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What's the difference between a stager and a pit bull???

By Patsy Overton

Home Stager with Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia

September 05, 2008 02:26 AM

Okay, I admit, I've been watching the convention coverage. Have you? The answer is "lipstick". (My apologies to the male stagers out there.) The point is, I'm not giving up!!!

I began staging last August. I had a good bit of initial success, then things completely died over the winter months. They picked back up in the spring, and it's been a roller coaster ride ever since. I am DETERMINED to stay with this thing until I see a steady increase in my business.

I'm now looking for pointers as to how to make that happen. I've got a nice, professional website, send out emails blasts to a large database, do real estate office presentations, have eye-catching brochures and good looking cards, blah, blah, blah. Here are my questions for you:

What is the #1 thing you've done to see an increase in your business?
Where do the majority of your clients come from?
How do you keep from starving?

It seems that, right now, most of my business is coming directly from homeowners who find me on the web, so that's my answer for both questions 1 and 2 above. How do I keep from starving? I make sure I'm at the real estate office on "free food" day.

I look forward to your answers and your help! I'm NOT giving up!

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Robert Worthington

Worthington Realty - Manitowoc, WI

Contact Green Bay Homes Greg Dallaire for some advice on home staging success.

Sep 05, 2008 02:29 AM

Hope Goss

Ventura Property Shoppe - Ventura, CA

Ventura Real Estate

I can only talk for agents here, but referrals, sphere of infuence, and repeat business make up a large percentage of our business each year. Make sure you build that data base and make contact with that database regularly.

Sep 05, 2008 02:34 AM

PJ Belle

Wainwright & Co. Realty - Moneta, VA

ABR, GRI, SFR

I am sorry I can't answer all of your questions but I do love the way that you asked them - and the lipstick pun!!!

Sep 05, 2008 02:42 AM

James Engel

Keller Williams Realty Beverly Hills - Beverly Hills, CA

KW Beverly Hills

One method would be to focus on high velocity neighborhoods where turn over is likely and focus on keeping your name and brand in front of them. Stay away from any mailers ,etc. Keep to newsletters and maybe sponsor a local charity, school or churches mailers and get exposure. And when you do a staging in a neighborhood attend one of the open houses and door knock the neighborhood and invite them to see your work

Sep 05, 2008 02:55 AM

Patsy Overton

Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

Yes, I've learned that staying in touch is key! As they say in the real estate business, "Feed your database every day." I would add to that, "Talk to your database regularly." Thanks!

Sep 05, 2008 03:11 AM

Kathi Presutti

RE:STYLE LLC - Brighton, MI

Re:Style, LLC

Patsy:

Lately,as you know from my blog that you visited (thanks so much!) I've been struggling with the same questions. I had a rip-roarin' year until the end of May, then (sfx: crickets chirping). Like you, I have all the right pieces in place. But to answer your questions:

1. email blasts, networking, Broker Opens at my staged properties, and oddly enough, visiting Realtors (bored to death in this market) at Open houses

2. Most are still Realtors; many more homeowners are coming to me from my website

3. I am fortunate to have no debt (good planning when I had a BIG corporate job, and living below my means for years), and little expenses outside my business--that's the only way I can eat!

Sep 05, 2008 10:40 AM

What's the difference between a stager and a pit bull???

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