Home > Blogs > Karen Otto > North Texas Home Staging - Not Your PlanO Staging Blog!

Critics Wanted - Have you read a Home Staging Book?

By Karen Otto

Home Stager with Home Star Staging

June 27, 2007 02:54 PM

book worm

Just wanted to ask my fellow Active Rainers who may have read books on home staging if you wouldn't mind sharing your critiques on the books you may have read. I'm doing some research on the best of the best out there for home staging resources. I value your opinions and want only your honest answers. I have a few I'd like to ask here and if you could answer them by a yes or no that would be great too. Any comments appreciated as long as you're nice puhleez! Thank you!

What book did you read? Title and Author (if you have it)
Was it informative and answer questions you may have had?
Was it user friendly?
Did it help you better understand what staging is, does and can do for a seller's bottom line?
Do you feel it was worth the time and money investment?
Would you recommend purchasing it?

SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION PLUGS ARE ENCOURAGED! And NO, I'm not writing a book!

Thank you!

Udated: Based on some of the answers I've already received I changed the title of my post. Thank you for sharing already for those that have! I think my 1st blog title may have not been too helpful in understanding the nature of this post. An inquiring mind still wants to know and I thank you for your responses!

Comments(34)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Ginger thank you so much for your comment and your critique. I saw this one as well. I know what you mean about other's blogs, I joined in early 07 but haven't gone and looked before that - and unless someone posts a comment to an old blog or makes reference, I'd never have the time to do it. I appreciate when I get references though, it's really a great thing because that means someone else thought it was important enough to keep!

Jun 28, 2007 04:20 AM

Julie Dana

The Home Stylist - Buffalo, NY

ASP, Staging for Buffalo, NY area

Hi,

Since you said: SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION PLUGS ARE ENCOURAGED! I will oblige.

I wrote the book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging Your Home to Sell.

It is written for the do-it-yourself homeowner. It has chapters on decluttering, cleaning, minor repairs as well as room by room staging tips. It has black/white photos from real houses all across the country.

It currently has 8 reviews on Amazon will all reviewers giving it 5 stars!

Jun 28, 2007 04:44 AM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Julie - now that's what I'm talkin' about - good for you! and thank you for sharing - 5 stars that's great! Author in the house!

I did see your book (you posted a blog) now I want to hear from readers of your book who can say that too!

Jun 28, 2007 04:52 AM

Julie Dana

The Home Stylist - Buffalo, NY

ASP, Staging for Buffalo, NY area

There is another book that I think is worthy of plugging. It is called:

301 Simple Things You Can Do to Sell your Home NOW and for more money than you thought

The book is by Teri B. Clark who is an Active Rrainer.

It has great tips, ideas and photos!

Jun 28, 2007 04:53 AM

Christine Craig

Designology Interior Design - Santa Barbara, CA

Allied ASID & NKBA

Karen I bought the FabJobs.com pdf book andso far it seems to be pretty great. A lot stuff I already knew because of my interior design back ground but I could see it being helpful and it has been to me so far. Sheron Cardin's info was really helpful too. Not done reading that yet. One of these days I will get a break from working 13 hour days and can actually read all the stuff I have collected.

Jun 28, 2007 07:29 AM

Susan Smith

Rooms That Work LLC - Sandy Hook, CT

Christine, you just hit the nail on the head. When does everyone find time to read (and bathroom time doesn't count!)????

I can recommend a couple good books that focus on the biz side:

I read "Bags to Riches" which has nothing to do w/home staging, but everything to do with starting a business from a women's point of view. Very informational and motivational!
I'm also half way through Martha S.'s new book "The Martha Rules" - very good advice.

Jun 28, 2007 07:54 AM

Stephanie Heron

Dressing Rooms LLC - Scottsdale, AZ

Weeber - Dressing Rooms

I too bought Barb Shwarz's book "Home Staging - The winning way.. etc etc". Good information at the time as I was like a sponge and soaking in every bit of information about staging I could get my hands on. Looking back on it I have definitely seen better before and after pictures on AR. If you were a home seller it would be quite useful.

Stephanie

Jun 28, 2007 07:59 AM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Julie thanks for adding Teri's book, I haven't read it but know about that too.

Christine - yes, time....work.....where to find it..

Susan - you have found out my reason for this post! I don't have time and I'm relying on the good graces and generosity of those who may have read some of these books to clue me in on the good stuff! Also thanks for the two other choices for reading material!

Jun 28, 2007 08:01 AM

Charissa Robinett

INTERIORS by Charissa LLC - Joplin, MO

I also bought the fabjob book on how to become a home stager or redesigner. Debra Gould contributed information for it and it seems to very unbiased. I have benefited from it as well as the How to Become and Interior Decorator and the How to Become a Professional Organizer versions.

http://www.fabjob.com/homestager.asp

I'm excited to check out some of these other ones by our very own Active Rainers. I'm impressed! The 301 Simple Things one looks good. If you click on the picture, you can preview the book.

Thanks for posting this, Karen! Good stuff!

Jun 28, 2007 08:10 AM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Thank you Stephanie and Charissa! AR is a great resource indeed! Now someone has to write a book on it!

Jun 28, 2007 10:12 AM

Sheron Cardin

California Moods Inc - Selma, CA

ARTIST - A Home Stager/Sellers Best Friend!

Hi Karen,

I try not to promote my stuff...it makes me uncomfortable but you asked.

I wrote an ebook "How to Stage Your Vacant House" that I love. I think it is significant because it addresses putting life into the interior and exterior of vacant homes without filling them full of furniture, and it shows how to have great open houses.

I also wrote the "Staging Evaluation Checklist forms" that are very thorough and easy to use. It eliminates the struggle of the consultation.

And then there is the "Do-It-Yourself Home Staging Instructions" which is where I started. It is a footprint, if you will, of how to stage the average occupied home as though I were there doing it with the home seller. The 1st 3 sections can be given to the seller by a stager or agent prior to staging because it tells them exactly what to do and how to prepare. If you want more info just visit my web site or ask me.

Jun 28, 2007 12:57 PM

Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495

Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Karen, you mean the Walgreens employee who takes the passport photos is not a head shot professional? I never would have known:-) I may take your advice someday when I'm having a good hair day :-) My problem is, I can't stop making silly faces at the camera. People have given up trying to get me in their photos!

Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!

Jun 28, 2007 01:33 PM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Sheron you author/publisher you! I didn't know it - You should NOT be uncomfortable about it - many others have mentioned their work here and they don't 'bash' anyone over the head to buy it but it's good stuff to know. I will look into what you've done here! Thank you for sharing!

Ms. Terry- are you commenting on a my other blog with the photos here? You know I only wrote it because of you! And DON'T go to Walgreens.. now CVS...

Jun 28, 2007 04:17 PM

Craig Schiller

Trempealeau, WI

Karen,

Julie Dana just posted a blog asking a similar question. AND I see that someone referenced a VERY old post of mine that talks about staging books BEFORE this most recent book was published.

To be honest Barb's first book was LESS then good. (That is MY opinion and I am being VERY generous with even THAT summation.)

As for this latest book this is what I said on Julie's blog.

"I read the book and did a review on it awhile back. here is the link Barb's Schwarz's New Book Reveals Home Staging Business is NOT "Pretty" Hocus Pocus!

First, I want to disclose that I am NOT an ASP stager.

I take on Barb's book is 1/4 self-promotion, 5/8 starting a staging business, and 1/8 helpful info to the existing stager.

What I was MOST impressed with was the fact that Barb took a leadership role. Her voice in the book, to me was MORE about moving an INDUSTRY forward, then about protecting her past legacy.

The book I like the best for CONSUMERS is the Designed to Sell book put out by the HGTV show. Lori Matzki's book is a CLOSE second.

Again, this is just my read on it (pardon the pun),

Jun 28, 2007 05:04 PM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Thanks Craig!

I did read your post on Barb Schwarz's Home Staging Biz book - I'm more interested in the actual books that will help a novice seller or a future home staging professional let's say, understand what staging is, does and can do for the seller's bottom line. So this particular book wouldn't be one I'd want to say give to a homeowner for review since they're not looking into going into the staging biz but want helpful resources. I have read Barb's Home Staging book - The Winning Way t Sell Your House for more money and I am an ASP & I did like that book but wanted to hear from others who may have read some of the other "author - ities" on staging and what they thought about those particular books. Thanks for sharing your READ!

Jun 28, 2007 05:53 PM

Tina Parker

EXP Realty Canada Inc. - Halifax, NS

Managing Associate Broker

Shameless self promotion: I wrote a 157 page Get Ready to Sell Workbook. In it includes a 57 page checklist that takes the homeowner throughout their house and exterior property forcing them to see the details they've been overlooking and see their house objectively. As a result of using the checklist, they are able to compile a comprehensive "to do list" from which to use to prepare their home for staging. It also educates them on today's market expectations, has many staging tips and techniqes, resources and many b4/after photos. It is available in print and as an Ebook.

I orginally wrote this to bring value added service to my clients but found there was an opportunity to sell it online, which I do. I am in the middle of preparing it for publishing and targeting larger audiences.

I would love to send you an ebook copy in exchange for an honest opinion (review).

Jun 29, 2007 09:49 AM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Tina - that's great and YES I'd love to read it and give you a review! I like the "work book" aspect - it sounds very interesting and right up the alley of what I'm seeking for resources myself.

Jun 29, 2007 11:41 AM

Charissa Robinett

INTERIORS by Charissa LLC - Joplin, MO

Tina, I just found this. Hopefully, you're checking back. I, too, would love to read your ebook and give you some feedback. Please let me know what you need from me.

Thanks so much!

Charissa Robinett
Spaces Transformed by Charissa

Jul 06, 2007 12:00 PM

Yvonne Root

rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ

Home Stager - Northern Arizona

Karen, This is such a good idea. It took me a few minutes to put two and two together. But, there is bound to be a perfect book for using in your endeavors. I, of course, want to know what you decide. You know, TBD. I'm doing some checking of my own with a few of our AR authors.

Jul 24, 2007 04:07 AM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Thanks Yvonne!

Jul 24, 2007 06:32 AM