Karen 's Blog

Count Down for Old Year's Resolutions

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:27:43 -0600

Yep -- you heard me! OLD Year's Resolutions.

I can't possibly begin to construct my 2010 New Year's Resolutions knowing full well I haven't yet accomplished my 2009 New Year's resolutions.

UGLY items from the 2009 List

loose 25 + pounds -- to late to loose 25+ pounds; adjust resolution to 3 lbs. (that's adjusted to loose; not gain 3 lbs.)
exercise 2 times a week -- adjust to exercise 2 times this year (I have time to fit 2 times in before January 1, 2010)
spend less; save more -- no money left so I will now be spending less for the remainder of the year - and I still have time to save more of something-- it just won't be money
get organized -- no adjustment needed (I put this on the list every year and it never happens because I don't know how to do it)

A+ Items Accomplished from the 2009 List

spend more time with the family -- hubby and I took a vacation day once a month to do something fun and new in Georgia! DONE!
learn something new -- forced accomplishment. Learned more than I ever cared to thx to Twitter, Face Book, Linked In and social media optimization! Still learning; but DONE for the purpose of this list!
acheive profitablity in my home staging business, Peachtree Home Staging. (big smile here!) DONE!
quite smoking -- I haven't smoked in years actually; but I put this on the list every new year as a reminder not to start! :-) And it makes me feel good at the end of the year that it is accomplished! DONE!

AND ONE Last Item yet to be conquered from the 2009 List . . .

Reach TWO HUNDRED completed posts on my Active Rain Blog

There is still time!! This one makes 191!

Please send me suggestions and ideas!

Of course, you know, I have a few ideas of my own up my sleeve (Tee Hee)

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Peachtree Home Staging The Experts in Atlanta Home Staging Diversity

How folks live in a home is their business, how folks present the home for sale is our business!

For tips on how to prepare your home for sale and information on staging a home in Atlanta, visit the web site of PEACHTREE HOME STAGING or call us at 770 595-8809.

Terrane Ridge, Peachtree City <> 41 Marietta St., NW #1511, Atlanta, GA <> Preakness Dr., Roswell

We do occupied and vacant home staging with professional perfection!

Peachtree Home Staging is a proud APPROVED AND ACCREDITED Business of the Greater Atlanta Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Georgia State President of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)

holiday fun with BNI

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:16:25 -0600

I belong to a BNI Group, (Business Networking Inc., Southside Professionals) here in the Atlanta area. It is a great group and we exchange a lot of business opportunities to each other. This week is our last meeting for 2009, so we each drew a name to Roast and/or Toast that individual for a fantastic 2010.

I picked an individual who owns a granite & marble company -- www.debeergarnite.com His name is Izak DeBeer. I choose to write a poem for him to read at our meeting. Thought I would share it here on SIF and AR since it is industry related. Hope it makes you smile!

Happy New Year Wish for Izak DeBeers

Written By Karen Dembsky of Peachtree Home Staging

Maybe it will go a little something like this:

The home stager (me) is called in;

This home seller is a tough nut.

Not to worry the home stager has Gin.

No, No, No - let me start over:

Maybe it will go a little something like this:

The home stager (me) is called in;

This home seller is a tough nut.

Not to worry, the home stager will win. (there that's better)

Says the stager -- dump your Formica!

Then the Seller: WHAT? What do you say?

That will cost me a fortune,

Let the new home buyer pay!

The home stager (me) says it must happen!

You pay me big bucks so your house will soon sell.

We need Granite

Improving your home from how you now dwell.

Give me quality the home seller says

The home stager thinks just awhile,

Quality is good,

But let's include style!

With a quick flick through my BNI BOOK

We all know what will appear

The kitchen screams update

And in comes, Izak DeBeer

So if 2010 goes like it should

My BNI job will send you referrals.

And the only rhyming word that can even work here,

is if I tell you . . . I like Squirrels.

Have a great 2010, Izak!

Peachtree Home Staging The Experts in Atlanta Home Staging Diversity

How folks live in a home is their business, how folks present the home for sale is our business!

For tips on how to prepare your home for sale and information on staging a home in Atlanta, visit the web site of PEACHTREE HOME STAGING or call us at 770 595-8809.

Terrane Ridge, Peachtree City <> 41 Marietta St., NW #1511, Atlanta, GA <> Preakness Dr., Roswell

We do occupied and vacant home staging with professional perfection!

Peachtree Home Staging is a proud APPROVED AND ACCREDITED Business of the Greater Atlanta Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Georgia State President of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)

I am giving up and moving on!

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:27:38 -0600

YES, I am giving up and moving on!

It's true -- and I am hoping it's for the best. It is an expensive decision to say the least.

I have given up what's made so many memories, giving up on what is responsible for my huge home staging portfolio.

YES, I have ditched my old Minolta camera from 2002 (Minolta doesn't even make cameras any more!)

I just purchased a new wide angle lens Camera SLR NIKON D5000. I am moving on with my photography in order to showcase my HOME STAGING!

This camera has my name all over it, and I couldn't be more excited! My photography classes start January 6th and I can hardly wait.

Yesterday I took a test drive at a home I am staging in Newnan, GA (South Atlanta). Check this out:

This is a living room shot taken with my old Minolta:

Now, this following image is my first attempt with my new Nikon D5000 -- standing in the same position; not even using the wide angle lens.

Here is the dining room photo taken with the old Minolta

Now, the dining room photo taken with my new Nikon D5000

Without any touch ups, or even using the wide angle lens as of yet, I can see such an improvement in the natural light. I have always appreciated the "crispness" of my Minolta, but the lighting has always been a struggle.

Okay -- in order to wrap up this post I need to give credit to two of my ActiveRain mentors that encouraged me to make this investment. Seeing professional photos here on ActiveRain and also on the RESA site and participating in competition's (RESA and others), told me it was time to consider an improved photo solution -- and I needed advice.

One of my mentors was Maureen Bray of Room Solutions who encouraged me positively to give my portfolio going forward the professional look needed for my Web site. My other mentor who graciously took a lot of time to educate me on cameras and the advantages/disadvantages was Deena Cottingham of GreenApple Staging and Images. If you haven't checked out these two Web sites; you should. Their photo's are fantastic! Very talented ladies.

These two really motivated me and I am quite thankful! If it wasn't for ActiveRain I would not even have known to seek their advice!

Now I am going to be a stageaholic and a photoaholic!

Peachtree Home Staging The Experts in Atlanta Home Staging Diversity

How folks live in a home is their business, how folks present the home for sale is our business!

For tips on how to prepare your home for sale and information on staging a home in Atlanta, visit the web site of PEACHTREE HOME STAGING or call us at 770 595-8809.

Terrane Ridge, Peachtree City <> 41 Marietta St., NW #1511, Atlanta, GA <> Preakness Dr., Roswell

We do occupied and vacant home staging with professional perfection!

Peachtree Home Staging is a proud APPROVED AND ACCREDITED Business of the Greater Atlanta Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Georgia State President of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)

Effective home staging is not THE solution

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:40:47 -0600

Effective home staging is not THE solution;

it is a marketing tool to facilitate a successful end result.

Peachtree Home Staging spent a lot of our time during November de-staging our vacant staged homes. As a result, I spent a great amount of time shelving and inventorying my vast amount of accessories this past week. As I was doing so I thought of each piece and where it had been placed an how quickly my staged homes were moving. That inspired me to make a list of these homes and sales results for my Peachtree Home Staging Web site.

I know there is controversy on whether or not home staging sells homes; or could it be that staging is just "smoke and mirrors"?

There will always be skeptics.

My take on it is that home staging is an effective marketing tool. And, like any effective marketing tool, it's effective because the Realtor widely promotes the home on the various applicable Internet sites, makes the home easy to show with informative brochures, and has the home priced right.

Before I share my recent stats in this post, I want to say Peachtree Home Staging currently has 9 vacant homes staged that are on the Atlanta Real Estate market and therefore not yet included in my Stats. All but 2 have been listed 15 to 100 days at this point. I have high hopes they will move quickly even in this holiday season.

The two others have been on the market longer (one 6 months and the other going on 5 months) These two are for sale using discount brokers verses Realtors. One seller listed for $100,000 over a pre-appraisal they had had done.

Also, several of our stagings below were on the market quite some time prior to our staging. Many homes changed hands regarding Realtors; but in every stat below the Realtor was an advocate of staging and promoted the marketing advantage the staging provided by updating the many Web sites, new brochures, videos, etc.

My point being -- Effective home staging is not THE solution; it is a marketing tool to facilitate a successful end result.

HOT OFF THE PRESS -- Recent Vacant Home Staging Sales Statistics from Peachtree Home Staging*

250 Park Avenue, Centennial Park Condo, In-town Atlanta – Bank owned foreclosure; on the market vacant over 6 months. Our home staging brought in the offer and this condo was under contract in 33 days.

960 St. Charles Ave, In-town Atlanta, Virginia Highlands – Vacant Atlanta In-town condo rented in 13 days after our full home staging service!

1012 Patina Point, Peachtree City, South Atlanta – This vacant Atlanta home was on the market for 146 days – our Atlanta home staging brought in an offer day 1 and put this home under contract in 33 days.

3195 Kingshouse Commons, Alpharetta, North Atlanta -- Our vacant Atlanta home staging helped this home go under contract in 23 days!

536 Princeton Way, In-town Atlanta Emory Grove / Druid Hills In-town Atlanta – vacant home on the market for 386 days – home staged and sold in 120 days

820 Moore Road, Newnan, Atlanta suburb – vacant home on the market for 295 days. Our home staging made the staging presentation that put this home under contract with a happy buyer in just 23 days!

111 Creekstone Bend, Peachtree City – home staging helped this home sell in 79 days; previously it had been on the market for 364 days

165 Bankstown Rd, Brooks, South Atlanta – This home was on the market for 218 days without an offer. Peachtree Home Staging was brought in and the house was under contract in 69 days.

125 Chesterfield Court, Fayetteville, GA – after being on the market for a full year (well, almost -- 342 days) this seller decided to use our home staging services. It was off the market with a good offer in 91 days!

510 Willow Road, Peachtree City -- this seller listed with 4 different Realtors over a period of 332 days. The 4th Realtor recommended home staging services. After our staging this home went off the market to a happy buyer in just 42 days.

393 Line Creek Circle, Sharpsburg, South Atlanta – Home for sale for 209 days; our home staging service helped secure a great tenant in 45 days; allowing the seller to hold on to the property for a better market.

112 Warmstone Path, Peachtree City – Home staged before listing! Under contract in 90 days.

168 Ardenlee Drive, Peachtree City – Another home that home staged prior to listing. The accepted offer came within a quick 28 days.

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*Peachtree Home Staging also does a vast business with occupied home stagings using just the home sellers furniture and accessories. These statistics are not included here.

Peachtree Home Staging The Experts in Atlanta Home Staging Diversity

How folks live in a home is their business, how folks present the home for sale is our business!

For tips on how to prepare your home for sale and information on staging a home in Atlanta, visit the web site of PEACHTREE HOME STAGING or call us at 770 595-8809.

Terrane Ridge, Peachtree City <> 41 Marietta St., NW #1511, Atlanta, GA <> Preakness Dr., Roswell

We do occupied and vacant home staging with professional perfection!

Peachtree Home Staging is a proud APPROVED AND ACCREDITED Business of the Greater Atlanta Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Georgia State President of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)

Peachtree City Family Home in Treasured Neighborhood!

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:35:21 -0500

Peachtree City, GA has been voted the 8th best city to live in by CNN MONEY Magazine!

So, if you are looking for one of the best homes for sale in Peachtree City, look no further!

Check out the video by clicking on the home for all the treasured details. It's a wow!

Peachtree Home Staging -- The Experts in Atlanta Home Staging Diversity

How folks live in a home is their business, how folks present the home for sale is our business!

For tips on how to prepare your home for sale and information on staging a home in Atlanta, visit the web site of PEACHTREE HOME STAGING or call us at 770 595-8809.

We do occupied and vacant home staging with professional perfection! Please visit our portfolio here

Peachtree Home Staging is a proud APPROVED AND ACCREDITED Business of the Greater Atlanta Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Georgia State President of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)

Peachtree Home Staging The Experts in Atlanta Home Staging Diversity

How folks live in a home is their business, how folks present the home for sale is our business!

For tips on how to prepare your home for sale and information on staging a home in Atlanta, visit the web site of PEACHTREE HOME STAGING or call us at 770 595-8809.

Terrane Ridge, Peachtree City <> 41 Marietta St., NW #1511, Atlanta, GA <> Preakness Dr., Roswell

We do occupied and vacant home staging with professional perfection!

Peachtree Home Staging is a proud APPROVED AND ACCREDITED Business of the Greater Atlanta Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Georgia State President of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)

Like any good home . . . Active Rain Groups need good housekeeping!

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:09:14 -0500

Like any good home . . . ActiveRain Groups need good housekeeping!

I've been asked to share some housekeeping issues and blogging tips with the group Stage If Forward. I am sure these housekeeping tips are useful to many other groups that are home to you here at Active Rain

Mop up your misspelled words - spell check is easy to use and always available when posting on ActiveRain

De-clutter your post of being all caps or bold letters. Mix it up for a clean look!

Shine up your post with some graphics or photos - sentence after sentence is D U L L

Q-tip clean; posts should be free of negativity

Polish up on your love linking skills. Learn how here

Wash out (your mouth and posts) with soap; no "not so nice" four letter words or abbreviations, PLEASE!

Sweep up all comments made to your posts and respond to them. You have followers!

Vacuum away any unnecessary rambling. Short, sweet and to the point is always best.

Organize your post to address your audience; your colleagues and/or your clients

Wipe out a closed mind and be considerate of other peoples points of view

Dust yourself off if the comments aren't coming in and keep posting; it takes time to gain your audience

Flush away comments you receive that don't make you smile - we all get them from time to time

Deodorize; smell appropriate to every group you post to by staying on topic to the group's interest and purpose

Take out the Trash - Your post will be trashed if your post is off topic to the group

Put away ActiveRain points by touching base and signing in every day

Fumigate your opposing views and comments to be diplomatic and appropriately challenging

Pick Up support for and from your fellow bloggers by lending encouraging comments when you see fit

Straighten up your profile by adding a new HD Profile Photo

Disinfect. Remove any spam by contacting AR Support

MAKE YOUR BED !!! - Remember, your blog on ActiveRain is the bed you made - and lay in !

BEHIND EVERY GOOD HOUSEKEEPING POST TO THE STAGE IT FORWARD GROUP . . .

THERE IS A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MODERATOR!

I want to recognize the current Stage It Forward moderators that are donating their time managing and featuring the posts for this group . . . they are the ones that read every post and then award you that coveted gold star highlighting your talents and content to be the best among the best. Our moderators are top notch bloggers themselves and I am sure you will want to extend your appreciation. Below is some information they asked me to share with you:

Maureen Bray: "A/R and SIF became part of my daily routine in April of 2007 and since then has become an important part of my marketing plan. But more importantly, I've met such great stagers both in my local area as well as across the country, and really appreciate their input and experience. What a great community for home stagers to connect and support one another while continuing to educate the public about the powerful benefits of staging!"

Karen Otto: "Since joining Active Rain & the SIF group in early 2007 I have grown to appreciate how much this free resource has done for not only my business but for the staging industry as a whole. It is a place where anyone can learn, share and connect with others not only professionally but personally as well. I am proud to be a part of this wonderful community of real estate professionals who share my passion, many of whom I call friends."

Sharon Tara: "Staging is more than a business, it's a passion. SIF is more than a Group, it's a home base. It's a place to find answers and a place to share success stories. Whether you take from or give to SIF, the result is a stronger industry for us all."

Gary Barnett: "I am the Director of Operations for Home Matters Home Staging, Training & Rental in Indianapolis, Indiana. I am also a strong supporter of SIF as a networking community and a place where home stagers can connect and share. I believe that by helping each other, we can develop the industry through educating consumers and agents by way of our actions and words. I view my role as a moderator to be one of highlighting important and relative information that can positively impact us all."

Kate Hart: "I feel blogging is essential to getting consumers to see and understand how staging works. As stagers we expect home sellers to buy into the abstract idea that -- if you do the following to your home it will look better and sell faster! Blogging about our business, our staging success stories and staging statistics shows home sellers exactly how a staging plan can work." Kate Hart is an award winning home staging expert from Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

H O M E S W E E T (B L O G GI N G) H O M E !

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