AUSTIN STAGERS COME TOGETHER TO EDUCATE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS

PRESS RELEASE

With over 9,000 listings in the Austin MLS, the Central Texas Chapter of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) is working hard to help Realtors and home sellers by educating them on the benefits of staging.

Austin, October 8, 2009 - Think of selling a home, and staging is likely to come to mind for a growing number of Realtors and sellers. There's a reason for this: home staging is one of the fastest-growing trends in real estate, thanks to a multitude of staging programs on HGTV, Realtors becoming more educated on the process, and the growing presence of the industry's trade association, RESA. Now, Austin-area stagers, Realtors and related businesses are becoming more connected and educated on staging than ever before with the help of the Central Texas Chapter of RESA.

On October 7, 2009, the Central Texas Chapter of the RESA sponsored a booth at the Austin Board of Realtors' annual Realty Round Up (https://www.abor.com/roundup). Proving to be a valuable resource for the local real estate community, staging members spent the day networking and educating local Realtors and real estate industry professionals about the association, the many benefits of staging and the benefits of working with RESA members.

"Our booth was filled with Realtors excited to participate in our monthly programs and other businesses anxious to partner with us as affiliate members," said local chapter president Brenda Spencer.

According to THE CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE STAGING published by the Real Estate Staging Association, "Staging is the act of preparing and showcasing residential and commercial property (house, apartment, condo, model home, commercial use) for sale. It is a systematic and coordinated methodology in which knowledge of real estate, home renovations and creative design principles are applied to attract a buyer. The benefits of staging are numerous. Perhaps the most impressive benefit is that studies show that staged homes can sell more quickly than un-staged homes."

In a 2008 study of homes for sale conducted by RESA, staged properties were shown to spend an average of 87% less time on the market.

Deciding to work with a Professional Stager is one of the smartest things Realtors and sellers can do when selling a property. "Giving your clients every opportunity to get more attention for their property and have a less stressful selling process is the best gift a Realtor can give a client!" says Shell Brodnax, President and Founder of the Real Estate Staging Association.

"I'm proud to be a member of RESA, which represents a very professional and united group of business owners," said professional stager, Ellen Boetcher, after spending the day with her fellow stagers.

Another local stager, Alicia Autrey added, "I have truly enjoyed being a RESA member. The life of a stager can be lonely occupation, but being a part of RESA allows me the opportunity to network with other staging professionals. It motivates me to get to meet with like minded professionals to discuss the industry and be a part of creating standards for it. I know that by being a RESA member, I will be able to continually educate myself to be able to serve my clients needs more effectively, and that even though this is my business, I do not have to work alone."

It's important for stagers, realtors and affiliated businesses to join RESA as our association creates avenues to accomplish marketing and networking that you don't usually have on your own," added Ashley Whittenberger, Texas State Chapter President of the RESA. "We invite anyone interested in learning more about staging or how to become an active participant in our industry to come check out one of our local monthly meetings."

Members of the Real Estate Staging Association include not only stagers, but also Realtors and businesses affiliated with the real estate or staging industries. To learn more about becoming active in a chapter near you, visit www.realestatestagingasssociation.com .

For more information on staging or the Texas Chapters of RESA contact:

Ashley Whittenberger/ RESA Texas State President: ashley@theinterioritycomplex.com or 512-906-2567

or

Brenda Spencer/ RESA Central Texas Chapter President: brenda@spencerstaging.com or 512-299-1203

In photo above (from left to right) Central Texas Chapter of RESA Members in front of their beautifully "staged" booth at Realty Round Up (which, by the way, won an Honorable Mention from the team of judges): Alicia Autrey, Ashley Whittenberger, Brenda Spencer, Sandy Boeser, Merrill Jones, Ellen Boetcher, Connie Sugden.