2 Projects - 2 Stagers, 2 Movers, 5.5 Hours - HOW is this possible? - 07/30/08 07:22 PM
At our IAHSP Convention - I had several ASPs come up and ask me if I really only took 5 hours to Stage a large house, and my answer, was, "Yes."  They were sort of in awe - and I don't want to be thought of as an anomaly - but rather be seen as a guide for other ASPs that want to maximize their efficiency and make more money on Staging projects.  Of course I am not by myself on these projects, I have one other teammate with me - and we use movers to help us load and unload at … (17 comments)

Home Staging for Investors - 07/28/08 09:28 PM
Home Staging - the tool that helps Buyers imagine themselves living in a house that has been presented for them - is not just a marketing tool for traditional sellers. Home Staging is also a key tool for marketing Investor properties.A professional Home Stager can offer valuable assistance to an investor that is picking up properties sight unseen at auction. The Stager can help with everything from remodeling the property - coordinating local service providers, handymen, contractors, as well as help select options for improving the property for Buyers. Instead of selling a "blob of oatmeal" - real estate jargon for … (3 comments)

Home Staging - It's All About Packaging That Product to Sell - 07/22/08 02:56 PM
Home Staging is all about Presentation and Marketing.Sellers that understand this are going to be able to benefit from the process of preparing their house for sale.First, when Selling, it is important to understand that the Home you have been living in is now a House that is coming on the market - and it going to be marketed like a Product - and this Product will be competing against other Products on the market. Much like you go to a grocery store to purchase items, you would not likely grab the crushed box of cereal or the one with a … (2 comments)

Home Staging Roots Are Long and Deep - the truth about "Where Staging Came From" - 07/21/08 11:41 PM
Barb Schwarz, ASPM, IAHSP, Certified Speaking Professional, has been recognized for many things in her career - Successful Realtor, Broker, Mentor, Motivational Speaker, and Creator of Home Staging.  In this last role, she once again demonstrates why she is at the forefront of the real estate industry as a visionary and expert.
I felt the need to post this blog because I have seen the industry change in the past 6 years as a professional home stager, and certain areas like training have been flooded by many that want to profit off the need for education.  That's fine.  But I keep my ear to the ground … (26 comments)

Foreclosure Home Staging - 07/21/08 09:02 PM
The foreclosures that are flooding many regions of our country are of great concern to many in the real estate and financial industries, and of course, to homeowners that live in these areas. As more of these vacant homes are put on the market for sale, the only consideration seems to be Price as a strategy for getting these properties sold.The fact is, a Foreclosure property needs to be treated lke any other house for sale. The difference, of course, is that instead of an individual homeowner selling the house, the bank or financial institution is selling the house. However, Buyers … (2 comments)

2008 IAHSP Convention a HUGE Success with over 27 States and 4 Canadian Provinces and dozens of national vendors represented! - 07/21/08 08:43 PM
The 6th Annual IAHSP Convention held this week in Bellevue, WA was a HUGE success!  We had so many Stagers join us representing over 27 states and 4 Canadian provinces - and we had the best time!  The International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) provides this annual event and is the only association that has this history of providing continuing education and excellence for its membership.
Of course the learning was TOP NOTCH - and we heard from ASP & ASPM Stagers that are earning big dollars in their busineses.  I posted a blog-log on the ASP Forum for ASPs … (3 comments)

Home Staging and Microwave Thinking Don't Mix - 07/14/08 11:51 AM
"Microwave Thinking" was a phrase that was coined when many devices and food items were invented to make our lives easier.  Everything from instant breakfast to instant soup, instant dinners we could zap in our microwaves.  With the internet - now we have instant access to everything.  We have become a society where waiting for results is the exception - and one we don't enjoy. Who likes waiting weeks for doctor's test results or for plants to grow?  We want what we want when we want it!
How about our Home Staging businesses?  I find many Stagers apply the same microwave … (3 comments)

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall - Why do you Reflect Nothing at All? - 07/13/08 09:15 PM
I staged a house yesterday that was mostly vacant and had some basic decor put in place to "stage" it by the previous listing agent.  You know - too many veggie and vinegar deco jars, the greenery, and towels that are put in a house to "stage" that really don't do the trick.  On top of that, there was a mirror placed above the fireplace leaning in a niche and I had to ask myself - "Why is that there?  It's too high and it is not reflecting anything of interest."
It always makes me scratch my head when I see a … (9 comments)

Hurry up and Get here! - 07/13/08 09:03 PM
I am writing from my hotel room in beautiful Bellevue, WA - outside of Seattle - the location for the annual ASP-IAHSP Convention that kicks off in 2 days! I am so excited to see those of you that are coming for this wonderful event - and am missing those of you that were unable to come.  Whatever the reasons, please set a goal to make it next year as you don't want to miss out on key teaching, motivation and inspiration that will keep your business growing each year.
The skies are sunny and warm - and we are anticipating … (2 comments)

Photos of your work can help protect you against liability, loss and theft - 07/10/08 02:41 AM
Photos of our work as Stagers are a key part of our marketing - and we all usually take our before and after photos to demonstrate our skills as a Home Stager. We may even share our photos with our Realtor clients for their use in marketing the property.
But do you realize that photos serve completely different purposes too?  Not only do they help us keep track of inventory, they help us keep track of where things were placed when we completed our Staging project. And they are visual proof of our inventory used in a client's house - which is … (7 comments)

When the Seller has to Drop in Price does that Mean the Home Staging Didn't Work? - 07/10/08 02:07 AM
Today's market is tough in many areas across the country.  House prices are declining and depreciating in many areas, with some lucky regions holding strong to their values. No matter what the situation, we have to remember this:  Staging Works.  In any Market.
How can we say that when a Seller might have to drop their price after the Staging is done?  If they have to drop their price, doesn't that mean the Staging didn't work?
No.  And this is why.
A Seller only has control over two factors - how their house presents (Staging) and the list price.  When one … (7 comments)

Do Stagers have A.D.D.?? - 07/09/08 06:18 PM
Not to trivialize those with A.D.D. which I know is a serious concern for people with but I wonder if Stagers have a little bit of Attention Deficit Disorider . . .  as one of the characteristics is a short attention span....
And most Stagers I talk with share that one of the things they love best about Staging is that you get in, do your thing, and get out and move on to the next project.  I know I am that way. 
I am not a person that has just one thing going on and find it hard to sit and read a book. I … (6 comments)

US News & World Report Features Home Staging - July 3, 2008 - 07/08/08 11:56 PM
Link to this great article on "The Home Staging Cheat Sheet" featuring Home Staging Guru and The Creator of Home Staging - Barb Schwarz. 
It addresses Home Staging as the key tool to selling a house!  Full of great ideas and advice for readers, it addresses some key factors for Staging and things to consider when prepping a house for sale.  More means more! 
When we have national exposure like this on our business of Home Staging - it only helps to build the awareness of what we do for Sellers, Buyers and Realtors and cements our business even more into the … (3 comments)

What Audience are you Staging for? - 07/08/08 11:27 PM
Buyers?  Sellers?  Realtors?  Fellow Stagers?  Media?  Decorators?  Who are YOU staging for and why?  The questions begs an answer - we have to know who our primary audience as we Stage or else we become like a split personality trying to please too many "bosses."
Do we Stage for the Realtor who might give us their opinion on what they want to see in the house even when inside we may not agree - but give in because we don't want to "confront" the Realtor?
Do we Stage for the Realtor that keeps us in the money with jobs and referrals making … (4 comments)

Critic or Critiquer - what are you? - 07/08/08 01:55 AM
CRITIC:  One who tends to make harsh or carping judgments; a faultfinder
CRITIQUE:  give review of, to discuss or comment on something, giving an honest assessment of its good and bad qualities
The definitions of these two simiilar words is really revealing. 
A Critic takes things from a negative perspective and finds fault with others - and other processes they may not agree with - finding fault and lacking praise. 
While a Critique is an objective assessment that provides the pros-and cons to whatever is being assessed and is not necessarily framed in the negative. 
Anyone can be a critic - pointing … (7 comments)

Share the Truth - Change a Life - 07/08/08 01:07 AM
As much as some would have us believe that Staging is saturated and everywhere, Staging is still being discovered by those creative individuals trapped in a dead-end job. 
I recenntly got an email from a hopefully future ASP Stager that wanted to know about the business and what it takes to succeed.  After going back and forth with truthful insights about the market, she is resolved to get into the business as soon as possible.  She will approach it with an honest outlook based on her market - and a real perspective on what it will take to succeed.
It is … (1 comments)

For Local Trends in your Market and Future Outlook - ASK Local Successful Stagers - 07/08/08 12:51 AM
If you want to know what is happening in your market ask those that work in your market.  Sounds simple but I find that there are those that rely on the "expert advice" of someone that may have a global outlook on Staging, but is totally out of touch on what is happening in a specific area.  Sometimes, these people are not even involved in the process of Staging so are totally out of touch with what is happening in today's markets.
My advice to anyone that is wondering how Staging or Real Estate is working in a region - find … (5 comments)

How Can Staging Help Houses Compete With Foreclosure Properties? - 07/08/08 12:08 AM
Foreclosures are everywhere all over the US - a product of a loan industry mistake that has cost thousands and thousands of homeowners their home - displacing them and flooding the market with devalued properties. We have read stories of people literally dumping their furnishings on their lawns because of lack of storage facility space in town - and walking away.  These are high-end communities and bedroom communities from California to Florida and everywhere in between.  If you are not living the nightmare, know that you are blessed and in the minority.
Who is "at fault" depends on which side you are … (1 comments)

Home Staging Industry Awards To be Given at the IAHSP Convention! - 07/07/08 11:23 PM
With about a week to go before our Annual IAHSP-ASP Home Staging Convention (I am getting sooooo excited!!!!) - I wanted to take the opportunity to toot the horn of really deserving and talented Home Stagers that have been nominated for prestigious Home Staging Industry Awards!
The Rising Star Award recognizes the ASP Stager that really took off after their ASP Course the past year.  They began marketing, started or joined an IAHSP Chapter, and secured clients.  They are setting the pace in their areas and are doing excellent Staging work!
The Barb Schwarz Staging Award of Excellence is a TOP … (3 comments)

"Outstaging the Stager" - The Games Sellers Play - 07/07/08 10:38 PM
It always makes me smile (and chuckle a bit inside) when a seller that knows I am coming over tries to "out-stage" me.  This has happened numerous times - and still I manage to find 4 pages of recommendations for the seller - much to their surprise!  I am not nitpicking either - these are standard do's and don't's for Staging - and any one of you that has the ability to advise a client would find the same to-do items.  Out-Staging the Stager is hard to do for Sellers as they don't see things we see or understand the "WHY's" … (20 comments)

What do the Olympics and Home Staging have in common? - 07/01/08 03:02 AM

I am getting excited for the Summer Olympics - my family and I have been watching the time trials for track and field and swimming - and I am always amazed at the athletes.
They have been training for years for this event - and sadly some will not make it because of a stumble. or simply because they were not fast enough - and we are talking by a fraction of a second slow.  And their dream of an Olympic medal will end - some for only 4 years - and they will go back to "work" training to be faster, stronger, and better, … (3 comments)

 
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Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP, ASP-SRS, ASP-REO

Denver Region's Premier Home Staging Resource

Littleton, CO

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Sensational Home Staging

Address: www.SensationalHome.com, 1-888-93-STAGE, Littleton, CO, 80127

Office Phone: 88893STAGE

Cell Phone: (303) 717-7918

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Jennie's advice and experiences about Home Staging shared with colleagues and clients.

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