Last week my new client told me she'd decided to call me because of what I'd said on my website. Smiling, I said, "And what was that?"
(Now in all honesty, as she said that, part of my brain was scrambling to try to remember what great marketing phrase or slogan I'd used. Would I be able to live up to what she said my website claimed? Think, I told myself. What could I have possibly said on my website that made her decide to Stage her home?)
Thankfully, she remembered.
"The investment in Staging is far less than your first Price Reduction"
How many of us have used that one?!? I mean it was one of the first mantras I learned from Barb Schwarz of StagedHomes.com. and it's true. I remembered one day I actually figured out what an average price reduction would be on say a $300,000 house. Even at a conservative 8-10%, well, trust me, Staging is less. But, I digress.
My point in all of this is I've been so focused on my ActiveRain, Twitter, and Facebook pages, my outside blog and downloading this, updating that, my Website has been left behind. 
I designed that poor baby about 2 years ago; all by myself.
It's not the prettiest nor is it what I'd like it to be but it functions. Someday I may even pay to have it designed by a professional. But until then, I am the Webmaster. Google and the search engines would like me to update it often so they know I'm still alive. . . a viable entity. But, I'm over at ActiveRain most of my computer-marketing time. Don't misunderstand; I'm not blaming any of the Social Media tools.
It's not their fault that I spend more time with them. After all, Facebook, Twitter, and ActiveRain all talk back to me! There's an Interaction- an exchange of words. My Website just sits there. Visitors come and go but I wouldn't know it. I have no idea what they're thinking. (Yes, there are analytic tools but hey they still don't talk back to me).
Yet in so many cases, our "Point of Contact" IS our Website. I know; it's what I have on my business cards. (although, when I reorder this week, I may add my outside blog). When you fill out forms, you are asked for your Website. When you meet anyone, they want your website information.
So, this week, I'm going back to revisit my website. I'll change some of my pictures and decide what to re-do, reword or toss out. It will be my solitary time. . . no Comments to make, no Tweets, no Facebook Wall to tell me who's doing what.
What about you? When's the last time you checked out your Website? Do you know what it's saying?
If you're an orchid lover or just looking for somewhere to view some absolutely beautiful orchids then head to the Annual Delray Beach Orchid Society Orchid Show and Sale.
Located just a few blocks from my favorite Delray Beach Street- Atlantic Avenue- the show is held annually in the Old School Square Vintage Gymnasium in Delray Beach Florida. With a host of vendors from around the state, you can see, learn about AND purchase the familiar Phalenopsis, or Moth Orchid, Dendrobiums, the popular Vandas and Cattleya's. But, there are also many Species orchids and, what seems to be a trend, miniature orchids.
My friend, JoAnne, and I try to go every year. Just the two of us. We have our routine down and have fun navigating our way through each vendor's booth. We start upstairs where the Judged orchids are on display: AOS Show Trophy, Best Species Flower, Individual Plant Ribbons, etc. This is a very humbling area if you are an orchid grower. Each gorgeous bloom makes you wonder why your own orchids that you nurture, baby and in some cases, speak to (yes, I do speak to them) look in no way like those on display here. We then head for the really serious part of the show; the hunt for the orchids that we will purchase and add to our collection.
It's a 2 hours process! You have to go around each booth at least once to determine which orchids will make the final cut. We keep each other in check when we see an orchid that is far more than we want to spend. Today we both saw a beautifully scented Vanda and JoAnne said "Michael would kill me if I spent that much". I replied: 'I"LL kill you if you spend that much!!"
In the end, we make a final swing through the room, make our purchases, and walk out like 2 kids leaving the world's best candy store with our bags full of goodies.
There's still time to head to the show!:
October 30, 31 & November 1
10am-5pm
Old School Square Delray Beach, Florida
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An Accredited Staging Professional offering Staging Consultations, Team Staging, ReDesign, Home Readiness Service Teams and eStaging.
Room Service! Home Staging's goal is to help each seller maximize their homes "sale-ability" by showcasing its best features. I'll do one room or the whole house. . . your choice; always trying to incorporate as much of my client's own furniture and accessories as I can. Or, in the case of the unfurnished/vacant home, I can coordinate the selection and placement of furnishings to set the mood for the Buyer. I view my role in working with Real Estate Agents as a marketing resource for them as well as their associate in getting their listing sold quickly and for top dollar.
For the homeowner not ready to sell but wanting to put the "wow' back into their home, I work with them in Re-Design, often using most of the owners' own furnishings, re-purposing and re-positioning what they already have.
Getting a house ready to sell isn't just about moving sofas and packing up pictures. With more and more foreclosures and distressed properties on the market and with people being pulled in many different directions, our Home Readiness Service can also coordinate any repairs, inside and out.
South Florida is my Home Stage, but I have worked in Virginia as well as Texas and Kansas. And, in this internet age, my alter ego, eStaging online, can accomodate those with little time and a need to get the job done.
For more information please see me at Room Service!HomeStaging.
I am a tranplanted Texan living in Florida and love what I do. My training was in Virginia under the tutelage of Barbara Schwarz, the creator of Home Staging and the StagedHomes.com website. My memories of playing with dolls was spending hours building houses for them using whatever was at hand; creating for them a space that would befit a BARBIE or Chatty Cathy. I'm still in that mode, attempting to utilize exising objects and furnishings to create or enhance my clients' home; whether it be getting it ready to sell or turning it into the haven they call home.
"I did not know what staging meant, until Kathy staged our house. It made our house more presentable and open. We liked the way it looks now and we would like to maintain it that way, until the house is sold.I would very strongly recommend all sellers to stage their house."
Raj
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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