Home Staging Blog by Jennie Norris

Someone sent me this article link and I could NOT believe it when I read it - but it's true!  Although there are those that we could argue should be "shot" for doing a poor job in the decorating, Staging, and design world, this is going to the extreme.  We have blogged about "regulating" the industry based on skills - this is basing it solely on education and passing a test.  Seems there is no happy medium  . . . . yet.

For those that missed the article - I reference a couple of points - and you can link to http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120701341410579079.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries and read it online there.

The bottom line is that ASID - that I know has many wonderful designers in it - as a business entity is trying to eliminate competition from those that do not have the initials after their name.  As the article points out, many of the designers out there do not bother to take the 2-day, $2,000 test for a license as it is "meaningless" (and expensive).

I found it most disconcerting that a state had already banned the giving of decorating advice (Alabama) even though it was retracted by the courts.  IF we head this way or have an entity with much $$$ behind it pushing for legislation with the only agenda to drive others out of the market (not encourage a quality standard) that is a frightening thought.

- Jennie

I wanted to take this opportunity to promote the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) Convention in July in Bellevue, Washington!  We are going back to the roots of Staging - to the Emerald City where Staging began over 35 years ago, and are hosting hundreds of Stagers from across the US and Canada at this event!

There will be featured speakers, breakout sessions, and new services unveiled for the first time for us to use with our clients.  We will have time for networking, and even time for a little shopping!  It is a packed 4 day event that kicks off with a Vendor Expo and culminates with a fabulous Awards Dinner and Auction.

IAHSP was the first association established to guide the Home Staging industry over 8 years ago, and is the only international association in existence.  You do have to be an ASP or ASPM in current standing to attend this convention.

If you have questions go to www.iahsp.com for information on how to register for this event.  You won't want to miss it - it will catapult your business forward and help create more excitement and momentum for you that will carry you through the year!

Hope to see you in Bellevue!

Jennie - Vice President, IAHSP

What is it about a Dog and his ball ?

Our dog, Copper, showed me something last night that made me really think about the word FOCUS.

At about 9 PM last night, my children began to panic as Copper was no where to be found.  "When was the last time you saw him?" I asked - as I had been dutifully working upstairs.  "I saw him run out in the backyard," my son Steven told me, "and he never came back."

I called his name out in the darkness - no response.  Normally he will come running or at least let me know where he is.  Nothing.  No sounds.  No response.  My mind immediately went to the "dark side" of fear thinking, "Oh my gosh - he has been eaten by a wild animal."  Yes - a wild animal that could scale our iron fence and make off with my 22 pound cockapoo.  A wild anumal that lives in the midst of suburbia (although we do back to an open space with a creek, trees, and well - it could happen).

Well - anyway, the mind was leading me astray and I got a flashlight and headed to the back corner. I was sure I would find his little body - either passed out or injured, too weak to get up or respond to my calls.

No - a totally unexpected sight greeted me.  There was my dog at the edge of our pool.  He was frozen in one position.  He was focused.  He was not moving.  He was not barking.  He would not even turn his head.  What was he looking at? His tennis ball that had somehow fallen in the water.

The ball had somehow ended up in the water and he would not leave without it (nevermind that he had 5 others inside - he wanted THIS one).  I noticed then that the area around the pool was wet with his paw prints - and I deduced that he had actually been trying for some time to get his ball OUT of the water.  But lacking long limbs and a tool to scoop the ball up - he was not successful.  But he had tried - he had made the effort, and when that did not work, he did the only thing he could think of - stay focused and get someone to help him. 

It made me pause.  It made me laugh.  It made me think.  He remained fixated on his ball until I got my husband to get the pool scooper thing (don't ask me what the technical name is) and get the ball.  Copper finally came to the house - wet paws and all - and happy because he got what he wanted.  He stayed until he achieved his goal with the help of another - but the goal was achieved.

What if we had that type of single-minded focus of a dog in our work?  That we would stick to it until we achieved what we wanted - worked for - and expected?  I think too many times we get distracted or disbelief creeps in and we give up.

When we can channel our focus to a goal - and stick to it - that is when we succeed.  Whether we eventually have to enlist the support of other people or other tools - staying focused until the goal is achieved is the key. 

What is your tennis ball?  Focus on it - and wait to achieve it. 

With all the shows and media coverage on Staging, it is natural for people to believe that "anyone" can stage. The fact is, that is not true. Anyone can learn to copy basic tips and maybe some ideas, but for true Staging to happen, a trained Stager needs to be involved (whether formal or informal - we are all educated in our field).

When less than 10% of the population has the ability to picture a room in a different way, it is not possible for "every" homeowner or realtor (or friend) to manifest that ability. Staging is not just about putting table cloths out (which actually is a no-no in my book) and adding some greenery. It is about strategic placement that occurs after a house has been depersonalized.

I want to make sure that anyone that is looking to prepare a house for sale actually uses someone that is trained and educated to know what that means. We have had friends, neighbors, even appraisers poke their noses into what we do best and what we've been trained to do - and I am amazed at some of the "advice" our clients hear.

Case in point - a family I know just put their house on the market using a Realtor that is not an area specialist. House is not "professionally" Staged - and I can tell because they have a narrow front window by their door where jumbles of jackets hang, greeting a buyer with a messy display of home familiarity - familiarity that should be removed, packed or put away. The photos of the house show cleaned surfaces and pleasant arrangements, so someone put on their "Stager hat" to get rooms ready for buyers, but I still see too many personal items, and odd arrangements of furniture.

When I teach classes I have Realtors and Stagers in the classroom. I make sure the Realtors that like to "dabble" in Staging know that their job is really to sell a house or find a buyer to work with - and if they really enjoy the Staging side, they need to ask themselves if taking all that time to Stage a house is really what pays them money, or is it getting a new buyer or listing?

The analogy I give is that their "staging" would be like me getting my real estate license and listing houses at 0.5% because it's "fun." How would that honor my relationships with my Realtors, or allow me to actually serve my "clients" - because my true joy is in Staging.

So - what hat are you wearing? And is it a Natural Fit?

• If you are a seller, let an expert give you objective advice on the sale of your house.
  
• If you are a Realtor, your income comes from listing and selling houses, not Staging.
  
• As a Stager, bring me in to help you both achieve your goals.

Check out this latest We Stage Sacramento Staging SUCCESS Story! 

We were contacted to Stage a very dated 1970's house in the area, that was full of wood - flooring, paneling, huge wood bar, etc.  The sellers had done some updating and remodeling through the years - mostly in the Master bath.  The house had a great floorplan for entertaining, and a wonderful location with a golf course and cul-de-sac location.  We worked our magic - and the house SOLD the first week it was on the market! 

The best news . . . the buyers are having us Stage their house they are selling - AND we picked up another job from this listing - a house in the neighborhood that has been languishing Vacant on the market since January!

Here are some before/after sets for you to enjoy! 

Dated carpeting - and HUGE Living Room with very high ceilings. 

Solution:  Nice grouping of full-size furniture with console table on wood paneling to help "soften" the wood - and still have a pathway to the backyard.

Huge wood bar and "area" that was sort of undefined.

Staged the bar with decor and furnishings, and put a grouping of furniture in "undefined" area - to make it a useful sitting area.

This is the formal dining room - that is very open and is part of the pathway from the front door to the kitchen.

Area rug to help anchor the space, formal table and artwork on the long wall to add color.

Throughout the house, we used greenery (trees, etc.) to help soften the amount of wood.

When you want Staging done right - contact the experts at We Stage Sacramento - Sacramento's FIRST and Premier Home Staging Company serving the entire region including Placer, El Dorado and Sacramento Counties. 888-WE-STAGE www.WeStageSacramento.com