Home Staging Blog by Jennie Norris

Sensational Home Staging Launches in the Denver region!

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:02:38 -0600

The newest Home Staging company to launch in the Denver region is Sensational Home Staging!

This may be a new company to the region, but it is not owned by a new Stager. Jennie Norris, owner of Sensational Staged Home is a professional ASP Master Home Stager that has been Staging houses for over 7 years.

She is also a member of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) that for over a decade has been guiding the Home Staging industry with standards of education, excellence and ethics. She is serving as the President of IAHSP for 2009-2010. It is the ONLY association that serves only Home Stagers, and the only professional Home Staging trade association founded on education first.

The launch of Sensational Home Staging follows her relocation from Northern California to the Denver area. After Staging over 2,700 in the past 7 years, Jennie has the experience and expertise to Stage any property. She built a large and successful Home Staging company and was the first professional ASP Home Stager to launch in a business outside of the SF Bay Area.

Jennie is a mentor to fellow Home Stagers, is a featured blogger, social networking expert, and has been interviewed by reporters for local and national publications. She is also privileged to have been included in national media segments on Home Staging for ABC's 20/20 and NBC's The Today Show. She is available for media interviews related to the Home Staging industry, business entrepreneurs, and women in business.

She is the only two-time recipient of the Barb Schwarz Staging Award of Excellence as voted on by her peers in the Home Staging industry, and has been recognized by the Women's Council of Realtors as Affiliate of the Year and been awarded the President's Award.

To find out how Jennie can help you achieve your goal of selling your house or listing, contact her at 888-WE-STAGE. You can also find us online at www.SensationalHome.com.

Jennie's former company, We Stage Sacramento, will remain operational under the ownership of Diane Cahill, ASP.

Get Trained as a Home Stager - Houston, TX area

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:13:09 -0500

The Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) Course from Stagedhomes.com - the industry leader in Home Staging Training - is coming to the Houston, TX region Wed-Friday, November 11-13th.

This class is being offered for both Realtors and Home Stagers that would like to earn a professional accreditation and designation for Home Staging. Realtors attend the first 2 days (November 11-12) and learn about Home Staging as a listing and marketing tool, as well as things they can do to help their own clients prepare their houses for sale.

Professional Stagers attend for 3 days - (November 11-13) and learn about the real estate industry and how to work with Sellers and Realtors for business, as well as how to establish, manage, market and maintain a successful Home Staging business. They become members of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) the only professional association founded in education and excellence standards, for the Home Staging industry, and the ojnly association established to serve just the Home Staging industry.

Only Stagedhomes.com has over 10 years of training history, and is based in nearly 40 years of experience by the Creator of Home Staging, Barb Schwarz.

If you would like to become trained as a professional Home Stager, enroll now to receive the only Accreditation available for Home Staging in a live classroom forum.

Go to www.Stagedhomes.com for information including a course comparison spreadsheet that will give you an entire summary of the most important things to consider when getting training, and how our ASP Course stacks up to others that are offered. Link here to register online: http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=746683

If you have any questions, please contact Stagedhomes.com at 800-392-7161. You can also email me as the Trainer directly at Jennie@stagedhomes.com

"Your Job Sound So Fun" - The Reality Behind a Home Staging Career

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:22:32 -0500

If I have heard that once, I have heard it 100 times. "Your job sounds so fun!" and to be fair, I suppose from the outside looking in, it DOES seem like a "fun job." Most recently as I was boarding a plane the flight attendant spied my carry on that promotes my Staging business and exclaimed how fun my job must be . . .

What the public sees is the transformation of a house - room by room - where we use creativity and skill to enhance what the public sees when buying a house. What they don't see is all the work and planning that went in to that successful transformation.

Seems that most people believe that Home Staging is a "fun" job . . . probably ranking up there with Genie, magician, dolphin trainer, or some other "job" where a person appears to get to do something others perceive is lots of fun but don't really understand all the work behind the result. I haven't asked, but I think they believe that we just move a bunch of decor around and diddle with fabric or bedding, and tossing pillows is the most labor intensive thing we do.

To most, they probably figure we have an army of "workers" at our disposal, like those people on TV - that work for free, and make magic happen with their saws, lumber, and materials they just pull out of their magic trucks or vans. If there are Stagers that do this, it is a very, very small percentage. Most of us are the ones doing the work, moving the stuff, and lifting the furniture.

What they don't realize is that although Home Staging is "fun" it is also a lot of work. Home Staging itself is very physical too, or it can be. Home Stagers sweat. Home Stagers strain. Home Stagers can even stress out.

The reality of Staging is that it is not glamorous and the "fun" is not about the ease of what we do, but about the reward of a job well done. Most professional Home Stagers I know that actually work a business, and don't just preach about it, are in the trenches getting sweaty and schlepping stuff from point A to house B.

The days when I Stage, I show up in my "uniform" which is comfortable shorts and a tank top, sandals or tennis shoes, and my hair up in a clip. To be brutally honest, on days when I wake up and know I am Staging a vacant house, I don't bother with makeup, except maybe some lipstick, and - shocker here - don't even bother to style or comb my hair. Why bother - I am going to sweat - and I am not going to see a client so vanity goes out the window. I just stick my hair up in a scrunchy or hair clip - and off I go to "work." Where I live, the temps can reach over 110 degrees in the summer, and just loading up for a Staging project brings a workout. We don't "perspire." We sweat.

In the winter, we bundle up and deal with the cold temps and freezing weather - and hope that our projects "beat the rain" or other bad weather, but we've Staged during near hurricane winds, and with fog so thick we can hardly see to drive. God bless those Stagers that deal with hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, sleet, and any other weather related challenges. Like the mailman, come rain, wind, snow or shine, the show must go on!

I have been physically injured numerous times from Staging. I have broken toes, injured my foot, pulled muscles, gotten bruises, cut myself, gotten tennis-elbow from lifting furniture, and had a bungee cord snap back in my face, splitting my lip open. In that case, the show went on, and we Staged a house because we needed to get it done, with my lip bleeding for 9 hours. Good news is it was my lip - a few inches higher and it would have taken out my eye. I have had sore back, legs, arms and neck from Staging - and over the years have gotten smarter about how much physical labor I personally do, opting to hire movers and manual labor help whenever the budget allows. There are "tools" we can use to help minimize some of the physical strain - furniture lifters, movers, and such, but the bottom line is that we cannot escape the physical nature of Staging. Even if we are just pulling inventory and loading our truck, that is physical.

Home Staging is fun because we are helping others, we do get to see the transformation of a space happen relatively quickly, and we get the reward of accomplishment when the house sells faster than expected - compared to the marketed un-staged competition. But it's not "fun" in the sense that it's easy to do.

Working with clients and providing Staging reports is not physical, but it is mental. We may not sweat while preparing the Staging report (unless the homeowner does not have their air conditioning on), but the mental side of coming up with a plan of action on the spot, and then having the ability to convey that plan with compassion and kindness to a Seller that may or may not be ready to hear the suggestions, or be excited about moving, can be a challenge and be somewhat stressful. The emotional aspect is something we have to be prepared for each time we work with a client. We never know what response they are going to have to our plan, and much of the time we act in the role of compassionate counselor, encouraging them to make changes that will ultimately benefit them the most in the sale of their property.

The longer we engage in business, the more confidence we get, and the better prepared we feel going in to work with a client, but I don't believe we ever fully get over that feeling of pressure to perform Staging magic, using what a Seller has or bringing in some "WOW" factor, with the hopes that everything will turn out great. We have a vision, we work to carry that out to the best of our ability, factoring in what the seller has to work with, any limitations we may have, the necessary timeframe, and budget.

My last Staging report was done late one afternoon, and the next day we showed up to do hands-on Staging to finish it off, with the clock ticking from a Realtor that wanted to get the house on the MLS - ASAP! Of course, the Realtor was thrilled and the seller got a real kick out of seeing how we used her things, combined with some basic inventory - to get her house show ready. She even said, "You were not like those people on TV - you treated me very kindly and I appreciate that." Working with pressure is not something every person can handle, and yet professional Stagers do it every day.

My greatest satisfaction comes not just from seeing a room come together with my ideas that transfer from mind to reality, but from the reaction of a client that cannot believe how nice their house looks, and from a Realtor who is thrilled at a tranformation of their listing. And it comes from a part of me that feels great joy at using my talent and creativity in a way that helps someone else.

Ultimately, when I finish a Staging project, there is a part of me that just wants to high-five someone, or do a celebration dance. As I have shared with colleagues - having a "theme song" is important and keeping the actual Staging fun - by sharing it with other professional ASP Stagers is what make it fun for me as well. As I learned from my mentor, Barb Schwarz, "having a party with myself" is half the fun of Staging - and that happens when I do something unexpected with Staging, when my creativity comes out and we use something in a new way, or make something out of "nothing" in order to achieve a goal. I love that feeling.

However, the "work" behind Staging never ends. Any successful Stager will tell you that getting the business is always on our minds. We are managers, marketers, and workers. Besides the physical labor that leaves us sweaty and tired, there is the constant marketing that has to occur. We can never just sit back and "wait" for business but must constantly find ways to reach our target audience with our message of how we can help them achieve their goals of selling faster and at the best price.

As a markets change, we have to change our strategy for getting business, so we are also adjusting to economic trends that impact our business. Any successful Home Stager will attest to the reality behind reinvention, and carving out market niches to stay viable.

Yes, our "job is fun" but it is also a lot of work - mentally and physically. We have to have endurance to make it through the tougher times, we have to have optimism to keep our hope alive when the going gets tough, and we have to rejuvenate our creative spirit by continuing to find new ways to test our skills and transform houses and spaces that truly need our Staging touch.

So those of you out there looking from the outside at Home Staging - and believe it is one of those "fun" jobs - what it is really is a passion that we have turned into a career. Despite the physical, mental and even emotional work it takes, we love it because it feeds a part of our soul or spirit that nothing else meets.

THAT is the real "fun" behind Home Staging.

Get Trained as a Home Stager - Cincinnati OH region

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:33:34 -0500

The Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) Course from Stagedhomes.com - the industry leader in Home Staging Training - is coming to the Cincinnati, OH region the week of September 14th.

This class is being offered for both Realtors and Home Stagers that would like to earn a professional accreditation and designation for Home Staging. Realtors attend the first 2 days (Sept 15-16) and learn about Home Staging as a listing and marketing tool, as well as things they can do to help their own clients prepare their houses for sale.

Professional Stagers attend for 3 days - Sept 15-17th and learn about the real estate industry and how to work with Sellers and Realtors for business, as well as how to establish, manage, market and maintain a successful Home Staging business. They become members of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) the only professional association founded in education and excellence standards, for the Home Staging industry.

Only Stagedhomes.com has over 10 years of training history, and is based in nearly 40 years of experience by the Creator of Home Staging, Barb Schwarz.

If you would like to become trained as a professional Home Stager, enroll now to receive the only Accreditation available for Home Staging in a live classroom forum.

Go to www.Stagedhomes.com for information including a course comparison spreadsheet that will give you an entire summary of the most imporant things to consider when getting training, and how our ASP Course stacks up to others that are offered. http://www.stagedhomes.com/PDF/COURSE%20COMPARISON%20SPREADSHEET-SHC%20ONLY.pdf

Here is the link to the registration information online: http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=715619

If you have any questions, please contact Stagedhomes.com at 800-392-7161. You can also email me as the Trainer directly at Jennie@stagedhomes.com

How would you like your Staging Services be Auctioned Off to the LOWEST Bidder?

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:22:49 -0500

How would you like your Staging Services be Auctioned Off to the LOWEST Bidder?

Yes - that's right - the LOWEST Bidder. Sort of like a reverse Auction where they devalue the service being auctioned off - a way to make sure a cheap price wins.

WOW. Would you want to be affiliated with a company that does that?

What if this company claimed to be training qualified Stagers? Yikes!

What if YOU graduated from this place expecting to have Staging work, and was not aware that you were being Auctioned off to the lowest bidder - and the client was ENCOURAGED to do this as way to get the cheapest price?

I was shocked when I read this - straight from the supposed Staging training company. We have all heard of these people as they advertise on a prominant TV channel, however the negative press and blog posts that have been rampant from their graduates or others that have interacted with them are proof that this company is a disgrace to what reputable Home Stagers do.

It's terrible that this company would degrade the people that are paying them for education - and cheapening the service of professional Home Staging like a used car lot.

Here is a DIRECT EXCERPT from an email that was sent to solicit business from a Realtor with a listing that was in need of Staging. This email was sent from the company directly and not from one of their graduates:

Then, using your offer as a starting point, we'll have Professional, Accredited Home Stagers in your local area (Or their Team Leaders) bid against each other to win your job. (The Auction helps drive down your price even further!)

Upon completion of the Auction (Usually about 8 hours) we'll notify you of the lowest bid below your original offer.

What this group is REALLY after is NOT helping their Stager grads win business - it's to promote their TV advertisement service and to solicit realtors and sellers to put their houses on some TV program to get exposure - for a fee of course.

By the way, based on their calculations of what it should cost, they believe Stagers are only worth about $25.00 per hour - if that. It's pathetic how this company is driving down the professional image of Stagers with their schmaltzy and slick advertising, and total lack of understanding of what it really takes to Stage a house.

My personal opinion is - I am most disturbed by the people they have deceived. Good people who are investing their dollars in training only to be greatly disappointed. For some of them - they don't have any other money to put towards a reputable training and real success as a Stager. For some they have to suck it up and try to put what little they learned and received to work. Complaints are unanswered, their hard-earned dollars gone - and they are disappointed that they were rooked by a scam.

I have heard from some of these people - the same story over and over. I think the best thing people can do is continue to write about the deceipt and poor business practices. And if you are reading this - DO YOUR HOMEWORK. If a training option seems too good to be true, it is. Stay far away from inflated promises and something that seems too easy.

This new information that I learned about the Auction - is just one more example of what a poor representation this company is to our industry. I wish we could collectively disown them from the Staging profession. They do not have one redeeming quality - and that is really sad.

The Art of Appreciation

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:33:44 -0500

“Thank you.” Two simple words that hold the power to elevate another’s attitude and validate a relationship.

Why don’t we hear these words more often? When my children were little, it was one of the first things I taught them - to be appreciative and say, “Thank you,” when someone did something for them or gave them something.

It is something that has to be taught as it is not an automatic, and it is something that shows good manners from childhood forward.

Why then as we enter the business world, does it seem so rare to receive a “Thank you” for a job well done? Showing appreciation to our clients should be on the top of our list, but somewhere along the way, it seems that the “loyal client” is forgotten or taken for granted in the quest to add more clients to our roster.

When I work with a client, of course I like to be appreciated for how hard I work, the services I provide, the extra effort I put in to a project, and how our whole team wants to make the client happy and have a success story to tell when our Staged houses sell. We make sure to appreciate our clients, and I am always shocked when I am not treated respectfully or with appreciation when I have the “client hat” on. I often say to myself, “If I treated my clients the way I have been treated by this company I would be out of business.”

As an ASP I feel that it is vital that our professional standards continue to set us apart from others that have not been taught that Home Staging is a viable business, and that honoring our client, and our relationships is the foundation to our success.

Showing appreciation is vitual for the longevity of any business and business owner. A saying or adage I really like is “It is easier to keep a current client happy than it is to find a new one.” How true.

So how can we show appreciation for our clients?

It’s as simple as 1-2-3.

1. Send thank you cards - handwritten. Never under-estimate the power of the pen! The written word is powerful - the sentiments we can share in a short amount of space when we sincerely express gratitude goes miles in locking our clients in to us for the long haul.

2. Give little appreciation gifts. This is not about spending a lot of money on things - it’s about giving little tokens of appreciation. One of my favorite things to give to my clients is a Starbucks Gift Card with a note that says, “You’re a Star in My Book.” The gift cards is usually about $5 - enough for a cup of coffee and a pastry, but the thought is what counts and I have received “Thank you cards” for my thank you cards!

3. Give Referrals. One of the best ways to show appreciation is to give a referral to your client. Remember what they do for a living and send business their way. Make sure that whoever you do refer mentions your name - so that your client knows that you want to help them succeed too.

Follow these simple suggestions for showing appreciation to your clients, and you will have a loyal client base that does value your relationship, send you referrals, and is with you for many years to come.

IAHSP talks with ASID to share the Real Staging Truth with You!

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:50:37 -0500

Recently, our IAHSP® International Board Chairwoman & Founder, Barb Schwarz, and President, Jennie Norris, issued a position statement on behalf of IAHSP International and our membership regarding legislation surrounding the Interior Design industry and any potential impact to the Home Staging industry.

We researched extensively and put thought into our position paper, and sent it out to all members, as well as posted it online.

Several weeks ago, we were dismayed to find separate groups attempting to discredit our research and our IAHSP Association in what we see is an attempt to strike fear into the minds of Home Staging business owners, and their attempt to build membership for their groups to help "fight" legislation that truly has no impact on Home Stagers. This, to us, is highly irresponsible and could even be called by some reprehensible.

Rather than engage in futile finger pointing and use, as resources to back up our position, other online posts or articles spouting much of the same misleading and inaccurate rhetoric put out by these same groups (which is what they continue to do and use as their resources), we determined the most responsible thing to do was to go directly to the most reliable source - American Society for Interior Designers - at the National Level in Washington, DC.

We took the time and effort and contacted the American Society of Interior Designers - and spoke directly with the National Director of Government & Public Affairs, the Associate Director of Public Affairs, and the Government Affairs Assistant. These individuals are responsible for legislation pertaining to the Interior Design industry and their role is to lobby for and support ASID membership and the Interior Design industry nationwide.

These are the questions we put forth to the American Society of Interior Design and below are
the answers of the National Director of Government & Public Affairs,
the Associate Director of Public Affairs, and the Government Affairs Assistant
The ASID Response is in BLUE and the IAHSP Feedback or TIP is in GREEN.
(For your reference, sources for accurate data pertaining to this issue are found at the end of this summary.)

1. Does the ASID legislation in any way target those in the Home Staging industry?

ASID Response: Backing up a step - the legislation is not generated by ASID. The legislation is generated by Interior Design groups and individuals at the STATE level. ASID is just one of several groups involved in supporting legislation that would better define business practices and legal recognition of the interior design profession.

From the ASID Site: "The 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives states the powers not delegated to the federal government. Under this framework, states regulate professions that impact the health, safety and welfare of the public."

"Every decision an interior designer makes in one way or another affects the health, safety and welfare of the public. Those decisions include specifying furniture, fabrics and carpeting that comply with fire codes and space planning that provides proper means of egress. In addition, interior designers deal with accessibility issues, ergonomics, lighting, acoustics, and design solution for those with special needs."

IAHSP: Home Stagers do not traditionally engage in activities that impact the health, safety and welfare of the public, and we are NOT targets of any State regulation of the Interior Design industry. Since the structures (houses) we are working in have already met safety standards when they were constructed by the builder, we do not have to consider those aspects when we engage in traditional Home Staging work with advising clients on what to do to prepare their houses for sale.

Exceptions to this would be if you recommend remodeling to a client as part of the Home Staging process. Ensuring they comply with any building codes is the responsibility of the person conducting the work. Since that is typically NOT a Home Stager, you are not at risk.

Painting walls, changing out existing light fixtures or plumbing fixtures is not an issue of health and safety when the homeowner simply replaces what was already there. Removing walls, adjusting the structure from the original design, or enhancing things like electrical systems, is a potential building code issue.

IAHSP TIP: Always refer any upgrading or remodeling work to a licensed professional who does understand codes and laws and would properly apply any needed regulatory or safety codes and laws.

2. What does the legislation want to achieve relative to interior designers?

ASID Response: Based on the 10th Amendment, the regulation occurs at the State level for Interior Designers. The legislation wants to regulate those who call themselves "Registered Interior Designers" or "Certified Interior Designers" in each State. The only exemption to this would be Federal Buildings that would fall under the guidelines at the Federal Level.

Ideally, ASID would like to see all states have a consistent definition of "Interior Designers" - but since each state is responsible for enacting their own legislation and criteria, it is not expected.

IAHSP: REFERENCE SOURCE: http://www.asid.org/legislation/state/
When you review this link, you will see that in all cases, the states that are currently putting legislation into practice or are proposing legislation - in ALL cases - target ONLY those that call themselves "Registered Interior Designer," "Certified Interior Designer," or "Interior Designer."

There in not ONE "Home Stager" title on the list. This means they are NOT targeting Home Stagers that conduct Home Staging services in a Home Staging business.

3.   Does the legislation target any service done for a homeowner or business or just those related to codes and safety?

ASID Response: There is a broad exemption on the books for residential and architectural work in the laws, and structures with fewer than 4 buildings are part of this broad exemption - which would apply to single family houses. However, whenever codes and safety are involved, it is best to work with a licensed individual. This could be a licensed contractor who remodels a house, obtaining the correct permit, or a licensed Interior Designer who understands structural safety and codes, who would engage the correct personnel to get the work done.

IAHSP: As Professional Home Stagers, we do not normally get involved in this type of work, and if you do choose to add those services to your business, IAHSP recommends that you would want to be licensed and certified to do that type of work. Otherwise, you would refer it to qualified individual.

4. If enacted, will the ASID legislation prevent someone that is a Home Stager from practicing in business?

ASID Response: No. The legislation at the state level is not targeting Home Stagers. When Home Staging is largely about residential work, it is not included in the main concerns of building codes and safety related to larger commercial work. The only state that currently regulates Interior Designers is Florida, and the laws have not translated to Home Stagers who successfully operate businesses in the state of Florida. The only exception to that would be IF the Home Stager calls himself or herself an "Interior Designer" - then they would be targeted under the auspices of that law.

From a letter by Bruce Bigham, ASID President: "ASID will continue to support legal recognition of the profession, but not if that recognition prevents individuals from offering services such as selection of colors, materials and finishes or selection and specification of furniture, fixtures and equipment, so long as those services do not affect building code or other statute."

5. Does the ASID legislation prevent a person from moving decorative items (such as pillows) from one spot to another in a house or moving furniture?

ASID Response: The genesis for this unfounded fear came from the legislation passed in Alabama and people have taken that one example of a poorly written law (that was quickly overturned) to the absolute extreme, irresponsibly. The laws that are working to be enacted at the State level by Interior Design groups in no way wish to restrict what happens in an individual's home with respect to personal decorating or moving of items from one place to another.

IAHSP: We did discuss what Home Stagers do when we rearrange furniture - with the goal to be to open up the traffic flow in a room. Again, these services are not any sort of target for the Interior Design legislation. Recommending painting walls, removal of clutter, basic upgrades that the homeowner would conduct or hire out to a licensed contractor, does not mean we are targets of any sort of legislation. (See above quote from Bruce Bigham)

6. Would the ASID legislation (if enacted) prevent a Home Stager from Staging a vacant house - bringing in furniture and placing it in rooms?

ASID Response: No. The legislation does not target that aspect of the Home Staging business. If there are any regulations that would apply, it would fall under Building Codes and these are not part of the Interior Design focus. Regardless of what definitions or regulations the interior design industry is successful in implementing, if there are building codes that come in to play, that is totally separate. Since what we do in Home Staging is like moving in or out of a house as a homeowner, this is not regulated.

IAHSP: As a Home Stager if we do get involved in a unique property, it would be wise to check to make sure there are not any restrictive Building Codes in place that may be of concern in installing furniture and décor.

7. Is the goal of ASID legislation to shut down Home Staging businesses across America?

ASID Response: Absolutely not. They do not see us as competition for their business and see that we serve a totally different type of consumer. We are part of the Real Estate Industry as Home Stagers, and they are the Interior Design Industry. We are different industries and their intent is not to harm any Home Stagers in the Home Staging industry.

Summary:
Our positions on the IAHSP International Board are voluntary as we serve our members and the Home Staging industry at large, and yet we know this is an important concern for many of our members, because of the volume of misinformation and inaccurate positions that have been posted by outside groups. We are happy to devote our time and effort to put out yet another thoughtful and accurate statement.

However, at this juncture, we ask you to TRUST that we would not be steering our valued IAHSP members or the Home Staging community at large in the wrong direction or with the wrong focus, and ask you to think twice about groups that ARE attempting to do this.

Why would you trust or choose to belong to a group that is deliberately trying to scare you and strike un-necessary fear into the minds of business owners? This is highly irresponsible and just adds more emphasis on the fact that these other groups do not truly understand what Home Staging is relative to our goals, our focus and our purpose. It is evident that they believe we are in the design industry, and that couldn't be farther from the truth. We believe that this is an attempt to build membership in these other organizations and use your dollars for personal profit under the guise of "fighting" an issue that is not about you as a Home Stager.

It is also proof of how they are not a purely Home Staging group with a Home Staging focus. Because they have allowed "anyone" to join, they cannot serve just the Home Staging industry, and that creates this challenge they have to deal with. Because they had no standards for membership from the start, they now have issues with members that have one hand in the Home Staging business and the other in Interior Design, with no leadership making it clear that those two services and industries are totally different in goals and purpose.

We encourage you to stay focused on your ASP Home Staging Businesses and share with others you may come across that IAHSP is a responsible trade Association for the Home Staging industry that seeks truth, not fear; seeks support through responsible and value added services, not to gain membership through fear and misinformation.

When and if, this legislation ever does target Home Stagers, you will be the first to learn of it through IAHSP and our now positive and friendly relationship with ASID.

We ask you not to just "believe" positions that are shared by those with hidden agendas - do the research yourself to get answers if you are still concerned after reading this summation. Just as we have researched and read information and drawn conclusions, if you truly want to know if this impacts you, go to the SOURCE and get the facts yourself.

Rather than read a paper that is a biased interpretation of the facts, go get the facts directly and read the legislation and concerns of the interior design industry. A few of the reliable resources are listed below.

We love and support all our members and are proud of our IAHSP Association for being a responsible voice for the Home Staging industry.

With respect and support for you,

Barb Schwarz, ASPM®, IAHSP®
Chairwoman and Founder, IAHSP

Jennie Norris, ASPM®, IAHSP®
President, IAHSP - 2009-2010

And Your IAHSP International Board

Additional References:

The below resources found online are full of articles and links to the actual proposed or enacted legislation on the books. If you want to do further research, we recommend the following:

"Interior Design Legislation 101" - http://www.asid.org/NR/rdonlyres/982056F9-CBD4-4A42-9921-AE6F3B4E84D8/0/IDlegislation101.pdf

"Health, Safety and Welfare"
http://www.asid.org/NR/rdonlyres/EC6604D5-6173-4B52-BBDB-D6EA23AD0AED/0/HealthSafetyandWelfare2.pdf

Letter from Bruce Brigham, FASID, President, ASID
http://www.asid.org/legislation/Letter+from+ASID+President+Bruce+Brigham++FASID.htm

ASID Legislation and Advocacy Resources
http://www.asid.org/ASID/CMS_Templates/Admin%20Templates/PrimaryHub.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7b69C8DAB0-70C2-4C23-AD18-296C22F0207E%7d&NRORIGINALURL=%2flegislation%2f&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest&bhcp=1

Sellers - Are You Ready for Your Close Up? - By Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:32:28 -0500

"All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up" - Gloria Swanson, Sunset Boulevard, circa 1940.

Those famous words helped immortalize the great Cecil B. DeMille. And it got me thinking. How many times have you had photos taken of yourself where you really were not prepared for that "close-up?" Or worse, been on television with a camera inches from your face showing every pore? It reminds me that there is nothing like preparation - lighting, makeup, positioning - that allows us to take that great photo or be on television without fear of looking "bad."

When applied to Home Staging we have to ask . . .

How many Sellers are ready for their Close Up?

My experience as a professional Home Stager tells me - not many. Even with the glut of television shows on Home Staging that should help educate the public to do SOMETHING to their houses before putting them up for sale, the fact remains, most Sellers are NOT prepared for their close-up.

However, when Buyers come in to a house, they notice EVERYTHING - and they do get Close-up. They notice not only the floor-plan, but how well cared for the house is. They notice smells. They look at grout, window tracks, windows, sinks, toilets, carpet stains, caulking in the tubs or showers - and if there is mildew, dirt, or debris, the assumption is that the house is not well-maintained. This causes a Buyer to be hesitant about purchasing a house - because they assume that they may have deeper issues to deal with should they purchase a house that is not "Show Ready."

Why aren't Sellers ready for their Close-up?

In most cases, it's because Sellers believe that their house is "fine the way they have lived in it" - and don't fully understand the WHY behind prepping it for the Buyer.

In other cases, the Seller allows emotions to cloud the need for prepping their house - feeling slighted or insulted when suggestions regarding cleanliness or de-cluttering are made.

And in some cases, it's because the people involved in helping sell the house lacked the courage to tell the Seller the truth about their house.

Telling the Truth can be Tough

It can be tough to tell someone the truth - but are we truly helping a Seller when we refrain from letting them know about key issues or concerns we KNOW will impact the Sale?

NO. We have an obligation to help Sellers - and the key is to use proper timing and couch it in kindness. This is where someone that is trained to handle Sellers - stands out from those that use criticism and sarcasm (like on television) to tell the "truth."

How do we get a Seller ready for their Close-Up?

Sellers need an HONEST assessment of their house - and independent third party that is able to be subjective in the house and come up with a plan of action for the Seller.

Sellers need to be willing to implement the independent suggestions - in order to make their house appealing to ALL Buyers.

Where do Sellers get an Honest Assessment?

Sellers can hire a professional Home Stager who will come in and prepare a detailed Home Staging Plan - that addresses how to prep the house room by room, inside and outside. The Home Stager can also help implement the Staging Plan based on how much time and effort the Seller has.

The best place to locate an individual who can provide accurate recommendations is through the www.Stagedhomes.com directory of professionally trained Home Stagers.

Clean is a Relative Term

We need to help Sellers put aside their feelings and realize that Clean is a relative term. But when it comes to Selling, there must be a high standard of CLEAN applied to the house, and a Seller that truly wants to sell will be willing to put added effort into the preparation of their house so that the house stands up to the highest level of Cleanliness.

How much does it Cost?

Typically, a Home Staging Plan ranges from $150-$450 nationwide for an average size house (2,000-2,500 square feet), and is based on the size of the house and the time it takes to prepare the Plan.

Hands-on Staging could be an additional $200-$2,000 or more - again, depending on what is needed. What you want to stay away from is the "Stager" that tells you to remove everything from your house and replace it with trendy, costly decorations and furnishings - a tactic employed by those intent on Selling their "stuff" and not your house. Around the country, these "Stagers" charge in the tens-of-thousands of dollars to Stage a house - which is a disservice to Sellers.

Vacant houses do require a higher investment than when a Seller has things to work with in the house - furniture and décor. However, the statistics show that even having to rent furnishings and décor to Sell a house in most markets costs less than a price reduction.

Ask for Credentials and Insurance Policy

As a Seller - you can ask to see a Home Stager's credentials - and ask them what they mean. An Accreditation is the highest form of training for the Home Staging industry. Only one reputable company offers this form of training, and is linked to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to provide education on Home Staging. The Accredited Staging Professional® (ASP®) Course has been around for over 10 years and has nearly 40 years of experience behind it.

Also - be wary of Stagers on blog sites that have a lot of "points" - this does not make them an expert Stager - just someone that blogs a lot online. Think about it - if they are online blogging all the time they could not be "out there" actually Staging. Ask for references and referrals. A quality and qualified Stager will be able to produce both.

Lastly, make sure the Home Stager is INSURED. Without a valid insurance policy, YOU are at risk when you invite this person in to you house. If something is damaged or broken, and the Stager has no insurance policy, the repair costs will be on you.

Home Staging - New Book Released!

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:06:43 -0500

Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging(R) has just released her third book on Home Staging entitled "Staging to Sell - the Secret to Selling Homes in a Down Market." ISBN #9780470447123

Pick up your copy today! It has been endorsed by wonderful leaders in the Real Estate industry that are featured on the back cover. On the inside, it has valuable information for today's market and economy, and even features ASP Home Stagers that shared their success stories and testimonials with Barb!

Home Staging - Worldwide Staging Service Week with IAHSP is Approaching!

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:20:30 -0500

As President of IAHSP for 2009-2010, it is my joy and honor to share that Worldwide Staging Service Week is coming up soon! If you are an ASP and want to get involved in your community project for this year, simply email Bette@iahsp.com to let her know you want to volunteer your time and ideas.

Worldwide Staging Service Week was started by Barb Schwarz who believes in giving back to our communities, our country and our world. WWSSW is conducted under the auspices of the IAHSP Foundation, a non-profit arm of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP).

Our wonderful IAHSP Chapters all over North America have helped charities, individuals, and those in need for the past 5 years. This year, we know more than ever there are people and groups that need our support. We have Staged homeless shelters, battered women's shelters, transitional living homes, military homes, troubled children's centers, Ronald McDonald house charities, senior citizen centers, and more. The hundreds of projects that have been done over the years have truly blessed those involved - who served from their hearts to help those in need.

Be a part of something bigger than just yourself - and volunteer to be part of Worldwide Staging Service Week (WWSSW). Worldwide Staging Service Week (WWSSW) will be conducted the week of September 11th - and you can find out more about how to get involved by going to www.iahsp.com.

If you would like to contribute to the Worldwide Staging Service week with a donation that will be used to help Stage for a charity, organization or individual in need, please go to the following link:

http://www.iahspfoundation.com/

Happy Staging and Serving others! - Jennie

Do we need a 12-Step Program for Stagers?

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:00:01 -0500

I blogged back in July about Home Stagers having A.D.D. http://activerain.com/blogsview/585638/Do-Stagers-have-A

- and although I know most of us do not actually have that condition - I did think that Stagers enjoy staging because of the short term gratification element.

Along those same lines - I also believe that those of that have found our life passion with Staging are ADDicted to Staging.

What is an addict? Websters defines it as: A person who cannot resist a habit, especially the use of drugs or alcohol, for physiological or psychological reasons.

OK - let's just remove the drugs and alcohol part - and put in "A person who cannot resist a habit, especially the use of Staging and creativity, for physiological and psychological reasons." - and there you have it!

We that love Home Staging are Staging Addicts!

Does this mean we need our own 12-Step program for support? Having grown up in a 12-step household (so this is not in any way meant to demean the helpful groups that saved my family's life), I can just hear the statements now at the weekly support groups - "SA - Stagers Anonymous."

"Hello, my name is Jennie, and I am a Staging Addict." Group: "Hello, Jennie."

The 12 Steps would be launched with the statement:

1. I am powerless over Staging - and help declutter other houses and my own so their lives and mine will not be unmanageable.

2.. Came to believe that a power greater than myself - Staging - could restore me and my clients' houses to sanity.

Etcetera.

The truth is, like an addict, I CAN feel myself going through withdrawals when I have not had my hands in someone else's house. My husband and kids notice it too - as I begin to "re-Stage" our own house - rearranging things, straightening, and fussing in the house - in order to make something "old new again." It bothers them - they want to be able to leave a blanket on the ground or not put the centerpiece back where it belongs after playing our Wii. To me - I often don't feel complete until my own house is back "in order" and yet I do have clutter - the kind that most families with children would have. Books, papers, collections, displayed school projects, and laundry - lots of laundry. And yet I recognize when I am crossing over to the addiction fix - I become sort of like a whirling dervish - spinning through my house cleaning, straightening, and re-doing displays. Time for a Staging project - FAST!

I do believe we that love Staging are ADDICTED to it - as one of my mentors proudly shared, "It gets in our blood stream - it's addictive." And yet I also know it is one of those "healthy" addictions. We are not harming anyone in the process of Staging (unless we drop a box on our toe), and we do help others to achieve their goals.

Now as I am writing this - I realize that as Home Stagers, we are addicted to Staging spaces and making houses more visually appealing, which is true. But what about the other role we play in this 12-Step world?

Think about it. Are we also codependent as Stagers? Do we do for others what they should do for themselves - but are not able? Yes we do. The decluttering, the proper presentation for the overwhelmed home seller - are all things the seller (or Realtor) are not able to do - and we come in and "save the day" with our plans, our creativity, our inventory, our knowledge.

Hmmm. I had not thought of that before now - but there is a grain of truth. We do help rescue the sale time and time again, offering up our solutions, telling our sellers not to be concerned - we'll take care of it - and allowing them to step aside and pass the responsibility for presentation of the house to us.

I guess we play both roles - we are the proverbial Addict and the Enabler. But the good news is that we are not hurting anyone in the process - we are helping. We are helping feed our own addiction and helping the Client achieve their goal of selling, even if it means we have to do the work ourselves.

Afterall - life should not be all boring - we have to have some FUN to feed our spirit - even if it is an addiction that can drive some of our family and friends crazy! And that is a whole other 12-step program.

SA unite!

Home Staging is Not For Sissies

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:37:06 -0500

Bette Davis once famously said, "Old Age is no place for Sissies."

Well I think we can rephrase that statement to say,

"Home Staging is no place for Sissies."

Sissy: A person defined as timid, weak or cowardly.

Professional home stagers know that in order to be successful you have to really work hard, and work smart. Being timid, weak or cowardly is a sure recipe for failure as a Home Stager.

We have to be bold, strong, and brave - especially in a market that is changing.

This does not mean we don't have fear about rejection or discomfort in approaching people about our business. Fear is a natural part of any human - fear is normal, however we have to get past our fear and overcome it in order to have the success we want. We cannot let our fear paralyze us to the point of inaction.

We have to bold to get our message out to our audience. We have to, as the title of one of my favorite books says, "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway."

We have to be bold in our Staging as well - and make sure that our Staging really is Staging, not decorating or design, and not something done to appease a pushy client. We have to be bold and educate our clients about what home staging is - and what it is not, and begin to counter the things we see on television that are really harming us as Stagers. I have yet to see one show that truly depicts what we do as Stagers, that has not crossed the line into decorating, design, remodeling, and criticism.

Being bold in Staging also means reinventing our look from time to time so that our Staging does not get stale or predictable. It means having fun with what we do and use our creativity in situations where others would give up - and go shopping. I love that part of being a home stager - that I was taught to use creativity first, and then the dollar, to help clients. It is a challenge we rise to time and time again, to the delight of our clients and Realtors who never thought the house could look so great, and never thought of using items in the way we used them in the staging process.

We have to be strong - physically and mentally.

Physical strength is needed. I did not realize how much physical activity it would take to be successful in Staging. I am a strong woman - I always have been. I was a dancer in my younger years and played all sorts of sports and have an arm that would rival good quarterbacks. With a team partner I have moved whole houses of furniture in to vacant staging projects, and have loaded and unloaded trucks, and warehouses. It is a prerequisite of our job to be strong physically, and the good news is for those that do not have the physical strength, we can hire help!

I got smarter as I grew my business, and we do hire labor for moving things - heck, I only have one back, and I don't want to tweak it out because of Staging (and I have J). I have suffered sore back, tennis elbow, broken toes, scrapes, bruises, and the near loss of an eye from a flying bungee (hit my lip instead and split it open). Once those things happen, you tend to reassess the wisdom of "doing it all alone" to save money, and begin to stage smarter.

Hiring help actually helped us stage faster, smarter and kept us from getting overly tired and injured. So we actually are able to accomplish more in one day than in the past. I have always said, as long as have our minds and can envision the plan for Staging, we can stage.

Mental strength to me is more important than physical strength. With so many people jumping in to the Staging market, it is now about mental sharpness, and being able to deliver a message of WHY a person needs to work with my company or me as a Stager, versus someone else. Positioning.

It requires staying on top of the real estate market and trends, and responding in kind to keep business flowing. It also requires a constant positive attitude adjustment so that I don't end up locking myself up in fear, or analysis paralysis - both also the kiss of death for Stagers. I don't bury my head in the sand and ignore what is obviously happening with our economy, I ask, "How will this affect our business, and what can I do to help stimulate production?"

It always boils down to marketing - and so I find ways to entice clients to use our services and remind them of the benefits of Staging versus sitting on the market.

And we have to be brave - of course, our Staging does not take the bravery of our armed forces, but we do have to have a sense or courage and bravery when we go out to promote our business. We have to have courage in the face of economic times where financial disaster seems to be looming around every corner. We have to be brave and delve in to new market niches - and be willing to reinvent ourselves to respond to the market and the needs of customers. We have to have the courage to keep a positive attitude when everything and everyone around us might be telling us doom and gloom information.

The natural tendency for most humans is to hunker down and wait it out - but waiting in our business, means not doing face time, and not getting out there to go after business, and this is too risky for us as Stagers. In tough times, we have to be out there even MORE than in the past- because our business is built on relationships, and when we are out of sight, we are out of mind. That then leaves potential opportunities for Staging up for grabs for the person that is out there, a presence in person, and actively asking for business.

So sissy stagers will fall away in these tough times, and the strong will survive. This is the way it with all species - it's called, Survival of the Fittest.

The question is, how fit are you and will you overcome the fear and get out there anyway? My hope is that you will - and when this economy turns around (and it will), we will find ourselves with even more ways to serve our clients, the ability to earn even more than we ever thought possible, and the strength to keep Staging day by day.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

We Stage Sacramento is a full-service Home Staging company serving the Greater Sacramento market. For over six years we have been helping sellers, builders and Realtors prepare houses for sale, successfully staging over 2,500 properties. Our Services also include services for redesign, holiday staging, and workplace staging. We are members of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) and accredited as ASP Home Stagers. Call us at 888-WE-STAGE or www.WeStageSacramento.com

IAHSP Celebrates A Decade of Excellence!

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:20:23 -0600

Congratulations to the International Association of Home Staging Professionals who this year is celebrating 10 years - that's right - a DECADE of Excellence!

In 1999, Founder Barb Schwarz had the vision and foresight to establish the first professional Association to serve the Home Staging industry. Patterned after other professional Associations - the National Association of Realtors and the National Speakers Association - IAHSP based its membership in excellence, education and ethics. It is also the only professional Home Staging Association that has hosted an annual Educational Symposium and Convention for six years, and the only association that has a non-profit IAHSP Foundation established to give back to communities and individuals in needs all over North America!

CELEBRATE with us - 10 years is an accomplishment worth shouting about!!

To find out how you can be part of this amazing professional Association that sets business standards, ethics standards and performance standards for the Home Staging industry, go to www.iahsp.com or email Jennie@iahsp.com

This is a Matter of Life and Death - important (updated 1/25/09)

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:44:10 -0500

1/25/09: Clark's Story - the final chapters This is the update on Clark - Please love your family and friends and appreciate the moments in life that you have - things can change on a dime and things we think are so important and significant really are not - when faced with a real crisis of the heart and life. - Jennie

12/20 UPDATE: Please continue to Pray for Clark.... - this is the update on Clark.

10/28 UPDATE: Please continue to Pray for Clark.... - This is the update on Clark for Members Only.

10/20 UPDATE: Please pray for Clark - for healing and to come out of his coma

This is the update for Clark for Oct 20, 2008 - please read and continue praying for him! - Jennie

10/11 UPDATE: Please pray for Clark - for healing and to come out of his coma

updated for Oct. 11, 2008 - to read the update on Clark, please link to this other post.

- Jennie

_________________________________________________________________________________

Updated for September 30, 2008 . . . To see the update on Clark, link to the other blog post:

9/30 UPDATE: Please pray for Clark - for healing and to come out of his coma

I truly hope that the blog gods don't delete this post as it truly is a matter of life and death and of great importance to all of us that Stage in the heat or in hot areas around the country.

Dehydration can kill you or me. It is very important to stay hydrated as we Stage or do anything physical.

My brother in law, 49 years young, went out jogging last Saturday and while running became dehydrated, sat down, and passed out. His heart stopped - he died. He was found by other joggers - no one knows how many minutes passed before he was found - and a jogger that happened to be a Doctor also came by and immediately administered CPR. The paramedics arrived and got his heart started again with the paddles, and all his vitals came back strong, but my brother in law remains in a coma - 5 days later. He is excellent health - his heart looks good, his brain seems fine, although today an EEG will determine if there is any kind of damage to the brain that did not show up earler. Physically he is beginning to respond to things but has not "awakened" yet - and that is what we want to happen. We have many people lifting this man, father, husband and friend up in prayer for a full recovery - but it does not happen like in the movies where the person just pops up and is all fine.

Yesterday a 14 year old boy dropped dead after soccer practice here in Sacramento. It was about 95 degrees outside, no humidity. The boy was in good health, no known issues. My prediction is that it is tied to dehydration and a tragedy that could have been avoided if the boy had stayed hydrated.

Another colleague (not a Stager) was moving her house and felt great pain in her legs to the point that she decided she should go to the doctor. Turns out her potassium levels were dangerously low, and - she was dehydrated. They said she was "this close" to having a major heart attack.

Coffee and energy drinks are not a replacement for water. My brother in law drank a cup of coffee and had a soda before he went running. Caffeine is a stimulant, so my guess is that under the hot and humid conditions he was jogging in, that caffeine was not good for his system, and a bottle or water or a sports drink like Gatorade would have been better. Hindsight is 20-20.

I know when I have staged in the heat, we sweat profusely as the temperatures sometimes climb up to 110 degrees. It is important to keep cold water handy, and to pay attention to our bodies. If we feel funny or something is not right, that is our body giving us a signal.

Many people that like the idea of Staging don't fully realize how physical it can be - with vacant home installs, or working with sellers that don't put on their air conditioning and we end up staging in a house that is 90 degrees. Staging IS work.

When we exert energy, we can sweat, and we need to replenish our fluids or else risk our health. It's as simple as that.

Drink water - it can save your life. - Jennie

I posted more on this and specific prayer requests on another AR group that is appropriate for that and will be posting updates on Clark's condition there. Thanks!! Jennie

9/30 UPDATE: Please pray for Clark - for healing and to come out of his coma(Members Only)

Posers - All Talk but no Walk

Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP (Sensational Home Staging) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:47:53 -0600

I was watching this media segment on some celebrity nonsense, and they kept referring to people as "Posers." In fact, one urban dictionary definition of "Poser" is:

A poser is someone who tries to fit into a profile they aren't. People who try to give off the impression that they are one thing when they are really another.

Also, a poser can be one who says they can do something that they can't.

I know we all have Staging Posers in our markets. I ran across one that was hired to do a Staging project, and turns out he was a Realtor "Posing" as a Stager - who picked out rental furniture that was a total mish-mash, but was cheaper than a real Stager. End result - the house did not sell when it should - and the client ended up spending way more money to have it done right the second time around!

These Posers are people that claim they know how to Stage but really don't. This person could be anyone from the homeowner who thinks because they watch HGTV they can successfully Stage their house, to a person that reads a book or a "how-to" pamphlet created and all of a sudden is an "expert" on what to do, to someone that actually starts up a Staging business, but really has no idea what Staging is all about. Although some of the media shows and publications help, the GIFT of Staging is not something you can just wake up one day and claim to have. To me it is a God-given gift was have from birth - the abiltiy to see things in a new way, to picture and envision rooms, yards, houses transformed. Not everyone has it - so not everyone can be a Stager.

According to one website: Calling someone a poser is the same thing as accusing them of being fake or inauthentic. They may talk the talk, but they don't walk the walk

How do we overcome the Posers in our own industry?

First, I hate to say it here on a blog site, but just because someone is writing about it - does not mean they are actually doing it. The public has to be savvy about not just picking someone because they have a bunch of points. Sadly, some are impressed by that, but as I blogged in the past, http://activerain.com/blogsview/371376/If-You-Are-In-Here-You-Are-Not-Out-There if a person is always in "here" blogging, and on numerous other sites posting things, they could not possibly be out "there" as much as a they claim, unless they literally never sleep. That, to me, is a Poser.

Writing about it and DOING it are two totally different things! Now I know Blogging can be like a full-time job - and it IS for some that actually get paid to comment on life, websites, etc., or for those that want to parlay their blog sites into publiciations. . . However, when our full time job we "blog about" is Staging - how can we be wearing both hats and be legit in our business? I know there are some that make it work, but a non-Poser will have a balance - not spending all their time on a blog site, and have real examples of productive work - which brings me to the next point.

Hopefully the public is savvy enough to actually look at the portfolios of the potential Stager - and makes sure that the photos included are of their work. And a Stager that is really out there running a business will have RECENT examples of successful Staging work, and statistics they track. Or at least they should. If they are promoting the same old photo from a year ago, chances are they have not really been "out there" Staging and are "posing" with those that have been out there working.

I know the tough market has meant business slow down for many markets - mine included - and yet because we are in this long term, we have recent examples and success stories we could share. A Poser will not have those.

Next - ASK for Credentials. A Poser won't have any. That is a pretty simple solution there. A Home Staging Poser will most likely talk about how much they love decorating, or perhaps they even came from a different parallel field, but they really won't be able to talk too much about how they have self-educated themselves in this field, or reference classes they may have taken.

How about ASKING for Insurance. A Poser probably will not have made the investment to insure a business that does not really exist. They want to be considered a Home Stager, but they don't really want to make the investment in a business. Not only does it leave their clients at risk, but they are putting their own family at risk by not insuring their business.

How about this important distinction: A Poser will not have success. Because they really don't know what they are doing, their houses don't sell and they cannot toot their horn over fabulous Staging transformations that result in record sales, or other stats that help sustain the Staging market.

Finally I think this question really weeds out the Posers from the Home Stagers that really plan on doing this as long as their minds will allow . . . Ask the Poser "How long do you see yourself doing this and why?" The Poser usually looks at Staging as a quick buck, and gets out as fast as they got in when the going gets tough. Or the Poser does not understand truly how Staging can work to sell a house - and will just dump in basic decor or a ton of greenery and call the house "Staged."

Posers are all talk and very little walk. They want to be like those that are successful in this fun, exciting, roller coaster ride of a business we call Staging - but it's time to identify the Posers so that the public does not get led down a primrose path of false expectations.

What is your take - and how many of you have met a Poser in your Market? Do tell!!

Jennie