Dear Cherokee County Professional Home Stager,

My name is Amy Powers. I lived in Woodstock, GA. In February 2008, I was appointed as the President of the Cherokee County Chapter of RESA (Real Estate Staging Association). I am the principle owner of Accent Home Staging of Atlanta. I have been in the Real Estate Staging industry for a little over one year. You may have recently read about RESA coming to Cherokee County in this spring’s Cherokee Ledger: Special Real Estate Edition.

I joined RESA because I was attracted to their principles. RESA was formed early in 2007 in order to support all professional real estate stagers in North America regardless of their designations, backgrounds or training. RESA is a portal to the staging industry and is a source of education and business tools focusing on the needs of stagers.

Two items that specifically caught my interest are:

(1)    They want to support ALL home stagers. They are not tied down by any of the large ‘Training’ companies. They are independent. 

(2)    RESA desires to streamline the industry. When new industries are created they are either unregulated or government regulated. Unregulated industries often experience a lack of consistency and standards, a lack of ethics, and renegade practices. Government regulated industries typically arise from the need to protect the public or when un-regulated industries become so unmanageable the government needs to step in to correct it. RESA wants to pattern themselves after the REALTORS® Association.

With so many accreditations and certifications available there has not been an independent professional association to step up to the plate and say hey – we need to be on the same page. This gives our industry credibility, accountability, a higher level of professionalism and acceptance.

In 1998, I started an interior decorating business, Accents by Amy. I took some time off to home school my children.  In 2006, I fell in love with the idea of Home Staging and started Accent Home Staging in 2007. I have several years experience as a leader through my involvement in MOPS (mothers of preschoolers). I was over AL, GA, MS and Western Europe for several years. I learned the importance of branding, marketing, public speaking, project management, continuing education and most importantly how to encourage those around me. I offer my experience and enthusiasm in home staging and leadership to you as the Cherokee County Chapter President of RESA.

My goal for the Cherokee County Chapter of RESA is to provide a stable networking environment for all members, a brainstorming of hot topics that effect our industry and a unified presence in Cherokee County as we submit ourselves as professionals to the REALTORS®, Builders, Sellers and Investors through community projects and marketing.

“Networking Volunteerism” is the most effective way to get you in front of your target audience: REALTORS^®. By aligning yourself with RESA and participating in chapter events you will gain exposure for your business in the community and meet the professionals that you want to work with. By participating with RESA you will be viewed as a leader in your community and profession. Real Estate agents have been mixing with each other at association meetings for over 70 years and it is now time for stagers to do the same.    

Real Estate Agents are very involved in their trade associations and marketing groups. They understand the importance of supporting their trade association. RESA chapters are part of your trade association and by joining a chapter you can now speak the same language as the Realtors.

If you are interested in joining RESA’s Cherokee County Chapter, membership is $120/year. With this membership you earn discounts to national vendors, on-line directory, marketing assistance, logo use and many other benefits. For all the details on RESA’s benefits, goals, values and vision as you make this important decision for your professional Real Estate staging business, visit www.realestatestagingassociation.com

We will be having our next meeting the third Thursday evening in July (07/17). It will be at the Serene Bean in the downtown square of Woodstock at 7 pm. Our special guest will be, Kathy Neilson, the new SE Regional Vice President of RESA. Bring your burning questions and let’s have a great time!

I look forward to hearing from you and sharing the experience of bringing Real Estate Staging to a new level in Cherokee County. My number is 678-978-1377, please feel free to call.

                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                Amy Powers

                                                                                                                                RESA Chapter President

                                                                                                Cherokee County, GA