Speaking Up about Home Staging

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About How to Create Knock-Out Curb Appeal is Finally Available TO YOU!

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:11:00 -0400

I don't know about you but I could use a little help here myself. I will definately be at this course. One of the best things about it is that you get the recorded copy so you can go back to it over and over again!

Via Michelle Molinari (FEATURE THIS... Real Estate Staging & Interior Decor):

Join us Wednesday September 15th 2010 for the first course of it's kind EVER on Staging the Exterior of ANY Home!

Curb Appeal is one of the most important factors to consider when marketing a home today to generate interest online and serious buyer traffic. Many would agree that it is even more important than staging the interior when the exterior is lacking in appeal.

Everyone knows it when they see it... but not everyone knows exactly what to do to bring the exterior of any property to a showcase-quality level. There is a lot more to it than suggesting a new coat of paint and some fresh plants. Consulting in this area is often seen as a pricey luxury for only the finest homes, but every listing can exhibit the hallmarks of quality Curb Appeal, even on the smallest budget, if you know the tricks of the trade.

Our webinar features the secret tips that has made Michelle Molinari of CurbAppealforDummies a stand-alone expert in her field. In this course you will learn Curb Appeal Consulting Confidence as we cover topics including:

1. Architectural Styles and Proper Terminology

2. Diagnosing Design Flaws and How to Turn Them into Advantages

3. Suggesting Dramatic Fixes that are Amazingly Inexpensive.

4. Choosing the Right Color Scheme

5. Current Trends in Curb Appeal Design that Impress Buyers

6. Sourcing the Right Products to fit your Client's Budget

7. Working with the Right Contractors the Right Way

8. Promoting Your New Curb Appeal Services

Also, you will learn:

The magic words to say in almost any major paint store that will instantly get ANYONE 20% off the cost of paint.

How to rejuvenate a lawn for less than 20 cents a square foot in almost any weather.

and

How to remove black smut an entire average-sized roof with less than $100 and with only 30 minutes of mild effort.

So, give your Business an edge unlike any other and add the amazing Power of Professional-looking Curb Appeal to your listings.

Priced right at only $149, this webinar is sure to bring a return many times over, for stagers and real estate agents alike and differentiate your expertise from your competition.

Brought to you By:

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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.

Relax in Coastal Paradise

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:28:52 -0400

Offered by Ann Coggiola with Carolina One Real Estate

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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

Beautiful home in Pine Forest Country Club

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:44:44 -0400

Offered by Caroline One's Foster Smith

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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

Beautiful Move-In Ready Home!

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:46:13 -0400

Offered by Coldwell Banker United Realitors' Lori Olivi

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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

Open & Airy North Charleston Home

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:49:43 -0400

Offered by Prudential Souther Coast's Amy Nienstedt

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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

Marketing For Consistent & Explosive Growth Webinar for Home Staging Continuing Education Training

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:41:20 -0400

Marketing For Consistent & Explosive Growth

Webinar length: 90 minutes
Investment: $35.00 (USD)

Date and Time:

August 25, 2010 @ 7:00 pm EST

Click here to REGISTER

About the webinar:

What separates top performers from those just getting by? Having staged over $120 million dollars in real estate since 2006, Melissa Marro knows how to get an agent's attention and keep business moving. In this live webinar you will learn the marketing techniques that Melissa Marro of First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign uses to achieve high volume success.

Some of the topics that will be covered:

Creating a process for growth

How to gather information and what to do with it

Marketing techniques

How to make "farming" work for you

Affiliate programs

Lunch and learns

Finally - a program that teaches you exactly what steps you should be taking on a daily basis to increase your business!

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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

Home Staging Training takes a leap forward with the new SAR Training Instructor Team

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:53:52 -0400

Home Staging Training takes a leap forward with the new SAR Training Instructor Team

Charleston, SC based home staging company; First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign has been training new home stagers since 2007. After working with another well-known training organization for the past year, Staging & Redesign (SAR) decided that it was time to be back on their own. In 2010 they decided to throw the hat back into the ring as a lead source for designation training. Completely updating their training program, they now offer online courses as well as hands-on training through both a 3-day and 5-day classroom style course. They are only company in the industry to offer hands-on vacant home staging training, which is available in their 5-day course. Additionally, they provide their 5-day students a new touch screen laptop and computer skills training so they are prepared for the business ahead.

Staging and Redesign's Founder and lead trainer, Melissa Marro (2009 RESA Professional Stager of the Year ) immediately sought out some of the best professionals in the Home Staging Industry. Leading the line-up of industry superstars is Michelle Molinari with Feature This Real Estate Staging out of Lafayette, LA. Michelle Molinari is an award-winning Certified Property Consultant and Founder/Lead Virtual Designer for "Feature This..." Real Estate Staging since 2006 and has over 20 years experience in the design industry. She currently heads a staff of experienced stagers in the Lafayette/Acadiana region of Louisiana, and also heads a staff of highly-trained Conceptual Designers for both Interior Staging and Exterior Curb Appeal, and located in Abbeville, Louisiana. Michelle has aided in the marketing of property around the world with concise, well-researched solutions for property-sellers and buyers alike. Some of her current industry positions include: Vice-President Resa - Acadiana Chapter, Lead Designer - Feature This... Real Estate Staging and Lead Conceptual Designer - CurbAppealForDummies.com

Equally impressive are 2010 RESA Professional Stager of the Year top five finalist Jessica Pirone of Just Perfect Home Staging & More in Wilmington, NC and NJ RESA State President Bernadette Flaim with Attention2Detail in Leonia, NJ.

Jessica began servicing a need in the eastern coast of NC by opening Just Perfect! Home Staging + More in spring of 2007. She is very involved in the industry, and has been teaching seminars to real estate offices, and to the public for several years. In addition to being a top 5 Finalist for the 2010 RESA Professional Stager of the Year, Jessica has been published in numerous magazines and papers in the Wilmington, NC area. Jessica presents with a passion that makes learning exciting, and an inner desire to help her clients and partners succeed.

Bernadette Flaim, co-owner of Attention2Detail, is certified in interior redesign and professional organizing and has been an accredited real estate staging professional since 2004. Her firm specializes in interior redesign, professional organizing and real estate staging - using expert design and space planning techniques to dramatically up the "wow" factor and value of any home. Bernadette and her business partner were voted the 2009 New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners Business Woman of the Year and she currently serves as the NJAWBO Bergen County Chapter's Director of Marketing. In addition, Bernadette serves as President of the RESA-NJ Chapter and has a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, in New York.

Staging & Redesign is not just another push-them-through, churn-them-out home staging training company. Each instructor has years of hands-on staging experience and currently owns and operates a successful home staging company in their local area. SAR also offers monthly webinars, mentoring opportunities and is one of the largest providers of home staging continuing education in the industry through the Real Estate Staging Association's RESA Pro program. Whether the student is new to the industry or a seasoned professional, there is something to offer at SAR.

**For more information about Staging & Redesign's Home Staging Training Program, visit www.StagingAndRedesign.com. Charleston, SC based Staging and Redesign was founded in 2007 and has since trained some of the industry's top professionals including the 2008 RESA Rookie of the Year, 2010 RESA Professional of the Year top 5- finalist and 2010 Staging Realtor of the Year. Additionally, its founder has been nominated for multiple RESA Innovator of the Year awards for her forward thinking approach to the home staging industry. **

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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

Charming West Ashley family home, move-in ready for a quick sale...

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:03:09 -0400

Offered by Carolina One Real Estate's Raina Rubin.

*Ready for you to MOVE IN NOW! *New carpet and paint. *Conveniently located to EVERYWHERE. *Energy efficient home including 8 ceiling fans. *Newly updated kitchen with granite counter tops. *Living room, dining room, family room with fireplace. *Larger size master bedroom with lots of closets, bath with whirlpool tub, separate shower and double sink vanity. *Large screened porch. *2 car garage. *Roof and HVAC system approximately 4 years old.

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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

Beautiful home to relax, or entertain in!

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:43:11 -0400

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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

Outstanding Custom Home!

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:37:11 -0400

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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

Home Staging Training: "Nuts & Bolts" Refresher Class for Existing Stagers

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:38:54 -0400

Home Staging Training: "Nuts & Bolts" Refresher Class for Existing Stagers

I've had a busy day of adding new instructor profiles, class dates and photos to my tech guy's to-do list. Thinking of all the things going on this year and everyone who keeps asking if I'll be having a class near them I got a wild and crazy idea.... why not take the class where a whole bunch of stagers will be then give them what they keep asking me for.... so.....

Nuts & Bolts Refresher Class

When: January 21 & 22, 2010

Where: Las Vegas

Cost: $695 Fri or Sat, $995 both days

What will be covered:

Day 1 - Friday January 21

Staging Facts, Fiction & Fundamentals
Types of Consultations, Jobs & Revenue Streams
Design Principles & Practice
Setting Up your Business & Getting Started
Creating a Comprehensive Business & Management Plan
Understanding Demographics & How it affects your business
Talking the Talk - Understanding & Working with Real Estate Agents

Day 2 - Saturday January 22

The Business of Home Staging
Overcoming Objections to Increase Your Income
Pricing Strategies
Accessories, Inventory & Management
Team Building
Photography & Portfolio
Color Theory & Practice

I will personally be teaching this class - possibly with some well known helpers. Since this is the Friday & Saturday before the RESA Convention, you just need to come a couple of days early. I have not yet booked the venue, but will do a follow up blog with all of the details.

By taking this 2-Day class you will earn your SAR Designation*:

To register for this class, fill out the registration form on our website and put down a $500 non-refundable deposit. Balance is due 2 weeks prior to class. If there is not enough interest in the class to hold, your deposit will be refunded in full.

Whether you attend this class or I see you at the RESA Convention - I hope to see you in Las Vegas in January!!

*designation wtih this class only available for those who currently own a staging business or for those who have previously taken a staging training course. Proof of education or business may be required.

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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

Home Staging Training Tip: What am I paying for?

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:32:50 -0400

Home Staging Training Tip: What am I paying for?

It's the rush of excitement when you are looking to jump into this new and exciting industry. On a daily basis I receive phone calls or emails of people asking me why to choose one home staging training course over another home staging training course. Of course since I teach, I always have to add my two cents on why my course is of course better - unless for them, it's not. So in this blog I would like to talk about what you may get, or may not get in a home staging training course. Think carefully before signing up for a course and do your research. Remember, just because the money might be similar, does not mean that the courses are!

1. Hands on Experience - for some (most) this is an absolute must. I know, I know, we read and hear all the time that taste can't be taught. Well, since I've pretty much taught my husband how to do this job if needed, I'm here to say it can be... but for the most part that's not the kind of student we want in a class - and it's probably not the one showing up. What hands-on experience does give you is confidence and experience. When stagers get to the house on the morning of class, they are excited and scared to death. Isn't it better to have the scared feeling when you are around others who feel the same way, and not the client? At the end of the day, the stager is thrilled, confident (and probably exhausted).

So does everyone need a hands-on class? Well, NO. If you already have experience STAGING then you probably don't. If you experience is limited to decorating your house and your friends houses... then probably YES! You should have hands-on training!

2. An Instructor who actually stages - like NOW! I know some great instructors who have been in the business a long time.... some still stage and some don't. What have I noticed about the ones who dont'? They aren't up to date on the day to day objections and problems that are happening in 2010. If you havne't staged in 3, 5 or more years, how do you know what's going on in THIS market? In THIS economy? How do you know what agents and sellers are asking for daily??

I'm sad to say too that I've known some home staging training instructors who HAVE NEVER STAGED A HOME! That's right... outside of the class experience, they've never put in a bid, presented in front of a room of real estate professionals (who weren't in class), or had to figure out where to find that perfect piece on the fly...... is THIS who you want training you?

So, how will you know if they still stage? Ask them... Ask this question, "Aside from staging in a training class, when was the last house you personally staged for a client?" See if the question catches them off guard, or what their answer is... make sure you like what you hear!

3. STUFF, STUFF & MORE STUFF - I know, it's exciting! You look at the photos of all the stuff you'll get when you take the class. Some classes will even try to sell you more stuff before you get to class - before you know what stuff you'll need. Then when you get to class, they want to sell you more stuff... Let me ask you this.... are you paying to sit through a commercial and keep spending money or are you ready to learn a business? Do you really need all that stuff? How much of it will you really use? Ask seasoned professionals (who've taken the class you are thinking about and not in your immediate area) if they use that stuff. If they don't... you probably won't either and you can keep that money for marketing your new company!

4. What's their relationship to the Industry Trade Association? For the Home Staging Industry, that organization is RESA (www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com). Does the training company you are thinking about spending thousands of dollars even belong to the trade association? Sure, they may have their own organizations - but do they belong to the Industry's Organization or are they just trying to make their own little world? Let me ask you this? Don't you want to belong to a company that is trying to make the entire industry better, one that plays by a governing body's rules (ethics, complaince, arbitration, stager on stager allegations, etc) or do you prefer to belong to one that does whatever it wants, whenever it wants?

5. Umm.... You are training my clients how to stage? Yeah, believe it or not, some training organizations have classes where potential clients (agents) are physically in the same class - sitting right next to - the new home stager. They are getting the same information at the same time - including hands-on experience in the same house! Of course it's not like they are paying the same thing.... not even close - Agents usually pay over $1000 less for the same training the new stager receives, in the same classroom... sure, the new Home Stager does get one more day of instruction, but the damage has been done. The agent is leaving class with the idea that they can stage the house themselves - why hire a stager? Is this reallly good for the industry, or the students - assuming that most students are in a relative geographic area?

So, new home stager wannabe.... Are you ready to do your research before you lay out a thousand dollars or more? There are some great home staging training providers out there. You should investigate which one is best for you! Whenever you are in doubt, call RESA.... they are there to help guide you through the questions that you should be asking before joining an organization!

Experienced Home Stagers - chime in...give your two cents about what you think is important in a training company - what do you wish you had known first? What do you wish you had bought, or not bought... Give those just searching some good advice - hindsight is always 20/20... now let's share our knowledge!

For more information on our Home Staging Training Courses, visit www.StagingAndRedesign.com and click on the Training tab....

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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

Home Staging Training Tips: Secrets to getting incredible testimonials regularly

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:24:37 -0400

Home Staging Training Tips: Secrets to getting incredible testimonials regularly

I've often heard from home stagers that they have a difficult time getting testimonials from their clients - even when the client has loved what they've done. I find it ironic because in over 4 years of monthly newsletters I have not missed inserting a client testimonial yet. While admittadly some of it is because we do more volume in my company than many, giving us more opportunities for testimonials, I think the real reason we always manage to get them is our approach.

First of all, you are doing a monthly newsletter, right? If you've read my posts for the past few years by now you know that this is the single biggest marketing strategy we employ. If you need more info on this, let me know and I'll make it another tip... Anyway, back to the subject. If you are sending out a monthly newsletter, it should contain a testimonial from either a homeowner or an agent. This way you can advertise how wonderful your work is without having to say it yourself. Remember, most people won't believe (or care) what comes from you, but from when someone else says it, it carries weight.

Let your clients know that you are sending out the newsletter and when it goes out and that you area 'always looking for client testimonials'.... advise them that you would be happy to 'feature' their listing if they would provide some information about how they felt about your services, if they were happy with your work. If your newsletter has a large audience - let them know how large and who that audience is.

You see, an agent never wants to miss out on an opportunity to have their listings presented to other agents or potential buyers. They want to be recognized and in full view. By giving you a testimonial - only if they are happy with your work - then they have that opportunity.

Try this strategy and see if you still have any problems getting testimonials - I bet you won't!

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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

Home Staging Training Tips: Imaginary Planes affect your design

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:16:04 -0400

Home Staging Training Tips: Imaginary Planes affect your design

Sometimes there are just things in our jobs that become pet peeves. This is probably one of my biggest ones. (the biggest would be improper sized rugs... lol) It's something I've yet to hear stagers talk about but something we deal with everytime we stage.

Imagine a room as if it were a simulation or hollodeck (that's right, I'm a Star Trek junkie.. lol). Think of the way it is built. Where ever there is a doorway, walkway or window there is an imaginary (visual) plane. It's like a wall (or ceiling) of glass stretching out, creating a line that is invisible and yet still exists. It helps to dictate to us what our defined space really is.

Feeling confused? Let me show you....

The opening of this doorway created two visual planes - one on the right and one on the left. When the designer for this room placed the rug in this location, it broke the visual plane. Basically speaking, rug is neither really part of the space nor removed from it. Ideally the rug should have either stopped short of the left wall, or bridged the entire gap over to the right.

Imagine walking into this space in either direction. Rather than walking down the middle of the walkway (the entire point of a doorway) you are now forced to chose to move right or left - to walk on the rug, or off of it. Certainly none of us would consider one foot on and one foot off. By placing the rug in this way, the designer has created an awkwardness in the space where there should not be one.

This is another common problem when hanging artwork. Rather than looking at the entire picture and imagining the plane from doorway to window, the space between bed posts or the lines (visual planes) created by architecture and large furniture in the room, many stagers opt instead to focus just on the small area they want to hang something and not the big picture... this unfortunately causes many pieces to be hung too high - above widow frames or doorways - creating another feeling of awkwardness.

The next time you stage, imagine a clear wall (or ceiling) coming from these architectural elements - disipating the further you get from them.... pay attention to how they make you feel to be only part way in or out of them. When you lay a rug, check if you find yourself walking around it in your natural flow and decide if this is natural ..... simple changes like this can bring your design to a whole new level... it's worth thinking about!

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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

Home Staging Training Tips: Farming your staging jobs

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.WeStageSC.com (First Impressions) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:27:40 -0400

Today's Home Staging Training Tips: Farming your staging jobs

I think one of the reasons we've been successful in my company is that I started off as the Admin Mgr for one of the largest real estate companies in my area. My business partner, Bevin Googer, started off as a real estate agent. Between the two of us, we gathered a lot of information that we use to differentiate ourselves in both our market, and the industry. This next technique was directly brought from the real estate industry and adjusted for ours.

Farming your listings is a simple way of prospecting that has truely amazing results. Next to newsletters, this is our next most effective technique. It is a three step process that allows you multiple opportunities to show off what you do to agents who will really be interested in what's going on....

Here is how it works:

After staging a property in a community that you would like to work in again (What community does that eliminate? Almost none, right? That's right! You should do this for virtually every job!) Send a postcard or email (I prefer email) to every agent in that neighborhood letting them know that you have staged a listing, what listing it is (address) and provide them a link to photographs or virtual tour of the staged property. (this is why I prefer an email) Let them know that you would be happy to make their listing shine as well.

Chances are at this point you will little response, but don't discount this - you just may get one or two very qualified responses.

Next: After you find out that the home you staged has a contract on it, communicate this to the agents in this neighborhood again. Remind them how long it has been - 7 days, 30 days, 50 days - whatever it is. If you have the ability, let them know how much faster than the average DOM in the neighborhood, or how much quicker than before it was staged (if previously listed).

This nearly always gets several responses. Imagine the agent who received the first email with an active listing finding out that another listing has gone in such a short time frame when their listing is still sitting there! Of course they want to know why!

Finally: When the home actually closes and the final sale price can be stated, do one last blast letting them know how much more this home sold than other comperable properties in the neighborhood (or how much faster, or whatever element your staged property beat the competition). Remind them that you can do the same for their listings.

This technique is very effective because they've seen it work in direct competition to their listing. Now they want this edge.

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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