Joan's Blog

Under Contract in 2 Weeks!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:59:38 -0600

Yes, it's possible in this day and time to sell your listings fast. And here's just one example of a vacant home that languished with no sale for many months. Staged with my furniture and accessories, under contract within 2 weeks, and now waiting to close. I have seen great success with home staging this year and my average time on market after staging is: Under contract within 2 to 6 weeks! I work throughout North and South Carolina with home prices ranging from $100,000 to over $2 million. Staging works for all price ranges!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

Staging for Senior in Myrtle Beach

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:01:11 -0500

had a great experience in Myrtle Beach this week staging an occupied home for a darling senior couple. This was a wonderful example of how staging changes people's lives!

The wife is an antique collector, loves her stuff, but understood that if she wanted to sell her house it had to be purged. She couldn't stop walking around from room to room after my assistant and I were done. The window treatments are included in the sales price, and some antiques are too fragile to be moved into storage, so I had to work with and around them. As usual, I'm hoping for a fast sale!

68 agents will be touring the home for a second time after touring it before staging. I can't wait to hear the comments!

Joan Inglis, Realtor, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

It's all about the Presentation! Staging Makes a Big Difference.

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:09:24 -0500

I've been staging a lot of homes this year that sat vacant for several months and then I was called in with my inventory. Successes have been numerous. Homes that had low marks in buyer feedback suddenly got high scores and the offers started coming in. Good for the sellers, good for this stager.

It was my pleasure to warm up this fabulous home today! I'm hoping for good news soon.

Joan Inglis, Realtor, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

A Home Tour Like No Other!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:04:24 -0500

The Good Samaritan House charity home tour at 5904 Morning Star Rd. in Lake Wylie is not your usual fantasy, over-the-top decorated home tour. As an Accredited Staging Professional Master, I have furnished this home with my high-end furniture and have staged the home to appeal to the majority. I brought in artists to display their original work, so touring the home is like walking through a gallery.

The tour runs through Oct. 25. Speakers are scheduled and lunch is available on the weekends. For complete details visit www.GoodSamaritanHouse.com

Benefits Clover Area Assistance Center.

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

Final Date for LKW Charity Home Tour

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:18:36 -0500

Good Samaritan House charity home tour to benefit Clover Area Assistance Center (CAAC). 5904 Morning Star Rd., Lake Wylie, SC 29710. Oct. 07- Oct. 25, 2009. Hours: 11-5 Wed., Thurs., Fri. & Sun. 10-5 Sat. Tickets at Bi-Lo or at the door. $10 donation. www.GoodSamaritanHouse.com

Construction delay caused a date change. Sorry for any confusion!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

Home Stager Listed As #1 Emerging Jobs By CareerBuilder.com

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:57:25 -0500

Here is the pasted article:

1. Home stager
The real-estate market is not what it used to be and homes are taking longer to sell. Potential buyers usually decide how much they like a property by picturing their own possessions in the house. That's not always easy if the home is cluttered with unattractive décor and furnishings. House stagers work with real-estate agents and their clients to improve the appearance of a home and make it more appealing for potential buyers.
Industry umbrella: Interior design
Job growth: N/A
Salary: Most stagers are self-employed and set their own fees. Prices may vary from $75 for an initial consultation to $500 for staging an entire house.

Any publicity is usually good publicity, but where did their salary figures come from - HGTV shows?? Or non-trained, inexperienced hobby stagers?? I think CareerBuilder.com needs to print a correction!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

Tour Dates Set for Good Samaritan House

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:01:51 -0500

The tour dates are set for the 2009 Good Samaritan House charity home tour to benefit Clover Area Assistance Center (CAAC). The home is located in Catawba Crest in Lake Wylie, SC at 5904 Morning Star Rd.

Sponsorships are still available to enable you to take part in this meaningful project by helping people less fortunate, while exposing your business to the region's fellow business owners and individuals. More info can be found at www.GoodSamaritanHouse.com

Sept. 30 - Oct. 18, Wed- Sun.

11-5 Wed. - Fri., Sun.

10-5 Sat.

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

Lakefront Home Loves Color!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:02:10 -0500

This Lake Norman beauty has been on the market vacant for 4 months. It's gotten several showings, but brought yawns from the buyers. I sparked it up with color today. I hope it causes jaws to drop in a good way!

I used the same formula that brought a quick sale to the last house that was adorned with these furnishings.

It was such a pleasure staging this incredible piece of property. Oh, how blessed I am to do what I love and get paid doing it :)

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

Charity Home Tour in Lake Wylie, SC coming in the fall of 2009

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:23:54 -0500

STAGED HOME TOUR PLANNED IN LAKE WYLIE TO BENEFIT CLOVER AREA ASSISTANCE CENTER

Lake Wylie Home Staging owner Joan Inglis is coordinating a charity home tour to benefit Clover Area Assistance Center (CAAC).

The Good Samaritan House home tour is slated to take place for three weeks this fall. The project is named after CAAC's Good Samaritan Fund, which supplies emergency assistance to local families in need.

The main focus of the project is to draw attention to Clover Area Assistance Center, its function in the community, and the many needs of area residents that CAAC fulfills.

Master Builder Curtis Sieck, owner of Jeff Carey Homes, LLC, is constructing the custom home in Catawba Crest off Lake Wylie Road. The home is partially constructed with donated labor and materials - the value of which will be donated to CAAC upon the sale of the home. Clover High School students will participate in the project. The home is marketed for sale by Mary Sieck, Realtor with Century 21 Palmetto Homes.

Pre-tour and invitation-only events are planned for the house. Special guests are expected to make appearances during the tour. Professionals will conduct presentations during the tour on gardening, organizing, home staging, and the current regional real estate market.

Area businesses are encouraged to become sponsors of the Good Samaritan House. Information about sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.GoodSamaritanHouse.com.

Thank you!

For more info, contact:

Joan Inglis

803 628-8053

inglis.joan@yahoo.com

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

www.GoodSamaritanHouse.com

Posted by Joan Inglis on 07/12/2009 08:13 PM

Comments

Vacant Shows the Flaws!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:49:33 -0500

Wow, did this cute bungalow in Columbia, SC need staged! I couldn't help but notice all the flaws throughout the house when I priced the house while it was vacant. Also the empty rooms looked so small!

Now that I've staged the house, buyers can focus on how cute it will look when they move in with their funishings - and how much room they have to fit their company. I'm hoping for a fast sale. It was listed with no offers for several months.

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

It's a Buyer's Market - and Their Buying the Homes That are Staged

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:53:01 -0500

I just spent all day today showing homes to a couple who is relocating here. Guess which homes my clients liked - and ultimately made an offer on? The homes that were staged and ready to sell!

Whether the seller did the staging, the listing agent did the staging, or an Accredited Staging Professional was brought in to do the staging - those homes that were staged and ready to sell outshined the competition by a mile!

"I could just move right in," was echoed frequently by my buyer. We're planning to close June 30.

In mid May, I was called upon to stage a "challenged" home that was on the market with no offers for 5 months. By challenged, I mean that it was vacant and had odd shaped rooms. I brought in my high-end furnishings and it sold in under a month! And my own staged listing is closing the end of June. I could spend all night quoting more of my statistics, but the point is:

Don't let this selling season pass you buy! Get your listings prepared by a trained, experienced professional. The best source is stagedhomes.com. From there, you can search a directory for ASPs in your area.

Joan Inglis, Realtor, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP, Charlotte IAHSP Past President

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

Lighting The Mood

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sat, 09 May 2009 16:10:25 -0500

This bowling alley of a vacant room was a real challenge especially with the fireplace off center. And then there's my usual challenge - staying within budget and making what I have left in inventory work. Since the room lacked light, I used corner flood lights, which I think turned out really cool-looking and was a nice twist from table lamps.

I'll have to shoot the before pictures after I destage. This was a rush job and I didn't have time to shoot the house vacant. But bowling alley is a pretty close description!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.lakewyliehomestaging.com

Is New Paint Necessary? You Be The Judge!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 18:44:56 -0500

I staged the main floor of this vacant basement home. The budget only stretched far enough for painting in this basement room that totally overwhelmed buyers. The fire engine red floor-to-ceiling color had to go! The new color is very soothing, don't you agree? I thought painting would take at least 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of paint. But my painter had it covered beautifully with 2 coats of paint. He did have to spray the ceiling.

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

www.lakewyliehomestaging.com

Don't Fall for the Gloom & Doom!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:48:44 -0600

My best quarter in 2008 was the 4th. Jan. 2009 was my highest earning month ever. My phone rings every day with requests for staging bids. There are quite a few people out there who decide they can't afford my fee and I don't get hired - but I keep going out on the calls and I don't get discouraged. The jobs I do get are well-paying. I never fell into the trend of free or cheap home staging. To me, that conveys an aura of desperation and lack of worth. I am a trained professional. I invested much time and money in my education, training and inventory. I value my services and others do also. Keep putting yourself out there in the presence of people who might hire you. It's not the funnest thing to do, but you have to push yourself to get out in front of people.

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP, Realtor/Broker

www.lakewyliehomestaging.com

Success Equals a 12-Hour Day 6-7 Days a Week

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:05:17 -0600

Since I decided to really push myself and work it the second half of 2008, I am reaping the rewards of my labor. I know a lot of people are hurting right now, and I know how that feels cause I've been there. I don't mean to boast, but in the last month, I made more than I've ever made in one month in my life.

If you had an ice cream stand, could you sit around waiting for people to come around and buy your ice cream - or could you sit around waiting for the phone to ring with an order for ice cream? Whatever your business is - you have to work it!

Running a business is a huge committment of capital and time. Some people who got into home staging in the early 2000s rode the wave. There weren't that many of us, and we could earn what we're worth. Times have changed!

Now that home staging is publicized as a get-rich-quick hobby, and glamorized on TV as an inexpensive, easy fix - anyone and everyone is, or knows, a "stager." Stagers who work for free, stagers who are unqualified and give the industry a bad reputation, etc. etc. And because of those "stagers", much of the public has lowered the value of staging.

After all these years, it's still a matter of educating the public.

Joan Inglis, ASPM, IAHSP

www.lakewyliehomestaging.com

Home Staging Excellence

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:22:57 -0600

Look for the Charlotte International Association of Home Staging Professionals Regional Chapter (CIRC) to Stage the WCNC Charity House in Overlook at Mt. Island Lake this spring. The home is a High Performance home and we will be incorporating "green" staging techniques to complete this home for public viewing.

CIRC- Setting the standard for excellence in the home staging industry in the Charlotte Region!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP
www.lakewyliehomestaging.com

Magazine Coverage on Home Staging

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 13:31:44 -0600

Here's a link to a local magazine article that publicizes home staging and my staging association chapter.

http://www.todayscharlottewoman.com/component/content/article/157

The Charlotte International Association of Home Staging Professionals Regional Chapter has 30 members ready to serve the region. We cover all counties in North Carolina and South Carolina. We are trained professionals bound by a code of ethics, education, and excellence in our industry. Visit our chapter Web site at http://northcarolinachapter.iahsp.com

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, 2008 President Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter (CIRC)

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

Home Staging 101

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:17:44 -0600

When you put your home up for sale, it becomes a product. There are many other products similar to yours that also are for sale. You want your home to stand out from the competition. You only have about 30 seconds to make a lasting impression when that buyer walks through your front door.

What will that buyer see? Toys? Pets? Furniture ready to be hauled for donation? Collections galore? Or cold, empty, echoing rooms?

What will the buyer smell? The diaper pail? Kitty's box? Cigarette smoke? The fish you fried for lunch? A stuffy, empty house?

All these things - and more - turn buyers off.

Granted, having your home on the market is a huge inconvenience. But wouldn't you rather make a fast sale and get the whole production over with instead of dragging it out?

That's exactly what selling a home is - a production. Your house is a product. It is on stage for the audience to examine. A seller has control over two factors - the list price, and how their home looks. If your home is priced right and looks right, it will sell. Ok, so how do you get it looking "right?"

You must hire a professional - and I don't mean the friend of the lady down the street who she claims has a flair for decorating and is now calling herself a "home stager."

I have achieved the highest level of training and education in the home staging industry. My designation - Accredited Staging Professional Master® (ASPM®) - is recognized by the National Association of REALTORS®. There are many knock-offs and copycats in this unregulated home staging industry.

Lesson #1 - Don't be fooled!

Lesson #2 - Ask for references, check them, and make sure your Accredited Staging Professional is established with a proven track record and portfolio in your home's price range.

Lesson #3 - Make sure you know what items are going into your home if it is vacant. Quality exudes quality. You might have to put some things in storage and let your Accredited Staging Professional bring in proper furniture.

Following these simple steps will put you on the right track to a fast sale. Home staging - when done properly by a professional - works!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter

www.lakewyliehomestaging.com

Learn About the Current Real Estate Market, Organization, and Home Staging at this Free Public Seminar!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:00:22 -0600

The Charlotte International Association of Home Staging Professionals Regional Chapter (CIRC) will conduct a free seminar on real estate, organization, and home staging that will be open to the public.

Chapter representatives including a REALTOR® and a Professional Organizer will conduct the educational seminar, which will discuss:

• What's up with the Charlotte real estate market?

Is it a good time to buy or sell?

• January is "National Get Organized Month."

Learn what you can do to help you keep that most popular of all New Year's resolutions.

• Why home staging is important in this current economy.

What you should know before deciding to hire a home stager.

Anyone selling a home or thinking about selling a home should plan to attend the chapter's special presentation. REALTORS®, Builders and real estate investors also are encouraged to attend.

CIRC is an award-winning chapter comprised of members who are trained specifically to prepare homes for sale, and who are committed to ongoing education in their field.

When:

Wed. Dec. 10, 2008

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where:

Independence Regional Public Library

Community Room

6000 Conference Dr.

Charlotte, NC 28212

Reservation/Information:

Joan Inglis, CIRC President

803 628-8053

homestaging@comporium.net

northcarolinachapter.iahsp.com

Free Public Home Staging Seminar

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:09:19 -0600

Free Public Home Staging Seminar conducted by CIRC (Charlotte International Association of Home Staging Professionals Regional Chapter)

Tues. Nov. 25, 2008 7-8 p.m.

Steele Creek Public Library Community Room, 13620 Steele Creek Rd., Charlotte, NC 28273

Learn the history of home staging and how it is proven to sell homes faster and for more money.
Hear tips and suggestions for preparing homes for sale while viewing before & after pictures
Understand the significance of home staging training, education and ethics
Learn what to ask before hiring a home stager.

info/reservation: Joan Inglis, Accredited Staging Professional Master, President CIRC

homestaging@comporium.net 803 628-8053

Charity Home Staging

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:36:25 -0600

I was called upon last week by a desperate event planner who needed a $3 million mansion in the Palisades staged for a formal red carpet event. Within two days, I planned, arranged and organized the staging for "The Bond Evening," an event coinciding with the premiere of the movie Quantum of Solace. I brought in three staging collegues to work the gig with me. The event benefitted Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Charlotte. Staging on Fri. took four hours and destaging on Sun. took another four.

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, President Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter

www.LakeWylieHomeStaging.com

Mansion Needed Help

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:56:12 -0500

This fabulous 9300 sq ft custom home on the Savannah River in North Augusta, SC did not say "come in" to buyers. It was just plain boring! I had to use the owners things creatively and add my own things to make this home get people to want to come inside and linger. I am wiped out of artwork and accessories from this job and I'm down to just a couple of loveseats, but that gives me an excuse to shop for inventory! I tried to make this entry want to draw people in.

Joan Inglis, Realtor, ASP, Charlotte, NC IAHSP Chapter President

Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter Nominated for Excellence!

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:23:35 -0500

I am proud to announce that my NC International Association of Home Staging Professionals chapter - Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter - has been nominated for an award!

The Chapter Excellence Award reflects the best of an IAHSP chapter based upon membership collaboration as well as participation in their community, IAHSP, and other related events. It is open to all active IAHSP chapters!

Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter works hard to educate the public about home staging in general, the importance of Accredited Staging Professional training and continuing education, and our chapter members' committment to quality and excellence in home staging.

Recently, we exhibited at CRRA REALTORS Expo in Charlotte, where we conducted a home staging workshop, and staged a relaxation area at the center of the exhibit hall. In Sept., we will be partipating in IAHSP Worldwide Service Day and will redesign and stage a muti-purpose room at an educational and counseling center for troubled youths and families. In Oct., we will be exhibiting at the NC Association of REALTORS Convention.

Joan Inglis, REALTOR, ASP, Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter President

Staged in April - Sold in May

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 18 May 2008 10:54:42 -0500

This vacant house went under contract soon after staging. It's a cute cottage in the country. It had a lot going for it. This owner was a serious seller. She had the whole house painted, replaced some carpeting and replaced the kitchen counter. The furniture was the icing on the cake.

Pardon my expression here, but some sellers want you to put lipstick on a pig.

Joan Inglis, Realtor, ASP, Charlotte Regional IAHSP Chapter President

Photo Tour of Ocean Condo

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP (Lake Wylie Home Staging) — Sun, 18 May 2008 10:28:11 -0500

Here's a photo tour of a condo I recently completed. I love it when I get to do a full property - every single room. The office, 2 bathrooms and balcony are missing from this photo tour, but it gives a good overview of the unit.

http://kingstonplantationrealestate.com/mls/photo-tour.php?db=listings-residential&mls=0:>?89

Joan Inglis, Realtor, ASP, Charlotte Regional IAHSP Chapter President