I have never blogged before

Monique, welcome to blogging!  You'll find you will get as much out of it as you put in, so participate often. 

As for your question, I think staging can work wonders for selling a home, but I've only used a stager once and it was for a consultation only, not the actual staging.  It did not help that the homeowner did very little of what was on the report.

There are staging groups here in the Rain.  I am sure if you check them out you will find lots of good resources.

Hi Monique...

I know this place can be HUGE and confusing. But you joined on the PERFECT day!

Today the creators of this site compiled a list of blogs to help new members.

It is going to take some reading on your part (homework) but it should help.

Just Click Here> http://activerain.com/blogsview/65489/ActiveRain-Community-Resources

And start you FUN journey into this BIG puddle.

Me

Welcome Monique.  I am pretty new to blogging -- however, it is a lot of fun.  The link for newbies is very helpful.  As for staging -- it really depends on the home -- and the cost --- I do think getting rid of the clutter, a paint job and deodorizing the home are a good place to start if someone doesn't want to spend money on staging.  I think empty homes are very difficult to show - and staging definitely would improve the marketability of the home. 

Welcome to the 'Rain! This is a great place to learn, teach, network and hone your blogging skills.

Jay Merton 

Wow, that's a great link Craig provided.  I missed the posting of that.  That is one awesome collection of helpful resources.

Welcome aboard the Active Rain Train!  Now leaving for Information Central...... You'll love it here.  Come often and read, learn and have fun participating.

 

Monique,  Welcome. I haven't used a home stager yet.  Many of my clients could sure use one though.  I do love to learn things here and use it to help give my clients suggestions.

This is a really friendly place where you should be able to learn a lot.  Look forward to reading about you and what you do.

Hey Monique!

Congrats on your first Active Rain blog! Your sense of humor, integrity, and perspective will come shining through.  Had a whole thoughtful comment written for you, but lost it, accidentally.  Wish there were a way to go back to refresh it-I tried for way too long. 

Craig Schiller gave that link to help understand a few more intricacies on here.  Should be very helpful, since I lost my comment when I was trying to insert to good blogs, one for Realtors, the other for homeowners, on this very subject.  There are so many people so giving a kind sharing info on here, and always something to be learned.  Think you've heard me quote something I read on AR more than once. You've probably noticed a whole list of Stagers who are regular contributors, whose words just flow through their fingers-Craig Schiller-Park Ridge, IL, Kimberly Wester, Val Alloco, Sheron Cardin, Cheryl Reynan, James Frazier-Rockford, IL, Karen Reynolds,Jessica Hughes, Ann O'Connell, Gina Dougherty, Maureen Henry,Veronica Herbert, and I'm sure I've missed some-sorry.  Then there are the other professionals who have written all sorts of helpful tutorials(that must work for those who aren't quite so challenged) like Kristal Kraft, Blanca Chelcwczynski, and Tammy Mann who says just take boxes of dough nuts to Realtors offices, while we are trying to educate.  Realtor,David Britt, wrote about empty properties, proving that he is already educated. I just tried to link all these people so you could read all their words of wisdom and humor, no luck-the brain just doesn't work that way, and I'm not losing another comment.

It seems we are educating-how many people still don't understand when you tell them you do home or real estate staging? Someone wrote a great post on the fact that someday we'll look back and find it hard to believe it's so difficult to get the business going-that it will just be a natural part of the Real Estate process everywhere in the country and in the state-since Craig and James are in the same state you and I are in, and look at them!  My Real Estate Agent sister-(womb mate, as in twin) has to pay for each of her listings to at least have a consultation, and over a certain price point, a hands on staging!.  They also have every house cleaned. 

Maybe I should have tried my 2nd blog-congrats to you got a little windy:)  Have fun on Active Rain-hope you manage to avoid the addiction I've acquired.

Joan Staker

Tim Maitski-  I think you are the grammar person-I agree, though I know I have a few of my own faux paux.