the positives and being someone that ATTRACTS business.
That has been my attitude as well - why worry about things over which we have no control, and instead find things to be positive about. It's very easy to wallow in self pity. I have never been a person to feel sorry for myself - it takes up too much energy to be sad and depressed and there is just too much to live for and be thankful for in life!
I know not all are like me - and some like to go to the dark places for a while - but there has to be a point where people realize that death is part of life, suffering is part of the human experience that helps us grow and get better and have a heart for others, and nothing is impossible - especically with a faith that will see us through.
As someone wisely said to me, "There is always someone that has it worse that me or you, and someone that has it better - that is life."
Where we put our focus is our choice. I choose to be positive and happy - and it's not about denying struggles, it's about working through them with the knowledge that it will lead to making me a better person somehow, and I look for the positive life lesson I am supposed to learn from the journey.
ATTENTION: Are you interested in setting up a SUCCESSFUL Home Staging Business?
OR
Are you a Real Estate Agent that wants to learn more about how Home Staging can help you market your listings better and help you earn more money?
Then sign up for the prestigious Accredited Staging Professional (ASP )Course developed by world-reknown Home Staging expert, Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging. This class is offered through Stagedhomes.com. Since 1999, Stagedhomes.com has paved the way for the Home Staging industry, bringing valuable training courses and seminars to people throughout North America.
This class is sponsored by the Phoenix Association of Realtors. Realtors will earn Continuing Education credits for attendance.
Join the growing ASP Family Network and get plugged in to valuable savings with national and local business partners, companies, services, and vendors serving the real estate and home staging industries.
Join the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) that for nearly 10 years has set the benchmark of excellence for Home Staging through its professional standards of quality, education and excellence established for the industry.
Get access to the one and only Staging University with thousands of pages online full of turn-key marketing resources, photos, and tools you can use immediately to ensure your success as an ASP.
DATE: November 5-7, 2008 in Scottsdale, AZ from 9AM - 5:30 PM daily.
Real Estate Agents attend November 5-6, 2008 (first 2 days)
Home Staging Professionals attend November 5-7, 2008 (all 3 days)
Come and learn about Home Staging and how it benefits you as a Realtor with KW - at the Sellers Staging Strategies Seminar - Thursday, November 20th, 2008 at noon. Lunch will be provided.
You will hear from the regional expert on Home Staging that started the very first professional home staging company to serve the Sacramento region, and to date has successfully staged over 2,500 houses.
Join Jennie Norris as she covers key pertinent information on Staging for today's market, and gives an added bonus discussion on Color Trends for 2009!
Contact Kristen McNaughten 916.241.8081 to sign up for this seminar. You must be a KW agent to attend.
To contact Jennie Norris, We Stage Sacramento call 888-WE-STAGE or (916)768-1662.
We Stage Sacramento was the first company to serve the greater Sacramento market with full-service home staging for Vacant and Occupied houses. We Stage Sacramento works with Realtors, Sellers, Builders, and Investors to properly prepare houses for sale. We get results and over 95% of our Staged properties have sold in 60 days or less - in a market that is the toughest we've seen in decades.
Call us for results and service you can trust. We are Fully insured and Licensed. We are Accredited and Trained to serve you, and we are members of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) the only international trade association serving the Home Staging industry since 1999.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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