I just finished my post on 7 resolutions for buyers in 2008 your post is great

Thanks Cathy! I'll check yours out now.

 Hi Karen, what a nice way to illustrate the analogy between staging/real estate & retail, especially the "issue" of price. That pretty much applies to all markets & products. Again, I love how you've illustrated your points!

Great comparison!  I never thought of myself as a personal trainer!  But whatever gets the point across - use it!

Hey marti - It's been awhile since I had anything to post for your group and I'm happy you read it! Thanks as always for your feedback.

Happy New Year to you and may it be healthy, happy and prosperous for us all!

Yeah Kristina, it's quite a work out staging though isn't it?

Great analogy Karen. I have never thought of it that way. Thanks for making me think out of the box

Karen ~ I think that your analogy will help more homeowners understand.  Nicely done!

Karen, Excellent blog for the public. Fantastic Job!

Jill, out of the box and in your head now! Thanks for reading.

That's what I wanted to convey Kathy and Leslie to our target market! Thank you both for reading.

Hi Karen!

Very timely post on making a commitment to regain control!

Looking forward to hearing more of your creativity at the Texas Stagers roundtable in a couple of weeks!

Kathy

Great post Karen!  I always wanted to be a personal trainer too but not sure how to fit wearing so many hats into one lifetime. Little did I know...I really AM one - ha!

Excellent points.  Can I use some of your analogies???

Karen, very well written! This is important stuff that people just don't get! ~ Julianna

Karen mi amiga, you are one good teacher!

Karen,

Post this in Localism, if you haven't already.  I didn't see it in Posts to Localism.  Happy New Year to a great home stager!

Mike in Tucson

Great post, Karen!  I'm with Terry - you are one good teacher!

Kathy

Kathy, I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Beth, You know you can always use me girl!

Julianna, thank you for reading.

Terry, we're all on the faculty here my friend.

Mike, I updated it to "Posts". I honestly wasn't even aware of what the group was for and now I joined. Thanks for offering the information.

Kathy, I've learned much from many other teachers here in the Rain ;)

Karen,

The analogy is great...the philosophy is simple....the follow through is what makes or breaks us...

Happy New Year.

Very True!  And figuring out how to make the condition the best it can be without overspending is also key!

HI Karen, I love this post.  Well done!!!!! Hopefully this could get through to some.

You can come and teach my class anytime that you want.  Bring extra pencils though... they tend to chew the erasers on them ;)  Great way to get the "point" across Karen ;)

candlenut... yep, I am one ;)

Dan I totally agree, following through is mandatory for success!

Emily, you're right cost is a big factor for most sellers but they need to understand what should be done and not necessarily break the bank doing it.

For occupied homes the investment is usually sweat equity over dollars and a home staging consultation can identify the areas that need addressing, updating and rearranging (just the tip of the iceberg of what is covered). It's like getting a menu for your diet from a nutritionist. You may not have known what to do to get started but someone who does know can help you on your way.

Thank you Karen!

LKP I know a good pencil salesman, they've got a great supply, great prices and quality products.... I'll be right over.

Love the pricing comment. So many sellers think that we or they will dictate the price of home.It is wonderfull  to get people to concentrate on what they can control PRESENTATION and CONDITION

Hi Jamie, not being a Realtor, I don't discuss how a client should price their home and if asked I always tell them their Realtor will be able to best answer that question. But what I do know is that someone can't overprice these days in this market and expect a fast sale by any means.

Hi Karen:  Is that a picture of you above in your post ?  The one in the jogging outfit with the towel around your neck.  Your hair is longer, and your make-up is a little different. 

A home well marketed and well-staged is a home that is well on it way to being sold.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.  Take care...

Great post and food for thought.  Have a successful start to your 2008!

KAREN! Fantastic post! Very nice! Happy New Year!

Nice analogies on another good post.  You have a creative way of explaining things and why does that surprize me...???  Good Job. 

Karen Anne may I send you a hug and a kiss from Plano? No my friend that is NOT me but thank you for the compliment. But I did wear my hair that length for years. Maybe it's time for me to hire that personal trainer I've been meaning to call....another New Year's resolution!

Thank you Teresa and Amber!

Another of my passions is marketing Terrylynn and whenever we can help the customer understand why they should do something (and not just for frivolous reasons because in the case of home sales this is seriously expensive business as well as lucrative if well prepared for sale) it helps us all.

EXCELLENT...Love the comparison... You did a great job on this. Hope you have a great 2008 !!!

Thanks Karen :)  Happy 2008!!!  Speak to you soon.

Beth

I know a Teague here in Texas Mary Lou, any relatives in Plano?

Looking forward to it Bethy!

Hi Karen-Thanks for a great post!  I had been meaning to read it now that I am semi-back in the AR mode...and what a nice read it is!  Happy New Year!   I felt like I was educating each person I saw during the holidays (outside of Family members) who were curious about 'staging'.  I liked your analogies a lot and think that people are getting more into the idea of WHY what we do works and makes good sense!!  Regards-Kathleen G

Great post Karen.  Educating the public is so important.  You did an excellent job.  I think you got your "point" across well.  :)

Pencil yourself in for a Cookie Award for the week's greatest analogy

Education is key Kathleen - without it our clients don't get it and think, "why should I pay for this when I'm moving anyway?" When we explain how we work and how we can help them merchandise their product it makes sense. So before ever going into what it is we actually do we need to help them understand WHY we do it. Why? To sell quickly for top dollar!

Janice - I like your play on words there! "Point" taken ;)

Thank YOU! I will take my cookie Maureen even though I've started my new year's resolution of eating better! A symbolic cookie like this one tastes so much better than the real thing anyway.

Happy New Year Everyone!

You've always got great ideas for post.  Always enjoy!

Happy New Year To Ya!

Thank you for your kind words Cindy.

Happy New Year to you too from your North Texas neighbor!

Karen, I love how in your piece from the pencils to the homes to the condition, you took the reader to understand what should be obvious. They need a coach, YOU, to get that condition in tip top shape. Did you used to be a trial lawyer? Very good with leading others down a path!

Thanks Gary! No but I used to work for a lawyer back in the day (I did not enjoy it!). 

I enjoy teaching and in fact will be teaching a CE course on Home Staging at Collin County Comm. College this spring (February and again in May) to homeowners & Realtors on how & why to get your home ready for sale. The old adage, it's better to teach a man to fish than to feed him for a day rings true for me and there are many who are do-it-yourselfers or just need validation that they are capable of helping themselves. Others need professional help and advice and I want to be a resource for anyone who's interested in learning how to get top dollar and a fast sale for their biggest 'product' - their home.

Hi Karen O.  Great way of defining the obvious!  I just love your clever mind!

Karen D hey!

All Karens are klever.... ;)

Happy New Year!