I am just perplexed with what our business has to worry about.  Here I am worried about the typical staging dilemmas such as how to keep track of inventory, wondering the "right" way to grow, pricing, colors, etc.  and now, I am plagued with what "regular" storeowners have to deal with...theft.

I know you may not be in Charlotte, where I live, but regardless, if it's happening here, it may happen in your area as well.  Maybe it's a trend - I HOPE NOT.  Recently, we had some staged homes burglarized.  The thieves targeted staged homes and ran out with furniture, accessories, etc.  I don't have all the details other than the alarming fact, that, in our business, we are not immune to theft.  One of the first things I did when I started my business, was to get insurance.  I got that for peace of mind in knowing, if someone got hurt, or if a mover accidentally dropped an expensive item, but never thinking I would need to protect myself from theft.  Now, I am so glad I did.

According to the two stagers who've been hit, the thieves knew what they were doing. The first one, they had all the furniture lined up by the front double doors ready to take out. Luckily, they couldn't unlock it (perhaps it was the kind you needed the key to unlock from the inside).  They only left with what they could escape with through the window.  The other theft that took place, the Realtor thinks that the "perspective buyer" unlocked one of the doors so they could come later to rob it.  Details are not important but alerting all Realtors and Stagers is.  The stager had a great suggestion, we need to alert stagers but Realtors as well!  How do thieves know which homes are staged? Do they look at all the MLS trying to find those homes with pretty furniture?  Who knows, but this is just cruel.

PLEASE 1) If you don't have insurance - get one NOW   2) Realtors, please make sure that after showing a home, double check to make sure all doors are locked! (windows too)    STagers, if you are working with the homeowner rather than the realtor, you should still contact the Realtor to let them know what's going on, tell them to check all doors/windows before leaving the house  3) For those stagers, who like me, use a Masterlock key holder (you know the 4 digit key lock that allows you to store the key inside the panel).  Do not giveaway the password number.  If you need to give it to contractors, tell them to call you when they leave, and then you can change the password number.  

Take precautions and you can never play it too safe.  Even with insurance, you will have to go through the hassle of paperwork, taking time out to do claims, finding a new replacement and restaging the whole house AGAIN, just the emotional stress of it all.  Let's be on high alert.