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Home Staging Resource A+

By
Home Stager with Take 2 Home Staging
About two years ago I was looking for a home.  The realtor I was working with said you have a real eye for the possiblities in these homes, you should consider home staging.  I said home what?  About a year later I started seeing all the shows on HGTV re: staging, etc.. So, I started doing some research.  I told my husband, I think I found my calling.  He said does this mean you will leave our home alone, I said don't count on it.  Anyway, I spent a couple months researching all of the different trainings out there.  I was trying to decide between online training and onsite training.  After looking at the curriculum for most of the onsite trainings and realizing they were mostly design, I decided to go with the online training.  If you don't have an eye for design you are not going to learn it at a four day seminar.  I felt I needed more of the marketing side.  I got so much information from the Home Staging Resource.  Not to mention that they build and host your website for a year.  They are kind of cookie cutter sites and when my year is up I will most likely work on developing something more unique.  But, it was great to get started.  So, much of the marketing materials are things you would spend hours, weeks, doing on your own.  Not to mention the personal attention from Audra Slinkey.  Her training program has more than tripled since I took her training. But, if I call or email her, I still get a personal response within a few hours.  I am very glad I chose the Home Staging Resource.
Joyce Asberry
Five Star Staging - Elk Grove, CA

Erica,

I agree with you 100%!!! HSR is an excellent training program.  I am constantly amazed at how much information we get on a continuous basis.  They truly are a Class Act.

 

Mar 31, 2007 01:57 PM
Misako Kasai
RedesignInAtlanta - Atlanta, GA
Interior Design& Home Staging In Atlanta
A+++ to AUdra. She was nice enough to answer all my questions and concerns before I joined HSR. I am glad that I didn't pay triple for 5 days training.
Apr 23, 2007 02:13 PM
Michele Butler
Beautifully Staged - Orlando, FL

Erica, I totally agree with you.  I could not be more pleased with HSR and Audra.  I'm continually amazed by all of the new information she continues to add to her program.  An ASP stager recently asked me how long the HSR training is, and my reply was "it's ongoing", because it never really stops. 

 

 

 

 

May 03, 2007 11:49 AM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY
Erica - I totally agree.  HSR is such a wonderful training program. I think that the HSR people avoid many of the pitfalls that others stagers may fall into when trying to start a business.  Audra's 50 first things to do - which took me way longer that 1 mo to complete were a real lifesaver.  We have websites, marketing materials, business plan, insurance and everything you need to start a successful small business.  
May 17, 2007 02:57 PM
Lynette Lawson
Starlight Design - Yucaipa, CA
Inland Empire, CA Home Staging

Hi Erica - I also agree that HSR is awesome. I did choose to do my own marketing and website, but what HSR teaches is great.

Lynette

Jun 03, 2007 04:21 PM
Stacey Davis
Stace's Spaces - Centennial, CO

I too am a believer.  Home Staging Resources teaches you the business practicals, you should already have a knack for design.  This program saved me time and money.  LOVE IT!

Jul 29, 2007 03:54 PM
Sandra Montemayor
All In One Staging Inc. ( A Home Staged is A Home Sold!) - Bartlett, IL
All in One Staging inc - Home Staging Consultant, Redesign Expert

Hi Erica ~

It's been several months since you posted the blog... how's your business going?

I'm actually going to an ASP course in a few weeks & still debate if I should have taken the on-line HSR course instead.  I'll keep you posted & let you know how it went (I just found out Barb will not be teaching it & got refunded $500).   

Maybe one day I can afford registering for the HSR course & get the best of both worlds.

Have a great day :)

Sandra Montemayor - All In One Staging Inc  (Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL)

Aug 12, 2007 04:26 AM
Erica Howard
Take 2 Home Staging - Centerville, OH

Sandra-

   Sorry for the delay in my post to you.  Translation---- VERY busy.  I have almost more work than I can handle on my own.  Due to being a control freak I am still trying to avoid hiring anyone.  But, I might have to do that to make time for my family!  Good luck w/ your ASP.  I am so glad that I went with HSR, they still continue to add to their program and I feel I am growing as they grow.

Aug 15, 2007 12:25 PM
Sherry Woolever * Seller's Edge
Seller's Edge - Marengo, IL

I too did the HSR course and only one person has actually asked what that meant on my business card and no one has asked me what my accreditation is for being a home stager.  Should I have put MBA on there, would it have made a difference that I have other letters I can put after my name?   I have a talent and a passion that I have used all my life for my own home and later for others when living in them or selling them.  I didn't even know that what I was doing was called Staging up until the last 3-5 years (we are slow to catch on here).  I was advised to get a credential in some way, so I did.  After researching different courses I chose HSR because #1 I hate raffia and white sheets (personal opinion)I wanted to be better educated about the business, and although the course gave me an enormous amount of info and still does, I thought what I needed most was the business aspect so I chose HSR.    The Small Business Association has helped with all the other aspects of Illinois laws and such as well as an attorney. 

Enjoy your class!

Sherry 

sunsapote = sunsapote shine

Aug 27, 2007 05:11 AM
Natascha de la Court-Wolter
Ferndale, WA

I love it so far!  I am flying thru it though.....I've read sooo many books, but the resources there alone are worth the cost!

 

Jan 17, 2008 01:54 PM
Phyllis Pafumi
ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ
ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

I agree that Audra is excellent and very kind to boot. I did not get my training through HSR but their marketing package is an excellent one and very helpful when starting out.

Good Luck

Phyllis Pafumi

Jan 20, 2008 01:10 PM
Anonymous
Annmarie
Sounds great guys, i am thinking to join HSR soon after my wedding in april.... it just seems like a tight knit community there?? I thought with barbs ASP's, since she is the one that is supposibly claiming the whole home staging business... is overcharging a bit much. It's like the more research I do... the more I find that this whole idea doesnt belong to anyone, because most of us have naturally been doing it all along, but overall it's nice to get a backround in marketing.
Mar 31, 2008 02:43 PM
#12
Anonymous
Anonymous

I too am considering staging and have reviewed both The Staging Diva and Home Staging Resource web pages. Both seem very good but am leaning toward HSR because of the materials offered: web page, business cards, stationary and the many, many forms. I also like the marketing packet that is offered. I am excited and nervous at the same time and am hoping that I am making the right choice by going with HSR.

Cindy

Jul 21, 2008 09:08 AM
#13
Reece Mack
Simplicity Home Design, Thousand Oaks, CA - Thousand Oaks, CA
Owner

I love HSR and although I finished my training over 2 years ago I continue to renew my membership because I LOVE LOVE LOVE all of the continued learning and continual useful things that are added to the HSR Member website.  I get so excited every time I get that e-mail from Audra informing us of new updates!  She keeps us up-to-date on marketing trends and ideas as well as continuing giving us tips in helping us to grow our business.

Every time someone calls me to talk about how I liked the program I can't say enough great things about it!  It is defiantly the right program to chose.

Cheers,

Reece

Mar 29, 2009 09:21 AM
Janann Hootie Duncan Home Staging and Home Redesign
Its A Hootie Staging and Redesign - Senoia, GA

Erica, I also agree with your comments about Audra and Home Staging Resource online training. When they said it was intensive I had no idea until I got into it. The new additions that she is adding with the Design Modules is a nice reinforcement. I had the staging part under my belt but what really counts is the materials and the marketing solutions that most people don't have a clue about. I wish I had known about them sooner but maybe the timing is really right now more than ever.

I rate them A++++++ too.

STAGING for SUCCESS,

Janann

Apr 07, 2009 08:13 AM
Michele Rose
Rose-Colored Staging - Mount Holly Township, NJ
Burlington County Home Staging & Redesign

I've been with HSR for the last two years and have been very pleased!  I always receive compliments on my marketing materials and website.  I always get a quick response from Audra about anything and she is continually supportive and helpful!

I agree that if you do not have an eye for staging and design, you will not learn it in a few days.  HSR is really for those who have "it" and need to market and build their business.  And yes, it is ongoing training-- there are always changes and improvements to their members' site so they are a great resource.

They also market staging in ways I was not even aware of!  Last week I received a call from someone who saw HSR in a Verizon Home Movers Guide and found me through their website!  HSR was working for me in a way I didn't even know about :-)

May 15, 2009 04:44 AM