Just sos ya knows – there were slightly more than 160 posts in Stage it Forward this past week. Since I have never counted before, I don’t know if that is average or not. Here are 14 of those posts which I feel are cream of the crop, super-duper special. I think you will agree.

If you, like I, missed this post the first time through, you’ll wish you hadn’t. It is full of some great information concerning the staging world from the past week. Nice work Julianna Hind!

Michelle Molinari did an excellent job of explaining why Staging is Not For Everyone. This line alone, Not all homeowners require recuperating all their equity with expediency, is worth remembering. Michelle, you made me smile, you made me think and for that I thank you.

Ok, it appears Juliet Johnson was on a tear when she wrote this little ditty. I could just hear her intriguing Brit Voice as I read this piece.  She did make some interesting points concerning the home staging industry. Be sure to check her links. Juliet, when Mom says to be polite – she means it! [Aside to Juliet – thanks for giving me the best complement I had received all week.]

Almost as much as I love before and after pictures I like to see photos of places which are making a difference in getting the word out about the staging industry. Thomas Scott shares some trade show photos which are indeed professionally inspiring. Pass on the kudos to your contemporaries please, Thomas.

Heather Chotard, gave us some fun pics with a few giggles and “Uh-huhs!” along the way. It is nice when we can laugh at ourselves and at the same time alert our potential clients to the fact that a home staging business is much more than just pushing a few pieces of furniture around and calling it “pretty.” What is the line in that song? I work hard for my money. Is that it? Heather you do know there are other things in life besides staging; don’t you? I can’t think what they are though.

The heads-up Sandy Dixon invariably provides concerning ways to improve a home staging business are must reads for many of us. Once again, Sandy, you have given seasoned and new stagers information which will serve only to strengthen the industry. Thank you!

The two-edged sword (or is that three edged?) that Kym Hough wields in this post is a must see for what I consider the three audiences we have here in Stage it Forward. Kym speaks to home sellers, stagers and real estate professionals. Listen up, folks. Kym knows whereof she speaks. Every single listing staged with a transitional style with a touch of Asian? I seem to have missed that lesson.

Rant? Perhaps. Educational? Uh-huh! (Just in case you are wondering, I include contractors and spec builders along with real estate agents and brokers under the category of real estate pros.)

Shelley Roufs asks a question I hadn’t seen addressed here before. It is an important and valid query which is worth noting. If you haven’t thought about the issue before, perhaps it is time.  Shelly, your assessment of the possibilities concerning who might be offended is right on.

OK Gary, I confess. I take a three foot eraser with me to every home staging. The first thing we do is erase all the structural flaws and damaged building parts. Gary Barnett has, once again, firmly planted his tongue in his cheek and shown us the craziness of anyone thinking that the job of a home stager is to (expletive deleted) the home buyer. Oh gosh, Gary, what will you think of next?

I have another confession. I have no idea how Alexandra Fletcher and Emily Hagerman type their blogs with four hands (and they don’t seem to want to reveal that bit of information.) But, man oh man, do they wallop a punch when they explain how builders are understanding the importance of optimally preparing a property for sale. And just look at those photos! Alexandra or Emily or both – congratulations for making the feature on the front page, too!

Kimberly Wester begins her post with this sentence, In today's market, it is important for sellers and RE agents alike to realize that standard marketing techniques are no longer sufficient when selling any property. And, I’m telling you folks, it only gets better from there.  This blog is well staged, well written and well --- well, very GOOD. Oh yeah, Kim, this sentence, That is the basic premise of staging - to assist sellers in turning their home into their house so that it becomes a marketable product for their agent to get it sold!  is the ribbon on your very well wrapped package. Well done!

Teresa Meyer adds another piece to the puzzle for those seeking home staging understanding. As Teresa says, Successful Staging is more than throwing a few pieces of furniture into a room. Successful Stagers know that information concerning the potential buyer of a home is an essential tool to be used wisely during the staging process. Way to tell it like it is Teresa!

Then along comes Pam Faulkner with an interesting post about helping our clients get the most out of their staging investment and their staged homes. You know, even the stuff in the medicine cabinet may need to find a better resting place while homes are being shown. Pam, you used the information you read in a very positive way to alert home sellers to the fact that home stagers assume the most important agenda item for a home seller is selling the home. This is an easy and informative read!

Lori Kim Polk knows staging. Lori Kim Polk knows how to tell the story. Lori Kim Polk shows that when a home owner is willing to listen to the advice they are paying for it pays off. Hum, now that is interesting. Great account LKP. Bravo Miss Polk!

Professional Home Stagers from all across the North American Continent made this blog possible. To all of you – thanks for the great reads, the important information and the willingness you have to share!