Home Staging Blog by Jennie Norris

 I got a call today from an ABC Reporter from New York City who was referred to me by Chris Connelly of ABC.  Chris and I met during the filming of the 20/20 segment.  The reporter wanted to know if Staging today in a slower market as we are experiencing pretty much all over the U.S. - was as important as it was nearly 2 years ago when the segment was filmed.  Of course - I said - it is even MORE necessary.  She had already interviewed Barb Schwarz at length - about current trends and stats.  So even though the segment was filmed in 2005 its relevance is still powerful.

The 20/20 Segment that is scheduled to air next Friday, June 22nd will give the Staging industry great exposure!  When it originally ran in October 2005, it was a positive and high-energy look at what we do in our business - and 20/20 really captured how we use our creativity to transform spaces.  The overall segment was on the real estate industry and honestly not all parts of that were favorable - from how Realtors sell houses, to working with custom builders, challenging experiences some home sellers had, etc.  I did not agree with how some segments were portrayed, but I could not have been happier about the Staging segment.

I love this segment - not because I was privileged to be part of it due to my relationship with with the featured company, Stagedhomes.com and Barb Schwarz, but because the FUN of what we do shines through.  We don't have to come across as stodgy or corporate - we are CREATIVE - and the nature of what we do with sometimes not very much - is magic!

I hope you take the time to spread the word about this segment - remember ANY positive exposure for Staging is good for us all!

- Jennie

Thanks Ashley for me-meing me - I was not really sure what it was all about and was away from home teaching when she actually did meme me - so had to wait to get home to figure out the guidelines. Near as I can tell I am supposed to share 5 "interesting" facts about myself . .  .here goes.  Not sure you will all find them interesting but it's fun to share.

1.  I was born in Santa Cruz and I am an identical twin.  My sister, Julie, lives in Alexandria, VA now but until I was married and she moved to the east coast, we were very close and did everything together.  She is not a Stager - "YET" - but someday I hope that her creativity is pursued.

2.  I performed in the 1984 Olympic Opening Ceremonies as a Dancer paid by the Olympic Committee.  I was one of about 300 dancers that auditioned nationwide and were selected as part of the Tribute to America's Music History showcase. My twin sister and I both were selected.  Prior to that - my twin and I were on a performance team that took us to South Africa, Japan, the Caribbean and Hawaii during our high-school years.

3.  I have been married for almost 20 years (in Sept) and have 4 children - 1 girl and 3 boys.  For the first 5 years my 4 children were in school, I homeschooled them - and taught Spanish and art to other homeschooled children. (My children are now ages 7 1/2-13 and are in private Christian school).

4.  My favorite color is green, favorite animal - used to be a cat until we got our Cockerpoo, Copper, who I just love - so I love both cats and dogs. I am a classically trained pianist, love painting and travel plans are to go to Europe.

5.  Rare talents - I can swallow liquid by pouring it down my throat (and have won beer chugging contests as my husband's "ringer" on one or two occasions), I can put my fist in my mouth (better than my foot :) and raise both eyebrows individually to any tune you can hum.

That's it - now you know more about me-me and now it's on to you-you.

3 people I will me-me:

Trish Pachak

Jim Volk

Karen Otto

This was fun!

- Jennie

I am replying to Kate Hart's blog here because she has not communicated with me on a personal level since she resigned from Stagedhomes.com as a Trainer.  I truly looked upon her as a sister and really miss our relationship.  Unable to separate me (just Jennie) from my role as a Trainer with Stagedhomes.com, she no longer trusts that I can actually just be me, and I am sad to report that I cannot blog on her sites as she is not open to hearing from me and I also don't want my responses screened or edited.  If that has changed - please let me know Kate.  Our last communication you did not respond back to me leaving me with the clear impression that "just Jennie" did not exist.  As I shared back then I knew and know nothing about your interactions with attorneys.

As for what transpired with Stagedhomes.com - there is more to the story that I am not going to share here. Not only is this not an appropriate forum, but it's not anyone else's business. 

Since you DID put my name in your blog, Kate and asked for my response - I feel it necessary to clarify that my business set up and how you are running yours are NOT the same.  I set up a TEAM - like you did.  You used my model as a framework for your business. I have shared my team set-up with many ASPs across the nation.  However, unlike your company, I give ownership to the team members.  They are all independent contractors.  The only fees they pay are to help with joint marketing and the fees are based only on their time, not inventory.  They are not referral fees - it is money they would be spending anyway - and actually less since we are able to combine our $$ for joint marketing projects and materials.  Nor is there a requirement or dollar amount they have to provide or fee to join.  It is strictly on their honor and I do not control all the jobs.  I do NOT take a referral fee for jobs.  I did NOT set up a referral fee program up and down the west coast (as you did on the east).  

Being referred to by some as the "Staging Mafia" (not my term - theirs) my business is not set up like yours at all.  I have never charged for the many referrals I have given to fellow ASP Stagers all over the US.  I have not profited from their work nor have I set up my business to be a resource of leads for other Stagers outside of my market.  Those are things you chose to do on your own.  So your set up and mine are vastly different.  I have given leads to ASPs in my own market as well - again with no referral fees.

Since you are not part of the SHC program you do not have the full details on the referral program.  It is NOT for ASPs to charge other ASPs for business - instead it is a way for ASPs that want leads from a lead generation program to help build their business.  I don't have to give details here - it is not a requirement for those that want to pass leads to other ASPs - this is not the same thing.

So let me just say - I am tired of people finding reasons to bash Stagedhomes.com and Barb - people with personal issues that should be dealt with on a personal level. This site is full of them.  Learn from the past and then move on to do things that are productive.

If I did not know better, I would think that some of you on this site have the sole goal of focusing on Stagedhomes.com and posting negative comments - instead of building your business!  WOW.  My life is too important for me to keep going back and rehashing stuff.  I would think that with your families and other more important issues you'd be able to move on.  The emotional energy you put forth to continue to drag us all through your personal drama is tiring.  Enough already.  Let it go - for your own good and ours too.

This is not an episode of Law & Order.  We are not a jury - and we don't have to keep hearing the same old stuff dredged up. We get it.  You have issues with how things happened.  So does the other side.  Let it go for your sanity and for the future of your health and the people on this site who don't need to be dragged down an unproductive rat hole!

I have been off this site of a little over 2 weeks and within the first 5 minutes of logging on - BAM! here is yet another examples of the junk I want to get away from!!  Stop the madness!

Anyone engaging in replies to those that want to complain about how they were done wrong (in any situation) - let me advise you to understand there are two very clear sides to any story. There is accountability for actions that some will never take - and so don't always believe everything you read.

Let's go out and Stage and keep it positive!!  Isn't that what this site is supposed to be for?  I wonder if I'll get a gold star for presenting this viewpoint?

- Jennie

I love this business!  Even in a "down" market, houses that are presented well do sell!  We Staged a house about a week ago that was probably in its hey-day in the 80's.  The yellow-gold-brown tile on the floors and kitchen counters gave the age away of this lady that was trying hard to fit in with the younger look of today's houses.

The seller (flipper/investor) convinced himself that the 80's look would help bring a buyer - which just made our job as Stagers even more rewarding when we were able to transform a dated dame to a classy catch!  His budget was limited (of course) but we worked our magic anyway and brought out the highlights of the house.

The house SOLD to the VERY FIRST PERSON that saw it and fell in LOVE with it!!  House priced $12K above what the Realtor/Seller originally told me - and SOLD at full price!  YES!!  This client - also with a local news station - said his wife was "stunned" at the transformation of her old digs.  He said, "you are amazing!"  And of course a news feature is next!

Oh - and I don't want to forget to mention the average days on market for a house in this price category are about 60 days.  For a median priced home - expect 120 days on market.  So this is not a "hot" market by any stretch of the imagination and still houses that are presented well, are selling.  We just de-staged 2 houses today - both sold in a less than a month.

Happy Staging!

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP - Owner We Stage Sacramento