Neighborhoods, Speedy Delivery , a Handy Man, and Lady Aberlin Hospitality... Mr. Rogers Neighborhood had great archetypal characters, life lessons and more... but did you know that Mr. Rogers taught principles in Real Estate Staging as well as teaching for the younger generation?
Here is the short list:
- Fix the Broken Stuff... Handy Man Negri keeps the neighborhood in pristine condition. This makes it a fun and safe place. In staging a house in disrepair is anything but welcoming, and encourages buyers to low-ball the bid, if they bid at all... most will walk away, as they are looking for something that is "move-in ready."
- Keep Things Neat, Tidy and"Show Ready"... In every episode, Fred exemplifies keeping the place neat and tidy. He puts away his jacket and shoes, cleans up sand and water projects, and keeps things looking sparkling clean. Stagers encourage Home Sellers to keep thier personal items out of sight, and to keep the place immaculate.
- Deliver the "Package" Fast and Hospitably ... Mr. McFeely delivers the goods! He delivers the packages from the "Factory," which are the shows for "Picture Picture." Stagers know the Real Estate "time crunch." Many Realtors call a stager and want the job done yesterday, especially on a home that has been sitting on the market for a while. Likewise, Realtors want to get their new listings on the MLS as quick as possible. By keeping a structured schedule, a stager can clearly state delivery expectations, and do it with a hospitable smile!
Keep it Simple... Fred Rogers deliberately chose to create a relaxing atmosphere that presents as a calm and safe environment for the young viewers. He created that feeling first by changing into something more comfortable, a cable knit sweater and a pair of sneakers. He also kept the show at a slow and easy pace, to not overwhelm the viewers. Stagers create simple and sometimes understated rooms to gently appeal to viewers. Sometimes, "comfort ques" are added by way of accessories and furnishings.
Know your Audience...Mr. Rogers always knew how valuable his viewers were. He always honored them, and let them know "there's only one person in the whole world like you!" A stager knows the potential of foot traffic, and studies the area's demographics, and just who the potential buyers are.
Appeal to a Wide Viewing Audience...Just as Mr. Rogers honors the individual, he speaks to the masses, and without offending. Even with an impressive and scholarly religious background, the values that Mr. Rogers puts forth are universal. He wanted every child to feel safe -- every child to be respected, no matter what their religious belief or cultural background. Stagers sometimes have the sensitive task of depersonalizing and removing valued mementos must be packed away, including religious items and pictures. This keeps the home friendly an appealing to all.
- Picture Shows are a Great Tool... When it comes to technology, back in the day, Mr. Rogers was cutting edge. Special films were delivered "Special Delivery" and viewed by Mr. Rogers and all his invited guests with "Picture Picture"... an amazing device that could take a small package and instantly display it in the form of moving pictures. Stagers know that pictures are a great selling tool. Many savvy stagers create real estate shows featuring staged properties, as well as "before and after" shows to sell their services. Most importantly, Stagers set the scene for great pictures to be used on Realtors websites.
- Show and Tell is Exciting and Engaging... Many episodes, Fred would share a special item in a box. Show and Tell time brings exploration and understanding of an item. Stagers "Show and Tell" by editing out all the confusion in an home, and featuring the important stuff.
- Speak to the Emotions "Won't you be my Neighbor?"... An invitation to become part of the neighborhood was the opening song of every episode. By helping children feel good about themselves and how they felt when watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. Fred got them hooked! Parents too. Stagers work to elicit emotions of comfort, future vision, and the "I would LOVE to live here" response from home buyers, within the first 10 seconds they walk through the front door.
Have fun with creativity... Whether it was play in the sandbox, trips to the music studio, or visits to the Neighborhood of Make Believe, finding joy in new ideas, opportunities and creative endeavors because of the growth, experience and new friends gained was key. Stagers are joyful in their tasks, and although faced by challenges, the experiences, lessons learned, and new friendships made every day inspire continued growth and an inspiration to all.
Thank you Fred, for all you have given. You plant seeds of possibility in many a child's heart. While you are missed, your legacy is not forgotten.
Julianna Hind
Julianna Hind, Director of the Northwest School of Interior Redesign and Owner of Roosmpinners, is a Professional Stager, Interior Redesigner, and Color Consultant in the Greater Puget Sound area. All Rights Reserved.
Julianna Hind is a Real Estate Stager and Trainer in King and Pierce County, Washington.
http://www.roomspinners.com
http://www.nwsir.clubexpress.com
I love that post Julianna! I only remember Mr. Rogers because my son was a kid when the show started. But you reminded me of all the characters he had on the show, and they did have a job in keeping the neighborhood beautiful.
Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!
Julianna, you took me way back on this one! I loved that show! Wont you be my neighbor!
Juliana, This is a 5 and that has been noted! Wonderful analogies. Well thought out and stated.
That was my favorite show as a kid.
Some days, doing "the best we can" may still fall short of what we would like to be able to do, but life isn't perfect - on any front - and doing what we can with what we have is the most we should expect of ourselves or anyone else. - Fred Rogers
-sounds like it could have been taken out of a home staging manual.
Julianna,
What a terrific way to get your point across...everyone knew and loved Mr Rogers and therefore can relate to all of the ideas that you shared.
VAL
This really simplifies what we need to do to create the image of "home". Great post and great analogies.
Hi Julianna,
Great post, I loved your analogies! I haven't thought of Mr. Rogers in years (18 to be exact!)
It is a beautiful day in the AR neighborhood with this post. Thanks, Juliana
Who isn't nostalgic about Mr. Rogers. As Kathy said, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. And your tie-in to this is very creative.
Great analogy! Very well written as well! Reminds me of "Everything I Needed to Know I Learned In Kindergarten".
Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging
Very good blog. People can learn alot by reading and internalizing what you say here.
A very good job done!
Julianna: Great blog and analogy. I've rated it 5. It deserves to be featured!
I never watched the show for more than a few minutes. It always seems way too boring. But I like your post. Maybe I should have watched the show more. I might have learned something.
Oh, Mr. Rogers. We still have him on in our house with the four year old. As I sit and watch, often I think how advance he was for his time. Unfortunately, people like Mr. Rogers are gone but their skill, knowledge and sharing live on. Just like your post sharing is important. Wont you be my neighbor or my stager. Great Post so much to learn so little time.
I grew up with Mr. Rogers as did my oldest. It's wonderful that his wisdom and simplicity live on and can be applied to all areas of life. Thank you for a wonderful post.
I was one who watched Mr. Rogers day in and day out. Enjoyed this blog ALOT!
Great post!! I really love Mr. Rogers (didn't we all?)...and he did set great examples in so many ways!! Thanks for writing this one!
WOW! I am amazed at the comments here. Everyone has seen Mr. Rogers. I see that Tim wasn't a fan, yet still he knows of him. Tim, the pace was deliberate. What a contrast to children's television shows now! I am glad Mr. Roger's episodes are still airing on PBS to give families a good alternative. Mr. Rogers is the longest running public television show! Thank you all for the nice comments back, and the gold stars... that's real nice of you!
Okay, as a "youngin" in real estate (or so I'm told locally) I have to say that I grew up watching Mr. Rogers. That being said, I totally agree with this blog, and I think it is GREAT! Mr. Rogers taught us a LOT!
All the comments are correct and great analogies! A 5 for sure! You either have a great memory or did a lot of research
Dick Beals
Nice photo of Mr. Rogers. Thanks for the hit list. Am following the others above with a 5.
Meow Meow Kitty would rate this a 5 and so do I! Great writing.
Awesome post. Yes..."awesome"...and yes, I loved the 80's (and Mr. Rogers).
Very cute... great catchy title... and spin with a classic of a show. Congrats on the feature
This is SO BRILLIANT! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I am adding this to my book to show client. I want to ask you, what does DCI stand for?
Cheers,
Cindy
ohhh, I loved Mr Rogers, thanks for taking me back!
My kids just started watching Mr. Rogers and it has been fun to go back in time with them and see that he can cross the generations. Good Job!
You had me at "Mr. Rogers". This post could have talked about absolutely ANYTHING, and I would have been drawn in by my fave PBS kids show host. Oh, yeah, the info about staging was good, too. :-)
Funny. I was killing time yesterday and was looking at the Wall Street Journal. There was an article about how Mr Rogers was responsible for giving today's young adults a feeling of entitlement. Hmmmm. Bad Bad Mr Rogers. It was not a flattering article.
Steven, they will always blame someone who can't defend themselves, won't they.
Thanks for the article, who would of thought those years of PBS would of paid off so well?
Lexa
Cute post. Thanks for sharing.
Julianna, great analogies, well written, we can only be grateful to Mr. Rodgers for the education that he enstilled into many of us growing up and raising our children. Thank you for your words!
Such a creative idea and terrific analogy...I will forever after "see" Mr. Rodgers tying his shoes when I stage, and it will calm me down. Thanks.
You know....... I never would of thought about Mr. Rogers and real estate, but you are so right. You can find inspiration in so many places if you only look.
Ahhh, Mr. Rogers, the comfort of that show I remember it well. This was a fabulous post Julianna , great tools and ideas for stagers to remember and brought back good feelings of cookies and milk in front of the tv with my siblings too!
Thanks to Fred, though I'm glad I'm not his son.
Wonderful post -- very creative. It is a wonderful day in the staging neighborhood!
Great post, I love all the ideas. Thanks
Julianna, I grew up with Mr. Rogers and was glued to the T.V.! What a wonderful role model he was and what great messages he gave. What a great analagy and comparison. We would all do well to pay attention to all the great messages he gave and get back to the basics of life which you shared with us. Thanks for a great post. Have a great weekend.
I actually found this information on Localism, and I love the originality of it. I have featured it in this week's Localism Week in Review!
Lexa Montierth
Terry: Glad you liked the post! Thanks!
Marci: Sure, I'll be your neighbor!
Yvonne: Thanks for the 5 and nice comments!
Maureen: Great quote, Maureen, thanks!
Val: Yes! Thanks!
Mary Beth: Thank you for your nice comments!
Penny: 18 years!!! Time to regress ;-)
Kathy A: Your welcome, and you make it beautiful too by the way!
Margaret: Thanks so much!
Kim: Thats a good book! Thanks!
Steven: I hope so, thank you for the nice comments!
Michelle: thanks for the 5 -- It was my FIRST Feature!
Tim: It's never too late :-)
Frank: Yes, I will be your neighbor too! I appreciate your comments about the Legacy some leave for us.
Melody: It is so true, some of lifes truths are universal.
Stacey: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Lori: I think most of us loved the show, I know one thing for sure, we are all in GOOD COMPANY!
Joslyn: Thans for reading and your nice comments!
Dick: Mr. Rogers Neighborhood is unforgettable!!!
Gary: Your welcome, and thanks for the 5!
Bobby: Thanks for the rating, and tell Meow meow kitty's aka Henrietta Pussycat thanks too.
Jason: Your totally welcome, for sure! I love the 80's too!
Desiree: Thank you for the kudos on the feature and the nice commetns on the article!
Cindy: Thanks, I'm flattered....If you should use this post, please use it only as it appears in the blog with my contact information on the bottom.
Jennifer: Your welcome-- it is fun to go back!
Dawn: I agree, it is something special to have something that crosses generations like that. Do you know what else crosses gerations? Apparently Classic Rock. It is all my 16 year old will listen to. We go to concerts together to see the ol guys do thier thing!
Ann-Marie: Wow, thats great! thanks for saying hello and the nice words.
Steven: I saw that article and it was totally ridiculous. I suppose the writer feels entitled to have everyone agree with him, since he probably watched too!
Lexa: For myself and my own works, I could only hope for a small shadow of that wonderful legacy he hs left.
Bob & Carolin: Thanks, glad you liked it.
Stephainie: I agree. thank you!
Patricia: That is funny. My business partner uses lipgloss to calm and focus... maybe I should change my shoes too.
Brad: thanks Brad. It just hit me, and it got more fun as I wrote!
Karen O.: That is great! I love going back to the days wit my siblings... keeps you young!
Billy: I think it would be hard to walk in that man's shoes... is that what you mean?
Karen D.: Thanks!
Vicki: Your welcome!
Nora and Susan: Thank you for your nice comments!
George: Thank you George, had a wonderful weekend! thanks for your feedback on the post!
Lexa: Thanks for the featurein your Group and the nice comments.
Dawn: Kind words --- thank you very much!
Thanks for checking us out and for your comment about our fire command center.
Best...
Your welcome Gary! It's good in the "hood!" :-)
Great post Julianna. You really bring back the excitement here. :)
Hi Melissa, Thanks for stopping in. I think we have a lot of excitement here always! :-) take care