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The Times They Are A Changin'

What has caused the change, well really more of a healthy evolution, of the staging industry? Eight years ago there were two main training offerings giving staging training and redesign, today there are about 25. They are springing up all over North America with many trainers stagers/redesigners we all know and respect. The training companies each offer a different take on the industry and fill in gaps in training. It is a given that you must be creative. Many people attracted to staging are creative and have not fully developed their business training. There are those that got their training through their business backgrounds, have creative talent and just jumped right in.

In reality, many stagers take more than one training program in order to fill in the gaps in training or take advanced training and propel their business to another level of success. Some of them keep that a secret, others embrace it as Realtors do. Realtors have known for years that they must continue to get education to fill in their gaps and advance themselves in training and expertise in order to keep up with changes in their marketplace and maintain a cutting edge real estate practice. It is a good thing that the staging industry is realizing that they are not hobbyists, but need to have a high level of business proficiency to have a viable and profitable business. Along with that realization that you must become a business owner is the realization that education, specialties and the support of trade organizations and affiliations in industry related groups makes sense.

Another step forward for the home staging industry has been the creation of a member run trade association RESA (Real Estate Staging Association), which is non-denominational and addresses industry issues and challenges. RESA is designed to be a self-governing body that sets industry standards and subscribes to a code of ethics, much like the real estate model. The stagers/redesigners themselves determine their direction and values of the association and how that will be put out to the public for their judgment of the industry. The issues of the future are being discussed now and will be developed into the long term planning for issues that impact the industry as well as products and services. The grassroots efforts of the staging professionals of today are setting those new standards.

And don't forget those Staging Expos coming soon to a City near you. http://activerain.com/blogsview/649490/EXPO-First-Annual-NorthWest

Congratulations to RESA for being chosen to spearhead the upcoming Stage it Forward Round Table discussions. Last year was a success, and this year should be even better!

What an exciting time to be in this industry. I am proud to be among you. A raving fan and SOLD on Staging Realtor.

Terrylynn Fisher, Realtor DRE #615420

- Terrylynn has been a Realtor in Contra Costa County for over 32 years. She works with Diablo Realty in Walnut Creek and is consistently a top producer. Terrylynn is a local expert, please contact her for any Real Estate needs, or with a question about the area. Visit www.BuyStageSell.com to learn more about Terrylynn and her team of Real Estate Professionals and Staging Professionals, and how their award winning results can earn you more equity $$$ when you sell a home. We even stage our short sales! Why? Because it works.

Posted by Terrylynn Fisher, Realtor Staging Consultant, EcoBroker, CRS, Etc. on 08/19/2008 07:07 PM

Comments (14)

change, education, resa, round table discussions, real estate staging association, realtors, stagers, home staging, stagerslist

Originally posted at: Terrylynn's Blog: The Times They Are A Changin'

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Post is included in group: Real Estate Staging Association
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Post is included in group: Real World Home Staging for Newbies
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14 Comments on The Times They Are A Changin'

AUG

2008

Thx for sharing some obvious wisdom here! I have featured your post in the group, "Real World Home Staging for Newbies"

Awesome, my friend!

Staging is no different than any other profession. Continuing education is a must to stay current and continue to grow and excel. Great post.

TerryLynn - beautifully said! This industry has so much potential and I"m honored to be a part of it working with professionals such as yourself. RESA is leading the way with standardizing and bringing much needed unity. Stage On!

AUG

2008

We all need to further and continue are education. My summer reading list is a group of books on Home Staging. A friend stopped by saw the stack and laughingly said, "Why do you need these." I need them for a number of reasons: continuing education, knowing what is being said about our wonderful industry, learning new tips, tricks and sources, developing a list of go to professionals.

Many stagers in Michigan have been looking at RESA and waiting to see it take off or provide a compelling reason to get more strongly involved. More and more organizations are creeping up and I have to look closely at membership and fees. The cost of buying books at a discount is far less than joining 3 to 4 associations and believe me in Michigan we are counting all pennies to prove value.

I look forward to the Round Table and results. It might be the boost needed in Michigan to move RESA forward here. What are the plans to promote and publish the outcome of the round table? I do find it encouraging that so many professionals I admire from previous involvement in organizations, by reputation or by sharing on Active Rain are joining RESA. It encourages me to take a closer look and it benefits the industry because organizations have to work harder to continue to grow by offering more and better benefits.

Deborah,

When the RT's are finished all the results will be compiled and released to everyone. Please do take a closer look at RESA we are looking for leadership in your area. Our leadership is designed to help you grow your business while bringing you credibility. Please ring me if you want to discuss.

Terrylynn thanks for posting this!! We really have evolved in a positive way!!! Just wait until you see whats coming next!

Having been in this business for many years (long before anyone called it staging), I have seen many changes in the industry and as many of you know (just like in most professions) some give a bad name to many! RESA is just what our profession needs to set the standards for many reasons. There are some very exciting things happening with this association and it will soon become the "GO-TO" place for anyone looking for a professional stager , information on the industry and/or quality training! Shell has done an awesome job pulling this all together with her business background and she should be applauded by everyone in the industry for her vision. Being a member and being able to be a part of the decision making of where this self-governing body in the future is a very positive thing for all professional stagers and the industry.

No matter what your training everyone who wants to see staging looked upon as a true professional industry should join RESA. I realize that with real estate market conditions being what they are, we all have to watch where our $$$ are spent but I can tell you, this is one you should definitely budget for.

Thanks Shell for your vision, hard work, dedication and getting this off the ground.

Terrylynn...thanks for the great post. Lots of good information for all stagers.

Karen, THANKS so much, trying to remember that everyone doesn't go to SIF all the time so want to post for you on Newbies...thanks for doing that as I think it's a non-threatening place for newbies to get their feet wet.

Leah, yes, Realtors do it, just means that they take their profession VERY seriously.

Mary, We feel the same way...we are honored and blessed by the professionalism of so many in this industry. And GO RESA. THANKS...

Deborah, my experience as a Realtor is that our money spent on our TRADE association is essential, many of the others are optional. But the trade association will help shape the industry and the public looks there for guidance.

Shell gets contacted as spokesperson for the RESA about the industry as the public and the press are beginning to realize that they don't want to ask an organization that just has their point of view based on their training or what they are selling. SO, RESA speaks for ALL stagers. They like that.

See the difference?

Terrylynn, I just had my eyes checked and my ophthalmologist is quite surprised that I have had so little change in my prescription over the last few years and I took my rose colored glasses off years ago. Kidding!

Actually I tried hard when I first entered the staging world to recommend a separate organization like NAR to one of the largest training groups. I belonged to NAR when I was a Realtor and know the importance of a trade organization and the dangers of too much personality.

Right now in the Midwest the more people we have promoting staging the better off we are. It is my sincere hope that the media talks to more than one source and it helps to reinforce the positive if they hear similar stories from more than one organization.

RESAi s just starting out and doesn't have the leadership here in the Midwest. Maybe this healthy discussion will trigger someone to start growing it and promoting it. Most of us dance with the organizations that we trained with or are familiar with and I still will always prefer to have more than one partner. I like healthy competition and the variety offered. As I watch RESA grow, at some point I may join them.

I remember a line from a blog of yours some time back. I can't remember the actual blog, but you had a great line, "We are all selling something." Right now we are all selling staging and the more we promote professional and ethical behavior the better off we are. I look forward to an exciting round table discussion and I will keep an eye on RESA.

It is always fun and educational to meet with other stagers and RESA is a great way to come together and determine our future.

AUG

2008

Shell as always thanks for your work. We may not say it enough but your fans are many.

Deborah, know what you mean, it pays to be skeptical before jumping in too fast. I am thinking you are not alone in that thought. SO just watch us. The industry in it's infancy was drastically different from the industry we are becoming today and we'll be leading the way with RESA. It's the proper way to forge the future for stagers everywhere. But then later I'll tell you what I really think (sic). I respect your decision to stand back and watch. And perhaps we'll meet in the middle one day. or in the midwest (I'm from Wisconsin and hubby from Iowa).

YES! YES! YES! This is why we have been working on continuing ed programs for our company that we will begin offering at the beginning of the year. We also plan on providing them to RESA for all designations to be able to utilize. Growing the industry as a whole is an important focus. The better the industry becomes, the better it is for everyone - stagers, agents & consumers!

AUG

2008

Thanks Meslissa for spreading your wisdom as usual.

AUG

2008

Kathleen thanks for the comments here. I'll be looking for future dialog

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