plano: neighborsgo - Plano "launch party" was very informative - Advertise your RE Biz cheap!
- 08/18/07 08:10 AM
I just returned from a fun morning of coffee talk at the neighborsgo launch party and tax-free shopping afterwards. The Coit/George Bush Starbucks was hopping and free swag (a cool neon tote bag & other goodies) $5 Starbucks gift cards and local High School talent/entertainment was on the bill. My mission was to go and find out some more information on the Plano publication and how & what kind of material neighborsgo prints for local organizations, schools and clubs. Since I have children, belong to organizations and know of events that happen that I'd like to write about and announce and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to find … (2 comments)
plano: REMINDER! Saturday, 8/18 Tomorrow PLANO "neighborsgo" Launch Parties!
- 08/17/07 06:51 AM
Tomorrow is the "neighborsgo" launch parties in Plano,TX. You're all invited! (I've highlighted the details again) I plan on being at the Coit and George Bush Starbucks between 10 and 11 AM (depending on how fast I'm up and ready...long week!) Hope to see you there. Plan-O Karen Invitation from the Editor Below I want to invite you to join me and other neighborsgo employees at the West Plano and/or Plano/Murphy neighborsgolaunch parties next Saturday, Aug. 18, at two Starbucks locations.
There will be free chair massages, complimentary Starbucks beverages, face painting, raffle drawings for Texas Rangers tickets and more, trivia games and performances by … (1 comments)
Safety Tips For Sellers To Consider Before The First Showing By Karen Otto While the vast majority of buyers are in the market to actually purchase a home there are others whose purpose may be far more sinister. Many people will be walking through your property and certain precautions are in order regardless of where you live. Here are safety tips from a Professional Home Stager on simple things you can do to prepare and protect … (10 comments)
Canned Soup Or Houses - Why Bother With Packaging? By Karen OttoWhether you're selling canned soup or a house, packaging counts. Just like any other product on the shelf, if selling your home, start treating it as a marketable product. Get ready with these tips on how to prepare your property from Professional Home Staging expert Karen Otto.
[READ FULL ARTICLE] … (7 comments)
plano: "neighborsgo" - Where neighbors go to connect - Plano,TX & beyond
- 08/11/07 05:05 AM
The Dallas Morning News has started a new section called "neighbors go" a Saturday insert that is a reader-submitted publication for the area's residents. Most cities in North Texas are represented in the various publications so check your local paper today for the insert for your area. Please check out this great new resource for the Plano area. There is also a feature that you can create your own profile, which I've just completed today. You can blog, join forums, connect with friends, businesses and many other resources through their site. This is another source for you to get your name out … (2 comments)
plano: Canned soup or houses? Why bother with packaging?
- 08/07/07 11:22 AM
Think about the last time you purchased something, anything at all. Let's say it was a can of soup. Imagine the canned food shelves at your local market are crammed and disheveled as you look for your brand. You're getting annoyed. The first couple of cans you spy are dented and the labels torn. In fact, is that a rodent's dropping on the top of that one? Disgusting! You search the back rows for a better looking, perfect can, I would, or at the very least, demand a discount on the only can that had one dent instead of six once … (61 comments)
plano: Tuesday, August 7th - National Night Out
- 08/06/07 12:54 AM
Please join your neighbors Tuesday, August 7th, 2007 for National Night Out a night that America takes a stand against crime! Whether or not your block has officially set aside the date for a block party or neighborhood gathering we can all make a stand by just leaving your porch lights on for the evening and letting criminals know that we are unified in our fight against crime in our neighborhoods. According to the National Night Out website; "NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to: Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and … (0 comments)
plano: Update to Citizen Alert "Bottle Bombs" - Plano Police Department
- 08/05/07 10:44 AM
I am the Block Captain for our Neighborhood Crime-watch and receive all bulletins regarding our area's happenings, if your neighborhood does not currently have an active Crime-watch I highly recommend contacting your local Police Department and looking into this valuable service. It is not a huge commitment on anyone's part and it's a great way to get to know your neighbors and the area's happenings. I also believe it's important for anyone interested in a particular neighborhood for residing to know that the citizens and neighbors of the area are watchful of each other and care! Community involvement with things like the Neighborhood Crime-watch foster a spirit of … (0 comments)
plano: Water tasting or smelling funny from your Plano home tap?
- 08/02/07 03:24 AM
When our family first moved to Plano, TX in the fall of 2001, the weather was clear, crisp and wonderful. Spring was just as beautiful. We were in love with our new hometown! But as that first springtime blended effortlessly into summer, I, along with every member of my family noticed a funny smelling odor coming from all of our faucets. The water tasted just as weird too! We thought we had an internal plumbing problem! Oh, no, our first BIG ticket expense we thought with our new house! Why hadn't the inspector found it? $$$$ signs were dancing in our heads. We knew things around … (9 comments)
plano: New AR Group! Plano Texas Real Estate Professionals
- 07/31/07 02:01 PM
I would like to announce the formation of a new group I have just started on Active Rain - Plano Texas Real Estate Professionals. I am a proud resident and business owner in this wonderful Texas City and would love to have anyone interested in the City of Plano, whether you live, work or play here to join this newly formed group. The format for this group is as follows: This group is for anyone interested in the City of Plano, Texas. Whether living, working or playing, this is the place to discover the wonderful City of Plano! Posts should apply exclusively … (10 comments)
plano: Services Sellers Should Expect From a Good Agent
- 07/27/07 04:43 AM
Click the logo for more info I have loads of reading material, much on real estate. I pick them up at random and re-read occasionally. Just this morning I picked up the book The Everything Homeselling Book by Shahri Masters an easy guide for sellers to use from the open house to closing and what they need to do to get the most profit from the sale of their home. I linked the Everything.com page here but I couldn't find the book at the site - there is a toll free number to call and possibly because it's a 2006 updated version, it may not be currently listed … (16 comments)
plano: Just stopping by to say thanks Val!
- 07/13/07 12:06 PM
Val - thank you for taking the time and initiative to get this group up and running. I've posted two blogs I had written a while ago about vacants here, since this is the "vacant" home group to go to. It is a much needed forum and a great place to get ideas for those who do vacants and those who may be considering adding them to their staging services. Vacants truly are a market that needs staging desperately! Looking forward to the road ahead here! Just adding something to make it official!
I've lately had the opportunity to use this term to describe in another way what we as Professional Home Stagers do. Stagers are similar to home inspectors in how we do what we do. A Home Inspection definition by Investor Words is An inspection of a prospective home done by a professional, soon after an offer is made, to establish the structural and mechanical integrity of the house. A Home Staging definition by MSN Encarta is (and this does not apply only to older homes - my add): beautifying home for sale: cleaning, repairing, and updating the decor and furnishings of an older home … (29 comments)
Set the Stage For Your Own Home Selling Success Story By Karen Otto Do you like the latest home shows on TV? Want to know how to create the same happy ending for the sale of your own house? Set the stage for your own successful sale with these tips.
[READ FULL ARTICLE] … (9 comments)
plano: Ezine Article #3 - The Virtual Buyer
- 07/06/07 07:49 AM
The Virtual Buyer is a home selling/staging article I wrote for Ezine Articles online magazine. Below is a summary and a link. The Virtual Home Buyer By Karen Otto Today's internet savvy home buyer does not need to leave the comfort of their home to purchase a home. Make sure your property listed on the web stands out from the competition.
[READ FULL ARTICLE] … (8 comments)
plano: Ezine Article #2 - Selling a home? Then Company is Coming Every day
- 07/06/07 07:40 AM
Selling a home? Then Company is Coming Every Day is an article I wrote for Ezine Articles online magazine. Below is a summary and a link. Selling a Home? Then Company Is Coming Everyday By Karen Otto If you're selling a home, treat your buyers as the company that comes everyday. Honor your buyers and invite them in to the comfort of THEIR new home, don't regard them as unwelcome guests in yours.
[READ FULL ARTICLE] … (0 comments)
plano: Ezine Articles - Hide the toilet the buyers are coming - home staging beyond the obvious
- 07/06/07 06:24 AM
Hide the toilet the buyers are coming is an article I recently wrote for Ezine Articles online magazine. Below is the summary. Hide The Toilet, The Buyers Are Coming, Home Staging - Beyond The Obvious By Karen Otto A Home Staging article to give helpful hints to sellers on how to better prepare certain areas of their home for sale that may be overlooked. Hide the Toilet the Buyers are Coming!
[READ FULL ARTICLE] … (19 comments)
plano: 40 Guests in 4 Minutes
- 06/30/07 01:07 PM
At a recent Tom Boy Tool event I was at the consultant gave out a sheet called 40 Guests in 4 minutes. So whether you're hosting a party, sales event, or even an open house by inviting 40 guests according to the flyer you'll ensure a successful event because usually less than half will be able to attend. (I'd add more to the list!) So here's how to get 40 Guests in 4 Minutes ; Can you list? 4 Relatives4 friends4 co-workers4 neighbors4 contacts from church4 social group contacts4 contacts through your children4 contacts from places you do business (bank, post office, fitness center)4 significant other's co-workers4 … (17 comments)
Well, thank you Ms. Terry Haugen for inspiring this blog. We were joking in another blog about sending head shots for the book I'm NOT writing but would love you to comment on the blog anyway - and it dawned on me that yeah, I hate getting my photo taken and I didn't particularly enjoy getting the one you see here on my profile done (although I hope that doesn't translate as such). However, it is essential, I feel to present your face to the public who you speak with, email and contact but they don't know what you look like if … (33 comments)
plano: Critics Wanted - Have you read a Home Staging Book?
- 06/27/07 02:54 PM
Just wanted to ask my fellow Active Rainers who may have read books on home staging if you wouldn't mind sharing your critiques on the books you may have read. I'm doing some research on the best of the best out there for home staging resources. I value your opinions and want only your honest answers. I have a few I'd like to ask here and if you could answer them by a yes or no that would be great too. Any comments appreciated as long as you're nice puhleez! Thank you! What book did you read? Title and Author (if you … (34 comments)
As a North Texas Home Staging Professional this blog is a collection of information, thoughts, stories and ideas on the home staging profession as I personally experience it. I welcome comments and suggestions and hope I may help the home staging and real estate community in some way by my contributions on my blog. I am passionate about educating the public and real estate community on the benefits of home staging.
I just returned from a fun morning of coffee talk at the neighborsgo launch party and tax-free shopping afterwards. The Coit/George Bush Starbucks was hopping and free swag (a cool neon tote bag & other goodies) $5 Starbucks gift cards and local High School talent/entertainment was on the bill.
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