staging: Launching The Queen of Cheap!
- 08/31/07 03:28 PM
In the 1920's, hand-me-downs were a given. In the 1970's, hand-me-downs were an embarassment. Ironically, in some of the most affluent areas of today's cash-choked society, hand-me-downs are in vogue, but for different reasons. Low impact living is all the rage.
I come from thrifty German and English "people", as my grandmother used to say. Really thrifty. During my childhood my parents were always well off, but never did shed their practical, frugal ways. I grew up, finished college, started working, and got married. A few years later we quit our lucrative jobs, sold our house in Northwest DC for twice … (67 comments)
staging: Mee Mee, Moo Moo, Yow Yow (that's a MeMe with two bonus tidbits)
- 08/14/07 01:09 AM
Karen MeMe'd me, so it's all her fault. Five things, eh? This should be easy, because I'm new on Active Rain, and other than those who invited me, none of you know schqwatt about Jaynee Jo. 1. Born and raised on the north shore of Long Island (1957-1972). Never had a Neuw Yoak accent, nor did my friends and neighbors. . 2. I have a natural ear for music, growing up in an uber-contemporary home designed by my eccentric mechanical engineer father who built his own stereo system. He wired our whole house (hexagonal, 2-storey living room with glass or cedar walls, brick barbecue … (9 comments)
staging: Concerns about Senior Staging and Downsizing.....HELP!
- 07/24/07 08:24 AM
As a designer for 26 years, and a stager for one, I've found myself drawn into the "Senior Market". I've helped move my grandmother(2 broken hips), mother (alzheimers), sister's mother in law (pic's), and now clients. I have had our elderly inlaws live with us for extended periods, and love them dearly. As a loving person dedicated to the service of others, I know this takes the artificial/surface profession of "Staging" to a meaningful level. Having a creative outlet that provides a needed service is the best of all worlds for me, yet I'm concerned about two things: 1. Moving the Senior … (3 comments)
staging: Are Staging consultation costs tax deductible as a marketing expense?
- 07/24/07 12:09 AM
Hey all you busy Realtors! I recently blogged to the Staging community on this topic (http://activerain.com/blogsview/154476/Tax-Deductible-Staging), and the answers aren't clear. I was referred to IRS Tax form 523, which considers advertising expenses deductible (Worksheet 2) but I still have questions. Do Realtors consider Staging consultation fees deductible? Costs of rental furnishings and accessories? Does this depend on your state? Capital Gains? The sellers tax situation? Costs of other repairs? Any insight is appreciated! Cheers! Jaynee … (3 comments)
staging: Tax Deductible Staging?
- 07/23/07 11:21 AM
While I've been "doing this" for years, I've only recently become an Accredited Staging Professional through Staged Homes. So this old design dog knows her way around any spatial, color, or design challenge; with one eye duct-taped shut and a broken arm, but is just learning the ins and outs of the paperwork. I've heard that Home Staging services are tax deductible as part of your costs of preparing a home for sale. Is this true? Is it a national standard, or something regulated variably at the state level; something crucial to doing business in the DC area. Which expert can weigh in … (17 comments)
staging: Safe and Sophisticated Color Palettes....Nature at Dusk
- 04/19/07 04:31 AM
Selecting color for today's "average" staging client is a bit of a game, and may be a game that doesn't need to be played. Given that we re-arrange and re-purpose what people already have, it seems that an eye for proportion, balance, shape and weight is more crucial to our mission. And given that our accessories come from the retail world, we should be fine by following the retail trendsetters in contemporary design. But NOOOOOO, not really. I know we're not "designers" nor "decorators", but this stuff is in our BLOOD!!! I ADORE COLOR, dream in color, salivate over color. In my life, my … (0 comments)
staging: So...exacty WHEN do I jump off the cliff?
- 04/18/07 08:01 AM
Years ago, my husband and I held hands and jumped off a cliff. By that, I mean we ditched our lucrative careers, sold our house, tucked our 4 year old under our arms and ran off to Central Virginia to play at running a B&B. After 11 years of back- and spirit-breaking work, two more children, and nearly starving to death, we moved back north. We slowly re-engineered ourselves, started bringing in money, and are now properly and firmly re-ensconced in the bosom of American Capitalism, mortgages, and four car insurance payments. Then this "staging" thing happened to me. It's difficult to explain how … (13 comments)
staging: Rockville, MD Realtor needed for artsy unusual home
- 04/16/07 02:39 PM
I'm a stager and have the most incredible client! I'm consulting/staging with her as she clears out her house and prepares for sale. The house is a 3/1, but has tremendous square footage, a crazy floorplan, an amazing two-storey artist studio with artificial sunlight fixtures. New bamboo floors are going in, the homeowner's putting new tile in the upstairs bath, and granite has been ordered for the kitchen. But the floorplan....oooh, baby! It's more like a fairy house in the woods, with goofy "L" shaped dormer closets, a powder room and basement you get to through the kitchen pantry, and a … (1 comments)
staging: Rockville, MD Realtor needed for artsy unusual home
- 04/16/07 12:38 AM
I'm in a bit of a spot. I'm a home stager in the DC area, and have five realtors in my family. I have a client, however, that needs a realtor that I don't have "in inventory"....specifically, someone who is connected with creative/arts clients. This particular homeowner needs a fast sale desperately. The house is in a good location, but as funky as they come. I'm helping these folks prepare for sale (down to renovating bathrooms, and building closets!), and am taking a dramatic, creative approach to staging it because I can, and because we have to! For example the existing master … (1 comments)
staging: Doth She Protest Too Much?
- 04/13/07 02:18 AM
As a newbie, I've only done a few jobs, but have learned tons from each. My last one was a full blown decorating job, which included painting 90% of the rooms, purchasing furniture, and bringing in 20 cases of accessories. Before I walked in to stage, I had 14 hours of shopping, 19 hours of design and appointments, and 11 hours of packing invested into the job. I hired two area stagers to help me execute, and paid each $50/hour for their 6 hours of work. Now I find one of my helpers is taking credit for the entire job, not only on … (10 comments)
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