Joan's Blog

Do Plumbers and Electricians work for FREE?

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:49:11 -0500

Recently, I had a prospect ask me if I stage vacant properties for free.

They didn't put it that bluntly, but that was indeed what they were asking.

Would I use 3 men to load, haul, and deliver my furniture and accessories and pay them...Would I set up the vacant property...Would I charge the prospect a nominal fee for monthly rental due at closing - only IF the property closes...Would I tear down, and use 3 men to load and haul away and pay them?

NO!

I am a professional providing a valuable service. I never had a professional - electrician, plumber, HVAC, painter, cleaning person, etc. - devalue their time and ability. And if they did, I wouldn't think highly of them or their service. I value what I do and I put a value on it.

I understand that things have slowed. Now is a good time to thin your inventory by reselling or donating items, then replace items as you need them when business picks up.

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, President Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter

Vacant and unwanted over a year - Staged, 2 offers, SOLD!

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:15:33 -0500

Anyone else know how slow the oceanfront real estate market is? It's slow! And prices are down. Many investors are taking a big hit. Rentals are down too because folks don't have the funds for gas and a vacation at the beach.

But don't let all this gloom and doom you hear make you believe you're destined to a lengthy stay on the market. Staging is an investment and it Works!

This vacant Myrtle Beach condo sat unwanted for over a year. Black marble floors and mirrored walls took buyers back to Elvis in Las Vegas in the '70s.

These smart property owners called me to work around the marble and mirrors and mix it all together with my furniture and accessories to create magic! I love a challenge. This condo got rave reviews, brought me a lot of business prospects, and - most importantly - generated 2 offers to purchase fully furnished and is SOLD a couple of months after staging!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, President Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter

Charlotte, NC - IAHSP Chapter of Excellence For the Year 2008

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:32:06 -0500

I am so proud that my chapter - Charlotte International Association of Home Staging Professionals Regional Chapter - has won the IAHSP Chapter Excellence Award for the Year 2008!

Read a press release:

http://carolinanewswire.com/news/News.cgi?database=001news.db&command=viewone&id=958&op=t

It's been a lot of work and there is still a lot of work ahead for the remainder of 2008. We've had many successful projects and many more are underway.

I feel the key to our success can be summed up in one term: TEAM WORK! I involve the chapter board of directors in major decision making and we hold seperate board meetings in addition to general chapter membership meetings. We have a solid membership of dedicated, Accredited Staging Professionals (ASP®) and Accredited Staging Professional Masters (ASPM®) who raise the bar of excellence in the home staging industry!

Joan Inglis, REALTOR®, ASP®, ASPM®, President Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter

Being As Flexible As Your Market

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:50:52 -0500

If someone would've asked me last year what my market was I would've answered, "Vacants."

Property owners now are getting more familiar with the benefits of staging and are seeking Accredited Staging Professionals before they even sign with a Realtor.

Occupied homes now make up a large portion of my market. It's a different way of working for someone like me who got very used to the isolation of a vacant and working until dawn if I wanted with no one to inconvenience.

This business calls for flexibility and being knowledgable in many different aspects of home staging to remain successful.

Joan Inglis, ASP Realtor, ASP Stager, ASP Master, Charlotte IAHSP Chapter President

Charlotte IAHSP - 2008 IAHSP Chapter Excellence Award Winner!

Chunky Shelves

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:42:55 -0500

I know I couldn't put anything slight in size on the chunky shelves flanking this fireplace in my before ASPM staging photo.

I was fortunate to find a plethora of larger scale accessories on a recent trip to High Point, NC. Also on my shopping trip, I found several original paintings for $10/each.

This house has been on the market for a long time with several different agents. It's listed under the right agent now. She had me stage the house and took new pictures before it hit the MLS yesterday.

I think people will take notice after my ASPM staging.

Joan Inglis, ASP Realtor, ASP Stager, ASP Master, Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter President

Photo Tour of Ocean Condo

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:09:55 -0500

I love the way many of you compile photo tours. Can anyone recommend a company to subscribe to that's easy to use for someone (like me!) who likes fast and easy programs? I really want to start doing photo tours of my staged properties. I also love the way many of you have a picture with a button to start the tour.

I found this tour online of a vacant condo I recently staged:

http://kingstonplantationrealestate.com/mls/photo-tour.php?db=listings-residential&mls=0%3A%3E%3F89

Joan Inglis, Realtor, ASP, IAHSP Charlotte, NC Chapter President

Exceptional Unit FOR SALE - Margate Tower, Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:07:01 -0500

I I recently completed staging Unit #406. It is an exceptional property ready to show and sell!

Direct oceanfront residence which has been converted into a 3BR/2BA from the original 2BR/2BA. Residence has one of the largest decks overlooking the Margate pool and ocean. Features include club floor location, never been rented, granite countertops in kitchen & baths, wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances & a jacuzzi tub in the master bath, marble flooring. Spacious rooms throughout with plenty of storage space. Listing agent - Eric Miller 800-382-3332

Using Personal Home Furnishings as Inventory Caution

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:48:14 -0500

Like many, I've grabbed a piece or two of my own personal furniture items a couple of times to use as inventory in a vacant house when these items worked perfectly.

I have a particluar black leather bench/ottoman/coffee table that is so unique and was purchased in a distant state while on vacation. I have never seen in stores, online or anywhere anything remotely like this beloved piece.

I used it once in a very upscale house and it looked incredible in the greatroom. I got it back home and vowed to never use it again.

Low and behold, I got a vacant and could not find the perfect piece to set in front of the couch, so I carefully wrapped, padded and had my hauler take special care to load my bench on the back of his bed separated from the rest of my inventory in the trailer.

During the four-hour haul to this out of town job, the strap broke on the highway, and beloved "otto" flew up in the air, spiraled to the berm, skidded across gravel, and cartwheeled down a hill. Otto is in surgery to repair his broken legs and replace his damaged skin. Will he be the same? I don't know. Will I use a piece from home again? Only if I am willing to part with it permanently.

Joan Inglis, ASP, IAHSP Charlotte, NC Chapter President

Bedroom before & after

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:58:25 -0500

Why is my most recent job always my favorite? Here's a bedroom I just finished. The bedroom seemed so small when it was vacant that I thought about using a daybed with a trundle. But I decided that I had to show that the room could fit a queen size bed. I love the way everything bounces off the mirrors. Thanks for looking! Joan

Where's Waldo?

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:49:29 -0500

No, this isn't a kitchen that needs to be decluttered and staged. It's a picture of a kitchen of a condo in the process of being staged. This is my mess, by the way. Is it true what they say about desks and does it apply to stagers? Cluttered staging area, organized mind? Joan

Home Staging... A Craze Like Beanie Babies?

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 01:17:11 -0500

Yes, home staging is crucial in preparing a home for sale.

And it is getting easier and easier to gather enough information so that anyone and everyone can become a home stager with little expense and effort.

With all the staging self-help books, staging TV programs, and countless low-priced stagers out there - is anyone noticing a dip in business?

Joan Inglis, chapter presidet, Charlotte, NC IAHSP

Table Lamps on Countertops

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:12:23 -0500

This is the second model home I've seen with table lamps on the kitchen counter and bathroom counters. *These are sample pictures and not my work* Does anyone put table lamps on countertops for staging? Do you think it is safe and practical since there is a sink with water nearby? Can you share a picture of how you used table lamps on a bathroom or kitchen countertop? Joan

Expansive Countertops

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:14:02 -0500

I believe in minimal knick knacks, but on expansive countertops, I think that one candlestick looks lost. I used a large tray on this master bath counter and arranged bath accessories and three containers with soaps, shells, lotions on the tray. The opposite cabinets and expansive counter are reflected in the mirror.

Joan Inglis, chapter president, Charlotte, NC IAHSP

Staged Not Once, But Twice!

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:01:39 -0500

I first staged this vacant 1920s cottage for the property owner last year. It turned out that there was a problem with the survey and the seller had to take the home off the market for serveral months while an adjoining lot was consolidated with the property. Once all was corrected, the seller hired me to come back and stage the house a second time before it hit the market.

The first time I staged it, I stayed within the comfy feel of this older country home. When I came back the second time - I wanted to do something totally different.

The owner told me she loved it so much the first time, but loves it even more now!

My new Panasonic FX35 wide angle makes a huge difference! (Owner still needs to paint wood mounting board for plasma behind pix above mantle) Thanks for looking! Joan

Can you recommend a camera?

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:33:48 -0500

My beloved HP that was a gift from husband pooped out. I need a new camera like yesterday! He's too busy to research wide angles for me.

I've read here in the past that a lot of you use a Kodak, but the Kodak wide angles I've looked into do not have a flash. I need a wide angle digital with a flash - reasonably priced.

You've probably been asked this a million times and I'm sorry I didn't pay attention to the answers. But can anyone help me now?

Thanks, Joan

Staging TV - Helping or Hurting?

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:03:25 -0500

Have you all seen "Get It Sold" on HGTV and the new "Stage This House!" on A&E? Do you think these shows are helping the home staging industry or hurting it?

They are getting the word out about how important it is to stage your home in order to sell it. Any publicity is good publicity, but the step-by-step instructions on these programs concerns me. And not everyone works the way they depict the stagers in "Stage This House!" I am wondering what kind of an impression these shows are making. Joan

Charlotte, NC Home Stagers on the Move!

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:00:54 -0500

IAHSP Charlotte, NC Regional Chapter will be on hand at the CRRA REALTORS® Expo March 20.

As chapter president of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) Charlotte, NC, I secured a booth for my chapter, a speaking spot for my public relations coordinator, and my chapter was selected by expo officials to stage a 30'x30' relaxation area at the middle of the expo site - the Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College Ave.

Visit us at booth 625 and enter to win a basketful of gift certificates from local restaurants and merchants from 9 to 4 March 20, 2008.

Cheryl Schroeder, chapter public relations, is scheduled to speak about the benefits of home staging at 3:15 in conference room 218/219 ABCB. Chapter members will be raffling off free home staging consultations after the workshop.

Relax during the day in our lounge area adjacent to the cyber cafe.

Visit me (Joan Inglis) at the booth (625) between 11:20 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. and mention this blog on Activerain to receive a $100 off coupon on any home staging service (vacant, occupied or model home) by yours truly!

Charlotte, NC Home Stagers on the Move!

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:51:44 -0500

IAHSP Charlotte, NC Regional Chapter will be on hand at the CRRA REALTORS® Expo March 20.

Visit us at booth 625 and enter to win a basketful of gift certificates from local restaurants and merchants from 9 to 4 March 20, 2008.

Relax during the day in our lounge area adjacent to the cyber cafe.

Charlotte, NC Home Stagers on the Move

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:15:21 -0500

IAHSP Charlotte, NC Regional Chapter will be on hand at the CRRA REALTORS® Expo March 20.

Visit us at booth 625 and enter to win a basketful of gift certificates from local restaurants and merchants from 9 to 4 March 20, 2008.

Relax during the day in our lounge area adjacent to the cyber cafe.

Charlotte, NC defies national trend!

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 21:53:47 -0600

Charlotte, NC is one of three cities that experienced increased housing prices over last year out of a nationwide study of 20 major US cities.

On average, Charlotte homes increased in value 4.3 percent compared to a nationwide decline of 6.1 percent. Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index compared October 2007 sales prices with home sale prices of October 2006.

Charlotte has a good economy, offers plenty of jobs, and is a popular area for relocations. But home staging is a major component in the success of Charlotte's housing market. Charlotte has a soaring home staging industry and many sellers, real estate agents, builders and investors understand the importance of having a professional prepare their properties for sale. Professional preparation gets results. Staged homes sell faster and for more money.

On average nationwide, 93 percent of homes staged by an Accredited Staging Professional^TM sell in one month or less*. The average time on market is 31.8 days compared to 160 days on market for an unstaged home* (*source - stagedhomes.com).

New home staging

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:44:11 -0600

Here are a couple of pictures of one of two vacant new homes I staged last week. I love this house! Joan www.lakewyliehomestaging.com

MYRTLE BEACH OCEANFRONT CONDO!

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:45:58 -0500

Oceanfront condo fully furnished sleeps 6. Million-dollar view, adjacent to pier, walk to shops, entertainment, dining. Updated flooring, bathroom, kitchen appliances. New A/C. asking $220,900.

Call for appointment 803 628-8053

Questions to ask before hiring a home stager

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:48:54 -0500

Since I have seen some homeowners get burnt by so-called home stagers with no qualifications and little or no talent, I have developed some questions that I suggest property owners ask before they hire a home stager. I will be posting them on my Web site www.lakewyliehomestaging.com this week.

I have been so busy I can't believe it. I have a storage room now and I am buying furniture in bulk. I am too busy to write a blog every day, even though what I was writing was brief, I have no time for even that. I have 2 vacants to stage next week and a redesign lined up.

A Day in the Life of a Home Stager

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:52:45 -0500

Real estate, staging, real estate, staging...Everyone wants a piece of me. I can't complain. I'm getting to the point of having a waiting list for staging. I have a closing this afternoon, then a house to de-stage and one to stage this evening. I've gotten a couple of inquiries from people who expect to have their property staged really cheap. My feeling is: if someone is out there staging cheap, then it cheapens this business. When you couple the physical work involved with the artistic talent involved, people should expect this to be a pricey service. You get what you pay for.

A Day In the Life of a Home Stager

Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 01:02:25 -0500

I'm averaging 2 - 3 staging inquiries a day, seven days a week. All vacant, all from Charlotte. That is surely the market in this area. I'm to the point where I'm emptying one house and taking my inventory straight into another house. I am fortunate to have a husband with a truck and two college age sons who are my moving men. I also have a big garage for storage, but I haven't had to use it. Otherwise, I could see the problem with costs for storage, moving, trucks, etc. God has certainly planned things out well for me - as always.

Joan's Blog

Do Plumbers and Electricians work for FREE?

Vacant and unwanted over a year - Staged, 2 offers, SOLD!

Charlotte, NC - IAHSP Chapter of Excellence For the Year 2008

Being As Flexible As Your Market

Chunky Shelves

Photo Tour of Ocean Condo

Exceptional Unit FOR SALE - Margate Tower, Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach

Using Personal Home Furnishings as Inventory *Caution*

Bedroom before & after

Where's Waldo?

Home Staging... A Craze Like Beanie Babies?

Table Lamps on Countertops

Expansive Countertops

Staged Not Once, But Twice!

Can you recommend a camera?

Staging TV - Helping or Hurting?

Charlotte, NC Home Stagers on the Move!

Charlotte, NC Home Stagers on the Move!

Charlotte, NC Home Stagers on the Move

Charlotte, NC defies national trend!

New home staging

MYRTLE BEACH OCEANFRONT CONDO!

Questions to ask before hiring a home stager

A Day in the Life of a Home Stager

A Day In the Life of a Home Stager

Using Personal Home Furnishings as Inventory Caution