I was recently contacted by a "new" home staging company in my area wanting to "hire" me to stage his homes. I agreeded to met with him, but went in with my own questions and thanks from a little help from my AR friends some of your questions also!  One of my questions...if you are a new staging company in NWA where did you get the before and after photos on your website? Answer: I don't remember, somewhere on the Internet. OK....red flag, what does that mean?

When I first started my business several stagers here on AR sent me before and after photos to use as an example...but I did not pass these photos off as my own work!

I had one of my partner Realtors call me about this person with several concerns...guess I'm doing my job educating...he realized the red flags also! :)

I'm sure most Realtors are looking at ways to market the new tax credit and increase sales!  They will be contacting their qualified move-up/repeat home buyers making sure they are aware of the new $6,500.00 tax credit if they purchase a new home by April 30, 2010. 

So...how does using a Professional Home Stager help  increase sales?   Your move-up/repeat home buyers will need to sell their current home, (in most cases) and a Professional Home Stager can help. We can start with a Staging Consultation that will help your seller realize how important it is to have their home "move-in" ready.

Using a Professional Home Stager is your secret weapon!  A Staging Consultation will return thousands for you and your client!  Include a consultation on all of your listings! Staged homes show better, sell faster and for more of the asking price!  Call your local Professional Home Stager today!  Staged homes = increased  sales!  Our own local stats...our staged homes, 55 DOM! Less than 1/2 of the average for our market!

I am a very small business, a one person show most of the time. But I realized something today. Small business is what keeps America growing!  I took a look at how my small business effects others!

1. I help my local Realtors grow their business.
2. I help home owners move onto their next home. (which means more business for local merchants)
3. I help others I meet in networking groups. I just partnered with a local company that will install outdoor lights for the holidays. An add on service for my holiday decorating services.
4. I offer cleaning services and can employee local college students or others looking for extra income.
5. I contract out several services such as movers, and local contractors. (I received a call today from a local contractor that landed a $1,700.00 job from a consult that I did).
6. I shop my local stores for inventory.
7. I use local companies when sponsoring an open house. (ie, gift certificates and restaurants)
8. I use a local photographer for my staged homes.
9. I use a local printing company for my printed materials.
10. I used local sign company.
11. I use a local storage company for storage. (and also refer clients to)
12. I am a member of several local organizations, (ie. Chamber, Board of Realtors, Home Builders Assoc., so I help support these organizations)
13. Not to mention the number of online services that I use (ie., Real Estate Shows, Constant Contact, Vista Print, and Picnik.
14. The number of software programs that I've purchased.
15. Purchasing insurance for my company.
16. Paying my tax accountant.

Ok, you get the idea!  SMALL BUSINESS KEEPS AMERICA GROWING!

Made fresh daily in Northwest Arkansas. Beautiful Seasonal Colors! These wreaths are available through the end of November with fall-colored ribbons and accents, and all December with red, green, and gold accents.

These wreaths are made fresh daily.

• Expect indoor wreaths to last about 3 weeks.
• Outdoor wreaths are best kept out of direct sunlight.
• All wreaths are dipped in a special solution to help them maintain their freshness.
• Prices include delivery to your home or office in Washington or Benton County.

Pillar Centerpiece:

20-22" tabletop wreath with pillar candle in glass. Includes candle.   $42.00

4-Candle Centerpiece:

24" wreath with holder for 4 taper candles. (Candles not included)   $47.00

Mantle Swag:

72" swag to give your mantle that warm holiday look.  $69.00

Door Wreaths:

Decked out with pine cones and ribbon.

Available in 2 sizes.

14"  $43.00

16"  $46.00

Inquire about pricing for sizes up to 109".

Let Ready, Set, Stage! help with your holiday decorating. If you are selling we can assit with some very simple decorating ideas that will not overwhelm buyers, such as these hoilday wreaths. But we can also decorate to your personal tastes if not selling.  We even install outdoor lights. Call for your free quote today!

I know I shouldn't worry about bids that I lose, but it kills me when I view online photos or stop by to take a sneak peek of a listing that I lost a bid to.

This happen last week.  I did a bid for a vacant new construction home. I would have LOVED to added this home to my portfolio.  Not your cookie cutter home....I had so many great ideas!

But the builder said my bid was out of his budget as he was already over budget.  To be honest I bid the job a little low because I really wanted it.

But he received another bid for less.  So yes I was curious to see what he would receive for less than my bid and had to stop by for a peek.

All I can say is that it's true you get what you pay for.  I'm sorry I don't mean to sound awful but really!  Do you consider staging a living room using a sofa and area rug only?  That was it!   No artwork, accessories, not even throw pillows on the sofa.  Nothing! 

This home was missing the big Wow factor that I could have added to showcase the wonderful features that the builder put into building it!  Oh how I wish I would have had the opportunity to show my work!

I caution Realtors, Builders and Homeowners to know what you are receiving when accepting a bid for staging!  Look at the stagers portfolio, check references, and don't be afraid to ask questions. A professional stager is always prepared to assist you!

Buyer ready home located in Covington Subdivision in Fayetteville, AR

This home is 3002 s.f. and priced at $362,000.00!

Listed by Whitney Morgan, Coldwell Banker Facuette Real Estate

Staging Consultation provided by Donna Schoby, Ready, Set, Stage!

View the real estate flyer for more photos.

This is a great family home located at 1636 River Meadows Drive, Fayetteville, AR

Listed by Charlie Davis, Crye-Leike Realtors, Fayetteville, AR

MLS# 578843, List Price $260,000.00

New granite and stainless steel appliances. Located in East Fayetteville.

Follow this link for real estate flyer.

Staging consulation/kitchen upgrade provided by Ready, Set, Stage!  Fayetteville, AR.

One of my add on services is cleaning.

I've owned a cleaning business for 5 years, so when I started my staging business it only made sense to use this business as a add on service. Most of the homes that I bid on need cleaning...so why not me?

This summer I was called to do a bid on a small home for staging. After viewing the home I called the out-of-town owner to tell him first the home needed to be cleaned. This home had been on the market for 12 months. We did the cleaning and was going to do the staging the next month. (working within the sellers budget)  The home SOLD 11 days after cleaning.

Now this week again after bidding on a vacant that also needed cleaning...we were finishing up tonight as a Realtor came in to show the property. The buyers loved it  (again this home has been on the market over a year) and the Realtor said "you may not need to stage" after all.

I must be one heck of a cleaner!

Come on Arkansas let's get it together and help Activerain grow in our state!

I was asked last week what type of online resources I use for my business. I mentioned Activerain among some others, the reply....oh they've been around for a while. Yeah....I wanted to ask why aren't you a ACTIVE member?

Benefits that I have personally received:

1) I have made a lot of new friends. Does this help my business grow? Of course it does!

2) It has helped me show up on the FIRST PAGE OF GOOGLE!

3) I have received numerous contacts from out-of-state owners that have property in NWA.

4) I have received referrals from other stagers and Realtors that have friends or relatives in NWA.

5) I have been able to refer clients to Realtors in other parts of the state.

6) I can't tell you how much I have learned from other real estate professionals and not just stagers. We all learn from each other!

It takes a while to get to know each other, but keep on posting (and don't forget to reply to the comments you receive and also comment on other posts) this is how we get to know each other and will grow!

So come on Arkansas, let's invite others to join and take advantage of a great networking tool!

Oh yeah, please feel free to become a member of the Anything Arkansas group....we would love to get to know you!

As some of you know from my posts here on AR and FB, I was invited by the Arkansas Institute of Real Estate to be a monthly guest speaker for CE classes for Realtors.

I was very excited to be able to have an hour before agents each month to do a presentation on Home Staging.

I've only done two so far, doing another this Friday. But what I feel is already paying off is that last week I saw the instructor of these classes and he told me that since my last presentation that he had been contacted by two "new stagers" in our area. After asking the questions that I recommend in my presentation he said he quickly realized that they were hobbyist and had NO CONCEPT OF HOME STAGING!

He advised me to make sure I continue to educate our local agents on what to look for in a PROFESSIONAL STAGER!

I know stagers have said it before...but education is key in growing our industry!