omaha stager: Shooting Turkeys As A Benefit For "Toys For Tots"?
- 10/13/09 06:21 AM
Well, not quite! But it is a "Turkey Shoot" bowling event AND "Toys For Tots" Toy Drive. If you are a Realtor® in the Omaha area make sure you don't miss this event. Hosted by the Omaha Area Board of Realtors (OABR) AFFILIATES, this annual event is a huge hit every year. And yes, ACTUAL Marines will be on-site collecting the toy donations :-)
For more information about the OABR AFFILIATES, please view our website at www.oabraffiliates.com. The AFFILIATES are a group of diverse professionals who promote and support the real estate community through education efforts, events and … (0 comments)
omaha stager: What's The Scariest (Or Strangest) Thing You Have Found...
- 06/16/09 06:01 AM
... In A Vacant Property? The other day as I was driving home and a silly squirrel about ran under my rotating tires, I was reminded of a time awhile back during the winter when I had, "The Scariest Vacant House Encounter" of my Staging career. One of my agents had asked me to tour a vacant property to do my usual report and rental quote. Since NAR doesn't yet think it is necessary for Stagers to have E-key access, the agent had left a punch code lock box on the door (slight point made there). Whenever I tour a vacant … (11 comments)
omaha stager: Virtual Staging - What A Concept!
- 02/09/09 03:50 AM
Seeing really is believing! Sellers of mine want to paint their kitchen cabinets in order to update them (old, dark 70's wood) but not sure what color to use. Their appliances, flooring and countertops are all various shades of white and off-white, so painting the cabinets white or off-white would likely look like they were trying to match one of the existing colors but weren't able to get it right. Can you imagine an entire kitchen of different whites? Blahsville! My suggested solution? Consider another neutral color - sage green. My sellers were still not convinced, so I went to my … (17 comments)
omaha stager: Are You A Little Off Center? Create A Vignette
- 01/30/09 05:47 AM
I had an installation for a vacant house this week in a great neighborhood in Omaha called Happy Hollow. This is a very historic part of town and the house is beautiful. When visualizing how I wanted this house to look after Staging, I had planned to hang a three piece set of art above the sofa on the wall first visible upon entering the home. In my mind this looked f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s! When the install time came and I had all of the pieces in the living room, I realized that my original vision wasn't going to work. The wall that … (5 comments)
omaha stager: Hey Baby, What's Your Category?
- 01/27/09 11:08 AM
I was Staging an occupied house the other day and was going over some general recommendations. Replace the weathered exterior light fixtures, add a welcome mat. The new paint colors are great but maybe consider replacing the yellowed vinyl in the bathrooms and the brass, builder's grade light fixtures. And then I was describing the "categories" of sellers and realized that there are about four general categories that apply to most sellers. Category #1: We want to sell this house, and are willing to invest X amount of dollars in it to get it up to par. Stager's Challenge: This is … (9 comments)
omaha stager: I Promise, You’re Not Wrong!
- 01/04/09 01:48 PM
Over the last couple of weeks I have been blessed with several Occupied Home Staging appointments and I have noticed a common sentiment among my sellers. Many sellers, during the part of our appointment where we create/discuss the comprehensive Staging strategy (move this here, pack this, repaint this, etc) were saying. "Oh, I'm glad I wasn't wrong to put that there" or "I'm glad that paint choice wasn't wrong". After hearing this several times I was reminded that many sellers do not hire professional decorators and also many don't have a natural flair for interior design. Therefore, when a professional in … (16 comments)
omaha stager: Phrases Commonly Uttered By “The Perfect Staging Client”
- 12/29/08 12:35 PM
I had the pleasure of Staging an Owner Occupied home this last weekend with the quintessential "perfect Staging client". It has been awhile since I worked with one and I was pleasantly reminded of what phrases are typically used by a "perfect Staging client". The "perfect Staging client" experience began with the appointment setting phone call. The referring agent and I have a great set up - he texts my cell phone with the latest client's contact info, I call the client to schedule the appointment, I text the agent back with the appointment time, then I conduct the Staging appointment … (12 comments)
omaha stager: 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)
omaha stager: 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)
omaha stager: 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)
omaha stager: The Power Of The Ionizer
- 08/08/08 04:44 AM
About two months ago I became intrigued by some of Michelle Molinari's comments about her industrial strength ionizer that is available for rent. I thought it sounded like a dream come true for sellers with odors in their home so I HAD to buy one and try it out. I have had the opportunity to test it out a few times and so far the results have been great. The most notable home was two weeks ago. The agent was at the property in the morning before the ionizer treatment to do her measuring, and she said she really didn't detect … (11 comments)
omaha stager: 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.
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omaha stager: 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.
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omaha stager: The Real Estate Reality Hour Is Proud To Present: Melissa Jarecke of NP Dodge
- 06/12/08 03:00 PM
This Saturday's guest on the "Real Estate Reality Hour" is Melissa Jarecke of NP Dodge. Melissa is one of only four agents in the greater Omaha area to have the GRI, CRS and CRB designations. 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.
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omaha stager: Staging Here For The Long Haul?
- 06/10/08 04:43 PM
One of my agent partners told me this week that her coach has forecasted the real estate industry will not experience much of an upturn, or return to a seller's market, until 2011. Wow! That's much farther off than I had anticipated (or been told to expect). Which led me to thinking, how will the return to a seller's market impact the Home Staging industry? Many Stagers will argue that Staging is relevant in any market - during a buyer's market imperative for sellers to employ when competing against so many other listings. The flip side is that during a seller's … (17 comments)
omaha stager: "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.
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omaha stager: 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)
omaha stager: 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)
omaha stager: Staging Suggestions Can Be Tax Deductible - Light Fixtures
- 05/17/08 05:04 AM
Often times when Staging a house I suggest updating a few or all light fixtures. In addition to painting, de-cluttering and re-arranging existing furnishings, this is one of the least expensive ways to update a home and have a big, positive impact on potential buyers.
What should a homeowner do with the outdated light fixtures? Donate them of course! But where? I suggest contacting the local Habitat for Humanity Restore. They have stores located all across the country; to find one near you click here. As long as the light fixtures are in GOOD CONDITION, the Restore will accept them … (2 comments)
omaha stager: From The Proverbial Horse's Mouth - Face Time Is The Key
- 05/16/08 01:15 PM
I am an active member of the Omaha Area Board of Realtor's Affiliate Council and have been for several years (proud to be OABR's Affiliate of the Year for 2007). I recognized when beginning my Staging business that partnering with successful agents would be the key to continued success. I have found a huge amount of support, encouragement and knowledge sharing with this group. Our Affiliate Council members are always looking for ways to grow our business with agents. We host several events throughout the year as a way of supporting the agents, but yet we feel that perhaps we could do … (8 comments)
Well, not quite! But it is a "Turkey Shoot" bowling event AND "Toys For Tots" Toy Drive. If you are a Realtor® in the Omaha area make sure you don't miss this event. Hosted by the Omaha Area Board of Realtors (OABR) AFFILIATES, this annual event is a huge hit every year. And yes, ACTUAL Marines will be on-site collecting the toy donations :-) 
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