Patty Hill, BS, ASP, IAHSP www.stageitnow.net

Come Enjoy Charleston's 30th Annual Parade of Boats in Charleston Harbor!

Come Enjoy Charleston's Annual Parade of Boats in Charleston Harbor, it is FREE! Parade will be held Saturday, December 5, 2009. The parade of boats will begin in Mount Pleasant at 5:00 p.m. and ends around 7:30 p.m. in the Ashley River. Most of the boats can be viewed from the peninsula around 6:30 p.m.

for more information call 724-7305

Charleston's Own Children's Museum Of The Lowcountry Hosts Wrap It up! Workshop!

What a great opportunity for low country children! Located on 25 Ann Street, downtown, the museum will offer a workshop to make homemade gift bags. With museum admission, each class is only $5 per child. The workshop will be held December 1st and begins at 10:30 am. This workshop is offered to the public.

According to the museum their: "mission is to spark a love of learning in all children of the tri-county region. Through interactive, interdisciplinary hands-on environments and experiences in the arts, sciences and humanities, Lowcountry children will develop creative thinking and problem solving skills and a belief in their own potential."

This is a good time to get out and support your local Children's Museum Of The Lowcountry while your children learn to make a usable holiday craft. For more information contact Margaret@explorecml.org or call 853-8962 ext. 22. Be sure to visit www.explorecml.org.

It is safe to say that one of my passions is remodeling. I guess it is the excitement of making something old look new again.

Here are some photos of a kitchen remodel in Charleston. As a stager, I was asked to assist the homeowner with decisions regarding the remodel.

The kitchen for the most part was in good condition. The client however, wanted to update the kitchen with cherry cabinets and add new appliances.

A few changes included adding a new stainless steel microwave and wine cooler. A splash of color was added to the kitchen with beautiful glass tiles. New granite counter tops replaced the old laminate. The changes were simple but elegant.

This update will now bring a 121% return on the investment, according to StagedHomes.com. As a stager, I am committed to educating my clients on the importance of updating their home.

In this market where the inventory is high, it is safe to say that updating will not only attract buyers, it will allow the seller to compete with new homes. Need advice on updating...don't be afraid to....ask a stager.

Do I Really Need To Do That? As a stager I am asked this question often. With a little more investigation( you know..the Nancy Drew Style) here is what I found....

I am often asked by Realtors, in the Charleston area, if they should pay for a staging consultation for their clients? As they begin to analyze their client's ability to pay for repairs, upgrades and staging, the agents find themselves taking on the responsibility to do the work. I have met some agents that have cleaned carpets, painted, and yes, even paid for staging their client's home. Oh, let's not forget the agent who installed a sump pump in the back yard so that water would no longer be an issue. Now don't get me wrong, I think these are wonderful ideas and those types of agents would definitely get my vote. Here is where the problem lies. Clients who do not have a vested interested in a project tend not to see it through.

Here is a scenario of the Agent paid Staging consult: The agent hires me to do a consultation and pays me (I like getting paid by the agent because they understand staging, however, it is the homeowner who has to make the changes). I go into the home and prepare my consultation and as I walk the client though the steps of what needs to be done to prepare the home for sale, I get the question "Do I really need to do that?". Sometimes I get..."well I am not going to do that", or perhaps the question is "what happens if I don't do that?".

Here is the scenario of the Client paid Staging consult: The client hires and pays me to do a consultation, usually they are taking notes, asking questions and are really involved in the action plan. Now the comments are: "Can I do this...?" "I would like to do this...".

I think to myself...what a difference a vested interest makes!!

I have taken my agents from paying upfront to reimbursing their clients at closing. This seems to be a win, win for all.

Do your clients have a vested interest?