I sit here pondering this question as I am in the middle of handwriting about 400 cards to local real estate agents that we had the good fortune of connecting with in one way or another at a trade show last week.  I've already done about a hundred of them over the course of the last few days.  As I look at the list and the stack of cards I can't help but wonder if there is in fact a better way....

At the trade show there were two companies - Chain Reactions & Send Out Cards - who offer an option to this time consuming task.  The idea is simple, you custom write the message - they sample your handwriting and create custom cards with your handwriting en mass.  It sounds like an intriguing idea.

Here is my issue with it however.... Does the handwritten card lose its effect if it is computer generated - even if in your own handwriting?  I think it does.  Part of the reason we send cards is to show our personalized service.  We want our clients to know that we go the extra mile.  We care about our clients and do things with a personalized touch. 

If we look to computer generated cards, how is that different from an email or mass generated post card, etc?  Surely the client is intelligent enough to know that we didn't actually take the time to hand write it.  Sure it would be a real time saver, but does it offer the same personal attention that is the whole point of the handwritten card.  What do you think?

This is a home we recently staged for a client.  This property is completely renovated and updated.  It is a great value in an excellent school district.  With nearly 1/3 of an acre (fenced yard) it is the perfect home for a family.

For additional information on this property, please contact Emanuel Chatman - homes@emanuelchatman.com

Do you ever play this game when you are looking in MLS for your clients? Worse yet do your clients feel like they are playing this game when looking at your MLS listings?  Is this what they are seeing?

Do you know what room this is?  I'm sure you can guess, but it is just that, right?  I mean, do you KNOW?  If your client were to see this photo in MLS would they be drawn in?  Would they ask to see more?  Would they call you to schedule a showing appointment?

Does this photo provide additional information for your client?  Is it clear what room this is?  Do you know how big it is now.  Would your client be more inclined to want to view the rest of the home?  This is the power of staging. 

One of the main reasons staging sells a home faster is because we are able to help create more traffic.  Additional traffic increases the odds of finding a qualified buyer who loves the home you are selling.  If you are serious about selling contact your local area stager today. 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  When you are listing your photos in MLS, maybe that should be a thousand dollars! 

The before photos are from a home that was 'completely renovated' and listed by an investor.  The home was just completed and the investor was looking for an 'edge' in this market.  The first thing we noted was that the cabinets still felt dated.  The rest of the home looked fresh and new, but this area was still a sizable problem.  Paint was the cure....

The cost for this makeover?  Less than $1500 (and included the master & powder room cabinets as well).  The change will more than make up for the cost. 

While most of those of you who know me realize that I work primarily in vacant homes (as this one was) I think it is important to note that these are the kinds of changes that we should be making when staging homes.  Just adding furniture is not enough.  Our job is to create equity and value for our clients..... give the most bang for their buck!

Go to Washington Post to see article with photos:

This living room was made over by Sandy Dixon, executive director of Interior Redesign Industry Specialists, using what the homeowner already owned.

Photos Provided by Sandy Dixon

Using What You Have

Thursday, February 21, 2008; Page H04

What do you need?

This Story

•·         Just What You Need

•·         Using What You Have

•·         Making a Plan

•·         Getting Organized

•·         Picking Paint Colors

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Do you fantasize about having your living room picked for one of those one-day makeover shows on cable television? Do you have so much stashed in the garage or basement that you have furnishings you don't even remember? Would you gladly let someone take over your house and Just Do It? You might be a candidate for a redesigner who will shoo you out to then rethink, rearrange and edit your furnishings before welcoming you back to the big reveal. It's basically design-in-a-day by an energetic person with a practiced eye and common sense who will help you find style and livability in what you already own.

Who can help?

Members of a nine-year-old organization called the Interior Redesign Industry Specialists (IRIS) practice that kind of get-it-done design. They first confer with clients about the problem, whether the room is too cluttered, too dated or just isn't useful. Next, they "shop the home" to find what there is to work with. Then the clients depart, and the redesigner goes to work layering furniture, lighting, art and accessories. IRIS Executive Director Sandy Dixon of Evergreen, Colo., says the group has about 1,000 members nationwide who have completed the organization's five-day redesigning course. Some members specialize in "restaging" houses that are for sale. The IRIS Web site lists 32 members in Maryland and 36 in Virginia.

The one-day makeover approach, popularized on TV home shows, has been embraced by the design marketplace, and there are plenty of redesigners and restagers not associated with IRIS.

What will they do?

Typically, redesigners will empty a room then put it back together, using paintings, lamps or chairs in a new way. Some bring along a van of what they call "props": lamps, rugs or plants (usually artificial) available for sale. Some have niche specialties such as redisplaying accessories, hanging art or holiday decorating.

What won't they do?

They don't address bigger decisions such as moving walls or remodeling or replacing flooring.

How much will it cost?

IRIS members charge $50 to $150 an hour; others may charge by the room.

How to find one?

IRIS members can be found on the group's Web site at http://www.weredesign.com/. Other redesigners are in listings for decorators in the Yellow Pages or classifieds.

Jura Koncius

*This was posted by request from Sandy Dixon, IRIS President & Anna Jacoby, IRIS Vice-President

This blog is inspired by a speech made at the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors Plugged-in Tech Fair and Trade Show.  The speaker was nationally renowned speaker, Gee Dunsten.  He spoke of the difference betwen being good and being great.  The analogy he used was that of boiling water...... You see, the difference between hot water (at 211 degrees) and boiling water is only 1 degree. 

This single degree change can mean the difference between water sitting and enough power to begin to create steam.  Steam is an energy source strong enough to power a locomotive.

Another one of my favorite speakers, Anthony Robbins, speaks of CANI - Constant And Neverending Improvement.  The concept is simple.  Everyday you make tiny changes - simple changes.  These simple changes add up and create tremendous results - much like the differnce between hot & boiling water. 

When you are working your business, whether real estate, staging, mortgage, appraisal, ANY BUSINESS - or even your personal life - it is important to think about the concept of CANI and a simple degree change.  Even 2 steps forward and 1 step back = 1 step forward! 

Thank you Gee Dunsten for reminding us that it is all in that small extension that makes great turn into exceptional!

Ok, maybe it's not a dead horse, but I'm sure some of you are sick of listening to me say this.... Yet somehow I continue to need to express my awe and inspiration behind the most powerful tool in my marketing arsenol - you know what it is..... I know you do....

NEWSLETTERS!  I know, I know..... shut up about them already, right?   Are you doing them?  I want to share a little story with you from today - from the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors Plugged-in Tech show & Trade fair. 

Throughout the day, over and over and over again agents would come to our booth, see our signs and say, 'Oh, First Impressions, I get your newsletters.  They are GREAT!'

As I said in my earlier blog, Staging Workshop for Agents - A hot topic we were advised by multiple agents that they actually attended the workshop to hear us speak at our breakout session.  Many of them learned about the breakout through our NEWSLETTERS. 

In addition to this little perk, one agent actually came to our booth after the workshop to let us know how great the workshop was, how great our newsletter was, and to let her know how she appreciates the fact that we share so much - she said, "I feel like I know you." 

Do you know how important that is?  Did you know most people prefer to refer their friends, neighbors (and clients) to someone they know?  Just another side benefit.... surely you've gotten the message now.  You are doing them, right?  If you aren't.... you'll start - TODAY!  right?

As I'm sure you can already tell, the Charleston Association of Realtors hosted their annual trade show.  This year it was themed, Plugged-in Tech Fair & Trade Show.  First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign sponsored the Realtor of Distinction luncheon, a 40 minute breakout session and of course we also had a booth in the show. 

I'm not one who loves speaking in public - particularly with a microphone.  While I am used to giving presentations in offices, the trade show today for some reason had me a little nervous.  (I really do think it was the microphone.... it feels so different than just speaking to people.)  I do feel that educating agents is an important part of the job & since CTAR asked me to speak last summer I definately felt it was a necessity.  My nervousness increased when the chairman of the event came up to me (about 30 minutes prior) and advised me that he had been told by several agents that they actually came to the event to hear us speak!   That said, it was a great event!

Bevin & I had hoped for about 20 people, but had closer to 40. There were 33 chairs and during parts of it had at least 10 people standing in the back.  (We even had other area stagers in attendance taking notes during our presentation!)  We covered the basics of what staging is/is not, creating neutrality without removing style, owner occupied staging, vacant staging, cost, stats, etc.  We ran a little long - unfortunately running into the registration and check-in for the Realtor of Distinction luncheon - but still the majority of the listeners stayed.  (Most of those that left actually came by and talked to us at length after the luncheon.) 

We stayed, missing the initial speakers and agent recognitions, to speak with at least 6 listeners.  We have several appointments booked directly from the break-out (not to mention others from the booth).   Education really is the key.  Education and presence! 

As Bevin has already said in her blog, REALTOR Trade Shows - You have to do them! Whether you are new to the industry or a seasoned pro, you need to invest in your business and have a presence with your target market! 

This is an update on the blog - Can small changes make a big difference? You decide.... .  We staged that home on Wednesday afternoon (2 1/2 days ago) This morning I received some great news from the agent....

Since the Fieldstone staging and updating photos on MLS, we have 3 new showings and one 2nd showing! Keeping my fingers crossed.

Old MLS photo (before) and then the new MLS photo (after)

Staging can make a difference.  Small changes can make the difference!  Great photos mean more showings.... More showings = better odds of selling!  Let us show you how staging can make a difference in your listing business!

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Proud sponsor of the 2008 Realtor of Distinction Luncheon at CTAR's Plugged In Conference.  Join us for our Staging Workshop at the conference! 

2007 RESA Staging Innovator of the Year nominee

2007 RESA Professional Stager of the Year nominee