linda barnett: Looking Back and Moving Forward! The next generation of Home Matters!
- 03/24/15 12:05 AM
When I started Home Matters, home staging and redesign in 2004, it wasn’t like opening a dry cleaning operation or another franchise. I was starting a home staging business-a concept that didn’t yet exist in the terminology or the language of Real Estate in the Indianapolis area. I guess, I was a pioneer of sorts in my neck of the woods. Although I was an interior decorator and former Realtor who believed in the service I was selling, there were times in which I didn’t think I could continue. While home staging was a well-respected marketing strategy on the East and West … (0 comments)
linda barnett: The power of a strong presentation
- 08/05/14 05:12 AM
Once upon a time I received a call from a home seller who had done everything right. His agent had provided him with a list of “suggestions” to help his home sell quickly and after investing a considerable amount of time, money and elbow grease into these improvements, his home hadn’t received any offers in the three months it was on the market.
“I have no outdated lighting. The house is very clean and yet I have had to reduce my price $15,000. Can you tell me what’s happening here?” He asked.
I couldn’t … (5 comments)
linda barnett: Real Estate Speed Dating
- 07/18/14 01:28 AM
Did you know that the average homebuyer assesses the potential of a property within the first six seconds of the walk through? It’s a little like Real Estate speed dating when you stop and think about it. When someone buys a home, they are entering a long-term relationship and they don’t want to make a mistake. They may have entered the fray with an open mind and only a vague idea of what they were looking for, but it doesn’t take long for their list of “faves” and “turn-offs” to grow exponentially. A few bad showings is all it takes … (7 comments)
linda barnett: Properly Prepared, Packaged, Presented, and Promoted Houses Sell
- 01/08/13 02:00 AM
Houses on the market for sale should be considered products such as cars, shoes, computers, etc. It is the home seller's job to present their product in an appealing manner that helps to influence the purchasers' decision to buy. A house on the market needs to look different than a home that is being lived in by a family. In order for properties to compete enough to earn an offer, the home must look inviting and receptive to the properties target market; instead of exhibiting the style of the current homeowners. How can listings compete while preserving the sellers’equity? Properties that … (19 comments)
Last week we were notified that our company Home Matters Property Stylist Group located here in Indianapolis, Indiana has earned the esteemed Angie's List Super Service Award for 2012. This is the Third year in a row that Home Matters has received this honor. The award is given to only 5% of the millions of companies rated by Angie's list members from across the US. I am so very proud of our team here at Home Matters. This award is very special to me because it is the results of the feedback that comes directly from the many clients … (2 comments)
linda barnett: Educating Agents and Home Sellers on the benefits of home staging
- 02/27/12 02:50 AM
I was recently asked to do a video for the Re/Max of Indiana web site to help educate Re/Max agents and thier home sellers on the benefits of home staging. I was very excited to do the video because it will reach many agents and home sellers throughout Central Indiana. Click and Enjoy! … (3 comments)
linda barnett: Indianapolis Home Staging Company, Home Matters, Earns Coveted 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award
- 01/19/12 07:58 AM
Earlier this week we were notified that our company Home Matters Home Staging & Redesign located here in Indianapolis, Indiana has earned the coveted Angie's List Super Service Award for 2011. This is the second year in a row that Home Matters has received this honor. The award is given to only 5% of the millions of companies rated by Angie's list members from across the entire country. I am overjoyed that such an honor has been awarded to us for the second time in as many years.
The following is the press release. _____________________________
Linda Barnett … (4 comments)
linda barnett: I would rather turn you down …Than Let You Down because staging shouldn’t be your 1st choice.
- 11/16/11 02:47 AM
What do you make of a professional home stager that advises some of their clients not to stage? Well, I certainly want to continue growing my business which may sound odd from someone saying they advise some clients that it is not in their best interest to stage NOW. But one of the founding principles of my business is to be trusted by my clients. I have always believed that every action I take today is either building or destroying my reputation for the future. So, from day one I wanted to be known as someone my clients could trust … (17 comments)
linda barnett: Get into the Winner’s Circle
- 07/23/11 11:55 AM
Many years ago Indianapolis residents used the name INDIA-NO-PLACE to describe our city. That was before auto racing reached new heights in popularity with the Indianapolis 500 open wheel racing craze, the NASCAR Brickyard 400, and even a short stint with Formula One racing. That was before Mayor Hudnut started the downtown revitalization project that completely gave our city a facelift, particularly in the downtown area and before the insurgence of many companies moving to the area cashing in on Indiana’s central location for transportation to all points in the Midwest and East Coast. And that was even before the … (5 comments)
linda barnett: Indianapolis Home Staging Company In The News! What I nice surprise....
- 05/06/11 10:27 AM
When I was returning home yesterday from a short vacation I discovered that Home Matters had been on the Chanel 13 news while I was away. As we were traveling I kept getting emails on my I-Phone congratulating me for being on the news segment on Home Staging. News Segment? What news segment? Well, today I found it posted on the WTHR chanel 13 web site. WTHR is our Indianapolis NBC affiliate. Needless to say I was thrilled. The video was originally filmed as an information spot for the Angie's list web site about Home Staging. Apparently the fine folks from WTHR liked the video and used it … (1 comments)
linda barnett: HOW TO: Manage Your Time as a Home Stager
- 02/16/11 04:25 AM
Spring is almost here! We welcome the season of abundant renewal and growth. The days may be getting longer, but are we really getting ahead? Are we even keeping up? We all experience that "not-enough-hours-in-the-day" feeling from time to time, but there are ways to prevent it from becoming a way of life. As the spring housing market heats up, here are some suggestions to help you and your home staging business blossom. Know your business goals: The more clearly and specifically you identify and focus on your goals, the more easily you can achieve them. Especially at those times … (4 comments)
linda barnett: Home Staging: Getting to the Heart of the Art
- 02/07/11 04:22 AM
"Home is where the heart is." This common theme encompasses many of the skills required of a successful home stager. Our design skills, along with our knowledge of buyer demographics and the psychology of home buying, can help a prospective buyer "fall in love" with a home and decide to make it their own. These are the skills covered in our industry's training programs. There is another set of skills which is rarely included in home staging courses, yet gets at the very heart of what we do: interpersonal skills. Our "people" skills, which are tested on a daily basis … (7 comments)
linda barnett: Treasure Chest of Business Tools found at RESA 2011
- 01/30/11 11:29 AM
A week ago, RESA Stagers set sail to Treasure Island in Las Vegas to find and fill a treasure chest of business tools that will help them grow their home staging businesses. During their three day excursion they met with each other and shared their business strategies and in that process discovered the value of personal connections. It was indeed the very first nugget they received for their treasure chest. While being a castaway on this island of knowledge and self discovery, each stager wanted more and more tokens to add to their treasure chest. Shell Brodnax, President and Ceo … (27 comments)
linda barnett: HOW TO: Communicate Your Value as a Home Stager
- 01/16/11 11:41 AM
How many times have you wowed a potential client with your portfolio, only to have your moment of glory interrupted by the "deer-in-the-headlights" look that came over their face when you presented your quote to stage their home? This is exactly what happens when consumers don't recognize the value of home staging. Consumers typically buy a product or service based on their perception of its value in relation to its price. As home stagers, we need to keep this concept in mind as we try to convey the value of what we do to potential clients. Thanks to the ever-increasing … (8 comments)
linda barnett: Home Matters Home Staging, Redesign & Training of Indianapolis Earns Coveted 2010 Angie’s List Super Service Award
- 12/28/10 05:24 AM
Drum roll please... Late last week we were notified that our company Home Matters Home Staging, Redesign and Training, located here in Indianapolis, Indiana has earned the very coveted Angie's List Super Service Award for 2010. The award is given to only 5% of the millions of companies rated by Angie's list members from accross the entire country. Obviously I am overjoyed that such a high profile company as Angies List has given us this honor. The Home Staging industry is clearly moving into the mainstreem. The following is the press release. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Award reflects company's consistently high level of customer … (6 comments)
Home Matters, Central Indiana's Premier Home Staging Resource.
From Vacant Beginnings to Staged and Ready to be SOLD!
You Cannot Take Back a Buyer's First Impression!
When I started Home Matters, home staging and redesign in 2004, it wasn’t like opening a dry cleaning operation or another franchise. I was starting a home staging business-a concept that didn’t yet exist in the terminology or the language of Real Estate in the Indianapolis area. I guess, I was a pioneer of sorts in my neck of the woods. Although I was an interior decorator and former Realtor who believed in the service I was selling, there were times in which I didn’t think I could continue. While home staging was a well-respected marketing strategy on the East and West … (0 comments)
;)
;)
;)
