This has been an interesting week for me. I am teaching staging and redesign this week which means that my schedule is tight. Of course that means that my phone won't stop ringing. (This is NOT a complaint!) In trying to return and schedule these appointments in a timely manner I've learned a few things. The first of which is that I am n fact starting to win the battle on education. Let me give you a brief synopsis of some of the events that have transpired.....
* I received a phone call from an out of town agent about staging his vacant investment property. Three different staging companies were called.... we stage the unit on Monday.... (vacant, $288K)
* A seller who 'flips' homes was recommended by her agent that the current flip be staged in order for her to receive maximum benefit. We stage that unit on Tuesday. (vacant, $1.6 M)
* I received a phone call from an agent about an hour and a half north of here wanting to have one of his listings staged. He felt that the property just isn't living up to it's potential without any furniture. I was recommended by his client - who was given my name by a friend of hers - a local agent that I just staged a vacant home for. (The home I just staged was $550K and the one needing staged is $1.6M, both are vacant)
* I recieved another phone call from an agent who is trying to land a $2M listing. She wants to offer this service to the sellers as a way to set her apart from the competition. (vacant)
As of Tuesday I will have 10 vacant homes currently staged & on the market. I have 4 other quotes out with a strong reality of getting at least 2 of them. I have also contacted our local ERA office to help their agents service their new Gold plan clients. Every agent has been sent a letter, a copy of THEIR new policy, a brochure and business cards.
When I started Staging no one in Charleston even seemed to know what it was. Now my phone rings off the hook and on average I stage 2 vacant homes a week + consultations and owner occupied properties. I have a strong sense of the feeling that I am winning the battle on education... and it feels GREAT!
Melissa Marro, www.StagingAndRedesign.com - become a First Impressions member today!
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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocate and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry. In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance. With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. She now operates as the CEO of First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign as well as an instructor for Staging And Resign and regularly speaks at the StagerList Expos and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.
For more information on having Marro speak at one of your real estate functions, please contact her at 843.822.2622 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com
If you would like Marro's team to provide information on staging a property in the state of South Carolina, or the Greater Charleston Area, please visit www.WeStageSC.com, email marro.melissa@gmail.com or call 843.822.2622.
Melissa, Congratulations on receiving your rewards for your hard work.
Keep soaring!
Leslie
Stories like this give everyone else encouragement for their growing businesses - even though other parts of the country (& Canada) may not be feeling it yet - get ready because I liken staging to a good stock that is about to take off - we are at the right place in the right time - but we need to be ready to deliver what we say we can. I'm very excited for you Melissa - and almost can feel the weight of what you're doing myself. I hope you have a great team by your side!
Melissa.... as others, Congrats. It sounds like it's taking off. And welcome to Active Rain, even though you started at the end of January....
That's great news, Melissa! You've worked hard for this and it's well deserved.
Kathy
Jeff - thanks for the warm welcome!
I think that my good news is good news for everyone. I believe that each success any of us have contribute to everyone else's future success. It's about educating the masses, sometimes that happens one mass/person at a time until we reach critical mass!
Congrats, but do tell. How did you launch such a busy business?
Congrats, but do tell. How did you launch such a busy business?
Kathleen - Newsletters and handwritten notes.... (links direct you to previous blog on these topics).... You would be surprised at how much business these two little things can garnish you!
I average 3-5 jobs off of each of my newsletters. I also often get calls from agents who have gotten one of my cards in the mail. Learn to work smart, not hard & let your marketing dollar really work for you!
Melissa Marro, First Impressions, www.StagingAndRedesign.com - become a member of First Impressions today!
Thank you for the tips! I have just started my staging business in Sevierville, TN, and I know it is just a matter of time until realtors and their clients buy in. I try not to get discouraged cause as someone said, we are about to take off. Thanks for the inspiration!
Connie King, CK Staging & Design www.ckstaging.com
Connie - That post was written 4 months ago and I have to say that business has only gotten better. This week I have 1 vacant walk through, 3 owner occupied written consults and 3 vacant properties to stage. I am actually booked for 2 solid weeks straight and have 7 outstanding quotes to follow up with.
Way to go Melissa - you have given the rest of us hope - someday we will grow up and be like you!!
I know it took hard work and that is what I'm doing here in MN as well.