My NWA Mortgage Lender

Great Staging Tips To Set A Buyer’s Mood At Your Home For Sale

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:54:04 -0700

Home Staging is the art of preparing your Northwest Arkansas home for sale before showing it to prospective buyers. The point of staging is to highlight the house's strengths and make it more appealing. With the right staging techniques, you can win buyers over the moment they step through the door. Below are a few staging tips to help make your house irresistible to potential buyers.

Put Everything Away

he first step is to put away anything that is not essential. This will open up the house so that it appears more spacious. Even if you have to rent a storage unit, finding a new home for all of your family's projects and collections should clear some space and help buyers imagine their own belongings in your home for sale. Pay special attention to entryways and narrow hallways to improve your prospective buyer's sense of spaciousness.

Get Rid Of Clutter

Be sure to clear off the things that gather on kitchen counters and surfaces, such as old magazines and stacks of mail. Also, emptying out your closets of half of the things inside them will make them look much roomier. Use this time as an opportunity to thin the number of largely unused items that your family has collected over the years. And look on the bright side; moving into a new house will be much easier after you have donated your unneeded items to a charity.

Fresh Scents Make Sense

You would be surprised by how much the sense of smell comes into play when buyers are viewing a house. To avoid turning buyers off with pet or smoke odors, make sure you give each room a deep clean, including the air vents and carpeting. Just covering up stale odors with air fresheners won't do the job.

Let In The Light

Buyers are looking for spacious rooms with a lot of natural light, so make sure you open the blinds and turn on all the lights. If you have rooms that are a bit dark, you can add floor lamps to make them brighter or flowers to suggest sunlight.

Home staging can make a big difference in how potential buyers see your home for sale, so make sure you set the mood to make it as attractive as possible.

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Simple Indoor Do-It-Yourself Project for Your Home

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:27:24 -0800

With spring right around the corner, you might be thinking about sprucing up your Fayetteville home.

However, it may not yet be time to work in the garden or on other outside endeavors.

If cabin fever has been setting in, this is a great time for indoor improvements to brighten your living space and get you warmed up to work outside when the seasons change.

Whether it’s over-stuffed closets or cluttered garages, everyone has a problem area or two on their property that has not been touched in a while.

Below are simple ideas to get you started. Maybe you can even get the kids to lend a hand!

Organize That Closet

Clear out the things you don’t need and make it easier to find the things you do.

You can build a closet system in just a couple hours for ranging from $100 – $500 to put everything at your fingertips.

Paint An Accent Wall

Or, you could choose to do an entire room! The room you spend the most time in should probably be your starting point.

Choose a color that will set the mood you want to foster, such as an energizing red or soothing blue.

Add Shelves Or A Bookcase To A Room

If your house has papers and books stacked up on counters or in cabinets, you may need some additional shelving.

Built-in bookcases or shelves can help a cluttered area feel more spacious.

Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

A bright coat of paint can do wonders for your kitchen and is an inexpensive option that may increase the value of your home.

Obviously this is more than a one-afternoon project, but it is definitely a low-cost way to give your kitchen a new, fresh look.

Whatever your vision, now is a fantastic time to tackle an indoor project which can keep the whole family busy and ward off the winter doldrums at the same time.

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Existing Home Sales Rise As Homes Inventory Shrinks

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:18:38 -0800

Home sales rose for the 11th consecutive month according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing Home Sales Report for January.

This is the first time this has occurred since the period between July of 2005 and May of 2006.

National Average Home Price Up Over 12% Annually

The national average home price in January was $173,600, which is 12.3 percent higher than for January 2012.

Calculated on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis, Existing Home Sales data is compiled using completed sales of single family homes, condominium units and co-ops.

January’s existing home sales rose by 0.4 percent to 4.92 million sales nationally as compared to December’s revised annual rate of 4.90 million sales nationally.

National sales of existing homes increased by 9.1 percent as compared to January 2012.

Regional Home Sales Support Housing Recovery

Regional home sales for January suggest more good news for housing markets. Seasonally- adjusted annual home sales rose in all regions of the U.S. except in the West, while median home prices rose for all regions.

Northeast: Home sales were up by 4.8 percent in January to 650,000 sales, which is 12.1 percent more homes sold than for January 2012. The median home price rose by 2.4 percent from January 2012 to $230,500.

Midwest: Annual home sales in January increased by 3.6 percent to 1.16 million; this is 17.2 percent higher than for January 2012. The median home price in the Midwest rose to $131,800, an increase of 8.6 percent as compared to January 2012.

South: Home sales were up by 1 percent to 1.96 million sales in January; this represents a 14.0 percent increase in annual sales as compared to one year ago. The average home price for the South was $152,100, an increase of 13.4 percent over January 2012.

West: Home sales fell by 5.7 percent to an annual rate of $1.15 million. This represents a 5.7 percent decrease in sales from one year ago. The median home price in January was $239,800 and was 26.6 percent above the region’s median sale price for January 2012.

A falling inventory of homes for sale may be holding back buyers; the inventory of homes for sale fell to a 4.2 month supply from December’s 4.5 month supply of homes. A 6-month supply of homes is considered average.

Home Prices May Rise Quickly

While the spring home buying season will likely see more homes come on the market in Rogers and the surrounding area , economists caution that home prices could rise faster than expected due to increasing demand. A seller’s market could be in the making.

Mortgage rates also appear to be rising; now may be your best time for gaining the advantage of relatively low home prices and mortgage rates.

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Stress-Free Packing Tips for Moving Into Your New Home

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:10:21 -0800

Stress-Free Packing Tips For Moving Into Your New Home

Moving everything in your house to your new Northwest Arkansas home can be an overwhelming task.

You never realize how much stuff you actually own until you try to fit it all into boxes and move it somewhere new.

When you are packing up your things to relocate, here are some helpful tips to make your moving experience much easier:

Start Packing In Advance

You don’t have to wait until the day before you move to start packing everything in your house!

As soon as you find out that you are moving, you can start packing the items you don’t often use, such as your seasonal decorations, photo albums and family keepsakes.

If you pack a few items per week, you’ll have almost everything packed by the time you are ready to go except for the essentials you use every day.

Establish A System

Rather than randomly throwing every item you see into a box, think ahead and create a logical plan for your packing.

Before you start, develop a simple record-keeping system.

Give every box you pack a number and write a corresponding list detailing the items in that box.

This way, when you arrive you will know exactly where to find each item.

Stay Organized

You will want to keep all of the items from each area of the house together so they can be unpacked easily.

For example, keep all of the boxes of kitchen supplies together and then put them straight into the kitchen when you arrive at your new home.

You could even designate a color for each room in the house and put colored stickers on the boxes so that the movers or anyone helping you can easily determine in which room a box belongs.

Bonus Tip: Sometimes Less Is More

One final consideration that can make your move easier is to use your move as an opportunity to pare down your unused belongings.

Plus, you won’t be left wondering why you decided to move things from one home to another once you start unpacking.

As with many things, the more organized you are when packing, the less stressful it will be when you arrive and at your new house.

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Would YOU Want to Do Business with YOU?

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:28:52 -0800

Would YOU Want to Do Business with YOU?

You’re probably saying “yes” to this question, right?

Well, in working with exceptional agents, and reading articles and blogs, I would like to share some of attributes that I have observed.

Mastery of Documents – can explain every single line and its meaning on a sales contract, including disclosures and inspection reports.
Master of Photography – knows that awesome photos are a critical element in getting potential buyers and agents to view the home. They either take a photography course or spend the money to hire an expert.
Mastery of Home Construction – realizes the importance of basic home construction when it comes to home repair issues. It’s critical in explaining to sellers what needs to be done and why.
Negotiating Skills – knows how to stay calm and solve problems when trying to negotiate a sale or repair issues.
Follow-Up System – has a detailed checklist and follow-up systems in place so nothing is forgotten and the sale closes on time.
Teamwork Skills – has identified and worked with great lenders, home inspectors, handymen, contractors (electricians, plumbers, heating contractors), painters, etc., and knows who to trust to get the job done.
Technology Skills – knows the MLS system backward and frontward. Knows how to add listings and photos to various websites. Has basic knowledge of software programs such as MS Word, Excel, or company software system (or hires someone who does have the technology skills).

So, do these sound like the type of skills that you’d like an agent (to help you sell or buy a home) to possess?

If so contact me...I work with some exceptional agents in NWA and would love to make a recommendation.

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Save Money on Credit Card Debt

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:23:16 -0700

3 Strategies to Save Money on Credit Card Debt

Let’s say you charge $2,000 and the interest on your credit card is 12%. If you only make the minimum payment, it will take you approximately 16 years (yes, years) to pay it off. Getting rid of credit card debt not only increases your credit score, it’s a big relief to eliminate a payment, giving you extra money to spend or save. Here are 3 strategies to help you:

Pick just one credit card to pay off first: If you have several credit cards, consider throwing as much money as you can to paying it off. There are two options to consider:
- Credit Card with the lowest balance: Choosing this option will help boost your credit score because credit bureaus determine scores by the number of outstanding credit cards and the ratio of balances owed to your maximum loan limit.
- Credit Card with the highest interest rate: Choosing this option will save you money in the long term. Review how much interest you have paid over the last 12 months compared to your other credit cards and see if this option makes more sense to you.
Call your credit card company: Sometimes a simple phone call is all it takes to get a lower interest rate. If you are a long-term customer with a good credit score (in the 700 range), and have made your payments on time, you can usually get a couple of percentage points knocked off the rate. If you’ve gotten an offer of a lower rate by a competitor, mention that to the customer-service rep and there’s a chance they will match their offer.
Consider Transferring Your Balances: You can save hundreds of dollars by transferring credit card balances from a higher interest rate to a lower one—you can save a lot of money that way. However, it might just be a low, introductory rate that will only last for 12 to 18 months. Be cautious: Transfer your balance only if you are committed to paying off that credit card within the “low-rate window”; otherwise you may find yourself paying a higher rate than the one you paid on your old credit card.

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

FREE Realtor Lunch & Learn

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 04:35:53 -0700

SEATING STILL AVAILABLE

FREE LUNCH & LEARN

September 26, 2012

11:00-1:00

Liberty Bank Tontitown Location

786 E. Henri De Tonti Blvd

Please join us for this FREE Lunch & Learn

Aaron Randall

of the

Economic Opportunity Agency

will be discussing

Basic Credit Scores, Credit Repair, Down Payment Assistance Programs and First Time Homebuyer Classes

Seating is limited so please RSVP

Presentation will begin at 11:00

and lunch will be served immediately

after the presentation.

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Originator

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

NMLS#862999

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

FREE Realtor Lunch & Learn

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:14:57 -0700

FREE Realtor Lunch & Learn - Real Estate Staging 101: Learn the fundamentals of home staging, how it works, how it benefits sellers and buyers, how to address staging with your clients, overcoming homeowners objectives and how to choose a professional home stager.

When: November 11, 2011
Time: 10:00
Where: Liberty Bank of Arkansas, Tonitown location

Instructor: Donna Schoby, Ready, Set, Stage!
Sponsoer: JP Sexton, Liberty Bank of Arkansas

Seating is limited so register soon!

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Ready, Set Stage! is Brand Spankin’ New!

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:18:15 -0700

Hi Everyone!

I’m pleased to announce that my newly redesigned website is open for business!

http://ReadySetStageNWA.com

I wanted a professionally designed site to show off my portfolio of staged properties and offer lots of new functionality. My new site is:

Classy but minimalistic, showing off my properties and those of the Realtors and Homeowners that use my services
SEO Optimized - my new Wordpress based site is optimized to shine in the search engines for hundreds of different keyword terms
Offers an all new Realtor Information page where Realtors can get detailed information about my services and download materials for themselves and their clients.
And Much More!

Head over and check out my new site at http://ReadySetStageNWA.com and give me a call anytime you have a need for Home Staging Services or a Consultation.

Talk to you soon!

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

She's Got The Fever....Beiber Fever!!!

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 17:57:38 -0700

As a professional home stager I find it difficult working with some teens on their bedrooms when it comes to preparing this space for the real estate market.

Teens bedrooms are their only personal space in the home and most parents understandably allow teens to decorate this space for their own personal use.

Today's (consult) teen girl had a serious case of Beiber Fever! Yes that cute little teen heartthrob is everywhere!!!

We need to bring the fever down...way down. While not making the teen girl happy, but hopefully she will see how important this is for the move of her family. I told her to just think about the "larger new bedroom" that she could fill if they sell their current home.

So hopefully the Beiber will come down...at least until they sell the home.

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

My Art Is Off Limits...it's worth half the value of my home!

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:15:11 -0700

This was the commet from my client today, before I even began my consultation. Although I can appreciate the value and the pieces that you have collected over the years...your home is not an art gallery and as a professional stager I need to make sure we are helping buyers focus on your home...and not your art collection.

A very difficult situation...but as a professional stager it is my job to help homeowners focus on the home and not their belongings. In the end I was able to help the homeowner realize the true purpose of staging...some pieces will be coming down and some pieces replaced. This homeowner had over 250 pieces of art to choose from, so we had a great selection to work with.

Now I'm confident that his home will show well and sell fast!

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Please Join Us Each Week for Ready, Set, Stage! Blog Radio!!!

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:57:23 -0700

Listen to my new episode Staging Your Home To Sell! at http://tobtr.com/s/2188345. #BlogTalkRadio

Welcome to Ready, Set, Stage! Blog Radio. Please join Donna Schoby host of Ready, Set, Stage! Blog Radio each week for some great tips and insight into staging your home to sell in the real estatemarketplace. Ready, Set, Stage! is Northwest Arkansas’ Premier Home Staging Company, serving the Northwest Arkansas real estate market since 2007. We will also have several guest speakers including local Realtors, Movers, Inspectors, and Photographers that will offer some valuable tips for your selling and moving process. We welcome your questions and comments and invite you to visit our website at www.ReadySetStageNWA.com .

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

25 Days VS 155 Days...Which would you Choose?

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:49:33 -0700

So does Home Staging REALLY work? Our stats for 2011 proves that home staging works in Northwest Arkansas! We have had an average of 25 days...that's right 25 DAYS!!! From the time of staging until going under an accecpted contract this year!!!! The average for our area is about 155 days...so which pays? Home Staging...or your carrying costs?

Home Staging works!!!!...call your local home stager for a staging quote!!!

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Northwest Arkansas Media Takes Notice of Home Staging!

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:06:26 -0700

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette committed a page and half story about home staging in it's newspaper today. Ready, Set, Stage! was featured as the go-to-stager for this article!

I wish I could furnish a link to the article but the paper has an online subscription only.

But I would like to share a couple of quotes from the article from the reporter and a couple of Realtors....

Title: All the home's a stage, And setting it well can help a house sell faster.

Home Stager Search:

"Selecting a home stager isn't as easy as just doing a Google search or picking on out of a phone book. Home stagers aren't all created equal. Sellers can find a good home stager in several different ways, however.

Ask your Realtor. Realtors often have suggestions on home stagers they trust. Make sure the home stager is insured and ask for a written contract detailing exactly what you'll be getting as well as the price for services.
Use realestatestagingassociation.com. The Real Estate Home Staging Association, or RESA, is the professional organization for home stagers. It offers an interactive tool on its website to help sellers find local stagers as well as some good information on home staging itself. Typically, stagers have individual websites that feature their portfolio. Look at the images to gauge whether their style will be suited to your house. Also, be sure to read the testimonials from customers."

Quotes for Realtors:

"I believe staging helps homes show better and sell faster." says Tara Limbird, a Realtor with Re/Max in Bentonville. "Many sellers try to do it themselves, but when you live in a home, you become immune to the way it looks"

Visuals are an important aspect. "Buyers are so visual." says Whitney Morgan, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. "Before they read the first word of text, they're looking at photos" online, which many people now peruse before setting up appointments. Showings often pick up dramatically after a house is staged and photos are posted he adds. I can show you listings that had been on the market for month's or even a year," Morgan says. "Then, once I listed the home and Donna (Schoby) came in, we had the home sold in the matter of a month or two. "A stager has a definite place in a buyer's market."

How I wish I could share the entire article with you becasue the reporter really did an in depth job of the benefits of staging to sell!

Side note...the article hasn't been bad for business thus far, booked 2 consults today and had an offer to teach a class at a community learning center this fall!

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Staging to SELL...Before and After of an Owner Occupied!

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:13:22 -0700

Ready, Set, Stage! recently had the privilage of working with an owner occupied home located in Fayetteville, AR. The homeowner had great items to work with and we were able to highlight the features of the home!

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

First Day On The Market...SOLD!!!!

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:40:09 -0700

I just staged this home and it hit the market today...had 3 showings and SOLD!!!!

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Keepin It Simple...Simple Arrangements!

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:23:16 -0700

I like keeping my arrangements quick and simple. I love using different kinds of containers that can also be used elsewhere for staging. This keeps my arrangements fresh and new with each staging job.

I like to purchase flower bunches rather than working with individual stems and add additional greenery. I place plastic bags or paper in the bottom of the containers to help stabilize the arrangement.

Here is one I recently did. I fell in love with these sunflowers that I found at Pier 1. I would love for you to share a simple arrangement or a favorite that you may have!

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Why Should You Stage Your Home To Sell?

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:15:05 -0800

Why Stage?

A house that is on the market is a lot like a product on the shelf in a store. No matter how good the quality of a product is, if it does not catch the buyers' eye, it will not sell. It will end up on the clearance aisle months later.

In the Real Estate business, it is a similar situation. A house that is not shown at it's very best will end up sitting on the market for months or the price will reduced, or in many cases both.

Staging is the answer to this problem. For empty houses, furniture and accessories are brought in and arranged to give the house "life". For houses that are occupied, small changes can be made to create a spacious and inviting atmosphere.

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

"Holiday Season Stage It Forward" In Northwest Arkansas

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:33:55 -0800

Ready, Set, Stage! of NWA has had the privilege of helping women with cancer by joining Cleaning for a Reason! We provide FREE monthly cleanings (up to 4 months) for any woman undergoing any type of cancer treatment! It's easy for a patient to sign up through the Cleaning for a Reason website.

As a partner we are obligated to work with a minimum of two patients at time and make a small financial contribution each month to help fund the organization. I am currently working with 3 patients and will work with as many as my schedule will allow. I'm hoping other companies in NWA and across the US will join the cause! I already have a waiting list and have been contacted by a local doctor that works with cancer patients.

As a cancer survivor myself I immediately saw the need for this service and I'm happy to be of service to these women. They have given me far more than I have given them!

Stage It Forward and join Cleaning for a Reason at www.cleaningforareason.org

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Bringing Life To A Vacant Home...Before & Afters!

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:59:10 -0700

Ready, Set, Stage! was called to stage this vacant home located at 1876 Glenbrook Place, Fayetteville, AR. Before the rooms were lifeless. Staging brings life to each space showing potential buyers how they could live in this home.

Listed By: Kelly Knipe, Keller Williams, Fayetteville, AR

Photos By: Brick Road Visuals, Bentonville, AR

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Ready, Set, Stage! of Northwest Arkansas Offers New Realtor Partner Program

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:35:35 -0700

In efforts to continue upgrading our services Ready, Set, Stage! now offers a Realtor Partner Program for our Northwest Arkansas Realtors!

It's easy to sign up and receive special pricing and added benefits!

To become one of our preferred Realtor Partners you will need to email us the following information:

Your Name
Your Company Name
Your email address
Your phone number
Your website address

Once we receive your information that's it...you're signed up!

So what do you receive as one of our preferred partners?

After 6 paid consultations the 7th one is FREE! Our Consultation fees start at $100.00.
FREE consultations on vacant homes that are under contract with us to be staged.
FREE marketing materials.
FREE Staging webinars. Our new webinars will have limited seating and will be offered to our Realtor Partners first.
FREE Staging webinars for your homeowners - They are under no obligation. This is simply a place to learn more about staging and answer questions!
Be the first to know about special pricing or upcoming events! You are placed on our preferred email list!
Listed as a Partner Realtor with a link to your website on our website. www.ReadySetStageNWA.com.
Occupied checklists for your clients. Checklists for staging, preparing for an open house, showings and photos.

Put us to work for you...add us to your team!

We will continue to work to bring you more benefits, join our FREE program!

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Dear Realtor….Help Me Understand!

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:11:26 -0700

I hope Realtors will help me and other Professional Home Stagers understand!

A few weeks ago I was called by a homeowner that had already signed a listing agreement with you to have our company Ready, Set, Stage! help with their home. You did not recommend us... the homeowners took it upon themselves to find us!

We went in and did a Staging Consultation, did some shopping for them and went back to "tweak" our recommendations and add what we had purchased. ...All for under $500.00! BTW your online photos are awesome!

The homeowner was thrilled with the results and so were you!

When I called you to follow up and get your feedback you said we did an OUTSTANDING JOB...AND YOU WERE AMAZED WITH THE TRANSFORMATION! But then said you would gladly add us to your phone list just IN CASE other homeowners ASK for a Home Stager....Really? Remember, your client sought us out!

I don't understand...your client was beyond thrilled with the results, and so were you! Why would you WAIT for the next homeowner to ASK for a Professional Home Stager?

Why not recommend us for all your listings? Our fees are very affordable! Why would you NOT WANT to add a Professional to your team that helped present your listings at its best?

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Stagers…earn an extra $500.00 per week!

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:02:41 -0700

How? Cleaning your listings...And earn more business with Realtors in this market!

I know some may be saying...Stagers don't' clean! I know several Home Staging Training companies suggest that Home Stagers are NOT cleaners! But I disagree! I'm a Real Estate Merchandiser...which means I prepare a property to sell! I earn about $500.00 per week cleaning homes that are going/and or on the market...rentals, construction clean up, move-in's, move-out's, and vacant homes!

This gives me the opportunity to give estimate's for home staging...not to mention building a relationship with the Realtor!

In this market, I don't think you need to dismay this opportunity! Why suggest the cleaning be referred to another company? When you could be earning an extra $500.00 per week? $500.00 per week is only about 2 homes per week!

I'm a Real Estate Merchandiser...working my market! And doing whatever it takes to stay in contact with my market, and building my business!

Many may not agree...but I'm earning an extra $500.00 per week and building a relationship with my local Realtors!

I may not be able to stage a listing...but the Realtor will remember a job well done!!!

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Ten Really Good Reasons to Stage Your Home

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:58:17 -0700

Tessa offers a great list of reasons to stage your home to sell!

Via Tessa Skeens - Hampton Redesign (Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign in Fort Worth TX):

I was updating my website today and decided to also update the downloadable PDF files I have for sellers and Realtors to click on and read to find out why they should stage their home, as well as Home Gain and RESA staging statistics to show the numbers.

I thought it was worth posting my top ten list of reasons to stage a home. The original list was provided by Home Staging Resource (an excellent training resource, thank you Audra!) and I have updated it. Here we go....

Top 10 Reasons to Professionally stage your home

1. You Will Make More Money
U.S. Housing and Urban Development reports that a staged home will sell, on average, for 17% more than an un-staged home.

2. Your House Will Sell Faster
The New York Village Voice reported that the average number of days a staged home is on the market is 13.9 versus 30.9 days for an un-staged home.

3. The Cost of Staging Doesn’t Cost A Dime
In a 2009 Home Gain Survey of over 2000 Realtors, sellers recouped an average 586% of the cost to stage from the increased resale value of their home.

4. Most Home Sellers Cannot View Their House Objectively
If you can’t see objectively, you can’t “package” effectively. A staging professional can see your home with “buyers” eyes.

5. Less Guesswork and “Do It Yourself”
A professional home stager can manage your projects from start to finish. Or, they can give you a detailed report based on their extensive knowledge and training to have you “finish it yourself”.

6. Only 10% of Homebuyers Can Visualize the Potential of a Home
That’s why staging a home is critical! You don’t want the advantages of your home overlooked and left up to the buyer’s imagination.

7.The Longer Your Home is for Sale, the Lower the Price Will Be, so STAGE FIRST!

According to a National Association of Realtors survey, homes that sold after 4 weeks on the market sold for 6% less than those selling within the first 4 weeks! Don’t be in a position where you have to lower your price…have your house staged first.

8. Staging Fees May be Tax Deductible
Your staging costs may be deducted from your sales gain as “advertising” costs.

9. Leaving Your House in “AS IS” Condition Sells the Competition
Right now the number of homes for sale on the market is at a record high. Buyers have very high expectations. T he key to selling competitively is to stage professionally.

10. You Can Relax
You will have the satisfaction of knowing you have done absolutely everything
possible to affect a quick sale of your most valuable commodity and for top dollar!

Which home do you think will get the best offer??

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Hampton Redesign 817-891-9563 www.hamptonredesign.com

Tessa Skeens | Owner & Lead Staging Designer

Complete Home Staging and Redesign Services in Greater Fort Worth TX

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby

Two things homeowners have control over when selling:

Donna Schoby (Liberty Bank of Arkansas) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:30:56 -0700

1. Price
2. Condition

· Working with a Realtor will help you set the correct price for your home. Listen to their advice, they know the market and know what your home should be listed for. Don't be a "let's see what happens" seller. You lose that "new on the market" buzz and will lose potential buyers.

· Working with a Professional Home Stager will help you with the condition of your home. A Home Stager will give you a detailed list of recommendations to prepare your home for the selling market. They also can assist you with as much or as little help that you may need. Again, this is NOT a "wait and see option".

Working with a Realtor that partners with a professional Home Stager can put your home on the "must see" list from the start.

If your home is already on the market you can still benefit from a home staging consultation, ask your Realtor to refer a professional home stager in your area.

Donna Schoby

Mortgage Loan Officer

NMLS#862999

479-696-3804

dschoby@mylibertybank.com

APPLY ONLINE AT www.mylibertybank.com/donnaschoby