Here is my latest project-complete with a happy ending. After buying the property, renovating, waiitng a year and THEN staging, the owner accepted an offer right at the Open House. Some even asked if the home came furnished!

One little tip. If you stage with your inventory, make sure the sofa fits through the front door! Here I had to improvise at the last minute, and recover an older couch, as the Open House was the very next day. No one noticed. As stagers,  we are hardest on ourselves.

• Just remember: Noah's Ark was built by amateurs. The Titanic was built by professionals.....

• Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain IN life or accomplish for yourself. It is what you do for others
  -Danny Thomas

• We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.
  -Winston Churchill

• The six most important words in business: "I admit that I was wrong."
  
  
• The five most important words in business: "You did a great job."
  
  
• The four most important words in business: "What do you think?"
  
  
• The three most important words in business: "Could you please..."
  
  
• The two most important words in business: "Thank you."
  
  
• The one most important word in business: "We."

-Jay Conrad Levinson

Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you DID NOT do than by the ones you did do. So sail AWAY from safe harbor. Catch the winds in your sails.

Explore.

Dream.

Discover.

-Mark Twain-

-Helen Keller-

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of someone else

-Benjamin Franklin-

Here we are - further to Jackson's  blog, here are a few more examples of working on a tiny budget - of $500 to be exact. No huge changes, but the feel of each room is that there finally is a theme..Check this and see if you agree. Sometimes the challenge in staging is what you can do with the little you are given.

Wasn't it Teresa Meyer that said $500 seems to be the magic number? Hmmm, interesting....

(I know - my picture taking skills could use some work. And a new camera!)

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE                                                                                       AFTER

BEFORE                                                                                  AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER - Wasn't allowed to touch that "entertainment unit"

Wayne Gretzky

OK so most of us are aware that at least 3 celebrations are going on this summer with our friends down south, celebrating Activerain's anniversary. Seatle, Chicago, Orlando, L.A.

Don't you guys think we should get together as well? I would love to go to Orlando or L.A., but what if we could swing it so that we could celebrate on our own home turf? Maybe someone has deals/connections to pass on: flights, somewhere to stay. Maybe we could agree on a middle ground. Some cow pasture in Alberta? Any ideas would be great. Let's dream big, people. This could really happen!

This goes out to all the ladies. (Guys are welcome to enjoy it as well)

As Moms, most of us feel guilt about taking time away from our families. Here's a little something that always keeps me going.

The actress Amy Brenneman was depressed about leaving her 5 year old and coming to work. She asked her costar, Tyne Daly, "Why am I here? Why am I even working?" To which Tyne answered:

"Because you need your daughter to witness that women can work with PRIDE and DIGNITY.." That got me through the day, she says.

And me too.

Hello fellow Canadians!

I am posting a current blog posted by Teri Clark. She shows stats about the American housing market. I'm sure you'll agree that it is extremely informative. I wonder if anyone out there has stats for us Canadians. This would be helpful for agents and stagers alike. Looking forward to your entries!

http://activerain.com/blogsview/70944/Up-To-Date-Real