For those real estate agents who think they ‘know it all’ when it comes to home staging, think again.  Absolutely there’s loads of information out there, in articles, blogs and of course HGTV, but a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing

I can’t help thinking of the recent horror story of the agent who couldn’t fully open a door because of the way the stager had placed the furniture. Now a blunder like this can put the kibosh on a sale, after all, selling real estate is all about selling space. It’s the minor adjustments to a home that can most often make the biggest impact to the look and feel of a home.

Today with the economy being what it is, we’re aware that selling real estate is a tough market. There are too many ‘For Sale’ signs and not enough ‘Sold’ signs—with The Power of Staging®, real estate professionals can learn what it takes to make their seller’s home stand out from the competition. While you may think the changes needed to improve a home may be obvious, they are not. Home staging is more than just moving furniture around.

This is the experience of Susanna Miller’s experience, a recent graduate of the International School of Staging:

 "I took Andy's course thinking that I knew all there was to staging an apartment and just wanted to have some letters after my name to prove it.  Well was I in for a surprise.  The course is amazing and taught me so much more than I thought I would learn.  The course is so comprehensive and doesn't just let you get by with book stuff.  It's fun, informative and challenging. I would recommend it to anyone interested in furthering their career as a realtor."

Susanna Miller, Associate Broker,

Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate,

New York City

As I have mentioned earlier, home staging is more than just furniture placement; it’s the details that make all the difference. With The Power of Staging®you learn room by room, exterior and interior, and what steps to take to make your seller’s house the most desirable in the area.  In this economy we’re advocating agents incur the least amount of cost for their sellers.

And now for the best news of all – The Power of Staging is selling at half price for the summer $99.00   Put your summer to good use ….

Calling all Real Estate Professionals who have previously taken our staging course and have the old AHS designation  -

Accredited Home Staging Specialist .

I’m Andy Capelluto, author of The Power of Staging®, which is the home staging course you took through Realty U. Earlier this year, we launched the International School of Staging with a completely redesigned home staging program catering to today’s economy and trends. In addition to new course material, graduating agents will have a new designation as Certified Staging Agents (CSA). [We call each graduate a STAGENT®]

Since the launch of our 2011 course, we’ve been delighted by the number of real estate agents who have joined our network. We hope you enjoy the new International School of Staging website and the benefits of being a member of our network.

If you are a past student, we encourage you to update your credentials and your profile by joining us at our fully updated website. As returning members, you will benefit from a free year to the International School of Staging’s member’s only site. Once logged in, you will find deals on home staging decor and material, current news and resources, as well as logos for your business cards and our quarterly newsletter. By updating your current information on our website, you will be easily found by sellers looking for a Stagent in your area. We are also offering an incentive for all returning members to take the fully revamped online staging course at a 50% discount.

To access the member’s area or  to avail yourself of the 50% discount, email us atinfo@internationalschoolofstaging.com.

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Never underestimate the power of staging the front door.  It is the first point where the agent and potential buyer stop for a period of time as the agent fiddles with the lock box, and the potential buyer pauses to look around.  This is your second opportunity to WOW any prospects.  Here are some pointers you might need to check in order to prep the front door area ...

·      Make sure the doorbell is clean and in good working condition.

·      Repaint or stain the front door and doorframe.

·      Oil the hinges to make the door “squeak-free”.

·      Sweep the front porch, remove cobwebs and replace the doormat.

·      Polish or replace the hardware.

·      Flank the front door and porch with flower pots of seasonal color

·      Illuminate the front door area at night.

·      Make sure the key turns easily in the lock.

Wishing you all a spectacular season of sales ...

Andy Capelluto

InternationalSchoolOfStaging.com

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  Prepping the exterior for the selling season .....

It doesn't matter what the "experts" say about the market - it's spring and it's time to embrace the concept of exterior home staging like it's your best friend ... because it is!  

1.         While standing at the front entrance of the property you're staging take a good hard look at what you're dealing with.  This is your time to be 'super' observant.

2.         Begin at the mailbox and work your way from the outside in towards the front door.  Start by decluttering your front yard.  (Yes, it's possible to de-clutter and de-personalize the exterior as well as the interior.)  Check to see where you can eliminate dead wood, and by that I mean trim, cut back and remove anything that is overgrown and superfluous. 

3.         Remove whatever is superfluous or unsightly - repair whatever is broken - upgrade wherever possible. 

4.         Pressure wash, clean and eliminate all remnants of winter and be sure to give special attention to the front door - it must look spectacular.

6.         Remember paint is the cheapest, fastest and most effective method to upgrade both in the exterior and the interior.  You could also 'spot paint' any walls, areas and features that could do with a little 'facelift'

7.         Introduce bold seasonal color in the form of masses of inexpensive annuals in planters, flower beds and hanging baskets.  Planters flanking the front door using one color of one specimen will give that front door area the impact it deserves. By planting seasonal color you're indicating new beginnings and adding color and life to your home.

8.        Ensure that the front door mat, hardware and lighting fixtures look the best they possible could.  If they don't, consider replacing them.  They are inexpensive upgrades that will improve the look of a very important area of the home.

The Power of Staging is an 8 hour class designed specifically for Real Estate Agents to guide their sellers through the process of staging a home.  Our premise is that every home, no matter what the price point, should be staged to some degree.  Our formula is logical and effective, and has been featured both as an online and a live course for the pat 4 years with great success. 

Andy Capelluto, author of "The Power of Staging" course for Real Estate Agents will launch the International School of Staging in January 2010.  She will be appointing and training instructors to teach the program live anywhere that real estate is sold.  Andy is looking for teachers, real estate instructors, interior designers and decorators who would like to go through the training, which the school will provide.    Applicants should submit their resume for the initial screening to Info@SchoolOfStaging.com 

Renowned trend tracker, speaker, author and visionary Stefan Swanepoel has focused on the role of women in Real Estate and together with AR members has nominated an amazing list of 100 influential women in Real Estate.  Take a look at this impressive list, cast your vote,  and while you're about it, vote for me!!!

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The thought of meeting ladies whom I've met on active rain compelled me to go to Staging Expo in Portland on Saturday.  I was about to make reservations on Amtrack but then my husband (ANGEL that he is) decided to drive me down to Wilsonville Oregon from Seattle for the day.  Finally I could put face to name of dynamic members of the industry.  I was surprised by the enormous numbers of attendees and the high quality of the exhibits with exciting products.  The guest speakers were knowledgeable, the food was great and most important of all, all designations mingled happily.

But the best was yet to come.  Prizes were being drawn and my husband is now having his Sarurday afternoon nap on one of the most comfy sofas at Mastercraft Furniture Company.  The next thing, out comes the owner carrying this most amazing leather chair with the announcement that I'm the winner.!!!

OMG what a surprise.  What an amazing prize!! The most comfortable and stylish chair with leather is as soft as butter.  Thankfully I didn't come by train, where would I have put my new chair.  What is more, it's the exact same color as my headboard and so it now has pride of place in our bedroom. 

A big thanks to all. 

I've spent many of my years in the industry as a furniture and accessory buyer and designer.  I wanted to make special mention of fabulous quality being manufactured at Mastercraft Furmiture Company.  Far too much of the furniture in this industry is made in Asia.  We all need to promote and support American manufacture and buy locally made product.

 I constantly marvel at the fact that we have all come from very different professions and that we now we find ourselves in this fledgling industry called home staging. With so much to learn as the industry develops, I feel thankful to have an outlet like Active Rain where we can pool ideas and resources.  A ‘free' magazine put out by Lowes has been landing on my desk every month. I have no idea how, but I finally took the trouble to actually look at it instead of throwing it away.  It's a most informative little publication, definitely worth subscribing to.

Home staging hell happened in Atlanta when a ‘stager' was found to be conducting a business within a business right from the home she had ‘staged.'    This story appealed to my rather ‘offbeat' sense of humor.  I'm constantly fascinated by the creative ways in which people chose to make a living.  This story takes the cake!  I thought I'd share it with my fellow stagers........

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7183898&version=1&locale=EN-US

Good news spread fast as 4 winners of the ‘I staged it' photo contest made the top story on Realblogging. Check out  the announcement on another, well respected blogsite.  You all deserve the recognition you receive.  It is clear that your work ethic and the talent go hand in hand.  You four ladies have been a pleasure to work with.  More power to you all.........