Jenifer Shorrosh, HSR Certified Home Stager, Mobile and Baldwin Counties, AL

I just have to say that Home Staging Resource has far exceded my expectations. I considered many staging training companies and finally decided to go with HSR, because I felt like a 21 day training period would teach me more than a 3 day one. I did learn a great deal during that time, but now I am constantly amazed at how much information they still provide for their stagers. Every time I need a form, or have a question about something, I visit the HSR library and find it. There is a wealth of information there, so much so, that I still haven't read it all. And it is continually updated. Audra is very dedicated to the success of her students, and stays in contact with you. I feel like I have a safety net with HSR - if any situations arrive that I do not know how to handle, I feel like I will find the information I need there. I would encourage anyone considering staging training to check out this program, www.homestagingresource.com .

With the holidays behind us, we can look forward to a new year of health and prosperity (think positive!). Unfortunately, it is hard to be prosperous when you feel bad and are knocked off your feet by colds, flu or respiratory illnesses that are common this time of year. Here are a few tips to help you stay well:

1. Get enough rest. When your body is tired, it does not have enough reserve energy to fight off germs, viruses and bacteria that we come into contact with every day. American's love to burn the candle at both ends, and sometimes we feel like getting enough sleep is a luxury, but it is imperative to your health. You cannot function at your optimum, mentally or physically, when you are tired.

2. Eat the right foods. I know we all ate too many rich foods over the holidays, and the New Year's resolutions to eat right are almost cliche, but I can't stress the importance of having an abundance of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the greatest source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Make smoothies, eat fresh fruit salads and green salads, every day.

3. Move it! We are all so sedentary (especially when we're blogging on Active Rain:). Turn off the tv and computer and take a walk, jog, dance, play tennis, run around with your kids, or work in your garden (we can do that here in Mobile in the winter). Exercise doesn't have to be done in a gym, just do what you can, where you are.

I'll post more later on some natural remedies to help when you are feeling under the weather. Wishing health to you all in 2009!

The importance of staging homes that are on the market has received a lot of publicity lately; and for a good reason. Homes that are staged statistically sell faster and for a higher price. But with the majority of the public beginning their home search online, real estate photography is equally important. You can have a beautifully staged home, but if the photos on the internet are dark and out of focus, it is likely to be overlooked. I have viewed many homes online, with very high price tags, that I know are probably gorgeous inside, but unfortunately, I could not see the kitchen because it was out of focus. Conversly, having great pictures is of little use if the rooms are dated, cluttered and too full of the owner's personal tastes. Staging and photography go hand in hand to create a listing that is truly marketable to a wide audience and that will appeal to home buyers on an emotional level. If you have gone to the trouble of staging or having someone else stage a home, make sure the photos on the internet do it credit, or the money spent on staging might just be wasted.