Hello Michelle F!  It is imperative that we discuss 'value' in terms which make sense to the homeowner.  You are correct in that homeowners will drive an extra $2 worth of gas just to save $.99 on a food item... Now we need to parlay that into more analogies so that clients can understand better.

We are in a position where we must continue to sell our 'value' to the many homeowners and Realtors who simply miss the whole point with why to invest in Home Staging.  It breaks my heart when I receive calls from homeowners who have been in this market for 2 years, have NOT SOLD their vacant second home and have no money left to pay their mortgage notes.  Had these people properly hired a Stager from the beginning, I highly believe they would have been over-joyed at the amount of return that staging would have brought to their bank accounts. Regards-Kathleen G

Hello Melissa!  You are continually one of the best contributors here at Stage it Forward so it was an easy choice! 

Thank you for the compliment on the Weekly write-up.  I have to give it up (clap-clap-clap) to Yvonne and Kimberly for taking on this task each week! Lately, I barely have had time to write a blog much less read an entire week of them.  I didn't look at what was featured, only what I felt contributed this week to the theme of: VALUE of Home Staging.  There seem to be real 'hot spots' for staging around the country, yet, many more areas out there where people are trying all angles to promote the value we Home Stagers can bring to the table in Real Estate.  Regards-Kathleen G

Hi Michele!  I liked your blog because it reminded me about all the great things homeowners and Realtors say AFTER they see what we can do for them!  It speaks to the recognized VALUE we bring to the table!  Yet, it seems many people need to see it first in order to really appreciate our worth.

Marketing is so important in Real Estate and Home Staging is integral with producing a SALE when the home is priced correctly!  Thanks for your contribution this week!  Regards-Kathleen G

Hi Kathy P!  These were a great selection of blogs which highlighted the theme I sensed.  Of course there were other people's blogs which were interesting too this week...however, I sometimes feel overwhelmed if I see too many blogs listed in the SIF Weekly at one time!  I feel like I would push the limit too much if I added every subject discussed this week.  It's my first try at this and it was fun! Regards-Kathleen G

Hello Emily- Yes, there are 'hot spots' in certain metropolitan areas that can really make great home stagers shine.  Unfortunately, there are many more 'cold spots' which are less metropolitan and not on trend with Home Staging.  There are fantastic stagers in these areas who are trying to make a living in cold markets and that is a challenge for many overall.  Outside the Big City limits, there is a whole other ball game going on....just ask another stager in the US who lives in a smaller town! Canada seems to be ahead of the US on this one! Thanks again for your contribution and excellent staging work! Regards-Kathleen G

Hi Lori!  I agree with you!  When the Week-in-Reviews began a while back, I felt so grateful to have someone who highlighted interesting blogs that I may have missed.  We sometimes post a great blog which can get lost in the shuffle.  It can be a bit time-comsuming to read them all and try to keep up with the happenings here at Active Rain!  Thanks again for your contribution!  Regards-Kathleen G

Hello Kym!  Just like Lori mentioned, it is not always easy to get to Active Rain every day and the highlights are always a nice way to lightly review a few of them quickly!  There are many wonderful writers here at SIF so picking a selection and keeping the list manageable is an interesting job! I haven't had time to even 'pretty up' my blog like so many others have done! Busy is good....yet I need to play catch up around here!!  : )  Regards-Kathleen G

Hi Mark and Leslie!  It is a special family we have here at Active Rain and it is a way that all Home Stagers (in-the-know) can express their thoughts and ideas.  There can never be enough fantastic words written to explain what a connection this blog community is for many people. 

Not everyone has a partner to stage with so it is always a helpful 'hangout' to write and ask questions.  It makes my day when I read of other's successes and gives hope to those who might have a community where staging is hardly employed (that would be my area too!).  Thanks for making a contribution!  Regards-Kathleen G

Hello Cathy Lee!  I was asked to do this write-up for this week only. ; )   My business has been really busy of late and in reading everything this week, I often wondered where Yvonne and Kimberly fit this in during their days!!  This community is important to me and everyone who contributes...and it takes time.  Because I am a 'do-er' type of person, I have offered my time to help out where I can.  I am not sure what decisions will be made officially and I am not so sure that my time factor will allow me adequate time to write this Week-in-Review every week. There are a lot of talented writers here at SIF, but again, time and effort are necessary. ( However, I am always willing to 'fill-in'!!)  : )  Regards-Kathleen G

Hello Kathy N (RESA Southeast Regional VP!).  Thanks for checking in!  Yes, writing this Weekly was on the top of my list of 'to-do's on Sunday morning. (I didn't want to let Kimberly and Yvonne down by forgetting my duty!)  It was a bit time-consuming and anyone who is considering volunteering for this position better think long and hard about the time it takes to read everyone's blogs...the good, bad and downright.....well, you get the idea!  LOL....it was FUN!  Regards-Kathleen G

Hi Karen!  How is your summer going in TOASTY HOT TEXAS??  : )  Nice to hear from you!  Yes, I must admit that committing the time to write the SIF Weekly was daunting, especially with my full-time staging business being super-busy (a wave I think) and the hours flying by!  AND, my lower-back is killing me from spending so much time in front of my PC screen...though maybe moving furniture around at my last staging was the culprit (old age perhaps?).   Hey, I am in my 40s....that counts!  LOL! Good to hear from you Karen!  Regards-Kathleen G

Hello Lola and Wanda- Thank YOU all for being great contributers this week by writing blogs which gave others the 'pulse' of what is happening in your areas!  I enjoy reading about the thoughts from across the country and like to know when there are staging successes growing in all places!  Keep up the great work! We especially love our Realtors who understand the power of Staging!  (Now we just need to gather the other 4 million REAs onboard!) TOOT-toot! Regards-Kathleen G

Awwwww...Yvonne!!  Thanks!  Actually...YOU AND KIMBERLY ROCK!!!  You certainly had a lot of hours invested during the many months you spent pulling this Weekly blog compilation together! Thank you for that and you will be missed dearly!  I am always happy to help out the staging community and I believe it is important for every stager to consider doing so.

As a collective, the Home Staging movement continues to grow in importance....and it takes effort from every single stager to keep it growing!   VALUE is the name of the game these days....I go visit the grocery store and wonder where the value of my food dollar has gone!!  It is on everyone's minds these days and it is important to speak this language to our clients...right?? Thanks for checking in Yvonne and for asking me to help out!  Happy to do so!  Regards-Kathleen G

Hello Gary!  Thank you for the lovely compliment!  I enjoyed doing it and I hope that others will have the opportunity to do so in the future.  And I agree with you, the weekly review has become a great way to catch up quickly on the Active Rain happenings at SIF if business has kept you too busy during the week. Thanks for the comment! I hope you and Linda are enjoying your summer! Regards-Kathleen