What happens when a room full of Home Stagers gets to listen to a superstar cast of speakers from our industry?  Inspiration!  Linda and I had heard this over and over about past EXPO's but you really have to see it and hear it first hand to truly understand just how inspirational it really is.

Home stagers, Real Estate Professionals, and other people interested in learning more about the Real Estate Staging Industry came from all over the Midwest to the Stagers List Expo held at the CORT Furniture Rental showroom on September 29^th & 30^th  in Indianapolis.  Attendees came from places like St Louis Missouri, Lexington and Louisville Kentucky, Elkhart, Greenwood, Greenville, Greenfield, Brownsburg, Noblesville, Roanoke, Crown Point, Ft Wayne, Elkhart, Jasper and the metro Indianapolis Indiana area, Detroit, Grand Haven, Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills and Richland Michigan and last but not least, Algonquin, Hawthorn Woods and the Chicago Illinois metro area.  Linda and I were able to meet and re-connect with so many great people in our industry. 

Speakers and subjects included:

Terrylynn Fisher, Realtor Veteran and 2008 RESA Realtor of the year from Concord, California spoke about "Demystifying the Realtor.  Service vs. Collaboration".  A tremendous amount of insight into the life and thought process of today's real estate agent. 

Christine Rae from Toronto Canada founder of Certified Staging Professionals and well known keynote speaker, author of the book; "Home Staging for Dummies" shared "The 5 mistakes that stagers make, the 5 steps to turn your business around and 5 market driven trends to build your revenue".  This was a session filled with great insight by one of our true industry leaders.  Christine also gave us two day 2 workshops, "Understanding client behavior & communication to overcome objections" which was a big hit with the group and "Green Business- Future or Fad?  Which was very informative?

Shell Broadax from Stockton, California founder of the Real Estate Staging Association gave us "The importance of joining a trade run association that promotes ethics and high standards" An important look into the reasons why a member ran organization is important to the growth of our industry for all stagers regardless of their training affiliations.  Shell also provided a day 2 workshop on "Advanced Marketing, Networking & Sales techniques for staging professionals".  Everyone found this session to be full of very important information to help them market their businesses. 

Melissa Marro, Founder of First Impressions Home Staging & Training, CSP North American Director, IRIS, Dewey Color Trainer of Charleston South Carolina discussed "Photos-The Final Ingredient".  Very helpful information for a much overlooked part of all of our businesses, and she also gave us a day 2 workshop entitled "Your Portfolio-Creating Imagery".  Excellent tips from a real Marketing pro.

We also had a very insightful session led by TerryLynn titled "Meet the Realtors"   TerryLynn discussed what Realtors really want from Home Stagers, with two area Top producing agents, Chris Castetter, an agent for FC Tucker and Lydia Stauder an agent with the Tony English group.  Very interesting discussion from realtors who believe in and use staging services on their listings.

Vendors who participated included CSP, RESA, Bekins Truck Line, Staging & Redesign, Interiority Complex, Chadwick Construction and a big Thanks to Babette Harpster, Catherine "Cat" Bates and the entire staff from CORT Furniture Rental for being such a tremendous host.  CORT is really being a true partner to the Home Staging Industry here in Indiana and across the country.

Linda and I even held a lunch time question & answer session on building teams!

Thanks to all of the speakers and vendors for coming to the Midwest and providing such great insight to our area stagers.  We are all certainly looking forward to many great years to come.

And last, I wanted to share the following, which is an excerpt from a blog written by Carolyn Stieger, an attendee of the Indianapolis Expo from the greater Detroit area which I believe sums up the thoughts of most of us that attended; 

Carolyn Stieger, ASPM, IAHSP, CRTS, WCR, WWOCAR (We Stage Greater Detroit)

Stager List Expo Indianapolis -  What a great experience today!  The tips and tricks that were shared today were incredible.  Staging is an industry that is so new and there needs to be more education to the public and Realtors to understand how to present our added value as team members to the Realtor listing proposals. 

Listening to Realtors that utilize Home Stagers share their real life experiences.  Top producers with a 98.5% selling price to listing price results, raving about Home Stagers as their team members!   This will be my new LinkedIn request:  I'm looking for Realtors in the greater Detroit (Southeast Michigan) area that want to grow their business and team up with a professional Home Stager.

The value for me to attend this Expo is priceless.  (Being away from my business for 4 days in this busy time of year, was a huge time commitment, a 5 1/2 hour road trip in rain and high winds)   This is the most cost effective, stager to stager networking and industry education event this year in my area!  If you have the opportunity to attend a StagersList.com Expo in your area this year, be sure to attend.  Great Value, Great Experience.

Over the years Indianapolis has been the host to many great events.  Indianapolis has been the home of the Indianapolis 500, the largest single day sporting event in the world since 1911 with an estimated crowd of 400,000 in attendance each year.  In the first race the fastest lap was a blazing 56 mph.  Today the record lap is held by Arie Luyendyk at 239 mph.  No wonder they call him the Flying Dutchman!  Then there is the number 2 race held each year at the track, the NASCAR Brickyard 400 which has been won 4 times by Jeff Gordon. Indianapolis is also the home of the 2006 Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts.  Led by Payton Manning who holds many NFL records including highest passer rating and most seasons with over 4,000 passing yards, the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears in 2006 to take the coveted NFL title.  Indianapolis is also the home of the NBA's Indiana Pacers and while the Pacers have never won an NBA title, it was the career long home for Reggie Miller who as most Hoosiers will tell you still holds the 3 point shot record in the NBA.  In 1987 Indianapolis Played host to the Pan American Games which is a multi-sport event held every four years, in the year before each Olympics for the nations of the Americas.  And besides all of that, Indianapolis is also known as the Armature sports capitol of the world hosting many NCAA gatherings. 

And now, on September 29^th & 30^thIndianapolis will become the host of the Indianapolis Mid-West Stagers EXPO.  While the crowd will undoubtedly not reach that of the half million that show up at the Indy 500 each year, we are expecting a capacity crowd of Mid-West Stagers and others in the real estate community to attend.  This event is what I call Non-Denominational.  Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of your designation or organizational affiliation.  The line-up of speakers is an outstanding collection of experts in the staging and real estate world, so if you can get here, you will not want to mis this event.  Linda and I look forward to meeting you all.  We feel like we have known many of you for a long time now, with-out ever having actually shook your hands. 

The event will be held at CORT Furniture on the northwest side of Indianapolis. You will find directions when you click on the link at the bottom of the page.

The event theme is

"don't just survive, thrive!"

Day 1 speakers will include;

For Further details and to register for the EXPO click on this link... http://www.stagerslistexpo.com/expoindianapolis2009.html

Sorry this is so late folks... Sometimes Staging get's in the way of my fun....

Here were my choices for gems of the week.

Debra Gould, The Staging Diva and President, Six Elements Inc. of Toronto, Ontario Canada says "Stagers: Working For Free Doesn't Belong On Your Menu of Services"In this post Debra talks about how this practice lowers the perceived value of a Home Stager's expertise.

Frank Llosa, Broker, Franklyrealty.com of Arlington, Virginia Wrote "Staging and Realtor in 1?"where he wanted us to debate whether a great professional stager can also be a great full time Realtor.  Then all be darned if Frank didn't take us directly into "Picking a Listing Agent is Tough".  Frank takes us through the roller coaster ride of finding a good agent.

Annie Pinsker-Brown, Owner of Stage to Sell, located in Los Angeles California gave us "Are you serious about selling your home?"  Annie spells out what you are telling your buyer when you properly prepare your home for sale.

Connie Tebyani, Owner of Platinum Home Staging of Thousand Oaks, California wrote a very nice post along with examples, named "A different perspective on home staging photography"   or should I say...Mirror, Mirror on the wall...

Karen Otto, Owner of Home Star Staging of Plano Texas brought us "Do you resent Stagents (Realtors who Stage)?"Karen talks to us about Realtors in the Stagers world.

Liz Carla, Owner of Elite Staging and Design in Dallas Texas, wrote a short but sweet post titled "Mind Your Manners" Where Liz asks a simple question that we all wonder from time to time, "Am I being too naive to expect an answer?" 

Kathy Nielsen, Owner of Georgia Interior Solutions of Atlanta, Georgia Wrote "Stagers Do it With Style" What style you might ask?  Check out Kathy's post to see.

Readers Choice posts. 

These are all posts that while I did not flag them, you the readers found them of interest.  These were all selected by the amount of traffic they received.

Maureen Bray, Owner of Room Solutions Staging of Portland Oregon Wrote a piece named "The Bank Hired us to Stage this Foreclosed Oregon Home and Guess what else they did?" Where she shows some great examples of Foreclosed property staging. 

Gary Woltal, Realtor from Dallas Texas wrote a very nice post titled "You Are Not THAT Person Anymore" Gary discusses the many people that are re-inventing themselves these days.  Gary Also provided us with "Wild Dogs Attack Alligator" It can be said that this has little to do with Home Staging.  Or maybe it really does.  You be the judge! 

Michelle Minch, Owner of Moving Mountains Design Home Staging of Pasadena California warns us "Stagers Beware!  Business Opportunity May Not Be What it Seems."  A reminder that we should always be aware that things may not be as they seem.  

Marti Garaughty, the Blog Artist, The Art of Marketing You of Montreal, Canada, Brings us another of the very popular Marketing posts titled "New Rain blog headers, Marketing Partnerships, featured posts" 

Well, that's it for my week.  Now I have to do something that you or I either one are not use to.  I have to shut up and go back to work.  Enjoy the read...

Yep, it was my turn in the barrel last week to wave my magic wand and recognize the posts that I enjoyed reading and I thought you would all enjoy also.

So, without further delay, Presenting your top 14.

Top-10-Tips-to-Love-it-or-Let-it-Go  , Tessa Skeens of Expert Home Staging and Redesign in Fort Worth, Texas.  Tina has Helped guide home owners to answer the question, "toss, sell or donate"

Did-I-Do-the-Right-Thing  Liz Carla of Elite Staging & Design in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.  Liz asks if she did the right thing.  What would you do if you felt like they were asking you to put a lovely dress on a pig?

I-havent-been-so-active-in-the-Rain  Connie Tebyani of Platinum Home Staging Serving Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.  Connie laments that it seems that AR has morphed from a baby into this teenager that I hardly recognize any more.

When-Every-Zigs-You-Must-Zag  Anthea Click of Fresh Perspectives in Franklin, Tennessee.  Anthea talks about being a property merchandiser who becomes your marketing partner to get the listing sold, not just a stager who makes a house look pretty

Do-you-think-there-is-a-link-between-these-Newsletters-Appointments  Melissa Marro of First Impressions in Charleston, South Carolina.  Melissa asks the question "Do monthly newsletters translate into more appointments and more business?"  Do you think there is a correlation between the two?   Another excellent perspective from the queen of newsletters.  Speaking-UP-New-teleconference-series-for-stagers-and-other-real-estate-professionals  In a second post, Melissa announces that she Will begin having monthly teleconferences with successful stagers and other industry related companies. 

Its-Show-Time-For-The-TEAM  Karen Dembsky of Peachtree Home Staging in Peachtree City, Georgia.  Karen discusses the formation of a TEAM that would give them the most powerful sales presentation possible for the home.  Very unique approach.

Home-Stagers-are-you-a-Simon-Paula-or-Randy-when-it-comes-to-your-clients  Karen Otto of Home Star Staging in Plano, Texas.   Karen asks the question of Home Stagers "When you visit a client and make a home staging assessment on their home, are you Simon, Paula or Randy?"

MirrorMate-Frames-Names-Home-Staging-Expert-Kate-Hart-as-National-Spokesperson  Kate Hart of Hart & Associates Staging and Design in Radnor, Pennsylvania.   Our very own Kate Hart announces that MirrorMate Frames has asked her to become their national product spokesperson.

DAY-NINE-One-a-Day-Marketing-Sex-Sells  JoAnne Lenart-Weary of the Decorating Academy and One Day Decorating in Waterford, Pennsylvania.  JoAnne makes a point to do something that grabs people's attention.  You'll have to read for yourself to see if she is really talking about sex..

Will-2009-be-good-to-Home-Stagers  Sveta Melchuk of Home Staging-Montreal in Montreal, Canada.  Sveta ask with the state of the economy being what it is, real estate is in crisis...How bad is it really?

My-First-Bone-to-Pick-with-ActiveRain  Laura Monroe of Creative Agent Solutions in Clovis, California.  Laura says "Hey Guys.. You know I love you. I loved you for a long time.  I humbly submit my BONE to PICK"

htOur-Finest-Day-EVER-As-Virtual-Stagers  Michelle Molinari of FEATURE THIS... in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Michelle tells us that This story may be long but it is worth the read.  She cold not have been more correct.

Simple-and-Decorative-Presentation-Display-Idea  Sharon Tara of Sharon Tara Transformations in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Sharon give us a creative and attractive way to display photos for a presentation.

And the award for producing too many blogs to recognize, but deserved to be recognized goes to,        Why-Hire-a-Home-Stager-Part-1through 12    Joanne O'Donnell of Chic Home Interiors, located in Oakland, Californiawrote a 12 part series this last week on "Why hire a home stager?"  This was part 1.  It's worth your while to find the other 11 and read them.

Well my friends, it's finally here.  The 2008 National Round Table Consensus report has been loaded on the RESA web site along with the individual notes from each Round Table that took place across North America back in November, as part of Home Staging awareness month.

Go to http://www.realestatestagingassociation.com  To view all 27 locations consensus forms as well as the National Recap report.  Just click on the "SIF Round Tables" tab.

After going over the reports from all 27 locations I came to several conclusions.  The first is, what a whopping success this year's event was.  The turn out was absolutely tremendous with the largest gathering being in Atlanta, Georgia where Karen Dembsky and Kathy Nielsen held two sessions to accommodate all of the participants.  My next thought was, what a terrific example these sessions were of what our main contributor's credos are.  Let me quote directly from the SIF site, "this is an informational and networking community that believes the Home Staging Industry will grow and mature by reaching out to and sharing with other Stagers. This one FREE site allows Home Stagers to connect and share with their colleagues and clients. Our diverse background is our strength. By respectfully sharing and helping each other, we can all grow and develop so that ultimately the consumer is educated on the benefits of Home Staging and enjoy the benefits of quality service."  SIF founding member, Craig Schiller and from the RESA web site, "The Purpose and Functions of RESA, The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) is a member governed trade association and was formed in order to support all professional real estate stagers in North America regardless of their training, certifications, designations, backgrounds or training. RESA is a portal to the staging industry and is a source of education and business tools focusing on the needs of stagers." Shell Brodnax, President and CEO of RESA. It is my belief that the spirit in which SIF and RESA are built on has been meet through these series of Round Tables.

Go check out the national results and if you can find the time take a peek at each individual location.

And now for a bit of recognition;

Thanks to the Core Group for making it happen; Craig Schiller, Owner of Real Estaging, Chicago, Illinois. Shell Brodnax, President  & CEO, RESA. Juliet Johnson, Owner of Juliet Johnson Staging, New Jersey.  Karen Dembsky, Owner of Peachtree Home Staging, Atlanta, Georgia.  Maureen Bray, Owner of Room Solutions Staging, Portland, Oregon.  Linda and Gary Barnett, Owners of Home Matters, Indianapolis, Indiana

Thanks to all of the RT facilitatorsfrom across North America; Ashville, North Carolina, Leslie Godbold & Eileen Wheeler.  Atlanta, Georgia Karen Dembsky & Kathy Nielsen.  Austin, Texas, Brenda Spencer. Charleston, South Carolina, Melissa Marro.  Charlottesville, Virginia, Michelle English.  Chicago, Illinois, Julea Joseph.  Colorado Springs, Colorado, Cheryl Marantino.  Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas, Karen Otto.  Denver, Colorado, Sandy Dixon.  Detroit, Michigan, Virginia Tatseos.  Houston, Texas, Cindy Bryant.  Indianapolis, Indiana, Linda Barnett.  Lafayette, Louisiana, Michelle Molinari.  Los Angeles, California, Michelle Minch.  Miami, Florida, Akanke Cadden.  Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jane Barnes.  Montana State, Heather Kempka.  New York/New Jersey, Juliet Johnson.  Ohio State, Dawn Collins.  Toronto, Ontario Canada, Charlene Storozuk.  Orange County, California, Leigh Blackwell.  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Linda O'Neill.  Portland, Oregon, Kathy Alexander and Mary DeBella.  Roanoke, Virginia, Cathy Dick.  Sacramento, California, Lori Kim Polk. Seattle, Washington, Gail Alexander.  Tampa, Florida, Kathleen Garvey.  Walnut Creek, California, Cathy Lee.   Washington State, Julie Connor

Thanks to all of the national sponsors, Shell Brodnax, President & CEO RESA, Audra Slinkey, President, ASHSR, Sandy Dixon, Executive Director IRIS.

Thanks to all of the site sponsors, IKEA, CORT Furniture Rental, Bekins, PODS, Brook  Furniture Rental, 1-800-GOT-JUNK , Pack Rats, Keller Williams, Arch's, The Plant Atrium, Design it on Consignment, Aarons, Staged 4 more, Staging for You, The Energized Seller, Furniture Medic, Lazarus-Shouse Homes, Home Matters, LLC., The Dewy Color System, Rental Furniture and Sales, Welcome Home Furniture Rental, Pineappple Interiors, First Impressions Home Staging and Redesign, RESA, IRIS and ASHSR. 

It would be great to hear every ones thoughts on Thier round table experience and answer the question,,, So where do we go from here?

Thanks Melissa for asking!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?    Wrapping paper.  I've always liked to wrap with stripped paper and make the lines all meet on the ends. 

2. Real tree or Artificial?  Artificial.  When I was a kid we always had real trees and I use to love the smell, but I was never really fond of the mess....

3. When do you put up the tree?   Day after Thanksgiving.  It's always quiet at the Barnett house the day after Thanksgiving so Linda and I have the Grand kids over and we put up and decorate the tree.

4. When do you take the tree down?   New years day.  Funny the grandkids are no where in site for the take down.

5. Do you like eggnog?     Nope.  Just never had a taste for it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?   Lone Ranger rifle and pistol set.  Guess what year this would have been?

7. Hardest person to buy for?   Linda... We both already have everything we need and if we don't we buy it when we need it.

8. Easiest person to buy for?   Grand-kids.  They get excited about anything you get them,,,  Well maybe not so much with cloths.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?   No.  Just lots of snowmen

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?    Mail. 

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?  My Grandfather use to give me nuts, Nuts that were still in the shell.  I think it must have been some form of humor, but I never got it.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?   National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.  If this won't put you in a good mood, nothing will.  Just writing this and thinking about cousin Eddie makes me laugh.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?  All year long.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?   Yes. Never an opened one....

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?  Ham

16. Lights on the tree?   Solid White, no blinking

17. Favorite Christmas song?   Mary did you know.  Kenny Rogers & Wynonna Judd...

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?   Home, always.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?  Yep, I'm a grandpa....

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Both, it's a snow baby angel holding a star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?    Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?   Some people go nuts.  They loose thier minds and become rude.

23. What theme or color are you using?  White, Snow Babies and Snow men...

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner.  Friends and Family, the food doesn't matter.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?  A GPS for Linda so I can stop writing out directions....

How about, Julea Joseph, Teresa Meyer and Cindy Bryant

Linda and I really wanted to attend the Tri-State Staging Expo in New Jersey a few weeks ago.   There were so many people that we had become acquainted with through Active Rain that we would love to meet in person, but we were still very busy and just could not get away.  We were very disappointed, but that's just how it goes when you're a business owner.  Things to do, Places to go, Homes to Stage!

Then last week we had a window of opportunity and noticed that Melissa Marro's Round Table was being held on a week end, so off to South Carolina we go.  We thought the proper thing to do would be to call Melissa and let her know we wanted to come and that's when the Southern Hospitality started.

 Linda and I were made to feel so welcome by Melissa, her husband John and her assistant Sue.  It all started with breakfast where we were able to meet Bevin Googer...  What a delightful young lady she is.  Melissa, who had cleared her caleldar for our visit, then spent the day with us touring her staged homes and talking business until we were blue in the face.  Then the end to a perfect day we met Melissa's husband John and her assistant Sue for dinner.  The next day we participated in Melissa's round table, held at the First Impressions warehouse & Training Center.  We meet Marci Toliver, who was the very first AR member to introduce herself when we joined SIF.  Besides Marci we meet a whole bunch of wonderful people from all over South Carolina.  We even made some new friends from North Carolina and Florida that were in attendance.  We were treated so warmly and were made to feel welcome by everyone.  After the Round Table, another end to a perfect day where we met Melissa and the North Carolina ladies, Michele Kurelich and Janine Varney for dinner and talking business until we were again blue in the face.

I found a definition that reads, "Southern hospitality is a phrase used to describe the positive stereotype that residents of the Southern States" (Or in our case those of Summerville, North Carolina) are particularly warm and welcoming to visitors.

Now, I called our experience Southern Hospitality, but I suspect if you were to let's say travel from your home in San Francisco to a Chicago Round Table, your experience may be called Windy City Hospitality, but I suspect the experience would feel very similar.  For the most part, Stagers I have met everywhere are warm and welcoming people with varying degrees of passion for what they do.  As for me, I got to spend two days, with two ladies that define the phrase Passion for what they do!  Watching and listening to Melissa Marro and Linda Barnett discuss every aspect of "Where Home Staging has been", "Where Home Staging is going", "and "every other aspects of the journey of running a successful Home Staging business" was at times dizzying, but an absolute treat for me.  And as an added bonus, I got to experience Southern Hospitality!

Thank you Melissa and John Marro for the Southern Hospitality!   We are looking forward to showing you, John and anyone else that comes our way some of our Mid West Hospitality!  Soon I hope!

The dust has settled, the food has been eaten, all of the table and chairs have been hauled away and the real estate stagers from all across Indiana have made their way back home.  Even though our accessory warehouse is just a room with racks, shelves and things; it sure came to life the day of the 13^th when it was filled with people with the same dream.  There was a time not long ago that I could not have imagined there being 25 stagers in all of Indiana, let alone there being that many all gathering in one place for a group discussion about topics surrounding our industry. 

Needless to say the event was a HIT. Many of the Real Estate Stagers had felt fairly isolated until this Round Table event and many were excited just to be in the company of others that have a passion for staging homes to sell.  One tell-tale sign was the exuberance that everyone put into simply exchanging business cards with each other.  Everyone walked away from this event feeling that they now had 24 new friends in the business. Small groups of stagers gathered afterward to learn and share and the smiles on their faces told me that indeed this is was a great day.  

Our group had quite diverse backgrounds and affiliations; there were RESA's, ASP's, IRIS's, HSR's, ASHSR's and a few naked stagers as well as some fresh out of training... But for those few hours of sharing and learning and discussing our industry, there were only interesting conversations, great questions and a sense of belonging.

As you can tell by reading this that there were enough warm fuzzes to keep even an Eskimo warm all winter...and if I didn't know better, I would swear that it made my heart grow 3 times bigger.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our event.... A Big, Big THANKS to all of our sponsors, RESA, SIF, IRIS, ASHSR  and a HUGE, HUGE, THANK YOU TO OUR LOCAL LUNCH  SPONSOR.......PACK-RAT OF THE GREATER INDIANAPOLIS AREA...

  & 

Linda and I are very pleased to announce that we will be hosting a SIF~RESA Home Staging Round Table event on November 13^th, starting at 10:30 am.  The location of the event will be at the Home Matters offices and accessory warehouse, located at 1206 Indy Place, Indianapolis, In. 46214.

We would like to invite all professional stagers in the vicinity to attend.  In fact, if Indianapolis is the closest round table that is taking place to your home location, we would love to have you in our attendance.  Come join us as we learn and share with each other regarding our industry.

SIF, in many ways is the collective voice of the Home Staging Industry. Craig Schiller, the founder of SIF and its members have always been committed to grass roots involvement to form that collective voice.  The driving principals were to provide a venue where Stagers could gather to discuss issues and concepts, share ideas for one and all; a place to listen and be heard, all in a non-biased, non-judgmental way.  In that spirit, the Indianapolis Round Table group will be discussing Home Staging topics ranging from National level issues to those more local in nature.

A big Thanks to our sponsors, Shell Brodnax (RESA), Sandy Dixon (IRIS) and Audra Slinkey (ASHSR) for making this event possible.

To register for the event, go to the RESA web site at www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com and click on the event calendar and go to Nov.  Find the Indianapolis event shown on the 13^th, click on it to register.  For questions about the Indianapolis event call Gary Barnett at (317) 797-1947.

   &  

Linda Barnett-an Accredited Staging Professional, interior decorator and former realtor-founded Home Matters in 2004 and has since worked with more than 600 homeowners throughout the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Her extensive body of successful work earned her a nomination for the 2007 Professional Stager of the Year award from RESA. She and Home Matters have been featured in numerous media, including The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis House & Home Magazine, Indianapolis Business Journal, REAL ESTATE Lifestyle Magazine, FOX 59 News and, most recently, in a WISH-TV/Angie's List segment.

Last week Kimberly Wester posted a blog titled As much as We hate to, We gotta do it.... The post was concerning the job of a moderator as discussed on last weeks BlogTalkRadio program with Juliet Johnson, Yvonne Root and Kimberly Wester.  One of the topics which Kimberly talked about in her post was the fact that on occasion blogs have to be deleted by moderators because they do not apply to the group they were being posted in.  I thought that it may be appropriate to post all of the Staging related groups that I could find here on AR and list the founders' intention for what should be posted in those groups.  You will notice that in several of the groups I have noted that there never has been a featured post over the lifetime of the group, or that activity was very old or limited.  If anyone is interested in moderating these groups you might want to contact Bob Stewart here on AR and ask if you can be a moderator for that group.  I was amazed at how many groups I found.  36 doorways in all that lead to a wide variety of subjects relating to Staging.  Hopefully this can be used as a guide so that you know where to post and find different subject matters.  If I have missed a Staging group, my apologies, please tell us the groups name so we will all know about it and get them included.

The following Staging related groups are in order of number of Subscriber.  Read about what you find when you open each door.

Stage It Forward...  1,975 subscribers.  Founder Craig Schiller 11/28/2006      HOME STAGERS, this is an informational and networking community that believes the Home Staging Industry will grow and mature by reaching out to and sharing with other Stagers. This one FREE site allows Home Stagers to connect and share with their colleagues and clients. Our diverse background is our strength. By respectfully sharing and helping each other, we can all grow and develop so that ultimately the consumer is educated on the benefits of Home Staging and enjoy the benefits of quality service. 

Staging Secrets  839 subscribers.  Founder Karen Reynolds 1/29/2007  Welcome Creative Geniuses! Here is a place for all Stagers to share their "secrets" of Staging -- their creative ways to solve problems (gee, we have problem houses? Go figure), ask advice, get advice & have some laughs about this crazy and wonderful profession we have chosen. I am sure we all agree that we have faced our challenges and are always in need of fresh ideas.

Home Staging    685 subscribers.  Founder Kim Hilgenberg 12/22/2006. There never has been a featured post.  This group is for the individuals interested in Home Staging. Individuals would include realtors, real estate investors, flippers, home stagers, landlords (yes, I stage my rental property too), property managers, for a start. We will exchange ideas, tips and information.

Meme's!  623 subscribers.  Founder Sarah Cooper 3/20/2007.  It's all about Meme's! Please feel free to join and/or browse, but ONLY post Meme's and Meme related entries.

Staging Successes  457 subscribers.  Judy Kincaid 2/14/2007.  This is a place for home stagers and real estate agents to discuss the benefits of staging and share their success stories. Feel free to share before and after staging photos. Tell us the stories of how staging helped sell properties that had previously lanquished on the market. These real life examples can be used to help your clients commit to staging.

Staging "Before" & "After" Pictures  390 subscribers.  Founder Kathy Nielsen 4/17/2007.  A group designed to showcase and share with others the beautiful transformations created by the Stagers of Active Rain.

VACANT HOUSE STAGING & NEW HOMES  388 subscribers. Founder Val Allocco 7/11/2007. There never has been a featured post.  A place for Home Stagers, Realtors, and Builders to discuss anything that pertains to a Vacant House, be it newly-constructed or a ‘re-sale'.

Services for Real Estate Professionals      369 subscribers. Founder Mary French 1/19/2007.  This group is for anyone out there who provides services for real estate professionals...or any real estate professional looking for services.

Staging Works!  261 subscribers. Founder Brad Fletcher 5/2/2007. There never has been a featured post.  Staging Works! is a group dedicated to professional home stagers and realtors alike who want to share success stories and feedback about the home staging business. We believe that the need for professional home stagers is growing rapidly and shows no signs of slowing down in the near future. The housing market is still going through an adjustment period, and probably will for some time. It is imperative that realtors make their listings stand out. Home staging is a solution that is quick and affordable.

Staging Crafts & Creatives  252 subscribers. Founder Jacqueline Clark 3/15/2007. Very little activity.  Are you crafty? Are you creative? In the staging business you definitely have to be both to save money and create "buy me" power for a home. Share you ideas and photos of recent crafts that you've made yourself and used as accessories. Remember, this is only a place for tips, ideas, and crafty inventions that you have made or we can make with our own two hands!

Real Estate Staging Association                 246 subscribers.  Founder Shell Brodnax 5/15/2007.  The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) was formed to provide support to all professional real estate stagers in North America. RESA is the portal to the staging industry and is the source of education and business tools focusing on the needs of stagers. RESA members will have access to up to date information relative to the changing industry, marketing support services and access to continuing education providers. RESA members are able to form local chapters where needed to provide peer to peer support and to provide education to real estate agents and homeowners on the benefits of staging.

Real World Home Staging for Newbies    238 subscribers. Founder Karen Dembsky 9/6/2007.  As the business of Home Staging becomes more rampant and is rapidly sweeping across the U.S. and Canada, the inquiries from interested Newbies and Wanna Be Home Stagers are dynamically increasing as well. This site is for experienced Home Staging Professionals to share their wisdom and advice to those interested in learning more about entering into a home staging business or career. The goal is to provide and build a "Real World" understanding of the Home Staging business struggles, obstacles, ethics, competitiveness, and standards.

Redesign Renegades  201 subscribers.  Founder Joni Van Deventer 3/13/2007.  This group is dedicated to stagers/designers/redesigners/decorators to expand our talents and discover hidden talents. You may have started in this business to be a stager and go out a redesigner or vice-versa. Anyone interested in design philosophies as well as how to promote your skills so that you are fulfilled in your chosen field. It will also be a fun adventure for anyone looking for more design avenues.

ATTENTION Home Stagers: Sales and Coupons!  154 subscribers.  Founder Nora Merek 9/29/2007.  Kirkland's, Joanns. Michael's, IKEA, B B & B, LNT, Pottery Barn, Tuesday Morning, Hobby Lobby, World Market, Big Lots and Pier1 are some of our favorite places TO SHOP! This group is to inform fellow Home Stagers of current sales and links to print (in-store) coupons from our FAVORITE decorating and craft stores. If you know of a great sale, CLEARANCES, or can attach a printable link for a coupon, PLEASE POST OFTEN and please don't forget the sale dates in the title. We also love to know when certain items Home Stagers can use go on clearance at Wal-Mart and Target too! Remember, everyone gets a gold star!!

Stager's Coffee Clutch    149 subscribers.  Founder Craig Schiller 11/4/2007.  Stagers on Active Rain are a very social, very active and very passionate community. While we have connected with colleagues first professionally, we are lucky to then have gone on to share and connect with so many others personally. The Stager's Coffee Clutch group respects the need to keep our ever-growing and active business messages easily accessible, while allowing a way to share the heartfelt and touching stories of our personal lives. Feel free to submit those types of post that that might not be considered professionally profound... but personally and socially very important to you and the staging friends you have made here on Active Rain.

Color it SOLD!  131 subscribers.  Founder Julianna Hind 2/11/2007.  When it is time to take that home to a new hue before hitting the market, skillful stagers use color on walls furnishings and accessories. If you love creating a room with a great hue, join us!

Feng Shui for Real Estate  101 subscribers.  Founder Bob & Carolin Benjamin 4/28/2007.  There never has been a featured post.  Group for real estate feng shui and home staging tips. Feng shui tips and ideas to help agents get homes sold, ideas to give to clients to help get their home sold.

ASP Stagers in the RAIN  94 subscribers. Founder Jennie Norris 6/13/2007.  This site is for Stagers to share their successes and ideas in an open and friendly forum. Away from the designation debates and other issues that take people off track, let's just share what we know works, ask questions of each other and be able to reflect the quality of work that makes Staging such a plus in the real estate community!

Rate Your Staging Training  90 subscribers.  Founder Shell Brodnax 1/6/2007.  This group was created so people can rate their experiences with Staging Training so others may make informative choices. Rate your training on what you actually learned and the content of the program. Rate on a 5 star rating system.

IRIS Stagers  80 subscribers. Founder Julianna Hind 2/11/2007.  IRIS Stagers is an Active Rain group made up of the members of the Interior Redesign Industry Specialists

Staging in the Nude  78 subscribers.  Founder Christine Craig 6/29/2007.  Last post featured in July 2007.  This is a group for those of us that are staging naked, meaning without a "certification". It doesn't mean we don't stage as well if not better than the others.

Sharpen Your Sword... Education & Critique  77 subscribers.  Founder Melissa Marrow  12/15/2007.  This group is about growing YOURSELF in this business. It is intended to help expand your knowledge base of the staging and redesign industry & strengthen your core skills.

Accredited-Staging-Professionals  74 subscribers.  Founder Paul Miranda 4/23/2007.  There never has been a featured post.  Meet the People that Make Staging Cool! ( And Make you more money!)

Home Staging Resurce - HSR  71 subscribers.  Founder Misako Kasai 4/30/2007  There never has been a featured post.  If you are member of HRS - Home Staging Resource, please join to exchange info and staging experiences. We should get to know each other and find other HSR stagers in your area!

Stager 911  58 subscribers. Founder Shell Brodnax 2/14/2007.  This blog is for San Joaquin County Real Estate Agents to post a question to a Qualified Stager and get the help you need to get your listing sold. Sometimes you may just need to know how to get rid of an odor, need a recomendation on what to do with excess clutter. If you need our services we are also glad to help. It never costs you anything to find out how we can help!

ASK A HOME STAGER  44 subscribers. Founder Fernando Rosado 3/25/2008.  Ask home stagers anything. We have answers to all Home Staging Questions.

Carnival of Content - Staging Professionals  41 subscribers. Founder Rich Jacobson 8/11/2007.  ActiveRain Carnival of Content Round 3 For Staging Professionals Submit your article entries to this group!

Decorators Haven  36 subscribers.  Founder Reece Mack 8/2/2007.  There never has been a featured post.  This is a place where Home Stagers, Decorators & Designers can post items that they purchased or used on a job that they no longer need or want. Items posted on this site are for sell, exchange or are free. One designers item can be another's treasure!

Stage Midwest  35 subscribers.  Founder GraceAnn Simoni 3/11/2007.  There never has been a featured post.  Welcome to Stage Midwest. In this part of the country Home Staging is just now becoming a familiar phrase. When I started my business in 2001 the word 'staging' was like a foreign language. I formed this group here on Active Rain to help us help each other, by sharing ideas, and marketing stratgies for this specific part of the country.

Home Selling Assistance  32 subscribers. Founder Mark Houck 4/10/2007.  There never has been a featured post.  Home Selling Assistance. Share ideas and Tips on Staging, Curb Appeal, and Marketing to Increase the Selling price and to reduce the time on the market. Realtors and Industry Professionals are invited to share experiences and suggestions to make the listing, showing, inspection, and closing processes easier for everyone.

Staging Curb Appeal  22 subscribers. Founder Robert Monk  7/24/2007.  There never has been a featured post.  Staging for Curb Appeal is your first challenge. In a competitive market, it is especially important to get the right curb appeal. Steam cleaning driveways, fertilizing and trimming grass, attention to every detail is important. You may get only one chance, if you're lucky, to capture your buyer's attention. You owe it to your seller, and to yourself, to bring them the right recommendations to maximize their property's curb appeal. If you don't have those skills, recommend a good, affordable stager to your seller. Sellers will do better spending money for curb appeal, than reducing their sale price due to lack of curb appeal.

GROW IRIS Stagers and Redesigners!  12 subscribers. Founder Irene Woodworth 2/23/2008.  GROW IRIS Stagers & Redesigners is created to inspire, educate and develop our IRIS Stagers & Redesigners personally and professionally to become Stagers & Redesigners of Excellence! This is a specialized group brought to you by the IRIS Professional Development Committee.

True Portfolio  12 subscribers. Founder Julianna Hind 4/4/2008.  True Portfolio is an honor system for Interior Decorators, Designers, Redesigners and Real Estate Staging Professionals who are proud to display only their own work in their online portfolio, website, blogs, and print marketing materials. Members here also discuss photography copyright issues, photography in general, and ideas for copyright protection. In essence... we take our work seriously!

Do it for the Karma  7 subscribers.  Founder Shell Brodnax 3/1/2008.  This is a place where you can do a good deed and post it online. Our goal is to give as much attention to positive actions as possible. Let's see how much we can change the world.

Home Stagers in Metro Atlanta  7 subscribers. Founder Amy Powers  12/31/2007.  There never has been a featured post.  To develop, educate, unite, lead and promote professional home stagers in North Metro Atlanta as well as the industry as a whole.

Santa Barbara/Ventura County  Subscribers 9, founder Christine Craig, 6/23/2007.  A group for those in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. 

Home Staging 101  Subscribers 6, Founder Christine Craig, 6/11/2008.  A place for all to learn about home staging. Geared towards those who have never done it before or are still learning. Find out how to home stage starting at ground zero.

IRIS Redesigners hang out  5 subscribers. Founder  Jennifer Duchene  2/21/2008.  There never has been a featured post.  A place for IRIS Redesigners to exchange tips and tools to turn a house into a fabulous home using what there is, and perhaps adding embellishments like color accessories and window treatments.

Stagersanythinggoes  3 subscribers.  Founder Fernando Rosado 3/14/2008.  This is the corner where Home Stagers can write about anything and everything. Everyone has the freedom of speech here. NO POSTS WILL BE DELETED. This is a positive outlook on Home Staging where everyone's point of view is respected. So, let's have fun Stagers!!