Staged Right Colorado Professional Home Staging Blog

Las Vegas Tips Part 1: Restaurants

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:34:24 -0500

Off the topic of real estate and home staging, but as it is summer and I just returned from a short 5-day holiday to Vegas after the 4th of July and thought I’d share some of our finds with my readers. This post is about some of our favorite eating places in Vegas. Others on activities and places will follow.

For anyone who has been to Las Vegas as well as those yet to go, Las Vegas is chock full of things to do, places to go, sites to see and of course places to eat. Restaurant options in Vegas range from the well known buffets, fast food (chains and one offs), casual dining and formal establishments. If you want it, you can find in Vegas!

And depending on your situation, your options can vary. Many places we've visited are children/family friendly and being vegatarians we sometimes have to browse several menus before finding places that will meet everyone's wishes. And of course there are those more romantic places better suited to couples. Hopefully some of our experiences will help with your planning on your next trip to Las Vegas.

As with most people who revisit places they’ve been, we have our ‘regular’ eating places we try to hit every time we’re in Vegas for the simple reasons of knowing we’re going to get a great meal and we won’t come away disappointed as you sometimes can when trying a completely new restaurant. So, here are a few suggestions on where to eat based on our personal preferences.

Peppermill: Located on the strip about 1 block south of Circus-Circus (next to Ross), the Peppermill is actually a standalone restaurant with its own parking lot. It offers a very unique décor on the inside and is apparently frequented often by the likes of CSI actors and Penn&Teller. Its open 24/7 and offers a comprehensive menu for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner. Prices are very reasonable and the portions large. We have been to Vegas 4 times and have made dinner at the Peppermill a ‘must do’ for each trip. Kids are happy with the offerings on the kids menu and of course love being able to have breakfast at any time. Very reasonable prices for very good food and an atmosphere that cannot be matched!

Café Bellagio: Located inside the Bellagio next to the botanical atrium, the Café offers a variety of items on its menu and fantastic views of the gardens. As it is after all the Bellagio, dressing up a bit for dinner doesn’t make you look/feel out of place in the well decorated restaurant. No children’s menu here but the staff are happy to let you split an adult portion between kids if desired. This is also on our 'must do' list everytime we're in Vegas. Actually sat at the table pictured below, though the atrium display changes often and currently is summer themed with a large ferris wheel as the main feature.

Mon Ami Gabi: A new one for us! Spotted this restaurant by noticing is outdoor seating area near the Effiel Tower at the Paris Hotel and a quick browse of its menu. Tried it the next night before seeing the Criss Angel Believe Cirque-de-Solae show at the Luxor. We walked at 4pm, and requested reservations for 5pm. Requested the balcony but were told reservations were only accepted for indoor seating and to request balcony seating when we showed up at 5pm. Got outdoor seating, and were placed alongside the railing with direct views across the strip to the Bellagio fountains. The menu is French Bistro styled and they offer an extensive wine selection if you like. Prices are consistent with proper sit-down strip restaurants but the quality is above some other chain places, in my opinion anyway. While temps outside were around 100 degrees, the combination of misters and the air conditioned ‘breeze’ coming out of the wide open walls to the interior, we were very comfortable sitting outside.

Bon Appetite!

Colorado Springs July 4th Happenings

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:35:30 -0500

Well I cannot believe its July 4th this weekend. Where has the summer gone so far? I guess I've been too busy staging to notice, but atleast there is a vacation on the horizon!

Here are the events happening around Colorado Springs this weekend. While the usual Memorial Park fireworks display is not happening, there are several around, and the one in Palmer Lake sounds like fun!

Have a safe holiday!

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COLORADO SPRINGS PHILHARMONIC SALUTE TO THE TROOPS: Traditional concert and fireworks, activities at 4 p.m., concert at 8 p.m., fireworks at dusk, Friday; Iron Horse Park at Fort Carson, Gate 1 from Highway 115; free, open to the public; csphilharmonic.org.

COLORADO SPRINGS SKY SOX INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA: One Man Village People Act and fireworks after the game; 7:05 p.m. Saturday; Security Service Field, 4385 Tutt Blvd.; $7-$10; skysox.com.

TRI-LAKES FOURTH OF JULY: Pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., children's parade at 9:30 a.m., parade at 10 a.m., street fair 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in Monument; music, food and activities at 3 p.m., fireworks at dark in Palmer Lake; free; trilakeschambercom.

BUFFALO BAR-B-Q AND FIREWORKS: Food, crafts and entertainment, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, fireworks 9:30 p.m. Saturday; Soda Springs Park, 900 block of Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs; free; 685-9655 or 685-1444.

FIREWORKS AT FLYING HORSE COMMUNITY: 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Colorado 83 at Northgate Road; free; 785-3235.

FIREWORKS AT THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY: Family-oriented games and music by Blue Steel at 5 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Saturday; enter through North Gate, Exit 156-B off I-25; free, open to the public; www.usafa.af.mil.

FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA: After races; gates open at 3:30 p.m.; El Paso County Speedway at the Fairgrounds, 366 Tenth St., Calhan; $8-$15; elpasocountyspeedway.com.

SYMPHONY ABOVE THE CLOUDS AND FIREWORKS DISPLAY: Florissant Jammers show at 5:30 p.m., Colorado Springs Philharmonic concert at 7:30 p.m. fireworks at dark Sunday; Woodland Park Middle School, 600 E. Kelly Road, Woodland Park; free; 575-9632.

Phantom of the Opera at Denver Buell Theater through March 22nd

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:41:03 -0500

On the way to work one day, my husband heard the end of a commercial on the radio for Phantom of the Opera. A quick websearch and a few clicks later and we found out that the Andrew LLoyd Webber show was making a tour stop in Denver. We've always wanted to see this, but thought we'd have to catch the compressed version the next time we were in Las Vegas. But this was great news!!!

To give some additional perspective, our kids absolutely love musicals. Started innocently enough with Grease, then Joseph (with Donnie Osmond of COURSE!), then grew to include CATS, Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray and now Mamma Mia! Oddly enough, they don't seem to really be into the High School Musical movies, but then there's probably a HUGE talent gap between the story and songs of ALW than HSM.

So, we started looking and the best first option for us was going to be a Wednesday night show. Weekends were almost completely sold out, plus the tickets were more expensive. So we bought some seats in the balcony after calling the theater to see which were the best available seats.

Got the kids dressed up, and headed up early to grab some dinner before the show, sort of make a whole 'event' out of the show. The Buell Theater is located just 2 blocks from the 16th St Mall in Denver. And as a bonus treat we walked past the Federal Mint, which impressed the kids! Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then a quick dash back to the theater.

Inside, the kids were just wide-eyed and amazed. All the people, all the fancy dresses, and the theater itself decked out in opulent red. As we walked through the crowd, we got the impression that ours were likely the youngest ones there, especially as our daughter is just nearly 7. We found our seats in the balcony and waited the 10 minutes for the lights to dim and the actors to take the stage.

In a word, the show was brilliant! The Phantom, Christine, Raoul and Carolotta were well cast and very good! In comparison to the DVD with Gerald Bulter, the bar was set pretty high, but the cast rose to the challenge nicely! To our pleasure, the kids stayed awake through the whole show, inspite of a 2 1/2 hour run time with a 15 minute intermission.

Our 1st family outing to the theater was a success!

We will definately be back! As we're closer to Colorado Springs, we do get the occaisional pass through of a big show like this, but usually we start seeing commercials for it on Wednesday night for a show that is on Friday/Saturday only and the tickets sell out fast.

If you're in the area, I would completely recommend catching this show! Its only on for 1 more week so you'll have to be quick!

Cheers!

What exactly does 'Certified' Mean?

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:50:54 -0600

I saw a local stager on our local news tonite. I thought she did a BRILLIANT job of explaining what home staging is all about. According to the story, professionally staged homes sell on average in 1/2 the time as unstaged homes.

The news piece didn't really say much about WHY sellers shouldn't attempt to stage their own homes, or stress that different stagers charge different rates for home staging services. Rates do vary. Quality costs just as it does with any other service industry. Potential service buyers should shop around and choose the best service they can afford.

It was disappointing in the conclusion to the story that the news broadcasters concluded that potential home sellers should 'seek' out certified home stagers, when in fact, NO such national standard exists for home staging. In fact, for an appropriate 'fee' one can buy every single existing certification, regardless of any actual experience or achieved results.

The bottom line is that RESULTS speak for themselves. What a stager can deliver matters more than what cerfications they have bothered to buy....or, earn, depending on the circumstances. Just as anyone can buy a degree online, but it doesn't mean that that you know your market, your trade, or what it takes to get the job done.

What you know and what you can deliever are very different things.

When shopping for any service, be it an electrician, a plumber, a realtor or a stager. SHOP AROUND. Lots of people will claim to be the 'best'. But utltimately, what you're willing to pay, and what you get for your dollars matters. There is a provider for nearly any service. Are you paying for a certificate, or are you paying for the best service available. Only you can decide.

Reminder to WATER plants and your lawn even in winter...

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:14:10 -0600

Might come as no big news to many who have lived in Colorado Springs for a long time but News 13 did a snippet of a story tonite on winter watering. Especially because it has been so dry this winter with some warm windy days and not much snow, plants need some TLC during the winter to green back up when Spring gets here.

They recommended watering established lawns every 4 weeks when its a low-snow winter like we've had so far. My husband dragged out the hose and sprinklers to put some water on our lawn last weekend when it was warm. We also water all our trees, especially the pine trees every couple of weeks during the winter after losing a few our first 2 years in our house. We water more often when its warm and windy because the evergreens can really dry out without some help.

So just a little tidbit to pass along.....think SPRING!!!!!

Just staged 153 Cherry Circle, Fountain Colorado

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:19:29 -0600

Well improved property with modern kitchen, fixtures and bathrooms and close to Ft Carson. We staged it would welcome to hear from realtors who visit. Please consider contacting Staged Right! for your staging needs if you like our work!

Off the topic of staging, and political regarding the 'Stimulus' Bill

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:15:40 -0600

I recall during the early months (or years?) of the Iraq war pretty harsh criticism that Bush and Cheney didn't have an exit strategy, nor did they have a clear definition of what constituted 'success' of the operation.

Now, with the Simulus Bill all but signed into law, I wonder the same question. With a business plan, we all lay out our business goals, objectives and targets for the year. To be effective, our goals and targets need to be measurable and tangiable. If I just say I'm going to grow my business this year. That is a vague goal, very hard to measure success and as a business owner, its hard to focus on a blurry goal line.

What does it mean to 'grow' my business? Get one more job this year than last? Make at least $1.00 more this year than last? Make 1 more business associate than I had last year? Better to say, grow my business income by 10%. A well defined goal, that is measurable and worthy.

With this stimulus bill, how will we know if it is or isn't successful or even working? We will know how much money is spent for sure and where it went, but when will the administration declare 'success'?

When the stock market is back above 10000? (artificially or not?)

When property values are stable? or when property values are back to their 2006 values (whether over inflated or not?)

When we lower unemployment by creating just 1 new job? or by 25%?

Whether or not the stimulus bill is actually going to stimulate anything has been well debated in many many forums. What I haven't heard any one ask is 'How do we know its working?' and 'How do we measure its success?"

I am sure that business students and political students will be studying this era decades from now, and history will show on a large scale whether we take the right path today or not. But I think by being vague about specific goals and objectives will naturally lead to vague and maybe inappropriate claims of 'victory' before any real victory is in hand.

To borrow from Hyundai........."Think about it...."

Anyone know what a "Water Service Fee" is?

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:45:56 -0600

Just received our water bill from Meridan Services Metro District, only to find out that our typical water consumption averaging around 23.00/month now produces a bill of over $50.00/month.

Seems that Meridian Services Metro District is now charging for something called a "Water Service" fee, totalling $29.27. More than our actual water usage?

Called up to enquire what this was all about, and got some kind of story about the 'board's' decision to proactively charge to ensure that our future water needs are met.

What?!?! Are they some how producing more water? Are they suing Wyoming for additional water rights? Sounds like a tax to me. Perhaps some Merdian Services executive needed a pay raise?

If it is indeed some kind of fee for future water access, seems to me it should be based on how much water a household consumes, NOT a uniform increase across all customers. Why not pro-rate the water rate to include this 'fee'? Oh, because they would then be charging MORE for water than like sized companies perhaps?

This to me rings of the 'Storm water zone fee' or whatever it was called that Colorado Springs Utilities wanted to charge is customers. A tax is a tax. Calling something a 'fee' ought to come with some sort of detailed page explaining exactly what this fee is supposed to entail.

If Merdian Service Metropolitan District wants to raise rates, at least be up-front about it with your customers. I would HATE to see what happens if the 2000 to 3000 (or more) homeowners in Meridian Ranch pay their MONTHLY $30.00 (which by the way equals some $90,000 per month!!!!!!!!) to Meridian Service Metro District and it winds up in some executives pay check.

Shame on you!

Want to invest in the future? Raise the rates and let the water usage dictate how much our rates go up! An across the board 'fee' is nothing more than a tax! Those who use the most water should pay more towards the future supply. Those without a sprinkler system, and who conserve water should pay less! Those on a septic system where 100% of the water consumed goes back down into the Earth should pay less as well.

My husband plans on attending the board meeting tomorrow in protest...more to come!!!!

Just finished staging an investment property in Fountain

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:32:06 -0600

Hope to have before/after pics posted of our work. The investors did a brilliant job of updating the property and our staging (leans towards contemporary) was a perfect fit! It can be a struggle when your staging inventory slants one way, and the property to be staged is slanting the opposite direction, but this time was 'the perfect storm'.....for the competitiion anyway!

Pics to come soon!

Just an update....this home was just leased to buy, and I've retrieved all my items. I didn't even get my pics uploaded...here's a sample anyway....

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Heard it from a friend who.....

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:44:47 -0600

heard it from her home warranty contact that John Laing has recently really scaled back its Colorado Springs area operations. Apparently, (or supposedly?) there is now only ONE sales person in the whole of Colorado Springs for John Laing, and that many if not all of the models are now closed to all but scheduled showings.

I haven't yet been able to verify this myself but if it is so, to me it seems quite the conundrum. Like many builders here, nearly all the available spec homes have been sold off, leaving potential buyers with only the option of building from Day 0 and waiting 10-11 months for completion. Sure seems like a catch 22 in that, you need sales to pay your staff and to invest in things like spec homes. But without a staff and some inventory you miss potential sales. And round and round it goes.

Personally, I really like the John Laing floor plans and quality. I hope it is just a temporary arrangement and things perk up in the Spring!

Good luck John Laing!!!

Sure Tech Appliance Repair Referral

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:23:50 -0600

Over Christmas we had the unfortunate experience of our Fisher-Paykel washer draining VERY VERY slowly. My husband tried to fix the problem unsuccessfully despite searching diligently on the web for troubleshooting tips.

The kind folks at Fisher-Paykel technical support referred us to a repair source in town. After calling them up we discovered it was going to cost nearly $100.00 just to get them to come to our house. Seems that there is $1.00 per mile surcharge for locations beyond Powers and we live up in Black Forest.

We looked for other options and through ServiceMagic we found Peyton based Sure Tech Appliance Repair. Called them up and got a same day appointment. Mr. Doyle Decker arrived promptly and quickly fixed our problem. Total cost, under $70.00.

If you need an appliance repaired, before you schedule an appointment, I recommend checking our Sure Tech for yourself! The service all makes and models and can be reached at 719-649-0065 or via email at suretech@falconbroadband.net

14th Annual Fruitcake Toss in Manitou Springs this Saturday!!!

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:11:30 -0600

Just when you might think the holiday festivities are over, here's another annual tradition being held this Saturday in Manitou Springs, Colorado. This annual event challenges participants to design their own devices to throw that holiday fruitcake further than anyone else.

The weather is supposed to be pretty good (40 degrees or so) and the fun runs from 930-2pm in Memorial Park. Come out and get some fresh air and have some fun!

The tenetive schedule is listed below. Additional information can be found on the Manitou Springs website.

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. REGISTRATION

10:00 MEDIA TOSS

10:15 KIDS GREAT FRUITCAKE PERFORMANCE

10:30 KIDS & ADULTS FRUITCAKE TOSS

11:00 - Launch, Hurl, Pneumatic for Distance

11:30 Launch, Hurl Pneumatic for Accuracy

12:00 Catch The Fruitcake

12:30 Crowd Pleaser

Fireworks tonite from the top of Pikes Peak to bring in 2009!

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:37:49 -0600

We recently had a Boxing Day party with new friends who only just moved to Colorado Spings from Texas in September. Talking with them about suggested things to do and see in Colorado gave me the idea to share this with the ActiveRain and Localism readers.

As is the long-standing tradition, the Pikes Peak AdAmAn Club began preparations yesterday for the midnight launch of fireworks to celebrate the arrival of the new year. Visible from almost all of Colorado Springs on a clear night, seeing the launch of fireworks from the over 14,000 ft summit is a novelty unique to the Springs.

For those local to Colorado Springs venturing out this evening for festivities, local McDivitt law firm is picking up the taxi fare if you have too much to drink and drive home. Remember the alcohol threshold to be considered driving under the influence is pretty low here (something on the order of 1 drink per hour), be safe, don't risk your life or the lives of others and use a designated driver or take a taxi -- especially considering its FREE!

Cheers!

Happy New Year from Staged Right, your professional home staging provider proudly serving Colorado Springs and surrounding areas!

New Years Resolutions from my assorted pets....

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:01:40 -0600

I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm lying under the coffee table.

My head does not belong in the refrigerator.

I will no longer be beholden to the sound of the can opener.

Cats: Circulate a petition that sleeping become a juried competition in major animal shows.

Come to understand that cats are from Venus; dogs are from Mars.

Take time from busy schedule to stop and smell the behinds.

Hamster: Don't let them figure out I'm just a rat on steroids, or they'll flush me!

Get a bite in on that freak who gives me that shot every year.

Grow opposable thumb; break into pantry; decide for MYSELF how much food is "too" much.

Cats: Use new living room sofa as scratching post.

The garbage collector is NOT stealing our stuff.

AND the Number 1 New Year's Resolutions Made by Pets...
I will NOT chase the stick until I see it LEAVE THE IDIOT'S HAND

(modified from a posting on www.laughoutloud.net)

Christmas 2008 has come and gone....

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:45:34 -0600

Still winding down from the holiday festivities. Spent Boxing Day with friends yesterday. It was nice. Hopefully everyone had a nice holiday no matter where you are. My daughter just LOVED the doll house we built for her. Actually finished it up on Christmas Eve, inspite of having started it 2 days BEFORE Thanksgiving! Whew! What a lot of work. (Will post pics as soon as I get the off the digi cam!).

Perhaps off to see what bargins there are to be had in the post-Christmas sales. Looking forward to new year. More to come......

CONSUMER ALERT: Prices stay the same but packaging gets smaller!

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:25:42 -0600

Recently on NBC's Today Show they replayed a story they had covered a few weeks before on how product manufacturers, specifically grocery manufacturers, are increasing their profits by keeping prices the same, but making products S-M-A-L-L-E-R. Less product for the same price.

While this happens cyclically through the industry, more products have been downsized this year than ever before. A representative from mouseprint.org provided some data behind the story. The website tracks downsizing as a consumer service. A few examples cited were:

Skippy Peanut Butter, sells for $2.29, but is now 2oz smaller than before.
Family sized bag of Potato Chips, down from 16oz to 14oz.
Name brand orange juice, down from 96oz to 89oz
"Large" sized cereal box, reduced from 96oz to 89oz
And tissues are getting smaller, 8.4x8.4 inches to 8.2x8.4 inches.

Here in Colorado, for most items stores display the unit cost of items per oz or lb which helps savy shoppers compare A to B for the best value. Doing so at my local grocer's shows that the big box of Special-K is actually better value than the generic of the same size! Who knew!

So with all things, its good to shop around! The manufacturers deny they’re trying to fool consumers, but then why be subtle…psychology is at play. It seems research has shown that consumers are more drawn to slight price changes than they are sizes. Besides, I think it leaves manufacturers room later to advertise a product as "Now 40% BIGGER!", and slightly raise the price for the same size you used to be able to get before the downsizing.

Happy Holidays from Staged Right!

Home staging has been proven to maximize the sale-ability of your home AND to decrease your time on market. Let the home staging professionals of STAGED RIGHT help you sell your Southern Colorado home. Contact us or visit our website at www.stagedrightcolorado.com for more details and our current specials. Shopping around can save you money!!!

Last weekend for 2008 Christmas Market in Georgetown, Colorado

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:07:34 -0600

The annual weekend Christmas Market in Georgetown, CO concludes this weekend (December 13th and 14th). If you've never been, Georgetown is a classic example of an historic mining town. Featured in the John Denver movie, The Christmas Gift, Georgetown presents itself with its full historic charm while offering modern amenities too.

The town is located off of I-70W, maybe an hour from Denver (C-470) and well worth the drive. The Christmas Market offers an Outdoor European Market featuring Christmas Crafts and the main street hosts several unique shops for your enjoyment. A wagon ride through the town gives you some insight into the history of the town.

While you're there, perhaps take in lunch at Full Circle Cafe, alleged to be haunted by as many as 15 ghosts!!!! For a walk back in time, a visit to the Hotel de Paris Museum kept in authentic period decor!

For more information on Georgetown, visit their website here!

Happy Crimbo!

24th Annual Festival of Light Parade in Colorado Springs is this Saturday!!

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:39:48 -0600

VERY VERY short lead announcement that the 2008 Colorado Springs Festival of Light parade is this Saturday, 6 December at 5:50 PM.

The parade is an annual tradition and runs down Tejon Street between St Vrain (start) and Vermijo Avenue (finish). Its usually pretty cold but well attended. Arriving around 5:30 PM should allow time to park and get a good seat along the street for a view. Lots of lights on floats and vehicles.

If you've not been, its worth checking out, especially if you have smaller children, just dress them warm and take a thermos of hot chocolate!!!

Happy Holidays!

Annual Snowflakes and Smiles Christmas Parade in Manitou Springs

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:27:25 -0600

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas! We had a good snowfall this weekend which has made everything look very wintry. Of course, its supposed to be 50 degrees tomorrow - but such is the weather in Colorado Springs.

Along the lines of planning family fun this holiday season, the 2008 annual Christmas Parade in Manitou Springs is a few weeks away. Mark your calenders for December, 13th starting at 12:00 PM. The parade runs through downtown Manitou Avenue and can be a great tie in to a little Christmas shopping along the quaint shops that can be found in Manitou.

Happy Holidays!

Can someone please explain it coincidence or related?

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:18:08 -0600

I was watching the Today show this morning while getting the kids ready for school and myself for another home staging job today, when the program was interrupted by a special news report. President elect Obama was introducing his security team.

While somewhat interesting, what was curious to me is that, prior to Obama's press conference my husband said that the market was up around 120 points or so. That was relatively good news because of all the 'up' days last week (tracking our retirement funds progress). AFTER the press conference, the market was down nearly 400 points?!?!?!

I don't pay a lot of attention to the markets, more of my husbands thing, but he says that it appears that every time Obama appears on TV, the market drops.

"There was no shortage of information for the markets to absorb Monday, such as a 26-year low for U.S. manufacturing activity, forthcoming speeches from Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson and Fed Chief Ben Bernanke and the unveiling of President-elect Barack Obama's national security team."

Is it just a coincidence? Is it related? Or is it just faulty recollection? (has been known to happen now and then!)

Perhaps someone more enlightened than us can shed some light?

Does Home Staging Work? You betcha!

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:57:56 -0600

I just came across 2 success stories where home staging made a difference, and in COMPLETELY different parts of the country. Markets vary depending on the area of the country, but certain aspects hold true for real estate. There are a lot of properties on the market for sale, some owned, some are bank owned. Competition between sellers remains high, particularly for vacant properties.

In the first story, Monica Murphy of Preferred Staging, LLC did a fantastic job of staging this Fairfax, VA condo for sale. Through professional staging, Monica transformed an otherwise vacant condo into a home that any buyer could visualize living in as their own. That is the staging difference! Here are some of her before and after pictures to show what home staging can do for your property sale.

Before: Nice space but empty! After: Nice work!

Before: Empty! Will my furniture fit? After: Great sized bedroom! And Chic!

Home Staging makes a newly redecorated but empty space look elegant and inviting! The proof is in the pictures! For home staging in the Northern Virginia area, please check out Preferred Staging!

In the second article, We Stage Sacramento was hired by a realtor stuck with a listing that just wouldn't sell for more than a year! Though the Seller was not interesting in professionally staging the property, the realtor was, and paid for the staging with her own money...the house need something to get it sold....HOME STAGING.

The budget was small, but the impact of a little key updates and refreshing helped increase the buyer appeal.

Before After: A job very well done!

This house also sold....60 days after staging. AFTER sitting on the market in its unstaged state for more than a year. (Note that 60 days is currently the average time on market for staged homes.) This house saw about $40,000 in price drops over the year it sat on the market. The staging cost $2,500. Had the home been staged from the beginning it could have sold for close to the original asking price, and the home seller would have saved 10 months of mortgage payments as well. For home staging services in the Sacramento area, check out We Stage Sacramento!

Home Staging works. Its one proactive thing that sellers can do to improve the sale-ability of their home and to help get it sold faster. As the second example shows, its never too late to stage.

Think about it.

The potential 'loss' with staging is the $2,500 or so up front costs. The potential GAIN with home staging can be 10 times that...or more.

Picture Perfect Halloween in Colorado Springs!

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:01:22 -0600

Took a welcomed break from my focus on home staging this weekend starting with helping at my kids school fall parties on Friday, followed by trick or treating in the Meridian Ranch neighborhood with friends. It was the first actual Halloween that the weather wasn't too cold, snowing, raining or some combination of these with the addition of high winds.

There were lots of kids about and some truely spectacular decoration displays. Gave us some ideas for next year! It also gave a little perspective on current market in the area. There were probably atleast 1 home for sale or what appeared to be a vacant home on almost each block we covered. Not uncommon for a town with such a large military presence and regular relocations of the active duty members.

Undeterred and undistracted, it was a great evening with the family and fun to see some of the other kids from school while we were out. Hopefully you each had a good Halloween weekend.

Now the focus is back to the business of home staging and helping those wanting to sell their homes in the Colorado Springs area get it done before the end of the year! Together we can get it done! Visit www.stagedrightcolorado.com for more information!

Interesting perspective on 1A sales tax increase....

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:30:53 -0500

I just received an email pointing me to this YouTube video about the proposed 1A sales tax increase. I thought it worth the added exposure to present some information about how the County and City got to where they are today....atleast accourding to SavetheSprings founder Dave Gardner. Certainly a bit of humor mixed in with the message....

Professional Home Staging, "It used to be a plus, and now it is a must."

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:15:31 -0500

While recently checking out the latest news in home staging, I came across this article that appeared in the Rocky Mountain News. Bearing in mind that the article was written in 2006 when the housing market was still competitive, but not nearly as competitive as it is today in 2008.

The story and its findings are even more relevant today all across the country. There are a LOT of homes on the market and competition is high across all price ranges. Professional Home Staging can make a difference and more realtors are offering home staging as a service to their sellers. Consistent with today's prices, the article states that home stagers in Denver charge around '0.75 percent to 1.25 percent of the sales price...it will cost about $3,000 to stage a $300,000 house.'

One Denver home stager, Mary Beth Goodspeed, owner of Upstairs Downstairs Inc., is shown to have estimated that a third to 60 percent of the homes in the Denver area priced above $250k were being staged in 2006. That number is atleast the same in 2008, if not higher.

Stager Erica Starich of Star Interior Solutions said it is a small price to pay, especially in Denver's tough home-sales market. "It's cheaper than one price reduction," she said.

In the Colorado Springs area, home staging by Staged Right can give you an advantage over the competition at an affordable price.

Is your home picture perfect?

Sassy Skelton (Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:49:55 -0500

While listening to Sarah Palin's address at Sky Sox stadium here in Colorado Springs, the radio station (KVOR) ran an interview after her speech with a local Keller-Williams agent. The agent stated that, ‘Over 90% of buyers start looking for new home on-line before ever going out to look at a physical property.'

This means that the marketing and pictures that the agents take of the property for sale to list on the MLS are more important than ever. For sellers, this means that preparing your home to present itself as ‘buyer friendly' is absolutely CRITICAL.

That means in Colorado's housing market, Professional Home Staging by Staged Right BEFORE the pictures are taken is pretty much a necessity!

BEFORE: TOO MUCH STUFF! AFTER STAGING: Clean!!!!

In today's highly competitive market, you have to capture buyer's interest when they see the pictures of your home on the MLS so they will even bother seeing it in person. Pictures of the exterior only will rely just the price and text description to capture a buyer's interest. Pictures of the interior showing clutter, poorly arranged furniture or unappealing décor will likely cause a buyer to pass on by without actually seeing your house.

Home staging costs just a fraction of the typical first price reductions sellers will confront if your home sits on the market for just a few weeks; nevermind the cost of the additional mortgage payments you will make waiting for your house to sell.