Sandra's Blog

Reminder: The Illinois Association of Realtors convention is coming...

2007-09-19T12:42:42Z

Hello Fellow AR Members.

I just wanted to remind all the Realtors and Stagers that the convention is coming up this week at the Drury Lane conference center in oakbrook, IL

It should be a great time and we have alot of great speakers and booths up this year.

I will be working the ASP Staging booth on Friday, so come say hi, I would love to put names to faces and meet you in person.

Have a great day,

Best Wishes,

Sandra Montemayor ASP,IAHSP~All In One Staging inc.

BIG SUCCESS AT ESTATE SALE ~ TIPS FOR NEW STAGERS

2007-08-19T20:42:35Z

I drove by an Estate Sale on Friday & stopped to check it out. It was packed with people. There must have been over 300 pieces of furniture all over the front yard, plus endless accessory pieces. When I started asking the seller/owner how much a few pieces were, he stated outrageous prices. I tried to negotiate with him, but he was not lower any prices (since it was the 1st day).

So, I mentioned to the seller that I owned a Home Staging business & that I would stop by on Sunday to look at the left over items. Come to find out, he is flipping the house. He bought it at auction a month ago with everything in it, no wonder all the furniture was in the front yard! He also mentioned that he owns a high-end furniture store. So we exchanged business cards and I offered to give him a presentation on Staging. Maybe I can "Stage" this house, of course using his beautiful furniture, not the stuff on the front yard.

Well, it started pouring on Sat morning & continued raining all day. I was on my way to Best Buy around 7pm & decided to stop by again to see him. He already had 2 trucks packed up with stuff he was taking to storage. He was so frustrated with the weather. He had to pack everything up or else it was going to get ruined with the rain. He obviously didn't have the outcome he wanted.

I asked him what he would sell me certain pieces for, that were still on the front yard under tarps & he said "make me an offer". So I did.... I spent $225 dollars & this is what I got:

2 Chairs

2 Side Tables

1 Coffee Table

1 Gorgeous Marble Table

4 Bedside Tables

2 Beautiful Antique Bedside Tables

1 Wood Stand (I don't know what I'm going to do with this yet)

1 Huge Wall Mirror (4x5ft)

So remember Stagers, when buying items at an Estate/Garage Sale:

1- ALWAYS START BY OFFERING THE SELLER HALF OF THE ASKING PRICE & WORK FROM THERE.

2- DON'T LOOK DESPRATE & SAY YOU LOVE THE PIECE

3- TALK TO THE SELLER ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS, LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU DO

4- LEAVE YOUR BUSINESS CARD & ADVISE THEM TO CALL YOU ON SUNDAY IF THEY STILL NEED TO SELL THE PIECE(S) YOU LIKED.

5- AND FINALLY... BE FRIENDLY. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO COULD BE A FUTURE CLIENT / BUSINESS ASSOCIATE

Good Luck Everyone :)

Sandra Montemayor ~ All In One Staging, Inc Bartlett, IL http://www.allinonestaging.com/

HOW FAR WOULD YOU TRAVEL BEFORE CHARGING TRAVEL FEES?

2007-08-15T21:35:34Z

I was talking to one of my Realtor's today and she kind of hinted to me about a vacant she has and it's just not selling. Of course I said O'ya, where is it? She said it was in Rockford IL which is like a hour and a half away from my house. She said it was one of her friends house and they already moved and she is stuck trying to sell this house.

My question to my fellow Stagers is how far do you allow before charging some type of traveling fee? And do you charge for example 40cents per mile or some kind of set fee?

I don't get to much business from her so I already took that in account, and just told her I would have to think about it. So if anyone has any advice on this Im all ears.

Thank you so much,

Best wishes, Sandra Montemayor~ All In One Staging inc. Chicago & Bartlett IL

Is it unethical or unholy to ask a family to remove crosses from the walls?

2007-08-11T22:54:21Z

I just got back from doing a consultation with a Mexican family & currently find myself working on the DIY report I promised to deliver to them by Monday. Besides having them repaint ALL the colorful walls to a more neutral color, I requested the removal of ALL Religious items. They had 2 saints, 4-5 Virgin pictures & 14 Crosses in the home (yes, I counted).

Being Latin, I understand the importance of these items in a home, but when selling your home I believe it should be Staged for the Mass Market. Everyone should be able to see themselves living there & the truth is some people would feel uncomfortable with all the Religious items in this particular home.

Has anyone ever dealt with this situation before? If so, how was it handled?

Will I be offending the homeowners by requested them to remove the items?

I understand this is a very touchy subject, but I believe if the items are left in the home, prospective buyer could be turned away.

Please help ASAP, I want to finish my report tonight & help them sell their house.

Best Regards,

SANDRA MONTEMAYOR ~ ALL IN ONE STAGING Inc. BARTLETT (NORTHWEST SUBURBS), IL

Anyone ever use a labor ready company??

2007-07-27T06:29:01Z

I was discussing with my Project Manager about hiring a Labor Ready company (you call them and they send someone out to give you a hand with moving heavy furniture) or should we hire someone & have to pay him at least minimum wage and offer him insurance (plus Workman's comp ins.).

What works for you when you have a bigger job that requires more labor then you have? I'm leaning toward the Labor company. I may have to pay little more for the day or two, but I won't have all the extra worries about insurance because the company you hire them from covers that.

Thank you, Sandra.. All In One Staging Inc.

Anyone ever use one of those labor ready companys to save money?

2007-07-27T06:25:05Z

Thank you, Sandra.. All In One Staging Inc.

what do you do when a client breaks a prop

2007-07-27T06:01:46Z

I went to pick up a throw rug (my favorite one) from one of my clients and I saw a huge stain on it. I asked what happened & he mentioned that "My damn kids I'll tell ya!" No you can't tell me!

So now I don't know how to charge him? It was a pricey item & I used it often. Should I charge him what I paid for it or a bit more since I have to take it out of my Inventory & will not be able to rent it out to other clients?

How would you charge for broken props? Does anyone have contracts they have the homeowners sign stating the consequence of breaking of staining a prop?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much, Sandra, All In One Staging Inc.

Is There a place on AR that shows examples of contracts and invoices for Stagers

2007-07-25T13:18:47Z

Im trying to get the ball rolling so when I Stage Full-Time for my own company I know what to expect. We have been Staging for 3+ years for family & friends that own real estate & mortgage companies. We always work under their insurance and bonds. I was wondering if there are any groups or examples of contracts I can show my attorney as samples of how other Stagers work. I'm also unsure if I need an my attorney or can my accountant write up contracts (and invoice template legalites)?

I have received great feedback on a previous insurance questions I posted & hopefully I can get the same help for this.

Any advise will help. Thank you for all the wonderful feedback and friendliness.

Sandra, All In One Staging Inc.

What do you do when a client breaks a Prop

2007-07-25T11:38:47Z

I went to pick up a throw rug (my favorite one) from one of my clients and I saw a huge stain on it. I asked what happened & he mentioned that "My damn kids I'll tell ya!" No you can't tell me!

How would you charge for broken props? Does anyone have contracts they have the homeowners sign stating the consequence of breaking of staining a prop?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much, Sandra, All In One Staging Inc.

I found a Gold mind for Staging furniture, and saved a ton of $$$$$$$$

2007-07-23T11:52:57Z

I was shopping around flee markets and local garage sales last week, and saw a salvation army store that just opened up. I stopped by & looked around for pieces that I might be able to refurbish or use as props. When I started up a conversation with the manager of the store and explained I was a Stager and a little about what we do, she told me they get their shipments in on Tuesdays, and she said they get a lot of great pieces in and usually the antique buyers and upholstery companies get there first thing Tuesday mornings and leave with truck loads of the best items before she even gets them to the show floor.

So, I woke up early Tuesday morning and rushed over there. You wouldn't believe how many great pieces I found in the back before she had time to bring them up to the front show room floor.

My suggestion to everyone is: Talk to your local Sal. Army store managers and ask them when they get their shipments in so you can be one of the first to find great pieces before they hit the showroom floor, you might be surprised at the items they have and for fantastic prices!

Good Luck :)

Regards,

Sandra, ALL IN ONE STAGING.