home staging: Jan Whitlow Lifetime LASPM Re-appointed to the International Board of IAHSP - 01/05/11 12:00 AM
For Immediate Release
 
Contact:  Jan Whitlow, Lifetime ASPM®, IAHSP® – Selling Edge Home Staging
Phone:  727-639-0458
Date:  Date January 5, 2011
 
Jan Whitlow Appointed to International Director of Meetings of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals® (IAHSP®)
 
Jan Whitlow, Lifetime ASPM®, IAHSP® has been appointed to the International Director of Meetings of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals® (IAHSP®) for 2011.  In this position, Jan Whitlow will serve international members of IAHSP®, working directly with the IAHSP® International Board of Directors and IAHSP® Chairwoman and Founder, Barb Schwarz, ASPM®, IAHSP®, The Creator of Home Staging® and CEO … (1 comments)

home staging: Woman's Day Article November 5, 2010 - 11/15/10 12:34 PM
10 Home Staging Secrets Prep your house for showings by following this expert advice By Kimberly Fusaro Posted November 05, 2010 from WomansDay.com Photo: © Polka Dot Images/Thinkstock
Selling your home sounds easy enough. Just hammer a “For Sale” sign into the front lawn and start bringing in the buyers, right? Not so fast. If you want to get the highest possible sale price, you need to woo potential buyers. That’s where professional home stagers come in: Like a Hollywood set, your home can be turned into a scene that buyers will want to latch on to. If you’re serious about selling, you might want … (0 comments)

home staging: Why are Buyers SO Selective? - 09/16/10 11:36 PM
 
Buyers are extremely picky these days because they can be - real estate is their game in the 2010 market.  What's a seller to do?  What is the best course of action for a professional Realtor to do?  Prepare their property to the best of their ability in order to:
create amazing MLS pics that will make buyers STOP at their listing  create a desire in buyers, making them want to see more from the MLS pics  bring the potential buyers in to see more (you only have 3 seconds to capture your buyer on the internet) selling in the … (6 comments)

home staging: Why Do Realtors Fear Stagers? - 08/12/10 06:03 AM
I have Staged® Homes all my life, starting in childhood, constantly rearranging my room.  I sold by owner, in under 30 days, for years & years (No more - use a Realtor®) preparing those homes as “Staged®” before I knew the term.  I have been doing it professionally & full time in the Real Estate Industry since 2006.  Pure Staging® is “helping” Realtors® and sellers prepare & sell property not “actively” sell it.  A Pure Staging® Professional knows his or her boundaries concerning price, contracts, inspections & all the rest - that IS handled by the Realtor®. We don’t go there!!!  We … (7 comments)

home staging: As Professional Stagers we must put the needs of the Sellers first. - 07/07/10 03:24 PM
In this economy more & more, as professional Home Stagers we must put the financial needs of the sellers first.  Yes, we look good when we turn an ugly duckling into a beauty contest winner - SOLD!  We achieve this by practicing Home Staging in the truest sense:
Home Staging is preparing a home for sale so it sells faster and for more money, all the while keeping the sellers time frame & budget in mind. Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging
Most of my recent projects have been somewhere in between vacant & occupied Staging.  Let me explain.  Two have … (7 comments)

home staging: HGTV Summer Staging tips from HGTV's FrontDoor - 05/28/10 11:13 AM
Top 10 Staging Transformations See how even small improvements can take a home from unsellable to irresistible By Shannon Petrie, FrontDoor.com | Published: 1/21/2010
#1: Hide-and-Seek Bedroom Believe it or not, this messy half-playroom, half-office is actually a master suite. Staging this space as the bedroom it was meant to be -- with stylish bedding, coordinating window treatments and framed artwork -- makes this room appeal to grown-up buyers.
TIP: Many homeowners are guilty of having a "junk room" -- that space where toys, exercise equipment, office supplies and other odds and ends all converge. But when it comes time to sell your … (0 comments)

home staging: 2009 Home Staging Stats Updated - 01/15/10 01:46 PM
 
Stagedhomes.com Releases Survey Results: Staged® Homes Sell Almost Six Times Faster Than Non-Staged® Homes Statistics gathered by Stagedhomes.com shows that 95.6% of homes Staged® by an Accredited Staging Professional, ASP®, sell within 37 days compared to an average of 212 days for non-Staged® homes. ASP® Staged® homes are on the market 83% less time than a non-Staged® home.
“Home Staging is a statistically proven method that typically sells homes faster and for more money,” said Barb Schwarz, CEO of Stagedhomes.com. “The results are further proof that the investment of Staging® a home is less than the first price reduction,” she added.
Schwarz developed the concept of … (0 comments)

home staging: Are You on the Offense or Defense? - 11/05/09 06:37 AM
Job losses, higher taxes, loss of jobs, H1N1, Iraq, war, hate ... fear, destruction and more.  The news these days is not good.  It is true, “When life gives you Lemons make Lemonade!!!”  Within every cloud is a silver lining.
 
So perhaps you have lost your great paying job and just do not know what to do next.  Have you forgotten that you disliked that job; that it was never what you pictured yourself doing every day and it certainly was NOT your passion.  The silver lining is showing itself if you are out of that job ... you now … (2 comments)

home staging: Like the Odometer Rolling over ... Perhaps Today I will top 11,000 AR Points - 08/05/09 05:30 AM
With this post @ 10,900+ points this post may just do it!
I am at a MAPS BOLD training in St Petersburg, Florida today.  BOLD is a 7 week Training/Coaching class for Realtors held by MAPS out of Austin, TX.  I love Real Estate Coaching even though I am not an agent.  Real Estate Coaching can benefit related Real Estate Industries too.  Today the discussion is about Mind Set, Energy & what you generate is what you receive in these same areas.  I agree/agree!
I am this weeks sponsor; providing lunch in return for getting 15 minutes to talk about my … (3 comments)

home staging: How Staging Your Listings Can Make You More Money - 07/29/09 12:59 AM
Is is a proven fact that Staged Homes sell faster & for more money.  According to StagedHomes.com -

In the current market Staged Homes are setting the bar for presentation in real estate AND selling first when compared to unprepared homes!  
How does this make Realtors more money?
Fewer price reductions.  When the average price reduction is between $25,000 & $50,000 not only is the seller loosing money - Realtors are loosing it too as commissions decreases are directly related to price reductions. By limiting the price reductions on the limited listings in the current market you increase your … (0 comments)

home staging: What is the right house for Staging? - 05/14/09 12:43 AM
To be absolutely honest - there is not a house on the market today that will not benefit from Professional Home Staging ... all but the ones already "professionally" Staged.
In my market I have met hundreds of Realtors that are ready to Stage, "When I get an appropriate property."  What?  I have Staged properties from the luxury, multi-million dollar range all the way down to $70,000. ALL benefit!!
In Florida, where I am located there are many, many retirees.  Upon their passing it is common to see properties placed on the market that with the remnants of a life - aka - what … (4 comments)

home staging: Home Staging with House Sitting - What a Match!! - 04/07/09 06:59 AM
Selling Edge Home Staging Announces
House Sitting comes to Tampa Bay- a WIN/WIN!  
Tampa Bay, Florida - April 7, 2009 - Selling Edge Home Staging is proud to announce they are the Staging Company for the new innovative, forward thinking Professional Home Sitters, Inc.
Professional Home Sitters provides house sitting services for vacant properties in the Tampa Bay area.  Qualified sitters are matched with appropriate properties and each home is Professional Staged.
Sitters Benefits - *Live Large for Less *Great for temporary living - until you decide to purchase; during a transition period in life; military families and more.
Realtor Benefits - *Real Estate Ready to Show … (5 comments)

home staging: The Seller's Market within this Buyers Market - 03/20/09 10:06 PM
Yesterday one of my Realtors called to tell me that another of my Staged properties was in contract!!  Wonderful!  This one is such a sweet story ...
THE CONTRACT IS FOR 50K - YES - $50,000 OVER ASKING PRICE
During one of my MAPS Coaching Calls with Tony DiCello, Director of MAPS Tony spoke about a priced right AND Staged home in Texas that sold for $100K over the asking price - in 2009.  The home was prepared beautifully - STAGED; attracted several Buyers; a bidding war ensued ... talk about the good old days!!
Who out there can share a similiar story?  … (2 comments)

home staging: Production Bringing Results - 03/20/09 09:55 PM
2009 is proving to be my best year in business.  I'm still feeling the growing pains and want a part time assistant in the worst way ... BUT ... I want a viable, healthy company more! I shall wait to get an assistant.  The phone has been ringing with Realtors wanting Stagings ... its happening ... "in this economy". 
SEVEN OF MY STAGED PROPERTIES HAVE GONE IN CONTRACT OR SOLD SINCE JANUARY 1.  Two things contributed to this -
#1 Price #2 Condition of the home aka Staging.
When those two things are right buyers will be attracted.  Homes sitting on the market … (3 comments)

home staging: Bigger & Better Ideas - Got Any? - 03/08/09 08:01 AM
Some of the best ideas come to me while I am drifting in & out of sleep.  You?  As I am continually trying to better my business, my services, save time and invent short cuts; I came up with the next thing I want to try.
IDEA - Garbage cans on wheels for transporting pillows & soft goods from the warehouse to the truck; the truck to the house and vice versa.  Of course they need to be new & clean; It takes so many plastic bins to get all the pillows; throws, & bedding in each house!  Too many; I need … (11 comments)

home staging: How Many Hats Are You Wearing? - 02/15/09 08:00 AM
How many hats can a Real Estate Professional wear?  When is customer service compromised?
In this economy we are all trying to survive; we are all trying to invent new ways to make a buck.  In the Real Estate Industry many professions are involved -
     Realtor      Broker      Appraiser      Inspector      Banker      Mortgage Broker      Title agent      Title company      Stager®      Photographer      Insurance agent      Property Managers      Banker      More ...  Real Estate is a service industry.  We serve homeowners, sellers & buyers.  How does service suffer when we do too much? Now, … (0 comments)

home staging: Shameless Promoting - I'll buy you lunch!! - 01/25/09 03:11 AM

Let's be honest here - we all are on Active Rain to connect with other professionals in our industry; keep up with the latest BUZZ and (of course) gain business!!  I have learned so much and enjoyed every minute of the experience.  Its almost as much fun as Home Staging - ??? - no!
Well, here is my shameless; self promotion - I WANT YOUR BUSINESS!  Not intended to offend anyone!!!
2008 ended with a bang for Selling Edge Home Staging - I am proud to say!  Some of my statistics are -
Average days on the market for SOLD … (0 comments)

home staging: Are you caught up? - 01/02/09 11:54 AM
It's only December 15th, right?  I mean I just got the tree up and I am not ready for 2009 to be here ... it cannot be January already.  YIKES!!  It is!
I have been stuck in this office today (as I put off projects until next week) doing end of the year stuff, filing, organizing and preparing for some exciting things on the horizon for me in 2009.  OH - let's not forget to mention I worked in my warehouse yesterday - OM GOSH - what a mess.  I De-Staged 3 SOLD houses in December without unpacking the bins & getting things … (4 comments)

home staging: May Your Christmas Be Bright ... - 12/23/08 09:40 PM
 
Today I made Active Rain the first thing I do instead of the last thing I think about before I drift off to sleep ...
I have been so busy!  My Staging business is taking off resulting in no time to prepare for Christmas.  I have been running like road runner trying to get everything done.  I think I have achieved it!  Well, this is the day that we just say, "Well if I haven't done it by now it can wait."  OR "What I have forgotten is just that.  I will take care of it after Christmas."
Our Christmas is … (0 comments)

home staging: Sales, Business, Opportunites Maximized Because of a Positive Attitude - 12/04/08 11:54 PM
It's has been an amazing week for me!!  Crazy, busy productive!!  I was gone most of Thanksgiving week and have been playing catch up this week because of it.  My schedule was booked back to back.  Today is the first time I have had to myself to get online and do the necessary correspondence and blog.
Anyway, I made the decision weeks ago to remain positive & optimistic about our country, my business, life and the future regardless of external circumstances.  I also believe that good things are going to come my way.  AND THEY ARE!!  I am watching in awe … (0 comments)