As we are doing these expos, I am becoming more curious. We have 7 coming next year all around the country. What would your questions be to the Realtor? What do YOU want a Realtor to tell you about their business, about hiring stagers, about anything?
As you read the comments you'll see a theme. Per my EXPO talk "Demystifying the Realtor" Some of the questions stagers want to know about Realtors become evident when they understand some of the mysteries of Realtors.
One would be about Million Dollar Salesperson??? Most people think that means we make $1,000,000! WRONG, it means we've sold real estate totally $1,000,000 in sales prices or a combination of sales totalling that amount.
Another would be the cost of a listing. It is amazing but true that it's about $500 to $1000 a month to have a listing. SO, are we motivated to have the home sell? Of course, as much as you are. The reality is that we might have 5 - 10 or 20 listings at a time. SO, the demands on our income are pretty steep.
Via Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell:
Tri-State Staging Expo
When:
November 5, 9am - 5pm
Where:
AFR Warehouse
30 Enterprise Avenue
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Investment:
$30 for RESA Members
$35 for non-RESA Members
Why:
“I was blown away by how organized the event was and how easy it was to talk with the vendors, other stagers and the speakers. I enjoyed every minute of the day!”
- Cynthia
First Annual Tri-State Staging Expo Join industry professionals for an entire day of Staging Information and Education designed to move your business forward!
November 5, 2008
What it Takes to Make Staging a Staple in ANY Market
Presented by key note speaker, Staging Expert/Trainer and Author of Home Staging for Dummies,Christine Rae.
Running a Profitable Staging Business
Presented by marketer and owner of Staged to Sell, Inc.,Kym Hough.
How a Realtor Sells the Staging Concept to Their Clients
Presented by 31 year Realtor Professional, Terrylynn Fisher.
Sign up on-line today at www.StagersLIST.com!
When you register you will be entered into the $1,000 EXPO Raffle! Tell your friends to sign up and add your name to the “How did you hear about us” line on the registration form and you will receive an additional raffle entry for each person who registers.
For more information, contact local event coordinator Juliet Johnson or Kym Hough at 925.212.1833. www.StagingEXPO.com.
I have many:
Gary Keller devotes 10 pages of his new book, "Shift", to why staging is essential in this challenging market. If you don't use a stager as a regular part of your business, why not?
Isn't it your fiduciary duty to your client to at least make sure they are aware of the availability of staging?
If you aren't using staging, what would influence you to use it--for lived-in homes? for vacant homes? for relos? for short sales/foreclosures?
What kind of information do you want about home staging and a home staging company?
Does the designation (credentials) that a stager holds matter? What "initials" do you look for/prefer?
What objections to staging or obstacles to staging can we help you to overcome?
Okay, that's all from me for now Thanks so much!
Kathi asked all the questions I would ask.(great qustions by the way) It would be great if a Realtor could post the answers to these questions!!!!
As I will soon (hopefully) be a real estate agent/stager - you can see I have given up asking them the questions. Perhaps I can get staging established in my area by going where they don't let stagers go (here).
Kathi had great questions above.
Kathi, PERFECT. The topic of my next 5 blog posts coming soon. Thanks for giving it thought and asking.
HI Terylynn, hmmm.... this is a great post. As stagers we all want the answers posted so far.
I ask Realtors this..if I can increase your bottom line each year would you hire me? I still find cannot fathom the more successful Realtors telling me they don't need a stager as they do well on their own. I ask them if they are honestly telling me that they do not want to make more money on the same number of deals they are currently closing. I cannot comprehend this thinking. Isn't every business looking at ways to increase their bottom line by saving on advertising a property not ready to be seen, increasing the perceived value of their product etc.
Also, if we provide them with the top five ways to present the idea of staging to their clients would they be more inclined to hire a professional stager. Realtors cannot be expected to know how to present our business to their clients. Would they like help in this area.
Would they introduce the idea of staging to their clients if we showed them how to get the client to pay for the consultation. If they don't want to include staging as part of their marketing plan, wouldn't they still like the client to get the property ready for sale so they do not waste their hard earned cash advertising a property that is not ready to be seen.
Looking forward to your follow up post. :)
Terrylynn ~ Kathi did cover quite a few questions that it would be great to have answers to. I basically just want to know why -
Why would you not use a stager on your listings?
What keeps you from even considering staging?
If the homeowner wants to try it, do realtors try to talk them out of it or encourage it?
Similar question here
Why wouldn't you use staging?
Why oh why, why, why, do you only post 1 picture of the house on MLS?
Kathi - great questions. I think I'll write a series of posts so I can address each one in depth. THANKS and it appears your questions are pretty much on the minds of inquiring stagers, huh? Thanks for the jump start.
I give Realtors an article "How to introduce Staging To Your Clients", and it is on my website for them to download. I also give them statistics. I always offer to call the client directly as I know I can sell/explain staging better as it is my expertise. I give them a handout "How to make more money by staging." Do I sound frustrated? Then you are actively listening! Thanks for letting me vent!
Please ask why more Realtors on Active Rain choose not to post their experience with a Professional Staging company on Active Rain. It seems for the most part a one way conversation on the Stager side. This I believe would do more to enhance the credibility of Realtors and professional Staging companies teaming up to market properties than anything else. It's the old- try it, you'll like it, Mikey does approach.
Are the Realtors successfully using a stager wanting to keep it under wraps from their competitors to keep the edge in the market?
If they advertised the fact that they used a Stager would it put unrealistic expectations on them from the seller?
Is it our responsibility, not the Realtors to get the testimonials from the sellers for our portfoilios? Most professional staging companies do this already, but wouldn't they want these statistics for their own listing presentation portfolio?
Terrylynn, All great questions. I really like the question from Kathy Passarette: If homeowners wants to try staging, do Realtors try to talk them out of it or encourage?
I have to tell you, my brother in law asked his previous Realtor about staging and she told him that it was not necessary.
I also like Michelle Finnamores comments about Realtors who use stagers not placing enough commentary here on Active Rain professing the positives of staging for their business. We need more Realtors to testify on our behalfs the power of our profession.
My questions are: If they use a stager or are thinking about using a stager. Does it matter to them if the stager rents furniture or has their own inventory?
Does it scare them that the stager will prolong the listing because the home needs repairs, painting, or curb appeal?
Hi Terrylynn,
This is a great topic! Kathi,Kathy and Michelle, had some great questions. Here's a few from me:
Hi Terrylynn, oh no, burning questions and no answers. Where is everybody?
What is the price point that most sellers have for staging (or that would peak their interest if it's a new concept for them)? For Vacant homes on a monthly or total basis?
Hi Terrylynn,
I know you're too diplomatic to ask these questions, but being the resident big mouth, this is what I'd ask.
Which of these would your prefer?
1. Recommending a Stager to your client?
2. Partnering with a Stager?
3. Paying for the Staging consultation?
4. Competing with a Stager who has her/his real estate license?
5. Going out of the business because you've had your head buried in the sand.
Belinda, yes it would, it just takes a moment or two to answer. And, I will, with my thoughts, but I am only one...REaltor. And I believe in staging, perhaps I can answer what I think they are thinking and why I think it happens, that might help with insight.
Kathleen well fighting fire with fire is sometimes the way to get in...and you will. You will have a unique opportunity to see what their challenges are and how to solve them. AND, you may find that they are just afraid of this economy and your expertise. After all they are giving access to a very tentative relationship and if you screw up it can reflect on them...so some Realtors are more in fear of that than of not staging. But of course, they don't understand what it is or that would not be true. SO, you go get "inside" and you tell them. And, while you are at it, you can make referrals and collect referral fees and increase your income along the way. Smart girl.
Michelle, great questions. And, am working on the perfect post to answer some of these questions. Actually you already know your answers for your area. I know that you rarely ask a question you haven't anticipated the answer to, right? Thanks for posing them for those that wish they had the answers. I'll do my best to give insight anyway. As to this one....
"Are the Realtors successfully using a stager wanting to keep it under wraps from their competitors to keep the edge in the market?" YES often that is the motivation. I have answers for that...write an article for the newspaper, their newsletter or anywhere that gets it in front of other realtors, they'll all soon want what your other realtor has, YOU. AND when the clients see it and ask for the same service given to their other clients, VIOLA...YOU again.
Dee, I would say it doesn't scare Realtors dependent on your work and portfolio. A great staging is the combination of things and as long as the Realtor sees the quality you typically provide, you shouldn't have a problem. Have you had that objection?
Karen, really good questions too...oh I have my work cut out for me. Price of staging, a factor, OF course, when I am just now meeting you, have no idea how you work and don't know what you do???!!! Price is all I have then to make a decision with, right? SO, how do you take our relationship to a level beyond price? I am asking you that question. What do you do that makes your realtors come back to you again and again? There is your answer to that question. Guess this is a blog for you too, huh?
Robyn, writing feverishly so I can give some good ones. thanks for asking.
Hello Terrylynn, very interesting, a question about a question....
I constantly ask the Realtors we are more acquainted with "Knowing that if a home is either overpriced, in poor condition or not properly staged, or all of the above, that it will not sell, then why do you take the listing?" This question has always bothered me more than any other. In the world we live in it seems to be so important to make every step count, why would you knowingly get involved with something that is going no where? Are Realtors eternal optimists, or do they just believe in good luck?
Cindy, that is a valuable question actually, seems like the answer would be localized though. Every area sort of has a saturation point, doesn't it? Like a tolerance for extras, but often based on general pricing of the real estate. SO in Texas how do they do it is the question? Perhaps it's pretty regional as well, this might be a hard one to answer because I'd have to be so general. I'll be if I asked you the questions you'd tell me.
What is the average home price in your area?
What is the average staging job in your area?
What percentage of homes are staged?
What percentage are just consults?
What is the cost of the consult?
What is the cost of the average staging?
Actually your answers would be pretty general too. HUM,,,this might be a dilemna that we can't solve.
Great questions! I have a couple more...
Can you (Realtor) give a more realistic idea of what the true "days on market" are for your area? Since the DOM follows along with the MLS#, and that number changes often when a house gets relisted (new agent, new price, etc.), it's difficult for a non-agent to know the real days on market. Michigan is particularly slow right now...
How do you react when you are "gifted" with a staged home? (The homeowner got the house staged on their own initiative, either before you got the listing or at some point while you had the listing)
By the way, I have had clients tell me that their agent discouraged them from using a home stager. Why? I can't imagine!
I believe this one may have been covered, but just in case: Why do few Realtors respond or comment when we post blogs on the Realtor sites? Maybe they're just not interested in our topics...
Thanks! Hope your Round Table can get some responses to these!
Kathi - would you be open to sending me those articles you give to realtors? If you are okay with it, you can email them to roomsinbloom@live.com.
We would love to be able to send these articles to realtors we deal with.
Oh and I have had realtors actively work against us. One asked us to do a consult, demanded we present it the same night to the clients while she was there and then proceeded to sabotoge us in front of her clients by telling us, "while that's a great idea, we're just not going to do that". Suffice to say we no longer return her calls. She actually told us to our faces that the clients were "hers" and that we were only there to back up her ideas, not to have ideas of our own. Things that make you go hmmmmmm ...
Why do so many realtors talk about being willing to do whatever it takes to sell their listings and then not want to spend even $150 on a staging consult so we can help their clients get their listings better presented? By spending that money on a consult, the sellers will have a detailed report on what to do and even if we aren't hired for a full stage, the home owners are now informed of what needs to be done to sell quickly and for top dollar. And then when the house sells swiftly and for a great price, the realtor gets a bigger commission and great referrals .. isn't that worth the initial investment for the staging consult?
Awww, come on Susan, tell me what you really think. YES your list is the point, I'd blog about it, but it's yours, so you go ahead. It's pretty much that I want to get a real answer and perhaps being that direct I might get something else, but we'll see I'm giving it an attempt today. Thanks as always for your lazer focus.
Gary, good question!!! I have blogged and asked Realtors, let's see what they answer. Sometimes it's easier to believe in good luck??? Nah, bet they have a variety of answers. Do we (Realtors) think that it is overpriced when we take the listing? Often not. Pricing is an art and in a down market the challenge is to price at the bottom end of the market before it goes further. Then poor condition is sometimes a result of a senior with no funds, REO, bank owned, short sale, etc. But that's the tip of the iceberg.
Kathi, you are a wealth of thought provoking ideas, think I'll just call on your comments for my blog topics. SO,,,in our association in California and most I think in our state the associations have recognized that as a BIG problem for agents, buyers and sellers. SO they changed the system to have the address be the feature that the mls follows and thus if you are listed again your cumulative DOM (days on market) will show, so the mls does show the total of all days on market. IT's solved alot of the problem, although there is a reason realtors don't like that.
It's a marketing thing...they feel that people make judgments about a property for instance that has been listed before. SO, say it's relisted by an agent who does believe in staging and does have the home staged, where previous agents didn't??? Then the cumulative days on the market implies that it's been looking like this the whole time and it didn't sell so what else is wrong? So, I see both sides of the argument.
Hope they adopt something in Michigan like we have, it'll help. OH our MLS and probably yours has a history feature, if you run the history on the address, it'll show all the times it was on the market and you just add them up. It's how I had to do it prior to the system change. Sorry, this might be TMI. But, hope it helps. t
Heather, wow, what an awful experience. I like stagers going to presentations, but not under those circumstances. GEEZ. Talk about working against each other...
The Realtor paying for the consult may be the problem, the client getting the service can pay too. Maybe your realtors have already been asked to reduce commissions etc. You know a 1% drop on 3% commission is 33% less for the Realtor who has to do all the advertising, marketing and open houses, etc, in addition to fliers, and everything else they do.
How do you present the consult to the realtors? Have you offered it to them as an alternative?
I think this is my first post! Anyway, I have had my staging company for a little over 1 year and have successfully marketed to a few realtors. I have found that ONLY top producing agents have used me and paid for me. I can pretty much judge from the first call whether an agent is going to use me or not (pay for the report). It also got to the point that if the agent was a weak agent: not good in their own presentation; not wanting to tell the truth to the sellers; not doing their homework; not knowing the market; etc. then the presentation was not as good because I didn't want to upstage that agent. Stronger agents will pay for staging and are so much more fun and exciting to work with because they have a better business sense, work harder, have more experience and also have more vision for the long term future...not just that particular "listing". None of the realtors I have worked with saw my "report" before I presented it with them to their seller client. I did have one agent apologize for me up front...he was so nervous about what I was going to say! LOL I have in the last 2 months been asked to join a realtor exclusively so I help her on all listings and she pays me a portion of all listing income. She is the #2 producer in Central Pennsylvania and we established such a good partnership on "our" listing presentations that we joined forces. In this down market, her team is doing more, spending more, thinking out of the box more...even to the point where they have offered to pay me a percentage of all income to join the team! Hard times are difficult but I think it encourages an entrepreneurial spirit!! :)
Sheri, you inspire me. I am thrilled that you took your first leap of commenting on a blog in my space here. You are just adorable and so full of information and inspiration. You are amazing, just in this small paragraph I can tell so much about you. You think out of the box, you just go do it, you know how to partner (do the dance)...I can't wait to see what you write next and hope to meet you one of these days. Maybe at EXPO? Take care and happy staging.
You ARE sweet! :) ...And you are making me want to go to the expo! You're good!!!! Sheri
HI Terylynn,
Here are more questions for the Realtors.
Would you be willing to speak with a Stager if I could show you how to get the seller to pay for the consult?
The seller would be more interested and committed to getting their property for sale if they were paying for the consult.
# 2 Now that our market is slowing down, do Realtors appreciate that they may have to think outside the box to achieve more sales as stated above? I have gained new Realtors in the last two weeks who now pay for the entire staging and get reimbursed on closing from the seller ( I get paid at time of Staging though)
#3 Do you think hiring a Stager with a "green" focus in their staging business would be a benefit to the sale of properties in their area.
Michelle, and the good stuff just keeps coming. The out of the box thinking is a necessity. reimbursement from the seller on close is a good method. Better than footing the whole bill for sure. Question for you, do you sell that or do they?
Um...
do they ever ponder the meaning of their fiduciary responsibilty once they get in the field?
~Michelle
Hi Terrylynn, The Realtor presents the idea to the seller that they will pay for the Staging and get reimbursed on closing. I am brought into the equation once the seller has agreed to proceed. The Realtor does this to gauge how serious the seller is about selling. In this market a Realtor can blow their marketing budget for the year very quickly if they have an unmotivated seller in regard to realistic pricing. So far I have staging success stories to tell about this method of selling in a slowing market.
Hi Michelle, that is a good question. Do Realtors or the owners of the office truly understand the impact to the bottom line of the office and to individual Realtors by listing properties that have not been staged so that the property is ready to be photographed for the MLS listing and to be seen by the buyers?
Do they understand that it is money out of their bottom line each year that they do not have to give up so easily because the property sits on the market too long or has price reductions due to the condition of the home?
I have Realtors that do not pay for the consultation or the staging and move properties that have been listed for over 5 months in just two weeks after staging (as we all do). If this doesn't give Realtors enough incentive to speak to a professional Stager to find out how to relay the idea of Staging to the client and have the seller pay for it, I don't know what else can be said to convince them. Add up all the money out of their bottom line over 5 months marketing the property..... why would you continue to market your properties without Staging every single listing first? Realtors, please answer this important question. It is your bottom line we are talking about here. Are you indifferent? afraid of change? (aren't most people?), like to lose money on your bottom line because you are so successful you can't be bothered? don't like to give up control of the marketing of the property? think that the Stager will usurp your importance in the success of the sale? not a team player? I would love to hear the answers. Did I go on too long this morning?
As with Sheri's experience, most of the agents I regularly work with are top sellers and very seasoned. They seem to be able to see the bigger picture and have a sound business sense.
One of the top agents in my area was featured in a realtors magazine and she had me included in the article as one of her integral parts of her "team." She also has me included on her website as part of her team. This particular agent gets a lot of listings in a high-end community where I have agreed to stay exclusive to her.
So, the point is, as Sheri highlighted, there are great "team" (agent/stager) opportunities out there :)
~susan
Michelle Molinari - oh if that were as simple as it sounds to you. It just isn't. There is so much more involved in a real estate transaction and who gets sued when it goes wrong, not the stager...
Michelle, F, that is a good method, promotes more accountability by the seller and works for the Realtor too. Smart realtor
Susan, smart Realtor, she knows what she's got in a partner and it benefits her and benefits you, a win win for everyone. Congratulations on your ability to think out of the box. And now I challenge you to coach and teach other stagers to become team members...there's another income stream there.
Michelle F ~ I went back and re-read your comment above, and I wonder if Realtors who are not on board with the benefits of staging is because they are just used to the old way of selling, and the mentality "it will sell at some point in time-just lower the price until you get a hit"?
There was a broker I recently met with who has some agents under her that have used my services and recommended me to her to see about scheduling a staging presentation for the branch. During our meeting we went through MLS photos of some of the listings of agents within her branch, and I pointed out various issues and negative messages that are being conveyed within those photos where through staging those messages would not be there. She agreed with and understood those points. However, she then said for now she has to focus on other matters due to the slump in the market and changes within the agency... some can't see the big picture.
If all the "stars" are in alignment - presentation/condition (staging), price and marketing, then your chances are definitely increased to procuring a sale. So if all her (the brokers') agents had listings that showed well, other agents would be fairly confident that, if they have a buyer client that they are showing a listing from that said agency, that property will be a good one to bring your client to.
And all that could affect the brokers' bottom line with more sales.
Changing the "old way" mentality is a big part of the challenge. Also, buyers need to and deserve to have properties to choose from that do have the message that they matter - because they do!
~susan
Sellers sell their properties as they present them...and buyers believe what you present. SO, if you are not excited or committed to making it look and feel like a home they can see themselves living in, why should they be excited about it? Just a question...
The question of why do agents not use stagers is a really good one. I have been in the business a very short while (@ a year 1/2) and have only worked with @ 10 agents and have staged about 45 homes this year and have done about 65 presentations. Of the 20 sellers that didn't hire my company after my presentation, almost all made most of the changes I recommended. A handful (maybe 2 - 3) did nothing. So, in my very short time in this business, I have noticed a few things:
1. There is fear involved with the realtor bringing in a stager (for the 1st time):
a. Will the stager offend my seller
b. Will the stager hold up my listing
c. Will the stager be worth the money
d. Will the stager be effective in getting the seller to make changes
e. Will I lose control of this listing
f. Will we work well together
g. The homeowner isn't hip to staging so that's one more thing I need to convince and "sell"
2. There is skepticism involved with a realtor's thoughts on staging:
a. Does it really work
b. This house doesn't need staged, it needs an overhaul and a stager can't do that
c. There's no real value
3. There is some proof in these perceived thoughts:
a. A stager stages over purple carpet without suggesting it be replaced (no cosmetic work/advice)
b. A stager can't make a good presentation to a seller and offends or fails to convince (waste of the realtor's time and money)
c. A stager can't be as honest with a seller as they need to be therefore the listing is not "up to par" (not really doing the job that the realtor needs)
My thoughts might be a little simplistic but they are the core of the "objection" for realtors (can you see how I think in lists??? ha ha).
My first role is to "partner" with the realtor. It is their client, their listing, their commission that I am protecting. I am a positioning and marketing person, FIRST. Once the realtor understands that I understand the importance of positioning, competing properties, a quick turn-around time and perceives that I have an ability to affect change, they will get me in the door. I tell every realtor I meet that I am NOT a decorator. They don't want to hire a decorator. Now, I am not telling anyone to say that on their presentation because everyone has to have their own style. But, I understood from the get go what was needed to get in the door with a realtor's clients. Personally, I would freak out if I was left alone on a staging job to "stage". I just wouldn't do it very well. BUT, no one knows that because they don't care. They trust me so much on a project that they don't even ask to SEE anything we are purchasing whether it be paint color, vanities, flooring, carpeting, etc. WHY? Because I have established a position of complete trust in the confidance I bring. They BELIEVE I will do what I say.
Once I am in the door for the first time, a realtor may still have fear about what I will say to the seller and how I will present myself but my first goal with that agent first-timer is to "get in the door". I don't believe statistics, a portfolio or any written materials can do it for you. I have a really nice portfolio and no one ever asks to see it. If the belief is there in YOU, they will move forward. I will say that I have a killer presentation (to the seller) and I do alot of homework before I go on each appointment. The bigger the project, the longer I spend on my presentations. I collect data, competition information and even pictures of competing properties that look better than their house as well as a room by room analysis. (I do a 2-visit presentation...ALWAYS)
I have a few questions for other stagers:
1. Have you had a lot of first presentations to sellers and not been hired? I would worry about your presentation and ask yourself why weren't you hired?
2. Have you had a lot of "first" staging jobs and not been hired back by the realtor? I would again ask the question of why?
2. Have you done alot of presentations with affecting change? My goal is change so while I was only hired 45 out of 65 times by sellers the fact that @62 of those visits brought about a changed property is my success ratio. The realtor is hiring me to affect that change on the listing...they don't care how much money I make! My first goal is solely to affect change for the realtor...they are my future. If I can meet my 2nd goal of getting hired, then even better!
3. Are you wasting your time with unqualified agents, poor listings and agents who are wasting your time. CUT THEM OFF. Know when to cut your losses and move on.
4. Are you calling on the best agents in your area? ONLY focus on them. Try it. They are the best to work with, the best at returning phone calls and they have the best seller clients.
Terrylynn said something that is key: Buyers believe what you present. Yes, because they can see it when they walk in a home; good or bad. Something they can physically touch and see (and smell).
A good presentation means you can bring about BELIEF, belief in the tangible (what a buyer sees) and the intangible (what is perceived for instance, by a realtor). I read something in another blog that showed that the more successful stagers are those with marketing backgrounds. They know how to present, get in the door and get hired. Hype up your marketing, speaking and presentation skills. I just bought a book titled "Speak up with Confidance" (about speaking) and I'm a stager!!! :)
Gosh, here I am writing a book again!!! A good stager also doesn't spend the first hour of the day writing blogs! Gotta get to work :) ha ha
I just read my above blog and I just want to apologize for the length. I will get better at this. I'm still a new blogger and haven't yet figured out how to shorten my "books". Maybe I should take a course on blogging??!! :)
Sheri, I can only speak for myself. I loved your response. I don't mind reading a lengthy response or blog if it is informative. You made some very good points. Now get to work lady. LOL
Sheri you are just fine, however, some call this hijacking a post as you've gone on soo long, so excepts next time missy. I don't mind just telling you so if someone else does mind, you dont' get jumped on. Take care and thanks for sharing on my posts. I love your fresh outlook on things.
Belinda, you are so right, Sheri is so willing to Share (Sheri - Share) hum...Thanks Sheri really for your tips and input. Belinda, thanks for reading and commenting. And what do you have to say on the subject?
Thanks for the great post, so much relevant info... I'm looking at things in a whole new light
The info highway continues, I'm learning a lot. Sheri, I love the way you think, all great information!
Robyn, Thank you for saying so. I have so many ideas and strong convictions concerning real estate and staging. I really love the real estate industry...always have...probably always will. I'm kind of an idea nut. Now, if I could just get someone to implement them all.......... :)
Ronelle, you are too nice. You are such an open minded, eager to learn person. I love that, it's why you'll always be successful in what you do.
Robin, don't you though, she is brilliant and an innovator. She's going to do just fine. Thanks for commenting.
Sheri, you are a gem. You have such energy and enthusiasm and it comes across in your writing. Good to have you in this profession, I know we'll be seeing alot of you.
Terrylynn, I just have to meet you. You are the resident cheerleader aren't you? I have to run off and make money now (i.e. a few appts.) but will check back in and respond. On a side note, I had my first roundtable yesterday (in Phila.) and met my first group of stagers. What fun. Really saw the similarities and differences in all of them. I loved them all. :)
Sheri - well I guess I am sort of an industry cheerleader. I like that. Glad you liked the Round table, I am sure it was good, they always are. It's nice meeting everyone out there and seeing how we are different and how really we all have the same type issues and challenges.
Terrylynn - The roundtable was very interesting. I'm very opinionated and while my opinions and passions drive through (can't help it) I did really respect others' perspectives. I took away a couple of new ideas and certainly a few new friends. I brought a few of my reports along with me and some other materials to share as well as the books that I have been reading. I could have brought a big grocery bag of stuff given the time. ha ha ha
Thank you for your comments and time taken with me. I really do appreciate it. :)
Sheri, you are so welcome. We really do have to meet, we have been getting to know each other quite often here on AR, huh? Perhaps sooner than we think. Take care missy and carry on.
Terrylynn -- I can't express enough how thankful I am for stumbling across this blog post. Despite its unassuming title, your post and its comments are chock full of some of the most valuable information to be found on AR. Even with three years as a stager I've found new things here to learn, and perspectives that I hadn't considered. I originally came to this post to find some original ideas for an important Realtor presentation I have this week. I really wanted to present relevant information that was more valuable than the dry, "Declutter...Depersonalize...Neutralize" mantra they've heard for years from other stagers. I've got some new ideas rolling now... Thank you sincerely, Terrylynn, as well as all the thoughtful commenters. This has been a great discussion!