furniture rental omaha: Safety For The Single Mom - Another Reason Not To Go FSBO? - 09/05/08 11:50 AM
Often when Staging a home for a single woman/mom, I suggest that they add some men's clothing to the Master bedroom closet.  Either borrow some slightly off season items from a friend or family member, or buy some inexpensive items at a thrift store. When only women's clothing is in the Master closet it can signal that either the husband has already relocated or the husband has left the home due to death or divorce - all of those situations infer to a buyer that the seller could be in a stressful situation and NEED to sell. Even more worrisome, it … (52 comments)

furniture rental omaha: Great Blog From Successful Agent – Pro Staging - 09/03/08 02:41 PM
Here is a great blog from a very successful agent partner of mine, If Your Home is not Staged to Sell, then it Won't Sell. It was originally posted in February, but I just recently came across it.  The info is so on point I thought I would share it with other Stagers in case they would like to add this info to their arsenal when educating agents about Staging.
A little about this agent, Troy Trumm of Alliance Real Estate.  He became an agent in 2005 and has bought/sold over 50 homes per year, every year since. Those are great … (6 comments)

furniture rental omaha: The "Real Estate Reality Hour" Is Proud To Present ... Paul Vojchehoske - 08/15/08 10:43 AM
This Saturday's guest on the "Real Estate Reality Hour" is Paul Vojchehoske. Paul is involved in many areas of residential real estate such as the Omaha Landlord's Association and operates www.omahaarearentals.com.  He also does a lot of training of agents through his company called the "Real Estate Resource Institute" and with his position at Deeb Realty.  Paul is a wealth of knowledge and will be discussing a potential new Omaha city ordinance that would require homeowners to certify that their homes are lead free every three years.
Tori Lynn Ross of Ross Designs, LLC is Omaha's Premier Home Stager, co-host of the "Real Estate … (3 comments)

furniture rental omaha: The "Real Estate Reality Hour" Is Proud To Present: Dan Grwyza from American Family Insurance - 08/07/08 03:00 PM
This Saturday's guest on the "Real Estate Reality Hour" is Dan Grwyza from American Family Insurance.  Like much of the country, Omaha has been hit hard in recent months with tornadoes, hail and other extreme wind storms. Significant damage and insurance claims have been the results.  Tune in Saturday morning at 9am CST to visit more with Dan about this increase in activity.
Tori Lynn Ross of Ross Designs, LLC is Omaha's Premier Home Stager, co-host of the "Real Estate Reality Hour" Saturdays at 1290 KKAR.  Listen locally or listen via the web at www.1290kkar.com.
 
(0 comments)

furniture rental omaha: Successfully Sold In 12 Days!! - 08/07/08 02:53 PM
This vacant home was Staged before listing and successfully sold in 12 days!  Tell the national media that it's not impossible to sell a house quickly in this market.  Staged rooms included the living room (shown below - this is the room the entry opened into), kitchen, bathroom and master bedroom.
 


(7 comments)

furniture rental omaha: The "Real Estate Reality Hour" Is Proud To Present Jamie Grayson, Executive Director of Destination Midtown Omaha - 08/01/08 01:03 PM
This Saturday's guest on the "Real Estate Reality Hour" is Jamie Grayson, Executive Director of Destination Midtown for Omaha, NE.  Jamie will let us all know exactly what Destination Midtown is all about and some of their upcoming activities. Tune in Saturday morning at 9am CST.
Tori Lynn Ross of Ross Designs, LLC is Omaha's Premier Home Stager, co-host of the "Real Estate Reality Hour" Saturdays at 1290 KKAR.  Listen locally or listen via the web at www.1290kkar.com.
 
(2 comments)

furniture rental omaha: Butttttt …. I don’t wanna use a Stager! She’ll make me work! - 06/25/08 03:08 PM
I often wonder why some of my devoted agent-clients don't hire me for every SINGLE one of their listings. I don't stalk their websites like a hound dog and accost them for not hiring me for some of their listings or anything like that.  But occasionally I come across one and wonder to myself, "Is it something I did?  Or is it more likely some resistance on the seller's part?". 
Then I started thinking to myself about how UN-anxious I am about the prospect of selling my own house a couple of years down the road.  I don't wanna fix the … (7 comments)

furniture rental omaha: The Real Estate Reality Hour Is Proud To Present: Dan Pittman, Sarpy County Tax Assessor - 06/19/08 11:06 AM
This Saturday's guest on the "Real Estate Reality Hour" is Dan Pittman, Sarpy County Tax Assessor.  We tend to get a lot of phone calls when one of the local County Tax Assessor's is brave enough to come on air, and we always appreciate their bravery!
Tune in Saturday morning at 9am CST to hear more about Melissa's services and her take on the local market.
Tori Lynn Ross of Ross Designs, LLC is Omaha's Premier Home Stager, co-host of the "Real Estate Reality Hour" Saturdays at 1290 KKAR.  Listen locally or listen via the web at www.1290kkar.com.
 
(1 comments)

furniture rental omaha: Don’t Get Caught Staging Barefoot - 06/11/08 03:13 AM
Often times when Staging it is appropriate to remove your outside shoes and leave them at the door. Occasions when this is appropriate include when the weather is bad, a house has new carpet, a family has small children and prefers to keep outdoor germs away from the floor, etc.  However, it is best NOT to go sans foot coverings. Some homes are dirtier INSIDE than it is outside and then there is the slip factor.  Unfortunately I have been in some homes that are so dirty I would have preferred to not be in them let alone consider going barefoot. … (17 comments)

furniture rental omaha: Three Year Anniversary for Ross Designs - Omaha's Premier, Full Service Home Staging Company - 06/08/08 03:37 PM
2004 was a big year for me.  I set the record for highest grossing sales month at the 36 year old office equipment company where I was employed, got married and had a PERFECT wedding on castle steps (too bad Prince Charming was Prince This-Won't-Last-Because-I'm-A-Schmuck; but that's a different blog!), bought a new house and sold my existing house, and most important - incorporated Ross Designs, LLC!!!!
It took me awhile to get set-up and ready to recruit new clients - federal tax ID numbers, insurance policies, logo, website, marketing materials, all while juggling a family and a full time sales … (10 comments)

furniture rental omaha: You Know Ya Done Good When They Buy The Furniture - 06/06/08 04:04 PM
One of my proudest Staging accomplishments was actually an on-going Staging/Remodel/Design project. In fall of 2006 I was truly blessed to become the Interior Design Consultant for one of Omaha's coolest downtown condo projects, 902 Dodge (located ironically at 902 Dodge Street). 
For the past two years I have had the honor of selecting all finishes for several of the model units.  In addition to selecting all finishes (and at one point re-negotiating all contracts, vendors and finish options), I was charged with creating the floor plan and sourcing all furnishings (art, accessories, etc). 
One of our one-bedroom units become so … (13 comments)

furniture rental omaha: "Bounce My Listing" - On Radio Show Saturday at 9am - 06/06/08 03:03 PM
"Bounce My Listing" is a new service in town for sellers.  Sellers are encouraged to enter their "listing" information on the website and they will be contacted by three professional real estate agents from the three largest real estate companies in town.  Tune in Saturday morning at 9am CST to hear more about this service.
Tori Lynn Ross of Ross Designs, LLC is Omaha's Premier Home Stager, co-host of the "Real Estate Reality Hour" Saturdays at 1290 KKAR.  Listen locally or listen via the web at www.1290kkar.com.
 
(4 comments)

furniture rental omaha: ANOTHER Great Reason To Use Sherwin Williams And Partner With An Experienced Staging Company - 06/02/08 02:20 PM
I love Sherwin Williams paint! More than just the paint, I really love the store and the employees.  The color deck is mostly great (could use a few more choices) but since they can match anything I can always color select from my other decks and still use Sherwin Williams as my vendor.
Last week I stopped in to my local store as I was ready to tackle two painting projects at my own home.  A few years ago I set up a designer's account with them under my company name.  Any of my clients can use my account and take … (9 comments)

furniture rental omaha: Insurance Audits – Not As Scary As It Sounds - 05/31/08 11:04 AM
Many companies engage in an insurance audit once a year.  An insurance audit is basically a review of all current insurance policies and an analysis as to whether or not current policies are adequate coverage.
In addition to the standard auto/home owners/life insurance policies, Home Stagers should also consider:
 - Personal liability insurance -What if you plug in a lamp with a short in the cord and start a fire?  What if you break or damage an expensive piece of furniture or artwork?
 - Insurance on inventory - Cover all inventory that is rented out, whether it is owned by the … (2 comments)

furniture rental omaha: Basics About Light Fixtures - 05/27/08 02:21 PM
A Staging appointment with a client today reminded me that not everybody (often times even builders) really know some of the basics regarding light fixtures.  Here are a few key points to remember when selecting/hanging lights for new construction or replacing existing ones:
Bathroom Vanities
- Lights should point downward to highlight the mirror reflection (i.e. a woman's face when applying make-up or a man who is shaving)
Dining Area Chandeliers
- Chandeliers should point up so they are not shining down in people's eyes
- Chandeliers should hang about 34" above table top
- Chandeliers should be hung so they … (19 comments)

furniture rental omaha: Summer Weather Reminder - Buyers Are Home While The Sellers Are Not - 05/25/08 10:47 AM
In an effort to save on energy costs, most home thermostats are equipped to run a heating or cooling "program". During the day while many homeowners are at work, the thermostat is programmed to heat or cool at a lesser (or higher) temperature and then scheduled to go down (or back up) when the home owners return in the evening.
It's imperative that buyers are as comfortable as possible when touring a home for sale.  This is a great time to remind your sellers for vacant and occupied homes to set thermostats to remain at comfortable temperatures throughout the day so they … (6 comments)

furniture rental omaha: To Postpone, Or Not Postpone? - 05/20/08 02:23 PM
There are situations where a seller MUST get their home on the market by a certain date; typically these situations have to do with legal requirements such as in divorce or corporate policies with regard to relocating.  Sometimes that date does not allow a seller enough time to complete Staging work and other minor repairs.
A strategy that a few of my REA's have employed is to erect a sign, enter the listing into the MLS, and not allow any showings for a couple of days.  As we all know it is absolutely important that the home be as "show ready" as … (3 comments)

furniture rental omaha: Using Your Client Testimonials - 05/19/08 02:38 PM
Soliciting client testimonials is a fantastic investment of time in your business. This is a great opportunity to learn from some of your main or new clients what they think of your work, what their hot button is, and use that as an advertisement to earn new clients.
One great way to utilize your client testimonials is to put together a sheet of them and distribute with other marketing materials at presentations.  Here is my latest example:

I typically include this with a copy of my flier designed for agents to use in their listing packet, a general article I wrote … (12 comments)

furniture rental omaha: Gathering Personal Statistics - 05/19/08 01:48 PM
I am often asked when recruiting new agent partners about what statistics I can offer about the success rates of Home Staging. I refuse to quote what few national statistics I have come across as I do not know exactly how they are gathered and they definitely do not apply to my local market.
It is very difficult to gather an individual Stager's statistics that would encompass all of the homes they had Staged. However, I have one statistic that I am proud to share and it is an easy one for any Stager with more than a couple of year's … (9 comments)

furniture rental omaha: Accepting Credit Card Payments - 05/19/08 09:34 AM
If you aren't already able to process credit card payments, contact your bank and ask about adding a Merchant's account to your business checking account. It couldn't be easier.  For $10/month and approximately 3.14% of the transaction cost I can process MasterCard, Visa and Discover payments.
It's very easy to do over the phone, no additional equipment is necessary.
Most of my clients pay via check but some of the higher rental fees are paid by credit card.  Because 3.14% of the transaction fee can get costly and I want to keep my rates as competitive as possible, I state on all … (14 comments)

 
Tori Lynn Wallitsch (Prudential Ambassador / Ross Designs, LLC)

Tori Lynn Wallitsch

Omaha, NE

More about me…

Prudential Ambassador / Ross Designs, LLC

Office: (402) 490-3244

Mobile: (402) 490-3244



Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog