I often hear comments about Realtors providing their own home staging talents and services to their clients. Having been a Realtor for a number of years, I can relate to Realtors that do home stage their own listings. I did for years!
However, since early 2007 I have been a referral agent only and focus all my time and energy on my Home Staging Business. As a dedicated, full time professional home stager I have learned is that there is a tremendous difference in staging as a Realtor as opposed to home staging as a professional home stager.
One of the differences that first struck me was the home seller's attitude towards my recommendations.
As a Realtor making suggestions for de-cluttering and re-designing to improve the marketability of the home seemed to be somewhat offensive to the prospective seller. If I approached the subject at the time of listing, I didn't come across as "friendly" or as "enthusiastic" as the other Realtor that portrayed the "all is hunky-dory", with no criticisms. If I waited until after I had the listing to lower the boom, well . . . that's just not honest, good business.
I find that upon entering a home as a professional home stager I generally have very open acceptance. Home sellers drink in all of my advice, digesting all recommendations, understanding that it has nothing to do with how they live in the home, but rather, how they can best present the home for sale so they can move on with their life.
As a Realtor making a cosmetic suggestion the seller often felt resentment, as a stager making a cosmetic suggestion the seller interprets it as professional advice. Keep in mind, I was the same person with the same knowledge, talent, delivery, poise, and tactfulness, but when it came to home staging the sellers liked my staging hat better.
The second difference I've learned is the level of service I can now offer to home sellers.
I now have a structured home staging business with a business plan, profitability, and the necessary inventory to accommodate the home seller's needs at affordable prices. Let me stress two words, . . affordable and profitable.
•· Affordable to the home seller, which will encourage a profitable sale
•· Affordable to the Realtor and profitable as providing inventory, shopping, storing, and time are not eating away at the anticipated commissions to be earned
•· Affordable to me, the home stager, as I have a specific business plan for home staging that produces profitability.
I recently finished this home staging re-design for the market here in the Atlanta area. It has inspired this post for all of the reasons stated above.
As a Realtor, did I have the talent? Absolutely! As a Realtor, did I have the knowledge? You bet cha! As a Realtor, could I have convinced my client to make the changes? Maybe!
However, if I had been this client's full time Realtor, without my focused full time home staging business, I seriously doubt I would have been able to affordably and profitably accomplish this re-design.
Here are the photos from my first visit to the home. As you can see the clutter is not representative of how they lived, but rather the home in the midst of packing. My task was to filter through what they had that I wanted to remain behind so I could accomplish the re-design using as many of their own items as possible.
The next set of photos is from my second visit to the home. As you can see, I recommended they remove the majority of their belongings. At this second visit I was able to determine the inventory I was going to bring in and at the same time identify some items for the seller to purchase that would be of benefit to them in their new home.
The following photographs are the pictures the Realtor took and posted on MLS after my staging was completed.
Realtor and home stager? . . . Possible.
Picking your Hat to be profession specific? . . . Affordable and Profitable Perfection!
How folks live in a home is their business, how folks present the home for sale is my business!
For tips on how to prepare your home for sale and information on staging a home in Atlanta, visit the web site of PEACHTREE HOME STAGING or call us at 770 595-8809.
We do occupied and vacant home staging with professional perfection!
Peachtree Home Staging is a proud APPROVED AND ACCREDITED Business of the Geater Atlanta Better Business Bureau and the Real Estate Staging Association.
I know voting is important, AND I HOPE EVERYBODY HAS DONE SO 
. . . I recently heard someone suggest that when bad things happen in our country over the next four years we should make sure those bad things happen first to the folks who DIDN'T take the time to vote. Let it happen to those who don't care.
I loved that! But, personally, I must say I would lighten the reprimand to be consistant with real estate.
Hey! I'm no politician . . . just a real estate marketing professional at heart. That's what I know, okay?
And I get it. Not voting is like not having an opinion . . . what happens, happens. So, in my opinion not voting equates to a FSBO!
If you do not select a Realtor . . . you are leaving yourself open to someone else making the decisions and choices
If you do not select a Home Stager . . . someone else is choosing the better presentation
If you do not utilize Real Estate Professionals to do your Internet marketing, here's the question you must consider:
WHO APPROVES YOUR MESSAGE? Your competitor does! (because you are not a threat!)
LIST YOUR HOME WITH A FULL SERVICE REALTOR AND HAVE YOUR HOME PROFESSIONALLY HOME STAGED SO WHEN YOUR HOME POPS UP ON THE INTERNET-- YOU CAN SHOUT --
I am selling my home, and I approve this message!
Side Note and THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
What if the political television ads in the elections would require the message to be approved by the opposing party . . . hmmmm . . . interesting thought. That would stop some misleading advertisements!
I think I'll vote for that!
Hopefully by now all of you have seen the incredible Press Releases being circulated about Home Staging Awareness Month across America and the Stage It Forward Round Tables being promoted by RESA and supported by IRIS and ASHSR in Cities everywhere!
Kathy Nielsen with Georgia Interior Solutions and myself with Peachtree Home Staging are on the edge of our seats in anticipation for our local event here in Atlanta! We are having 2 round table events on November 10th. The morning one is booked solid (over-booked, actually) with approximately 30 attending. Our afternoon session already has 16 registered to attend!
The two round table groups will be joiningtogether at 12 noon to have an IKEA lunch as one large group. A complimentary IKEA lunch for both groups will be provided courtesy of Bekins A-1 Movers of Atlanta. Also at this time, Bekins will be presenting their new 'Clear the Clutter' program to aid home stagers and home sellers with an inexpensive solution to de-clutter items from a house while having the home listed.
We couldn't be more please with our sponsors and their generosity to help promote the home staging industry here in the Atlanta area --
In addition to the wonderful multitude of press releases provided and circulated by RESA as noted in Shell's post, Home Staging Awareness Month is here... look what we are doing , we have also benefited from the following press release IKEA generated.
Check out the paragraph I have put in bold . . . Very COOL!
Atlanta, Georgia on October 25th -- The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) the Trade Association for Professional Home Stagers has announced that November is Home Staging Awareness Month.
RESA's goals are to facilitate positive interactions within the home staging industry, provide support to professional stagers in addition to promoting the benefits of home staging to the consumer.
RESA has partnered with members of "Stage it Forward" (SIF) a powerful Internet blogging community that is hosted by Real Estate Blogging website called Active Rain. (www.ActiveRain.com) "Round Tables" are being conducted throughout North America during the month of November, "Home Staging Awareness" month, in order to bring home stagers together and discuss vital industry issues.
Additional professional staging and redesign groups such as the Interior Redesign Industry Specialists (IRIS), and American Society of Home Stagers and Redesigners (ASHSR) are also partnering with RESA in a unified effort to bring industry professionals together and participate in Home Staging Awareness Month. All professional stagers are invited to attend and participate in this ground breaking event.
A Round Table Event is taking place on November 10th, 2008 at IKEA Atlanta located in Atlantic Station. Kathy Nielsen with Georgia Interiors Solutionsand Karen Dembsky with Peachtree Home Stagingare facilitating the event. If you would like more information on attending or would like general information on home staging please contact Karen Dembsky at 770 595-8809.
IKEA would like to invite Home Stagers and Redesigners to take advantage of this event and to also visit the IKEA BUSINESS site. It is a forum for small business and home owners to "share their space" with other entrepreneurs, such as Home Stagers and Redesigners. Community members can discuss and get ideas on how to achieve their own ideal business space. The site also offers design inspiration and equips business and home owners with affordable, creative solutions for work spaces, including storage and organization; displays and décor; and complete meeting, waiting, and break rooms.
For more information on home staging, to join a Round Table, find a professional stager or sponsor a future event please contact one of these organizations RESA-The Real Estate Staging Association visit http://www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com or call 888-201-8687 speak to Shell Brodnax , IRIS- Interior Redesign Industry Specialists http://www.WeReDesign.com or call 877-674-8667 speak to Sandy Dixon and ASHSR-American Society of Home Stagers and Redesigners www.ASHSR.com or call 888-563-9271 and speak to Audra Slinkey.
For information on IKEA Business, visit www.business.ikea.com
Anxious to hear about everyone's success and exchange. Stage it Forward
Peachtree Home Staging recently provided home staging services, furnishings, and accessories for a vacant condo located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. Buckhead is conveniently located near Midtown and Downtown Atlanta.
The owner of the condo lives out of town and had to trust we'd get the job done right. We finished up and sent photos last week and the owner paid a personal visit to the property this past weekend. Here is the e-mail we received back:
"Karen, We love the results. The condo looks so warm and welcoming. Wish I could move in." Thanks, Susan
Well, regardles of the market, particullarly with condo's, staging a vacant will put it ahead of the others for sale in the complex. It will be ahead on Internet photo presentation, ahead on the # of showings, and ahead on the quality of showings and feedback. These head starts lead to offers.
Here's the head start Peachtree Home Staging provided for this condo:
How folks live in a home is their business, how folks present the home for sale is my business!
For tips on how to prepare your home for sale and information on staging a home in Atlanta, visit the web site of PEACHTREE HOME STAGING or call us at 770 595-8809.
We do occupied and vacant home staging with professional perfection!
If you would like to e-mail us specific questions our address is: Karen@PeachtreeHomeStaging.com
Peachtree Home Staging is a proud APPROVED AND ACCREDITED Business of the Greater Atlanta Better Business Bureau. 
Peachtree Home Staging Serves all of Metro Atlanta: Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton and Gwinnett counties in Georgia, including, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Brooks, Chamblee, Decatur, Douglasville, Duluth, Dunwoody, Fairburn, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, McDonough, Newnan, Norcross, Peachtree City, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Senoia, Sharpsburg, Stockbridge, Tucker, and Tyrone
Dear Fellow Home Stagers,
The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) the Trade Association for Professional Home Stagers has announced that November is Home Staging Awareness Month. RESA's goals are to facilitate positive interactions within the home staging industry, provide support to professional stagers in addition to promoting the benefits of home staging to the consumer.
RESA has partnered with members of "Stage it Forward" (SIF) a powerful internet blogging community that is hosted by Real Estate Blogging website called Active Rain (www.ActiveRain.com). "Round Tables" are being conducted throughout North America during the month of November, "Home Staging Awareness" month, in order to bring home stagers together and discuss vital industry issues and promote home staging services
Your attendance and participation are requested in the Atlanta Stage It Forward Round Table Discussions being held on November 10th in Atlanta, GA. The discussions are open to all home stagers. Note: Membership to RESA, IRIS or ASHSR is not a requirement. There is no cost to attend, and your input is of value to our industry.
Event information:
When: Monday, November 10, 2008
Where: IKEA - in the Food Court
441 16th Street
Atlanta, GA 30363
Because of the large number of interested participants, two separate Round Table sessions will be held. The morning session will be from 10:00 to 12:00. The afternoon session will be from 1:00 to 3:00.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All participants (morning or afternoon) are invited to attend a complimentary IKEA lunch provided by Bekins A-1 Movers of Atlanta between noon and 1:00 p.m. Also during this time Bekins will be presenting their new ‘Clear the Clutter' program to aid home stagers and home sellers with an inexpensive solution to de-clutter items from a house while having the home listed.
_______________________________
Please choose which session you would prefer to register for. Seating is limited so registration is on a first come, first serve basis, and is being coordinated by RESA. Please register now while seats are still available.
If your preference is to attend the morning session, 10:00 to 12:00 with lunch from noon to 1:00, please click on this link to register and secure your seat.
http://resa.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=87&club_id=304550&item_id=68192
If your preference is to attend the afternoon session, 1:00 to 3:00 with lunch from noon to 1:00, please click on this following link to register and secure your seat.
http://resa.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=87&club_id=304550&item_id=68191
We look forward to seeing you there!
Regards,
Kathy & Karen
Atlanta Stage It Forward Round Table Moderators
Kathy Nielsen, Georgia Interior Solutions
Karen Dembsky, Peachtree Home Staging
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Home Stager staging in Atlanta, Atlanta Metro, Alpharetta, Douglasville, Dunwoody, Fayetteville, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Marietta, McDonough, Newnan, Norcross, Peachtree City, Roswell, Sandy Spring
Peachtree Home Staging in Atlanta is a member of the Greater Atlanta Better Business Bureau and BB on-line PeachtreeHomeStaging.com and proudly serves all of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area
Peachtree Home Staging is dedicated to making your home sale a triumphant affair!
Peachtree Home Staging, LLC was founded by Karen Dembsky, a metro Atlanta resident for the past 27 years. Karen started her career teaching home economics, including interior design. After five years in education, Karen enjoyed a successful career in corporate sales and marketing.
During this time Karen bought different homes for her own living use, decorated them, and sold them. Two of them sold during the first month on the market for asking price and two of them sold the first day on the market above asking price!
When it was time to seek a new challenge, Karen became a Georgia licensed Realtor and has since served many clients both selling and buying properties. Through this experience, and feedback she continually receives from clients, Karen recognized the benefits her keen artistic eye provided to those she represented.
Karen uses her real estate expertise and artistic talent as a home stager to evaluate each room in detail for its general appeal and "WOW" factors.
Karen explains, "You only have one opportunity to make that first impression. Buyers only come back for a second round when the home appealed to them during the first visit. Buyers form their opinions quickly and your home is either in the running or forgotten. Buyers need to see what they like right off the bat, and then you need to keep that momentum going from room to room."
Karen's vast experience in real estate has taught her the importance of conscientiously determining each home's negatives and positives.
Since that time Karen has now successfully staged hundreds of homes in the metro Atlanta areaincluding Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Dunwoody, Decatur, Midtown, Atlantic Station, Peachtree City, Alpharetta, Vinings Fayetteville, McDonough, Riverside . . . and the list goes on.
"We all have different needs in a home, and frequently it is overwhelming for the home buyer to recognize the perfect fit for them when a home is cluttered, dated, too personalized or displayed in a way that does not reflect its potential to be inviting and functional." Karen further states, "By accentuating the positives, buyers can better recognize how the home may work for them.
Karen assisted a homeowner in staging their home for sale and then provided after photos for the Internet. They received a great offer the very next day! The buyers saw the photos on the Internet and made their offer prior to ever physically viewing the home!
"Remember,you are selling a HOUSE, a property; space. Disassociate yourself. When you buy a computer, you buy a shell that has the space to hold the items you want and need, software that makes it functional, and tutorials that demonstrate how it is best used. A potential home buyer is shopping for a house; functional space that they can make their home. Peachtree Home Staging creates the demo. That's what the buyer needs to see."
Benefits of Having Your Home Staged
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