More Success for Agents I work with and greatly admire!! - 01/30/09 10:11 AM
This morning I received an email from Michele Reneau, a Carolina One agent that I work with on a significant basis.  She just won an award for closing the most units in her company, at a whopping 48 units! I had emailed her last night congratulating her and asking her if she would mind faxing me the awards program so that I could send cards to winners.  When she emailed me this morning I just about wanted to jump up and down to hear who had been recognized....
Pam Bishop, #1 GCI , Everett Presson #2 GCI
And I unfortunately don't … (1 comments)

Closing 48 Units in Charleston, SC in 2008 - How did she do that? - 01/29/09 08:32 PM
This post is a tribute to Michele Reneau with Carolina One Real Estate.  Tonight through Twitter and Facebook updates I learned that she won for most closed sales in 2008 with Carolina One, the biggest real estate company in the Greater Charleston area.  Apparently it was a whopping 48 units.  With so many agents frustrated about the lack of sales, lack of leads and lack of closings, what's her secret?
I would like to say that it is the amazing stager on her team..... but really I can't.  Sure, the fact that she chooses to use a stager and we've had … (7 comments)

Proof that Staging Sells - Profiling a Mt. Pleasant Community - 01/28/09 03:37 PM
I was doing a little prospecting today when I realized something amazing... so amazing that I needed to immediately convert it into a brochure to showcase the difference that staging makes!  We show general statistics all the time, but isn't it amazing when you can show real life numbers and the comperables with other similar properties in the same neighborhood....

The numbers are staggering, aren't they?  Why is it so difficult for agents and sellers to understand then?  As we continue to show proof with verifiable numbers maybe we can continue to convert them.....
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Stagers Coffee Clutch coming back to life now too! - 01/26/09 06:51 PM
Thanks to Bob Stewart of Active Rain we have been able to get both SIF and the Stagers Coffee Clutch back up and running!!  Sorry Thomas, but I think we no longer care how many tennis shoes anyone has....
              
It's been over six months since anyone has had a gold star in the Clutch and it's about time to change things.  Until further notice, I will be taking over as moderator. 
I am also asking that with the Coffee Clutch back in action that SIF be kept to its intended purpose of enhancing the staging industry and educating … (12 comments)

Meet the New SIF Moderators... - 01/26/09 02:08 PM
The AR Gods have been listening and finally we are ready to announce that SIF will be under new moderation.  We've all been feeling the growing pains here lately and are ready to step in to be of help. 
                                   
Maureen Bray of Room Solutions in Portland OR        Gary Barnett of Home Matters, LLC in Indanapolis, I
                                           
Karen Dembsky, Peachtree Home Staging in Atlanta, GA    Melissa Marro, First Impressions in Charleston, SC
 
With all of the changes going we noticed that some great posts were not getting the attention they deserve.  While we still don't have posts … (41 comments)

55 Years with Wallpaper - What happens when it comes down? - 01/23/09 05:13 PM
This home belongs to one of the most charming clients we've ever had.  After spending a week of working in this home, my team was actually sad to leave - and this was after stipping wallpaper, priming, painting, packing, moving and sorting through a home whose own has lived here for 55 years. 
 
Doesn't it feel like the home is taking a breath of fresh air?  The table cloth change was for the season at the request of the homeowner - small concessions for such big changes being allowed!
 
Does this feel like a change?  The homeowner … (16 comments)

Why do I have to rearrange my furniture? - 01/21/09 07:06 PM
THIS is why I am so busy!  I swear I work with the best agents in the Charleston area (if not in the country)!  Thank you Michele for your great post and educating your sellers on why staging is soooooo important.....

Via Michele Reneau, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI ~ Charleston, SC Relocation Expert (Carolina One Real Estate):
As my stager, Melissa Marro always says, "Selling your house and living in your house are two separate things."  Unfortunately not all buyers can visualize how a floorplan will work for them.  When there is an awkward arrangement, buyers may automatically rule a house out.  Take … (5 comments)

Then & Now.... My how I've changed - 01/21/09 10:53 AM
Today I was looking through some old photos of my work for an article I'm writing.  I happened to run across photos of some of the first homes I ever staged.  When I saw them I kind of laughed at myself.  Often we grow in such small ways we never realize how far we've come... Because it made me laugh, I thought I would share with you. 
All of the before homes sold, so I did my job exactly as I was supposed to - making a difference for my clients.  My style, however has grown by leaps and bounds!
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Time for change? Why here and why now? - 01/20/09 03:44 PM
Ok, I'm as excited as anyone about the big change that happened today.  I'm not a cryer but I admit I had to walk away from my TV to keep myself from weeping like a little girl.  It's been amazing.   What's not so amazing, for me anyway, are the changes that are going on with AR.  Is it just me? 
First, I'm not particularly happy about the way the blogs are no longer brought to the top based on comments.  I'm guessing this is a new thing because just a few days ago I surely thought they were.  While sure it's … (27 comments)

Quite James Island neighborhood in the heart of it all... - 01/19/09 11:14 AM
Are you looking for a quiet neighborhood that is close to everything?  Try James Islands' Affirmation Oaks.  This beautiful three bedroom 2.5 bath home has everything you are looking for and more.... Listed under $400,000 this home is a true value.

You'll love the sunny windows, front and back porches and all the fantastic feature throughout.
Contact Margaret Ostergard with Coldwell Banker at 843.364.0440 for more information or to view this amazing property.
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Home was recently staged by First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign.  For more information, please contact Melissa Marro at 843.822.2622

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Beautiful home in I'on, just staged and ready to sell.... - 01/19/09 11:05 AM
This beautiful home located in one of Mt. Pleasant's best neighborhoods, I'on, was staged on Friday and is ready to hit the market.  I don't believe this home will last long as it is priced very well, at only $575,000, and is incredibly beautiful!

Don't miss this opportunity to own a fantastic home in the heart of Mt. Pleasant.  Contact Chuck Avera with Keller Williams Realty at 843.416.1917 for more information on viewing this home. 
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Did you nominate your best Real Estate Agents for RESA Staging Realtor of the Year? - 01/15/09 09:29 PM
As many of you know from reading my blogs I have some of the best real estate agents using my services!  I have always felt honored and priveledged to work with some of the top agents in the Charleston Market.  It's good for my resume, it's good for marketing and well, it's good for business.  I have helped grow their business and they have helped grow my business.  Along the way we've sold dozens and dozens of homes, making sellers (and buyers) realize their dreams.
This year with RESA's Stager Awards, the categories included, Staging Realtor.  Because the category included Realtors who … (3 comments)

Staging in James Island, SC ... Creating opportunities - 01/14/09 01:46 PM
Yesterday I had the pleasure of staging a great home in James Island. One that seems to be a problem child.  It has been listed for over a year and has had almost $150,000 in price reductions!  Recently it was listed by a team of agents that I have worked with on multiple occassions and their first reaction was that it needed to be staged.  For the last month we've been working on getting the relocation company to allow us to do the work. 
There were two primary issues listed in feedback... (this house has been shown over 80 times!)
1.  … (35 comments)

114 properties in Kiawah for sale - Staged home sold in 91 days - only one to go under contract since July 2008 - 01/07/09 09:58 AM
You know you just get a warm fuzzy when you get that call or email from one of your agents letting you know that a property you staged went under contract.  This one made me feel particularly good, especially after pulling the stats from MLS. 
This home was originally listed on 5/19/08 for $1,298,000 in the exclusive Kiawah Island resort area.  The views are stunning, but it's 1980s interior left potential buyers feeling as if they would need to do too much work on the inside to make it work for them.
With some wallpaper removing, a lot of paint and a … (8 comments)

Build a better life today! Learn to Feed your Mind, Body & Soul - 01/05/09 12:33 PM
I have set up a new private community:  http://activerain.com/groups/betterlife so we can openly post without fear of lurkers. Today begins my new 10 part series, which will take place over the next 30 days.  Today's topic is Feeding Your Mind, Body & Soul. 
If you would like to be part of this project, please visit the site to join, or email me privately at melissa@StagingAndReDesign.com.  So far we already have over a dozen participants ready to build a better life!
Please note that there will be homework for each session.  The homework is mandatory in order for this series to actually be of … (1 comments)

Only 2 more days to Build a Better Life! - 01/03/09 11:03 AM
Beginning Monday, January 5th, I will be starting a new series called 'Build a Better Life'.  This ten part series will be to help inspire, motivate and get you moving in the right direction this year.  This series is not about having a better career, though that may certainly be a significant part of your goal setting.  This series is about creating a better life. 
I have set up a new private community:  http://activerain.com/groups/betterlife so we can openly post without fear of lurkers. 
If you would like to be part of this project, please visit the site to join, or email me … (0 comments)

Build a Better Life! Ten part series starting soon... - 01/02/09 12:23 PM
Beginning next Monday, January 5th, I will be starting a new series called 'Build a Better Life'.  This ten part series will be to help inspire, motivate and get you moving in the right direction this year.  This series is not about having a better career, though that may certainly be a significant part of your goal setting.  This series is about creating a better life. 
I have set up a new private community:  http://activerain.com/groups/betterlife so we can openly post without fear of lurkers. 
If you would like to be part of this project, please visit the site to join, or email … (4 comments)

What I learned from watching Star Trek - no really! - 01/01/09 01:08 PM
Have you ever seen the show, How William Shatner changed the world?  Well, I don't particularly think Mr Shatner himself made the changes, but Star Trek sure changed things! 
I almost found myself going off on a tangent when I wrote another blog earlier today, Success is all in your head - what are you saying to yourself?.  I decided instead to take my rambing thought to this blog.  As I was writing the section: 
Do you know that if you can't imagine what it would be like to..... then you probably will never have it.  For example, can you not … (18 comments)

Success is all in your head - what are you saying to yourself? - 01/01/09 11:30 AM
One of my favorite motivational speakers, Tony Robbins, seems to whisper in my ear all the time (yeah, ok, it's just because I have him on so many audio CDS) the same thing...  TODAY IS THE DAY TO START.  I know that many of us create fabulous new years resolutions which are put away by the end of January (if they last that long).  This year I'm reminding you that wishes and resolutions are not the same as goals.  This year, make a decision (which in latin means to 'cut off'... as in there is no other choice) to do those things which … (9 comments)

 
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Melissa Marro St Augustine, St Johns, Ponte Vedra

Saint Augustine, FL

More about me…

Watson Realty Corp

Address: 6459 Jack Wright Island Rd, St. Augustine, Florida, 32092

Office Phone: (904) 466-2093

Email Me

Author Bio: Melissa Marro, Home Staging Industry leader, Realtor, and entrepreneur offers a unique perspective on New Home Construction, Resale Residential Real Estate, and Home Staging



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