You Might Be A Redneck Home Stager If...

I live in metro Atlanta, which is Jeff Foxworthy country.  Last I heard, he lived about 20 miles up the road from me.  We all love him around here.

Last week my husband and I went to the local diner for dinner (supper?) where they have a Jeff Foxworthy calendar on the counter.  He has a "You might be a redneck if..." line for every day of the year!  That got me to thinking that some of us may be redneck home stagers, but just don't know it.  I decided to come up with a list which will help us determine if we fall into that category.  If you see yourself (or your stager) in the stipulations below, I don't advise fessing up to it.  Here are the determining factors:

You might be a redneck home stager if...

1. at any given time, at least one of your clients is named "Bubba."
2. your hunting dog accompanies you on every job.
3. when tackling curb appeal, your main dilemma is how to camouflage the Chevy on blocks in the front yard.
4. decluttering involves getting the homeowners to par down the number of appliances on the front porch.
5. your favorite staging greenery is kudzu.
6. you've created a CD "mix" for your clients to use during their open house.  It includes such favorites as "My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend, and I Miss Him" and "If the Phone Ain't Ringin', It's Me."
7. your staging fragrance of choice is "fried catfish."
8. when updating, the homeowners typically replace their "comics" wallpaper with an Elvis mural.
9. your staging "trademark" is a greased cast iron skillet placed on the stove.
10. you always leave the toilet seat up.

If you have additional criteria to submit, please feel free.  We must get the word out before it's too late. 

If you know of someone suffering from "Redneck Home Stagers Disorder," please have them call our Stagers Anonymous hotline at 1-800-GET-HELP.  Time is of the essence!

Arby's Plays the Patriotic Card

Several days ago I was driving from one job to the next and realized I was thirsty.  Knowing there was a Chick-fil-a in the area (I LOVE their iced tea!), I started looking for the American flag flying high, which is one of their trademarks.  I spotted one coming up on the right and whipped into the drive-thru lane.

When I pulled up to give my order, something didn't look quite right, but I couldn't put my finger on it.  The worker said, "That will be $1.43 at the first window."  (On a side note -- when my husband is with me at a drive-thru window and the clerk makes that statement, he always asks, "Well how much is it at the second window?"  But I digress.) 

I pulled on around to pay and pick-up my drink.  As she handed it to me I happened to see the label on the cup.  I wasn't at Chick-fil-a at all!  I was at Arby's!  I've been scammed!

Of course, I soon realized that when I saw the flying flag I just assumed I was at Chick-fil-a.  So it seems that Arby's has decided that more than one can play the patriotic card (and perhaps pick up a few extra customers).  I say bring it on and let the (unsuspecting) consumer figure out where they are.  The more flag waving we have, the better!

A few weeks ago our church, Blackshear Place Baptist, had a special evening of worship during which we partook of the Lord's supper.  In addition, we viewed a dramatic sketch of Jesus and the 12 disciples at "the last supper."  I was honored to be asked to direct it.  The sketch began with the characters posed like the Da Vinci painting while the choir sang.  At the end of the song, they came to life and spoke, sharing from the scriptures what took place that night.  Once the dialogue was over, they went back to still and the lights went down.  This was definitely my favorite staging job ever!  In honor of the season, here is a photo of the drama.  Judas is missing, as the picture was taken at the end of the sketch after he had departed.

To celebrate the start of our 3rd year in business, Stage, Show & Sell Home Staging Company sponsored a contest to give away a FREE half-day staging makeover on an occupied property and a gift certificate for 50% off staging fees on a vacant property.  The drawing was held today at high noon, and the winners are...

• Lance Hempen, Funari Realty - FREE staging (occupied)
• Brady Miller, Keller Williams Realty - 50% off staging fees (vacant)

Congratulations to the winners!

For anyone living in south Hall or north Gwinnett Counties, I hope you will join us at Blackshear Place Baptist Church this evening as we celebrate America.  This year's program is titled The Torch Is Passed and is centered around the theme of passing the torch of freedom on to the next generation while we pass our faith along.  Here is a photo of a previous program to give you some idea of what you are in for.

 The program is always a huge crowd pleaser and incorporates choir, orchestra, drama and narration.  Year to year, the highlight of the presentation is our Salute to the Armed Forces section.  We bring in military in full uniform representing each branch of service as well as a local color guard comprised of Army personnel.  Here are the particulars:

• Wed., July 1 at 6:30pm
• Blackshear Place Baptist Church
• 3428 Atlanta Hwy.
• Flowery Branch, GA  30542
• 770-534-7058
• www.bpbc.com

Yours truly serves as drama director and program coordinator, but don't let that keep you from coming.  Please join us as we celebrate our freedom, pay tribute to the military, and honor our Lord.  Come early to get a good seat!

Last week I received a call from a woman in the area who is contemplating becoming a stager.  She found me on the internet, saw that I was close by, and asked if I had time to discuss the business with her.  I immediately said, "Absolutely!"  What an honor to help bring someone else along into the wonderful world of staging!

We met for lunch a few days ago.  She whipped out her sheet full of questions and the fun began.  She asked questions such as, "Do I need to be accredited?"  (Yes, I highly recommend it.  It gives you credibility in the industry.)  "What program would you recommend?"  (That depends.  Do you want to spend your money learning how to stage or learning how to set yourself up for business?  Different programs are geared toward different ends.)  "Do I need business cards, a brochure, a website, a car wrap?"  (Yes; yes, soon; yes, but don't rush it or you'll have to have it rebuilt in a few months because your first pass didn't cut the mustard; no, but I do think car magnets are a good idea.)  And on and on we went.

Have you ever seen the show, "What Not To Wear"?  That's what the second half of our conversation reminded me of, only regarding staging.  This dear woman had the benefit of learning from all the mistakes I've made in my (almost) 2 years of being in the biz.  (I won't list them here.  You would get tired of reading.) 

I remember when I first started out, I asked several other stagers I came in contact with how long it took them to get their businesses up and running.  They all replied, "Two years."  I thought to myself, "Yeah, maybe for THEM!"  Well, I realize now that they were right and it's actually very reassuring to me at this point to think back on their words, because it lets me know I'm right on schedule.  My business is definitely growing and gaining momentum, but I don't quite have the consistency I'd like.  So knowing that it took other successful stagers that long to get up and running is very reassuring.

My point is this:  when mentoring others I think we can be the most help to them by being perfectly honest.  They need to know what fun staging is, how every day is different, and that it is many things but NEVER boring; but they also need to know that it's not easy and there is a price to pay to build a successful business.  Do I enjoy staging?  Yes!!!  Have I made mistakes?  Yes!!!  Would I do things differently if I were to start over again?  Absolutely!!!  Would I go into a different profession?  NEVER!!!

Attention Atlanta real estate professionals!  Do you have a listing that has been on the market for 3 months or longer?  Do you think the home would benefit from home staging?  If so, have I got a deal for you!  The Atlanta Chapter of International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP^®) has just launched a contest in which a homeowner whose house has been on the market 3 months or longer and listed with a Real Estate Agent can enter to win a FREE HOME STAGING!  The prize package also includes FREE SERVICE FROM OUR CONTEST SPONSORS, plus, once the staging is done, we'll sponsor your open house so you can show off the transformation and attract more buyers.   Your clients only have until April 20th to enter, so have them go to www.homestagingcontest.com where they will be able to download the entry form.  Please tell them you learned of the contest through Patsy with Stage, Show & SELL, your home staging partner.  I hope you will share this information with your clients. 

The above photo was taken last Friday at the Atlanta Home Show where our IAHSP^® chapter officially kicked off the contest.  Yours truly is second from the left.

In the meantime, for those who can't afford to wait to see if they will be the contest winner, please contact me for your immediate home staging needs:  770-843-2307.  I leave you with a testimonial from one of my current Realtor clients:  

        I wanted to thank you for your staging services on my Sandy Springs listing. I listed the property and literally had no showings. Within days of your staging the home we had over 4 showings. With the abundance of foreclosures, one has to stand out.  Your staging of my listing has put me over the top
with two offers on my property. Thanks again for giving me the edge in my market place.

Stage, Show & SELL!

o

Aren't you sick of parents bragging on their kids?  Several years ago I initiated the annual Overton Christmas letter.  With my first edition I made 3 promises:

1. I would never write more than one page.  (I have had to reduce the font size a couple of times in order to keep that promise.)
2. I wouldn't sell my mailing list, no matter what they offered.
3. I would never brag on my kid!

Okay, back to my title.  I actually saw this today in bumper sticker form on the car in front of me.  The question that immediately popped into my mind was, "How do I turn this into a blog?"  I'm still struggling with that part, except to say that I saw the bumper sticker when I was on my way home from checking on the blow-up camper bed in the "vignette staged" home to see if it was holding air.  It is!  No leaks!

Sometimes it's all about the title.

Agents, are you (unknowingly) preventing your clients from staging their homes, even though you understand the value of staging?  Please allow me to explain.  

Last week I received a cry for help from an agent.  She had just taken over a listing of a vacant property that has been sitting for over a year.  She said, "I know the home needs staging to add warmth to give it that 'homey' feel to potential buyers, but the homeowner will never go for it.  She simply will not spend the money for staging.  What can I do?"  I proposed having her send before and after photos to the seller to SHOW (not "tell") her the difference staging can make.  I further explained that through vignette staging,  spending a small amount of money can make a HUGE difference in the way the property is presented.  I gave her a price for minimal staging of key rooms, sat back and waited.  

Guess what?  The seller was all for it!  Not only did she fork over the money for vignette staging, but she ended up agreeing to a HIGHER furniture rental tab than the one I initially proposed!   

Believe it or not, I have run across this situation many times since I've been staging.  Even though the agent realizes the value of having the home professionally staged, he/she simply doesn't think the homeowner will bite.  In essence, the agent is preventing the seller from staging.  Please don't be one of those agents!