Patti Walker, ASPM, IAHSP's Blog

How to organize your shoes

Patti Walker, ASPM, IAHSP (360 Home Staging) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:48:35 -0700

Tired of the closet piled high with shoes (men or women doesn't matter)

I bought several plastic shoe boxes. Took pictures of my shoes, cut them out and taped them to the front of the box.......VOILA I can see what is in them without opening, and also know where to put them when finished.

My movers thought it was a great idea, and called his wife from my house.

Pass it on, Patti Walker, ASPM, IAHSP, 360 Home Staging

INVENTORY Update from my earlier blog (Patti Walker)

Patti Walker, ASPM, IAHSP (360 Home Staging) — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 02:52:41 -0700

There seems to be a lot of different views on how to charge for personal inventory.

Rule of thumb I use 25% of retail price (not the bargain sales price).

To simplify, I enter retail price, then to the right enter what % the rent would be. The rental rate is already figured and saves me reinventiny the wheel each time I need the piece.

Since we stagers are "creative geniuses" I oten group several items for the same room. Then lump the price. I never itimize the amount they are paying for each article on the clients invoice (causes concern). Therefore, I might list: Mstr Ba, 2 towel sets (mauve and blue) 1 floral (mauve, rose,blue), spa basket (list contents), picture (floral) etc. then list one price for the entire room. Continue with each room, kit, liv etc.

Happy Staging!

Patti B. Walker, ASPM, IAHSP

360house Stagers Meridian Idaho

INVENTORY - Don't let it bog you down!

Patti Walker, ASPM, IAHSP (360 Home Staging) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 23:13:27 -0700

I can't seem to shop without thinking "WOW - this would be great! Charge card in hand, somehow I don't buy the blouse I was after; but you should see the cool stuff I got. Ca-Ching.

Fumbling with all my bags, I straggle behind my ever fuming husband. He just doesn't get it that SOMEDAY I will be able to use this stuff. He threatens to blind-fold me through some stores, and has actually turned me around to another direction, much to the amusement of the sales staff.

Once home, I need to camouflage everything as soon as possibe, or he will lose the last few strands of hair on his head. My hormones quickly kick in as I ORGANIZE-LABEL-PHOTOGRAPH-AND STORE (out of sight).

I categorize by "theme" and enter on a spreadsheet. Under each theme heading, I List the item, the price, the percentage rent multiplier, and rental amount. Camera in hand, I capture each precious item, Attach the rental price to the bottom of the picture, print, and place in a binder with sheet protectors.

Now when I need accessories, I browse through my book, determine what I will use to make my accessory rental list. I copy and past the description and rental price from my inventory spreadsheet onto the client inventory sheet. When done, I tally the rental column and total. That total becomes a blanket entry on the invoice (the client doesn't need to know the rental amount of each item).

When the staging was complete, I take close-up shots along with the room shots.

This verification is kept in the client file. It also makes it easier to account for everything when de-staging.

Hope this has helped. I would write more; but I just got a sales paper, so I AM OUT OF HERE! Happy staging, Patti Walker, ASPM, IASHP 360House Stagers.

Small dining area never fear

Patti Walker, ASPM, IAHSP (360 Home Staging) — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:48:15 -0800

I put my creative genious to work with this extra small dining area.

A regular table with 4 chairs just barely fit, and one would squeeze by to go out the patio door. I decided on a small Bistro table and VOILA it worked. Rather than setting the table, I invited the buyer to imagine a romantic conversation with a glass of wine. House sold in 3 weeks.

TOWEL FOLDING

Patti Walker, ASPM, IAHSP (360 Home Staging) — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:33:16 -0800

Anyone know how to make a towel swan?

My attempt looked more like a chicken exploded than a swan. They are so cool, and I would love to make one to display on a soaker tub or large bathroom vanity.

Thanks,

WHOA Is me, Only furniture rental company is Rent-A-Center

Patti Walker, ASPM, IAHSP (360 Home Staging) — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:29:05 -0800

YIKES, Here is Idaho, we aren't lucky enough to have an upper end furniture rental company.

The few times I have had to rent a full house of furniture, I was embarrassed by the quality, and really had to get creative to make the furnishings seem better than they were.

I have contacted furniture companys in the Boise area; and so far no one is interested in taking on the rental business. I certainly can't afford to purchase several house fulls of furniture, let alone the problem of storing them. Any ideas out there. I have missed a couple stagings because I didn't have my own furnishings.

I have plenty of accessories; but not the major items. HELP

Home Stager in IDAHO wanting HELP

Patti Walker, ASPM, IAHSP (360 Home Staging) — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 21:24:07 -0800

I am an Accredited Staging Professional Master. Certified by Barb Schwarz creator of home staging and stagedhomes.com.

How can I find my way around this system and get my services know to agents in Ada and Canyon County, Idaho.

The instructions state to blog questions and check off the active rain newbies box at the bottom ot the blog. I couldn't find that area to check off.

Also, instructions state not to advertise, how do we get our information to agents needing staging services. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Patti Walker, ASPM, IAHSP

208 340-9901