Liz Gallagher, RESA member.

This past weekend marks a first for Home Harmony in the area of trade shows. In a past blog I requested help from all you wonderful stagers that had experience in working the trade show scene. We took all your ideas and advice and made it work. Although we didn't have a little doll house we were able to set up little scenario rooms with cut out furniture and accessories.

Unfortunately there wasn't a great turnout but the people(men and women) we had an opportunity to talk to were totally sold on what we had to offer ... even the NON BELIEVERS the ones that stood back from the booth were roped in with our pictures and staging stories.

All in all it was good experience and it has helped us to prepare for what should be the bigger event this November at themakeovershow.com . It was great to get face to face with the people and discuss how our services can help just about anyone. Although no one that day was in the process of selling their home the group was genuinely impressed and excited about the possibilities of Staging their homes to live. It didn't hurt to mention either that we offer Gift Certificates.

Oh yeah ... guess what? Home Harmony won the "Best Booth Display" ... thank goodness ... It would have been embarrassing as "Stagers" if we didn't. ;o)

Thanks Again to all that replied to the first post. Your advice was greatly appreciated.

Sometimes the simplest, littlest things can throw off potential buyers. I am certain, that they are not always aware of what that something is but in any case it puts a damper on the possibility of an offer.

As Stagers it is our job to correct those "somethings" and make them less visible to the average person. It is our job to create a constant flow throughout the home so potential buyers don't get caught up on one of those somethings!

Before Home Harmony worked on this project the home had been on the market for 4 months with no action. The listing agent knew something had to be done but could not convince the homeowners to make the necessary changes. There was one visit in particular that the Agent literally did not take her hand off the entrance door knob! The clients took one look at the foyer and backed away!

Well, with some de-cluttering and monir adjustments in each room, HomeHarmony.ca was able to create a more appealing atmosphere and flow within the home in less than a day.

We are happy to report that the Agent is VERY pleased with the results of our redesign and the new photographs of the home are creating a buzz. She is sure that in no time this house will have a SOLD sign on it thanks to Home Harmony!

Here are a few photos of Home Harmony's efforts. All we added were slip covers and pillows, the homeowners had everything else needed to complete this redesign. Less "stuff" elmimates the distractions which then enables potential buyers to focus and experience the warmth of this charming home.

Hi Everyone,

I really hope you can help. Home Harmony has signed up to do 2 trade shows this coming Fall. Double the fun ;o)

Aside from probably doing the obvious of setting up a small vignette and before and after pictures what would you suggest? What have you done that you would do again or what would you avoid doing again?

Although we have been Staging in Montreal for several years we have not had the opportunity to participate in a Trade Show. This one is called www.TheMakeOverShow.com and will have Exhibitors on hand to demonstrate their products and services for home, health and image makeovers. Sounds fun and interesting!

We're just not sure what we can do to make our positive impact on the crowd. Our services also include home organizing so any ideas you may have on this subject can be shared as well.

So, if you have the time to share your "Best of the Best" stories and ideas We would love to hear from you.

It's great to have this forum of professionals to draw knowledge from.

Thanks in advance,

Liz

We have been Staging in the Montreal area as a team for the better part of 2 years and I myself much longer. We have advertised, blogged, campaigned door to door, done cold calls, conferences, networking, you name it we have tried it.

Just last week we got a call from a desperate Realtor to do a home consult and carry out the staging. The home in question had been her listing for 5 months and with the mandate ending soon she was desperate to sell this home. She herself had tried everything to get the owners to tidy up, fix up and spruce up the place but to no avail. The owners were overwhelmed with things to do and not knowing where to begin. With the Home Harmonys' plan now in place the order of "to do's" were getting done in a timely fashion.

Before Home Harmony's take over there were visits from other Realtors that literally could not get their clients over the threshold! Yup, that bad and the owner thought she was "keeping on top of things"

Well, it took 6 hours and 3 of Home Harmony's crew to pack up, relocate, re-design and stage this 4 bedroom home. Advertised as a "Staged Home" the Open house drew record numbers. Louise Garai, our associate on the South Shore arrived about an hour before hand to ensure the home was presentable. In the Realtors own words "this was the best open house ever!" There were comments from visitors on how other similarly priced houses in the area couldn't compare to this one ... the agent is anticipating that the home will sell this week with two offers from interested parties who visited on open house.

Needless to say the home owner is thrilled with the result and her comment " WHERE WERE YOU 5 MONTHS AGO?

Hopefully there will be a SOLD sign on this front lawn very soon.

Hi Again,

As per the requests here are the pictures of Home Harmony's new record.

Although not as upscale as some staging we have done, the changes made to this little bungalow were dramatic enough to get peoples attention ...

Only the rear wall has been painted in this room ... AMAZING isn't it.