Donna Schoby, Ready, Set, Stage!'s Blog

Red Flags...Thanks...But No Thanks!

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:16:54 -0600

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! :)

Home Staging + Tax Credit = Increased Sales!

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:36:00 -0600

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!

Small Business Keeps America Growing!

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:38:02 -0600

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!

I help my local Realtors grow their business.
I help home owners move onto their next home. (which means more business for local merchants)
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.
I offer cleaning services and can employee local college students or others looking for extra income.
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).
I shop my local stores for inventory.
I use local companies when sponsoring an open house. (ie, gift certificates and restaurants)
I use a local photographer for my staged homes.
I use a local printing company for my printed materials.
I used local sign company.
I use a local storage company for storage. (and also refer clients to)
I am a member of several local organizations, (ie. Chamber, Board of Realtors, Home Builders Assoc., so I help support these organizations)
Not to mention the number of online services that I use (ie., Real Estate Shows, Constant Contact, Vista Print, and Picnik.
The number of software programs that I've purchased.
Purchasing insurance for my company.
Paying my tax accountant.

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

Hand Made Holiday Wreaths...Made Fresh In Northwest Arkansas!

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:08:12 -0500

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!

Losing Staging Bids!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:02:56 -0500

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!

2507 Norwich Lane, Fayetteville, AR 72703

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:20:59 -0500

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.

New Listing...1636 River Meadows Dr., Fayetteville, AR

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:18:08 -0500

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.

Not Again!

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:02:58 -0500

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!

Arkansas Real Estate Professionals Help Activerain Grow In Our State!

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:18:40 -0500

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!

Presentations Paying Off

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:46:26 -0500

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!

Now I Know Where It All Started...Thanks Tinker

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:05:46 -0500

Thanks to Tinker Hulsey Century 21 Indian Realty Jonesboro Ark and her post DOLL HOUSE DOOR PRIZE CRAIGHEAD COUNTY FAIR JONESBORO ARKANSAS Now I know where it all started!

I loved doll houses as a young girl. I would play in my little doll house for hours. I would even make my own furniture out of everyday household items. Is this where I learned how to work with what you have? Did I learn to stage houses from my little doll house as a young girl?

Thanks Tinker, this explains a lot about where I am today.

I also guess this explains why I bought my daughter a doll house when she was young. She didn't want anything to do with it ever...now at age 19, she could care less about decorating. She just moved into her first condo, and called me to decorate for her. She just didn't have an interest, she said you know what I like. So I did my thing!

Funny how things that happen so young in life mold what we will become.

Tinker, have fun at the County Fair!

Dear Mr. Seller, I TRIED to Help You, but ...

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:36:11 -0500

Via Maureen Bray ~ Home Stager Portland OR ~ Room Solutions Staging (Staging that Sells Portland Homes):

Dear Mr. Seller,

You contacted my company 3 months ago and requested a staging proposal for your home. It's in a premier Portland neighborhood and you said you knew it needed some help before listing. You'd already bought another home and were packing up your things to move out in a few days.

When I arrived to view your home, it was surprising to see a huge pool table in your dining room! We laughed together about that and also the long heavy dark velvet drapes! Your home needed major cleaning and packing up of many small items. I knew we could help you!

We'd be able to work with most of your furniture that you'd be leaving behind, and we'd provide the necessary missing pieces as well as accessories, art, trees & plants, etc. as needed. We discussed that if we were going to work together, I'd give you a detailed list that would include which furniture pieces to leave behind as well as some easy cosmetic improvements that you could do yourself.

You told me that your listing agent did not believe in home staging. I was surprised to hear this, because I thought that your home was one of the better candidates for staging that I've seen this year, but I kept my opinion to myself. I told you that our company keeps track of our staging statistics, and we're proud of them. I knew we could help you!

Later that day I emailed you a very cost-effective proposal that included staging your home using your furniture and providing accessories and other items from our inventory. We'd stage your home to make it appealing to your target buyer. Our proposal also included quality digital photos for the online listing ... critical in today's challenging market. I knew we could help you!

Later, I was disappointed that you decided not to stage your home. Looking at the online listing, it was a shock to see the photos of your home! They're dark, out of focus, crooked, and don't even show the best features of your home. I won't show them here because that wouldn't be discreet, but I noticed the heavy velvet drapes are still there, and your furniture is not in the right position to showcase the space. The photos are about the worst I've ever seen. I knew we could have helped you!

After 6 weeks on the market I noticed that you took a $30,000 price reduction! After another 4 weeks, I saw that your price had now dropped $50,000!   Hmmm ... your agent discouraged you from staging (even though you would have paid for it) but has no problem recommending that you drop your price by $50K?

Wow! Staging your home with a professional staging company would have cost a tiny fraction of your first price reduction -- but you decided to drop your price by $50,000 instead.   How does that make sense from a financial viewpoint?

The sad thing is, today I drove by your home again on my way to staging one of your neighbor's homes, and saw the new sign addition now hanging from your "For Sale" sign ...

Mr. Seller ~ We really did try to help you! I wish we could have.

     ***            ***              ***

For help making sure your home shines for potential buyers, contact Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR to learn more about our home staging services. We work with Homeowners, Banks, Realtors, and Investors to prepare homes to SELL. Give us a call at 503-246-1800 for more information. Room Solutions ~ Staging that Sells Portland Homes.
       Staging that sells Portland homes!

Knack for decorating and "fluffing"-NOT!

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:34:09 -0500

Via Terrylynn Fisher, Realtor, CRS,CSP,SRES, EcoBroker,LGLS CP,RCS-Divorce,DRE#615420 (Diablo Realty - BuyStageSell.com):

Knack for decorating and Fluffing-NOT!

You've heard of home staging which has been around for years and embraced by some Realtors as a marketing tool and is now almost a household word. However, the fluffing of 8 years ago, has evolved into a systematic and sophisticated marketing tool, taking a home, and reinventing it as a product with the lifestyle and target buyer demographic utilitized as the starting point. The putting a chair cover on a plastic chair or table and greenery on every surface is no longer utilized by the professional home stager of 2009. The successful home stager of today is no longer the hobbyist who has a "knack" for decorating.

In addition, most professional home stagers can no longer utilize their garage or spare room to house their inventory. The ability to accommodate a large variety of property styles and buyer demographics means that they will have some or all of these - a helper, crew, truck and storage and/or warehouse and/or affiliations with furniture rental companies in order to bring the right furniture and accessories, not just the furniture and accessories leftover in their garage.

The before and after portfolio is the stager's own work, showing a variety of styles, not the same furniture and accessories shown in different rooms and arrangements because it is what they have in the garage.

If you have encountered a professional home stager, you get all this and more. You owe it to yourself to try a stager of this caliber for your listings. You'll be amazed at the differences in your staged listing, the speed of the sale and the BUSINESS home staging has become. Realtors, A home staging professional can double your effectiveness and impact on your listed properties and the sale. Your clients will respect and appreciate the professionalism that enhances your "team" image and the knowledge that the professional home stager brings to the transaction. (Color, focal points, emphasis, staging excellence, demographics, architecture and sooo much more) Your clients will see the difference and so will you.

DRE # 615420

Terrylynn Fisher, Realtor
CRS, GRI, CSP, LGLS, CP, SRES, Eco-Broker, Luxury Home Institute Member

cell 925.876.0966
fax 925.887.6614
Email Terrylynn

Owner of StagersLISTExpo.com

Terrylynn has been a Realtor in Contra Costa County for over 30 years.

OREO... Not The Cookie

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:50:09 -0500

OREO...Other Real Estate Owned

This is what most banks refer to for their Other Real Estate Owned...Foreclosures!

Ready, Set, Stage! has been trying to break into this market for months, knowing we can help our local banks with their OREO's.

What happened this week! We have received two calls from Realtors that said the bank has requested bids for Home Staging!

I'm not getting to excited yet, but this is a positive sign that Northwest Arkansas banks are looking into a great marketing tool!

Kudos to any bank that is exploring Home Staging. Unlike the OREO cookie (being so sweet, your OREO's are not) you need to move them fast. Calling a professional Home Stager is like adding milk to your OREO COOKIE...it WORKS!

Contact a Professional Home Stager in your area! Home Staging works and we have the stats to prove it!

Beautiful Home, 4902 Ridge Mont Road, Bentonville, AR

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:18:40 -0500

Ready, Set, Stage! had the privilege of working on this beautiful home located at 4902 Ridge Mont Road, Bentonville, AR.

This home is listed by Tara Cummings-Limbird www.TaraCummings.com

MLS#585157 Listed for $319,900.00, 2550 s.f. 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, fantastic family neighborhood!

Staging, It's Not Just About Pretty

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:01:20 -0500

Via Ana Hitzel AccentPositives Staging Corona (AccentPositives "Putting Your Best Space Forward"):

"Forget staging it has no value in the appraisal..... I look for updated kitchen and baths (if its an older home) condition of the exterior and interior. This will determine the effective age of your house. You can have a 35 year old house and never has been updated or very little and a effective age of 30 years and the same house next door that is 35 years old and completly remodeled with a effective age of 5 years. Appraisers look at condition and updated items. We also look for deferred maintenance like worn carpet, moss on the roof, bad gutters, house needs painting, bad roof, ect. if your house is in average conditon you will be fine. Your home is based on other comparables sales (withing the last 6 months) and within 1-2 miles of your home, with similar design....

This was part of a comment made by an appraiser responding to a blog question on whether a homeowner should Stage her house prior to her appraisal. Staging as a part of home selling, to many, has no value. You may already see where I am going with this.

I can't speak for what every appraiser looks at when evaluating a home but I have seen what some commented on and looked at when appraising my own homes for sale.

While we as Stagers don't get into evaluating the "bones" of a house (although I have pointed out cracked and falling shingles visible from the street) we should and do address many of those things this particular appraiser mentioned.

When a Professional Stager does a thorough consultation, these are some of the many things we look at and give objective observations on. These "Staging" recommendations do affect the value of a home. We help the homeowner determine which updates and fixes will affect their home value the most while spending the least.

A good Stager has an understanding of these things. We are up on the latest trends and research what similar homes in a particular neighborhood have as far as cosmetic features too. If a house has laminate counters and most everyone else in the neighborhood has granite and modern faucets, does this affect the asking price of a home? Size and location top of the list but condition is the other huge consideration.

A Staging consultation is about being brutally honest in an understanding and respectful way. It's not just about what curtains to hang and where the couch should go. Preparing a home for sale is a time consuming process but more than that it is an investment.

So as a seller or listing agent, would you rather be prepared to stack up against your competition saving time, money and possibly getting better offers or would you "Forget staging" ?

No, pretty pots on the porch won't get you a higher appraisal, but fixing the cracked steps and painting your worn front door and replacing the hardware just may.

Staging is not just about the pretty.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and on line. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Member

Men are from Mars and more...Interesting gender statistics from Coldwell Banker study

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:58:19 -0500

Via Ashley Whittenberger (Interiority Complex & The Interiority Complex University ):

In a recent survey of 1,000 individuals conducted for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC by International Communications Research, we see some clear data regarding how much men and women differ in the homebuying process.

Some highlights from the press release:

When asked how long it took before they knew their home was "right" for them, almost 70 percent of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house, versus 62 percent of men.

Fifty-five percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family than to their job, compared with only 37 percent of men.

Sixty-four percent of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested. More than half of men agreed (51 percent).

When respondents were asked how they would use a spare 12x12 room, the uses that proved most popular with both men and women were bedroom, office/study and family room.

Of the 8 percent who indicated they would turn that spare room into an entertainment center, it was a preponderance of men leading the charge. In fact, four times as many men as women said they would use the extra space for recreation and entertainment.

(If you're a member of Staging and Design Pro's there's a discussion started on this topic on the Staging & Design Pro website, too.)

Real Estate Agent - I'd like to recommend you but . .

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:56:17 -0500

Via Margaret Oscilia-Home Stager, Salem Oregon (Creative Concepts and Contracting, Salem Oregon):

Dear Real Estate Agent –

I’ve enjoyed getting acquainted with you and think you have a great many admirable qualities that home sellers will find important. Perhaps your attention to detail, negotiation skills and networking abilities set you apart from other agents, and I should start referring clients to you. I know you have lots of experience and vast areas of expertise. Yes, your personality is fun, witty and entertaining, but your real estate photos online are killer.

Killer in a bad way. They kill any thought of me referring business to you and are an example of what I tell my clients to look for when choosing an agent. With over 85% of home buyers looking online for a home they can’t afford to go onto the MLS or real estate listing site with too few or poor photos.

Now I know you have probably received training on taking great photos and marketing -- then WHY am I continuing to see . . .

Cars - in the driveways drawing attention from the house and blocking the view or parked in front on the house.

The house is for sale - not the cars - right?

Tilting Photos -- I'm sure the house doesn't have a structural problem, but when your photos lean to the right or left I'm feeling like I'm going to slide out of the room. Any simple photo editing software can help remedy this problem -- Let's all straighten up please!

The mysterious photos of . . . who knows what. Photos that don't feature the focal points, room sizes or architecture shouldn't be posted. Sometimes less is more - seriously!

I'm sure this home has other features to highlight than this!

Please don't keep me in the dark! I've looked at your listing photos and they are all so dark, that I still don't have a clue on what your listing looks like. Additionally, when I look at this photo I have no concept of this room's size or flow.

Clutter . . . I am overwhelmed by the stuff in the photo that I can't see the room. When it's wall to wall furniture or counters full of stuff the photos buyers are going to click on by. At minimum - have the seller move some items out of the area to get a better photo. Better - refuse to take photos and list until the house is properly prepared for sale!

Yes, I think you may be a great real estate agent, but in this market, you can't afford to appeal to each and every home buyer that checks out your listing! Top agents must have top quality online photos in order to market effectively. When we get asked for a recommendation on a real estate agent in our area, we always advise clients to view agents listings online first. What do your photos say about you?

Personally we use picnik to edit our photos and find it quick and easy to use - turning mediocre photos into ones that are memorable and create great first impressions! Creative Concepts and Contracting is a professional home staging company in Salem Oregon. Moving or Improving? We love to help!

I Just Don't Get It...

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:01:54 -0500

Help me understand...

My staged homes are selling on average 90 DOM, when the average DOM for my area is 178 days.
I receive calls and emails from Realtors that show my staged homes with outstanding complements. But they never call me for their own listings?
Realtors that have used me more than once (with outstanding results) only use me every once in a while.

I realize that its hard to convince a seller to use a Home Stager when it's a new concept for our area. But I would think that the Realtors that have used me and the ones that have seen my work and take the time to call or email me would be trying really hard to convince their sellers of the benefits of Home Staging. Maybe they are...are the sellers the ones not getting it?

I just don't get it...am I doing something wrong?

Getting your home ready for market – “Move-in Ready” is Key

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:13:23 -0500

This post comes from Lori Cain, of Tulsa, OK

I'm always pleased to see Realtors posting about the power of Home Staging. Thanks Lori!

Via Lori Cain - Tulsa Realty (Chinowth & Cohen Realtors):

Getting your home ready for market – “Move-in Ready” is Key - Unless absolutely impossible, it is my preference to prepare my listings to be “move-in ready” BEFORE they go on the market.

Because our inventory of homes is high and Buyers have much from which to choose, YOUR home needs to have the WOW factor.

When the Buyer walks through your door, they need to say, “I can LIVE here. In fact, I could move in TODAY!”

If they walk into a home with stained carpet, dirty walls and obnoxious paint colors, they’re going to turn around and walk out. It won’t matter if your home’s electric & plumbing is updated or that you have good insulation and low utility bills. Buying is an emotional decision, and if the Buyers can’t envision themselves living in your home, you will lose their interest.

The most inexpensive improvements you can make – from which you are sure to receive a return on your investment – are to the walls and flooring. Fresh paint is the least expensive improvement and new carpet is next in line.

Of course, you want to de-clutter also. If a Buyer sees your walk-in closet crammed with clothing, they will think that there is no possible way their clothes will fit. If they see your closets 50% full, they will delight in the amount of storage available.

I include a consultation with a home-stager in my listing services, because I believe it’s a great investment on my part. Staged homes sell almost 50% faster and for 6-9% higher than average. I would rather spend money on a home stager in trade for fewer days on market.

Yes, it’s more money out of pocket up front for the Seller, but having your home staged by a professional will likely speed up the selling process and net you more at the closing table.

Getting your home ready for market – “Move-in Ready” is Key

The combination of home improvements, de-cluttering and home staging will help you avoid costly price reductions. If you can’t afford some of these expenses, ask your Realtor about vendors who may wait until closing to be paid.

Your home will sell if it is in top condition, priced correctly and marketed aggressively. Choose the Listing Realtor that understands this selling strategy.

Preparing your home for sale requires some sweat equity and a humble attitude – but your participation in getting your home ready for market is truly “priceless.”

Please visit my site today to learn more about my listing services and definitely peruse my Preferred Vendor list!

Ready, Set, Stage! Guest Speaker-Arkansas Institute of Real Estate

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:45:42 -0500

Arkansas Institute of Real Estate will offer a CE class for NWA Realtors this Friday at the Metro Area Board Office in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

I have been invited to be the guest speaker. My presentation will concentrate on the following:

What Home Staging is and isn't
Benefits of Staging
Types of Staging
Before and After photos
Talking to homeowners and overcoming their objectives
How much does Home Staging cost
Hiring a Home Stager
The future of Home Staging

The Arkansas Institute of Real Estate has recognized the benefits of Home Staging and is the first in the Northwest Arkansas area to bring this educational information into their classes.

Ready, Set, Stage! is looking forward to being a growing partner in this process.

Northwest Arkansas Realtors can visit the Arkansas Institute of Real Estate website at www.aire.us

It's Time...To Get Your Home Ready For Fall!

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:30:35 -0500

It's time to get your homes ready for the fall market. We all know that the selling season starts to slow right before the holidays. So don't let your home continue to sit on the market. Get it "show" ready!

Ready, Set, Stage! is offering lower fees for the month of August to help you!

Give us a call or email us! We will gladly answer any questions or concerns you may have. We also offer FREE estimates!

Remember the cost of Staging is less than a price reduction!

Don't wait! Call us today!

Should The Bar Stools Stay or Go?

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:28:30 -0500

I did a consult today on a small condo located on the lake. This would be your weekend lake get a way condo. Not to be living in on a daily basis. I'm in the process of giving the homeowners a written "homework" list and want to make sure I have everything removed from the property before staging day.

I'm struggling with keeping these bar stools, because when I was in the space I felt cramped. Removing them would create more space and this condo has a lot of wood tones throughout and the space needs to be lighted up. But then again do I need to show that bar stools would fit at the counter? Replacing the stools are not an option in this case or I would suggest smaller ones. I thought about at least removing one and just leaving two stools.

Any suggestions?

Before & Afters...Owners Transferred, We Had The Run Of The House!

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:31:45 -0500

These homeowners have already been transferred and the Realtor called in Ready, Set, Stage! to stage this home using what the homeowners left behind. Except for the dining room, Ready, Set, Stage! leased a five piece dining set back to the homeowners to update this area. We also recommended that the kitchen/family room be repainted. We used Sherwin Williams Macadamia (I love this color, I have it in my own home) that added so much warmeth to this huge area. The out of state homeowners and Realtor were thrilled with the end result.

Doggie Daycare...Adding Another Vendor To My Website!

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:23:36 -0500

I can't help myself...but I LOVE networking. I love meeting new people and learning about their business. I was attending an event tonight and met a person that owns a "Doggie Day Care Center" the light bulb went off for me. (And I liked her business card that was shaped like a dog bone)

I have a page on my website, "Find A Professional" that I have added to help my clients with resources for the recommendations I make in preparing their homes to sell.

The "Doggie Daycare" clicked with me because how many times do we as stagers have homeowners with dogs that always say they do not know what to do with them?

I'm going to check out this vendor's website and visit with them more to see how they can benefit my clients!

The more resources we as stages can offer our clients the better chance we have of them completing our recommendations!

Happy Staging...even with those little furry family members!