Staging Success!

Hi Margaret.  Amazing how many people are on this site and seeing posts I made just minutes earlier.  By the way, I honestly believe that a piece of paper does not make a good home stager.  Solid training, mentoring and experience is what makes a home stager really great at what they do.  I am not certified by any company.  I created my own training program after years of hard work, research, experience and devotion to my craft.  I employ talented people with an eye for decorating that comes naturally to them.  I often contract jobs out to my past students since I know they have the same work ethic that I do and I only do so when I am convinced they will meet or exceed the expectations of my clients.

I have never had anyone question my company's abilities to properly stage a home because of the lack of any certification.  We don't advertise.  Our clients call us and we have a waiting list.  We go above and beyond what the typical home stager does.  At least, I can speak about the ones in our area.  We even surpass much of the quality put into some of the builder model homes in our area. 

If people want certification to make them feel better, that's great.  But at the end of the day, it comes down to how fast the house sold and for how much money, right?  I noticed the Dewey color system on your web site.  I am in the process of checking that out.

We give presentations to Realtor groups and Builder employees.  Do you do that?  We have found it very useful to educate locals about the art of home staging.  It is not as popular in Tampa as other parts of the country yet. 

By the way, I grew up on Cape Cod.  We moved to Tampa seven years ago.  I teach staging for Florida-style living which is quite different from the style of homes I grew up living in.  That is why I encourage people to get their training by companies who are based in their area.

We have been asked to travel outside of Florida to train, but graciously declined.  I am staying true to my mission of only training select individuals and those within my area.

I really appreciate you commenting on my blog!

Regards,

Anne Jousou

http://www.TampaBayHomeStagers.com

Margaret,

I grew up in Falmouth.  I haven't been back in six years.  I hear things have really changed.  What is the "flyover?"  Another bridge?  What is downtown Boston like?  is the Big Dig done?  I really should go up to the Cape, but everyone comes here to visit.  My mom and brother still live there.  No actual land left in Falmouth so my mother just keeps adding on to her house!  I think the neighbors are getting a little annoyed.  That seems to be what everyone is doing.  Buying quaint old Cape style homes and raising/rebuilding.  I was so sad when the Casino in Falmouth Heights was torn down and went Condo.  So much charm has been lost in Falmouth.  How is Sandwich holding up?  We used to go eat at this very famous restaurant there.  It had an atrium and the best lobster bisque.  Help me out with the name.  Oh!  Is it the Daniel Webster Inn?