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Home Staging… The Benefits Realized

By
Home Stager with Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis, Indiana

Last December, I was contacted by the F. C. Tucker Realtor's training department and was asked if I would do an educational seminar with some of their agents.  They explained that they wanted to offer this session to any agents that were interested in learning about Home Staging and how to discuss Staging with their clients.  As a side note, the F. C. Tucker Company is the largest Real Estate Company here in Indianapolis with over 650 agents.  Anyhow, because I am a very big advocate of educating agents and home sellers on the value of home staging, I jumped at the chance.

The session was scheduled for March, 2008 so I had plenty of time to prepare for this upcoming 2-hour program. So, December through early March I worked along with Patty Terrell, my lead design consultant and we built a presentation, prepared handouts, etc.  As the training program got closer, I would call and inquire about interest in the program so I would know how much material I would need to have ready. When I called, this was the response, "Well we don't know the exact number but you can generally count on around 30 people for this type of session."  So 30 it was, we put the finishing touches on the program and got all of the material prepared.

Now, fast forward to a few days before the presentation.;  I called my contact for the training session just to make sure that a projector was there ready for my power point presentation and in passing I asked again "Any idea how many agents will be there?"  She said again that she "wasn't sure but would check with registration and let me know" When she called me back several hours later I could just tell from her voice that something wasn't right.  I asked something like "I guess no one signed up?"  And to my shock she said "No, in fact I need to ask you to hold a second session in the afternoon; is that possible?  We have had over 80 agents and brokers register and the room will only hold 50.  She went on to say that besides adding another session for that afternoon, we need to schedule this again later in the year because the requests went well over what we could do in two sessions." 

The only thing that kept me from just setting down and having a good old fashion cry for joy was the fact that I now needed to get 50 more presentation packets prepared in one day.  Our team went into overdrive and the program went very well. The group was very tentative and asked terrific questions.  Because of the number of attendees, I asked all of my consultants to attend the sessions and be part of the presentation and to help answer questions.  I was so proud of my whole team.  It was the first time I had seen them in action doing the PR stuff and I have to tell you they represented our industry very well. 

But, the day was not over, I had been asked several weeks before to attend a Tucker Awards dinner, held annually for their vendor support program. The dinner was held the evening of the same day of my training sessions.  Well, another big surprise.  Our company was nominated for a service award for "Best in Class" or classification for 2007.   OMG,  It wasn't until several days later that I sat and thought about what had happened?  A year ago I couldn't get an appointment with some of the very Realtors that sat in my home staging training session. 

Since that time I have talked to agents I work with about why they are interested now and most of them agree that it is simply because in education there is knowledge and with knowledge there becomes understanding and with understanding becomes acceptance. 

 

home staging training
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Home Matters is a home staging company that offers services for both occupied and vacant homes. We work with all budgets and have received Angie's list highest rating for the past three years. Visit Home Matters website for more information.

Comments (11)

Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating
Linda ~ That is fantastic news for you!  I totally agree that your last statement is the key:  education to knowledge to understanding to (finally) acceptance.  I think it all has to do with having an open mind and leaving yourself open to learning new things. 
Apr 16, 2008 01:08 PM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager
Linda:  First, CONGRATS!!!  You have really gotten the message out there, if so many feel the need to know more!  I have two presentations scheduled, and am further armored (aside from the brass bra I feel I need to wear!) by your efforts and success!  Happy Staging - Julie
Apr 16, 2008 01:17 PM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario
Linda that is wonderful that you had such a turnout for your presentations.  Staging is finally getting recognized.  Congratulations on your award too.  Gary must have been so proud of you!
Apr 17, 2008 01:17 AM
Linda Barnett
Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis, Indiana - Indianapolis, IN
Home Matters Indianapolis Indiana

Kathy; That's exactly the key. Thank you for stopping by.

Julia; Thank you and congratuations on your upcoming presentations.  If you need a Brass bra, then wear it proudly.

Charlene;  Thank you so much.  Gary is proud and I'm proud of him everyday.  He's my rock! He helps me keep my head on straight. 

Apr 17, 2008 11:34 AM
Tony Grego, 317-663-4173 #1 Trade Association for Alternative Inv
REISA - 317-663-4173 - Indianapolis, IN

Hey Linda!

Congratulations on a great job. Sometimes the best rewards we get are not green.

You did a great job!

Tony 

Apr 17, 2008 03:59 PM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.
Linda, amazing and wonderful, we are making progress and it is sometimes just a LEAP rather than a nudge in the right direction.  GOOD for you.  We had a similar experience at the San Francisco Design Center where Kym Hough gave a talk for stagers and designers on "You have a staging business, how to make a profit".  A year ago, they wouldn't have allowed us in the building for a tour as stagers were not considered designers.  So, inch by inch and we've just moved it forward a yard or so...Congrats.
Apr 17, 2008 08:03 PM
Abby Roselli
ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY
Staten Island Home Stager
What a great story Linda.  Congratulations on your successful presentation...I hope that you REAP the rewards!!!  =)
Apr 18, 2008 01:30 AM
Karen Dembsky
Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA - Peachtree City, GA
Atlanta Home Staging
very nice -- I loving hearing about the good that is sparkling all over the country in this industry!  Congrats!
Apr 18, 2008 06:38 AM
Linda Barnett
Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis, Indiana - Indianapolis, IN
Home Matters Indianapolis Indiana

Tony;  Thank you for commenting.  You are right, many times over my biggest reward is hearing that one of our clients SOLD their home. 

Terrylynn; you are absolutely right, inch by inch we move forward.  Thank you for your kind words.

Abby;  I hope we do reap the rewards but I also hope that if there are some stagers out there that think they can't climb that mountain....they just need to stop and say...I will, one foot in front of the other. It may not be today, but some day.

Karen;  Thank you for stopping by and taking time to comment.  I always appreciate your comments.  

Apr 18, 2008 11:43 AM
Yvonne Root
rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ
Home Stager - Northern Arizona
Look here Linda! I leave for a week and come home to find you have written this superb article. Way to go young lady! Congratulations on the nomination! Thanks for your part in the education department for the industry. Good work! 
Apr 20, 2008 10:36 AM
Linda Barnett
Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis, Indiana - Indianapolis, IN
Home Matters Indianapolis Indiana
Hello Yvonne, thank you very much.  I hope your feeling better now...
Apr 22, 2008 01:37 PM