You are currently browsing the Transformations weblog archives for the day February 7, 2008.
February 7, 2008 by becky.
This just in…
We at Transformations are gearing up for a new emphasis on empty-home staging to meet the current home-selling challenge. A high-end vacant house that had been on the market for six months with no offers was staged in January with accessories, plants and art. The new items in the house were leased for a nominal amount, in this case $150. monthly. This house was competing with new bargain-priced builder spec homes. Even still, an offer was presented in less than two weeks.
This solution to the empty house problem is much less expensive than leasing furniture AND accessories which can be $1000. to $3000. monthly. The cost of planning and set-up can also be in the thousands.
Jacksonville agents…WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!!! Accessory staging is a great solution!! Your homeseller will love you for suggesting it.
Our next one-day Staging Seminar will address this issue and our Certification Class will go into further detail. I will be showing a room by room video presentation of this house.
One-Day Staging Seminar
When: February 27th, Wednesday
Where: Queens Harbour Yacht and Country Club, Jacksonville
Time: 9:30am till 3:45pm
Includes: 1. Continental Breakfast and Lunch
2. Speaker’s Notes
3. Color Chart and Note Pad
Presentations:
1. Power Point Staging Tips
2. Paint Color Demo
3. Accessory Placement
4. Empty Home Staging (new)
Cost: This $500. class is 50% off for the general public or $250.
It is $125. for agents or designers.
This amount will be rebated back if you choose to take the Certification Class.
The next Staging Certification Class is February 19th - 21st. A last minute cancelation has opened two slots. E-mail a request for details and cost. becky@beckyharmon.com
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Media Coverage—
*The Florida Times-Union is featuring an article on staging Saturday, February 9th in the Home section. I was interviewed by Angela Bauer. Some of the certification class pictures will be included. Don’t miss it.
*I also had the privilege of being interviewed by Warren Miller of Water’s Edge Magazine. The article, titled Remodeling To Stay or Sell, ran in January’s issue. He referred to me as the “doyenne of staging on the First Coast.” Yes, I had to grab a dictionary. I was pleased that they featured a full-page color shot of one of my client’s homes.
*I am submiting photos of a St. Augustine historic house that Ann Gobler, of Redesign and More, and I staged last week. I am submiting the pictures to Water’s Edge, Southern Living and/or Coastal Living. The results were amazing!
The house was built in the 1890’s and was originally owned by the Colee family of the St. Augustine Transfer Co. They owned the horse and buggy company that worked with Henry Flagler. It will be in the next tour of homes on March 1st. We will have it on a video tour soon. Even with the challenges of staging an older home, Ann and I left feeling exhilerated. The owner was jumping up and down and hugging us as we walked out. This is a great business!!
Staging is continually gaining more acceptance in the community. I mentioned several years ago that it would eventually be a total revolution in the real estate industry. The paradigm shift is coming. For more info on this, read the October ‘07 Blog. If you are an agent, you’ll want to sit down first.
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I witnessed a beautifull collaboration of several generous class alums in January. I sent out an “all points bulletin” requesting volunteers to aid a family in need. I was conducting my regular class (so I was unavailable) when I received the e-mail about a family that desperately needed staging but could not afford it. The couple is expecting a baby they know is Down Syndrome. The father has endured three brain surgeries and they had very little furniture left in the house. Under the direction of Coral Lanier and with the help of Libby Conner, Pam Belcher and Sandy Miller a “miracle” was performed in that little house. Many of the students offered to help and some donated items for them to use, including Deborah Broughton. The homeowners were quite moved by the effort this group of amazing individuals made on their behalf.
The comments from several of the participants:
Dear Sandy and fellow stagers,
This was truly a wonderful experience and I too was awed at the ease in which the couple let us transform their home. In this time of uncertainty for this family it was good to see my fellow stagers roll up their sleeves to help someone in need. I appreciate the opportunity to lend a hand and certainly hope for a quick sale. I will keep the sale of their house and the baby’s health in my prayers.
Becky, I echo the comments Libby, Coral, and
Pam Belcher
Stage Right Designs
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I am extremely grateful as the listing agent to have such a generous and wonderful circle of professionals and
new found friends!
Thank you,
Sandy Miller
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Dear Coral and ladies,
I think we did a very nice job with this sweet couple, and my heart goes out to them and the challenges, yet blessings, the new baby will bring. With Coral’s direction, the final results were nothing short of amazing. It was a pleasure working with you. Please keep us up to date with what is happening with this family. As always, Becky is our inspiration and if she knew how many times today we invoked her name, she would laugh…
Again, thank you for allowing me to participate.
Libby Conner
(the directionally challenged one!)
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Dear Sandy:It was a pleasure working with such a great couple. I enjoyed their humor and the ease in which they worked with all the suggestions. It was definitely a team effort, which is the most fun, not to mention the extra help it brings. It was wonderful establishing new relationships with fellow stagers also. THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING – Deborah, Libby, Pam and Sandy. Coral Lanier
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*Thank you again, Ladies, for touching our hearts. If anyone out there wishes to hire a stager or agent, call one of these wonderful gals.
Coral Lanier 629-0839
Pam Belcher 657-9166
Libby Conner 803-1572
Deborah Broughton 261-8467
Sandy Miller, Watson agent and stager 221-7525~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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