Jackie's Blog

Tough Year.. Need to balance:

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:55:56 -0500

With all things new and old, there is a great need for people to come together this year more than any other I have seen in my lifetime. It is amazing to me the older I get how much "life" seems to move at Lightening speed. Has anyone else had a tough year? We have this awful weight bearing down on so many of my family, church family, work family.. The market, ailments of all varieties, death and so much more.. Anyone else out in cyber space been going through the same?

I know the statement is: that God won't give you more than you can handle... Oh my goodness, what is going on.. Some days I think Why? Others you get up and just go numb to reality, then others you seem to squeeze a smile out. No more than we can handle.. ? Anyone feeling the same? Would love to hear from you.. I think we simply need to vent.. get it all out there!

Firing up the brew in Home Staging and real estate!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:45:45 -0600

You know there are some stagers out there as well as real estate professionals that dabble just enough in Staging!.. Now the recipe is not the old way of adding eye balls, worms, the wing of a bat, adding the hair of a donkey. a pinch of witches secret seasoning and stirring with the Witches broom..!

Disect the Witches Brew...! We must open the eyes (that are in tact) and see what is happening.. what is it we need to learn and how to build a recipe for a Successful Sale.. Whose Vision is it that will make the property sell? I believe it is the Buyers vision and "emotion". What does a specific property have to "say" to that Buyer? This is the question we all ask in real estate.. One thing I know for sure is it's not personal, so therefore, that's the first step of Consulting a client.. take personal OUT...

Today's market, aren't we all tired of that statement.. well, the spell has been cast, now all we need to do is overcome.. How do we achieve this? First stand tall, re-evaluate what it is we "need" to do and then process the steps.. Isn't this what we do in business? We make a plan (or should) and then build from there.

Now, we know emotion and vision have alot to do with selling a property.. it is not just the pricing the buyers are wanting..! They want less work, they want move in ready, the best price, and something for nothing must be involved, such as the Home Warranty then they will be able to visualize it as there's.. Yes? It has been stated that 80% of our population does not have a vision.. okay then that would explain why most vacant properties stay on the market longer.. So, with the lack of vision ( as the witch confiscated their eyes, now we need Glenda the good witch). So put it in perspective.. if most buyers can't visualize then how do we sell? We must show them what they want.. we ask them and provide them exactly what they requested.. A Plan of Action! Whoohoo.. here we go.. Give them what they want...don't we do that? Not really, we question generically, we receive a generic response and we go hunting.

Here's Glenda, the good witch.. taking a moment to ask what they like and what they really don't like, this can become even more important than you think... A 3 BD... (how big of rooms do you like?) 2 baths (1/2 baths, full baths what?), as a Buyers rep, we know even more by asking detailed questions like above..

Here's Glenda again on behalf of the seller.. What is it we are selling? What is it you (Seller) like about your home, what is it you dislike? What do the properties down the road have that yours don't? Now, knowing these answers will create even more questions as they begin to think.. You will be amazed at the responses you get, which will also help you to better equip yourself with asking them to re-evaluate their plan! The recipe to succeed in selling faster needs to come from the Seller, they know better than you what the competitive homes have (or they think they do). So, by their awareness of what the neighbors have they will be more receptive to "changing" to appeal to the Buyers needs.

Many of us have our own recipe, but if we stop and think, really think, does it work? Is it working the same as it did 2 years ago? Well, probably not.. today requires a new plan, a new recipe, re-evaluating the process of selling to stand out!

To conclude we have to put things in the right perspective. Buyers want more... sellers want more and the control is the appraiser...! Reality of what we are selling and the market are going to have a voice in the outcome! NO matter the brew or recipe you choose, there will still be compliance at the onset of a contract. Still the nervousness of the spell that's been cast, yet to overcome, put a plan to work, asking alot more questions of our Sellers and buyers.. I mean specific questions!

Finally, team up and quit running your plan alone, we are all here to help! Home Staging is another visual aspect of selling, today we need stagers to help give the Buyers "exactly" what they are asking for. Build a team with a Stager, as Staging Costs less than your first price reduction..! Even in today's market, I believe you cannot afford not to stage. It is not about the real estate professionals, it is about the buyers and the Sellers.. It is also cost effective, if you utilize a Team that works together to achieve a specific goal.

Now, there are good and bad Stagers, the same as in real estate professionals, yet do your homework. Hopefully you will work with Stagers that have knowledge of real estate, which is critical to your goals. without real estate knowledge you will end up with a pretty house instead of a house to sell.. Staging should not be design, it should identify what you are selling... Not the pretties, that takes the eyes off waht it is you are selling.. (that's another blog).

Don't close the lid on the brew just because you "feel" they won't, open the lid and see the results!

To Change your approach you must be "willing" to see things in a different light! Fire it up, Brew it UP!

Firing up the brew in Home Staging and real estate!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:44:30 -0600

Don't close the lid on the brew just because you "feel" they won't, open the lid and see the results!

To Change your approach you must be "willing" to see things in a different light! Fire it up, Brew it UP!

Firing up the brew in Home Staging and real estate!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:43:02 -0600

Don't close the lid on the brew just because you "feel" they won't, open the lid and see the results!

To Change your approach you must be "willing" to see things in a different light! Fire it up, Brew it UP!

Firing up the brew in Home Staging and real estate!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:41:02 -0600

Don't close the lid on the brew just because you "feel" they won't, open the lid and see the results!

To Change your approach you must be "willing" to see things in a different light! Fire it up, Brew it UP!

I like it but it's Filthy... Next!!!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:31:20 -0600

I love it but it's filthy and it smells! Next! (edit/delete)

As the CEO of Property Staging Consultants and a Realtor I have seen many many crazy, sick, and dirty things in these peoples homes. When you walk into a home to show your clients you come up on a bathroom that has a brassiere hanging over the shower, a "Don't Use" Sign taped to the top of the Toilet because it's broken, dentures laying out for everyone to see, medicines out in the open, panties on the floor, pet smells or stinky stuff they've left behind, LOL, or even toys laying out?

This is happening more and more now days. Why is this happening and how can we resolve this simple issue? Tell them to clean their homes. I have several ways of telling them during my listing presentation and I explain the importance of having a clean home and will sometimes show them different situations and the fact that those buyers could have bought this house. It really costs when you don't clean. that possible buyer seeing a clean house would have bought the house now you have additional mortgage, utilities, Realtor fees, and more. All because they didn't clean the house. This also adds to your fees Realtors... It means it's on the market even longer and you are marketing it longer.

Okay guys and gals. Let's make this fun. Send me your weird, fun and scary situations in the homes you have stumbled upon that you wish you didn't. This will be very interesting to see what's taking place in the minds of the sellers. I think we will all be surprised laughed out from the comments.

I like it but it's filthy... Next!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:29:10 -0600

I love it but it's filthy and it smells! Next! (edit/delete)

I like it but it's filthy.. Next!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:27:15 -0600

I love it but it's filthy and it smells! Next! (edit/delete)

I like it but it's filthy... Next

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:25:03 -0600

I love it but it's filthy and it smells! Next! (edit/delete)

I like it but it's FILTHY... Next!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:23:37 -0600

I love it but it's filthy and it smells! Next! (edit/delete)

I love it but it's filthy and it smells! Next!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:38:15 -0600

I love it but it's filthy and it smells! Next!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:31:47 -0600

I love it but it's filthy and it smells! Next!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:22:33 -0600

TURN THAT SONG OFF!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:39:28 -0600

http://blog.wired.com/music/files/KomarMelamid_The-Most-UnwantedSong.mp3

The worst song ever. AND. It's 23 minutes long. Listen to the first 4-5 minutes IF YOU CAN STAND IT and you'll pull your hair out. The first minute isn't bad but keep listening and it hurts. It goes over every I mean every single holiday in the world in order.

I used to think kids playing the recorder was the worst "music" ever. Wrong. Russian-American artists Vitaly Komar and Alex Melamid conducted a poll a few years back of the music people hated the most, like holiday music, harps and bossanova synths. And they've compiled all of that, and much, much more that into a single 23-minute long song odyssey of sonic suck. But you should listen to it. Why? Opera rapping. Opera. Rapping.

Real Estate

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:04:00 -0500

I am a Newbie.. can we not make this easier..? Just a joke.. we are definitely starting to post and blog more often, yet we are looking for the proper way to do this?

All advice would be great!

Stagers vs. Real Estate Professionals?

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:08:18 -0500

October 8th, 2008 | Leave a Comment

This will be uncomfortable for some in the industry, yet this blog is designed to ask questions and summize the answers in our own words and help each other understand..

My question to real estate professionals is why you feel uncomfortable selling the staging to your clients? It has been brought to our attention over and over again that real estate professionals say (remind you this has been brought to our attention), they don't need a stager they can do it themselves". So, why is there a need for Stagers? What is it they makes this ever GROWING industry survive? If Staging doesn't work, then it would have no being.. It cannot simply be HGTV, or can it? Come on, HGTV, does it really educate us, or does it entertain us? Now when I have been working hand in hand with a real estate professional and a Stager along with my client, it has in fact created a stronger motivated client, as well as a much more appreciated Agent.. So, I do work side by side with my Sellers as I too am a Stager.. Yet, to some, are we afraid to work together?

There was a client in Maryland that hired a stager, she came in for $2000.00 and gave a Consultation.... (okay now you can put your jaw back where you had it...) this is fact, thennnnn came back for the Staging (understand consult was not in any form of writing), then returned to do the staging, which was a minimum of one secondary bedroom, a vignette in living area, and 2 other rooms if I recollect correct, now hold on, and charged an additional $6000.00.. What, My jaw dropped and then we have to turn to compassion on this one, who on earth...!!! So, tell me, what do we have justifying strength in the industry.

My belief is that we all must evolve and come together to bring the industry of Staging together with some form of guidelines.. Now, it is your turn.. Talk to me.. please..? visit www.propertystagingconsultants.com

Staging at what cost?

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:05:28 -0500

So, where is that we start or begin to know what a Stager will charge? Maybe this is the disturbing side of the industry.. Some Agents and homeowners believe the cost is not statiscally sound, when it comes to their return on investment. So, in today's lingering market, what questions should we be asking the Sellers and the real estate professionals? What is it that makes you a great stager? Certification? Licensing? Oh, yes how about you earned an Accredidation, Certificate, or maybe you are a Designer, Decorator, what is it that makes these elements count in your world?

I can say, that I have trained for 2 companies, one of which I own, now, stop and think.... we all have gifts, God given although it may be or not be the "sound" ability to stage a property. So, with that stated, what makes a good stager and how do you justify the "fee" in the Sellers and Agents eyes, that is in today's market?

Stagers charging what?

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:39:37 -0500

How to get referrals for Stager Training and real estate leads?

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:35:24 -0500

Hello, I am Jackie Riggins, active realtor with JP Weigand and Sons and Property Staging Consultants, I would like to inquire to the group on the best way to network in your group? What are some of the benefits and if you have guidance for someone that may (is) challenged when starting the blogging and networking online? I would appreciate all the input I can get from you the pros! Thanks so much!

Country living in Clearwater, Kansas Workshop 4 BD+ 3BA treed lot on 8 acres!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:46:30 -0500

Wonderful property, over 300 trees, you must see this property! The best of country living with over 400 square foot of deck with a fantastic view. This property is a walkout view out with security system in both workshop and home. Wood burning fireplace on both levels, 2 car garage attached to the house. This property has 4+ bedrooms with many new upgrades in the kitchen.. The kitchen is fantastic with pull out storage for spices, condiments, built in pantries, 2 large pull out shelves in other pantry on both sides of kitchen. Kitchen island built into bar area.. Great home, Living area in basement would be great for a "mother in laws room".. that is if you can tolerate the outlaw..! Clearwater Schools, area is growing and only 12 miles from Wichita, Kansas.

The property is a long rectangle that extends out to the middle of the field, horses and cows would love grazin here! Clearwater is a great place to raise your children! Pool is 2 miles from the home, the city is 2 miles from the property... to view the property simply click here. www.buyandsellwichita.com or www.propertystagingconsultants.com to learn how to enhance your listings.

Are Other Agents Your Competition or Your Colleagues? Father Knew Best!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:08:27 -0500

Via Patricia Kennedy:

OK. Let's admit it. Real estate is, by and large, a profession with more than its share of Type-A compulsive workahaulics. And many of us are very competitive, at least on some levels. I mean, look at what we do here on Active Rain - and that's just for points! And you never want to play a game of Monopoly with me!

When I was a senior in high school, I really wanted to plant mt bottom into the first flute chair of the Topeka Youth Symphony, which meant climbing over two other people who had first and second finnies on it. I spent about four hours a day in a practice room for the entire summer between my junior and senior years, and it became about beating out my little friends.

At one point, my parents might have noticed that I was getting a little obsessed with flute playing, and also obsesssed with winning the prize. My father took me aside and explained that in life, I would be a happier person if I focused on being, not competitive, but competent. And I could see his point. Super competent is a whole lot more attractive that super competitive. At the audition is September, I nailed it. I played beautifully and won the first chair. But I did it without losing the friendship of my young colleagues.

After a short time in real estate, I realized that my dad's words of wisdom applied to most life domains, including real estate. I learned early on that I needed the respect and good will of the other agents in the real estate community. I'm as competitive as the next person, and I like being the best. I try to get the listing by wowing the seller with my listing presentation. When I'm working wth buyers, I want to know their needs and the market so well that I can easily make a great match.

So competence works. My father knew best!

Firing up the brew in Home Staging and real estate!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:06:29 -0500

Don't close the lid on the brew just because you "feel" they won't, open the lid and see the results!

To Change your approach you must be "willing" to see things in a different light! Fire it up, Brew it UP!

Firing up the brew in Home Staging and real estate!

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:40:18 -0500

Don't close the lid on the brew just because you "feel" they won't, open the lid and see the results!

To Change your approach you must be "willing" to see things in a different light! Fire it up, Brew it UP!

Realtor stager industry differences, why?

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:32:51 -0500

I have a question for every real estate professional out there? What are you running up against in the realtor and staging industry? When the going gets tough the tough get going.., then why have there been so many Agents give up!? I know several that said, forget it.., I am done! What is it that makes the agents feel as though stagers are taking money out of their pockets, this has been brought to my attention lately in the class room..? I would like to get a feel on why some feel this way.. help me out here. I believe it isn't the reason at all, some Agents have an intuition that makes the stomach roll which conveys to them: stop, don't ask anymore or tell them, or you will lose this listing..! Come on.. change it up! Help me understand.. I would appreciate any input.. ! Let's help eachother..

Looking Into The Future With The Friendship Ball

Jackie Riggins (Property Staging Consultants/ JP Weigand & Sons ) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:11:41 -0500

Fantastic anaolgy.. Please pass it around.. that is the friendship ball!

Via Sharon Young REALTOR® Bonita Springs, Fl:

Well, thank you so much to my Keller Williams and Active Rain buddy Mark Vancouver for throwing passing the Friendship Ball at to me! It's really quite squishy and spongy, so it didn't hurt much.

I adored Mark's description of The Friendship Ball being like a beach ball at a concert, being either volleyed around or run from. Since I can't use that analogy ......

To me, The Friendship Ball is a "Crystal Ball" that shows each of us that no matter what happens in the future we are loved by our family and friends, by our awesome Creator and hopefully by ourselves. My wish would be that we all move forward in this life with grace and gratitude.

I hope to start a new tradition of writing our names in The Friendship Ball before passing it on!

I spy:

Elizabeth Nieves This woman is one of the most positive bloggers around. She is a sister in Christ and well... a nice person.

Chris Fisher is Super Mom extraordinaire, and a passionate animal lover! She is honest and comforting. I like Chris.

Chuck Willman in Arizona. I just get a "good feeling" from Chuck. I'm willing to bet he's a great husband and a great father and successful at whatever he does. I always enjoy Chuck's blogs and I'm glad he's here.

If I duplicated anyone who has already received The Friendship Ball ... that's OK. You deserve it again!