Vacant homes that are staged sell 78% faster than unstaged homes

click on this link for our latest statistics RESA Staging Stats – February 2010

No Comments »

Yes!  It can be a very expensive mistake for a home seller not to have their property staged!  With 80% of home buyers surfing the internet and pre screening homes, ask yourself does your  property stand out  when compared to others in your area and in the same price range?  If it doesn’t, why doesn’t it?

Don’t you want your property to sell quickly… so  you can move closer to the kids, go live in Europe for awhile, or buy that cute  little cottage down by the lake!

There is significant evidence out there that STAGING WORKS, so it is frustrating to watch home sellers take price reductions on the list price their home rather than stage it.

Perhaps it is because some just cannot see the VALUE in staging their home. They tell themselves that the current way of selling a home has always worked so why change.  But with progress comes change, and part of that change is HOME STAGING.

Really when you think about it, would you sell your car without at least cleaning the junk out of it first.   For that matter would you sell anything that you thought had value without fixing, repairing, updating it first.   No Way!
You would want to get the most money for it as possible!   You placed a value on the item when you purchased it and you would want whomever buys the item to perceive the same value.  It is no different with your home, it is even more important.  There is more money at stake!

So before you list your property for sale, or if your property is already listed contact a local real estate agent that is familiar with Home Staging and its benefits, then as a team you can work together to get the most value from  likely the biggest investment in your life!

Which kitchen could you see yourself cooking dinner for the family in?

No Comments »

Sold your Home and now need to pack everything and have no place to put it all! Try this local company STORABOX.. they bring a container to you and take it away when you fill it.  How easy is that!

No Comments »

Well I certainly cannot say that

this time!  The Team from Shoestring Home Staging left last Saturday for the first International RESA convention!  We knew it was going to be fun and exciting, just because of the local.  What we did not plan on was how much we were going to take home with us.

We learned about collaborating with Real Estate Agents, pricing and the benefits of using social media to get ourselves more visible.  We met Bethany Souza from “Designed to Sell” and Matthew Finlason from W networks “The Stagers”.  Talk about being awe struck.

It was really fantastic to put faces to names of ones we have dealt with on Active Rain and thru RESA, it was like catching up with old friends.  We made new friends as well!

A big Thank You to Cathy Lee and Kathleen Garvey for being inspirational and authentic!  We really enjoyed getting to know you both!

We are eagerly looking forward to the next RESA convention in 2011.

What happens is Vegas stays in Vegas, it didnt this time and we are very happy about that!!!

No Comments »

Studies show that worker productivity goes up, job hopping goes down when work environments are comfortable ,attractive and more like home. So let ShoeString Home Staging & Interior ReDesigns recreate your lobby, offices, board rooms & staff rooms for a more attractive inviting work place.

No Comments »

Make a Smilebox photobook

No Comments »

This past week I was in Vancouver taking a colour course.  It was fantastic to meet new people and brush up on my colour skills.

Colour is a beautiful thing, and it’s an essential tool for anyone working in the  decorating or design industry. What are some of the trends that we are seeing today?  According to Style at Home magazine, Black is back, brights shine, grey’s the new neutral and nature reigns in 2009’s hottest paint colour palettes.

So now is the perfect time to revamp your home’s decor. Giving your walls a fresh paint colour is the most inexpensive surefire way to instantly make over your living space.

No Comments »

Send Out Cards is a wonderful new concept and service that is changing peoples lives one card at a time.

When was the last time you sent a “Thinking of You” card to someone you care about, or a simple Thank you or expression of appreciation?

Here is a wonderful way to send an unexpected card at an unexpected time!  Never forget special occasions! You can use this to motivate, uplift, encourage and truly make a differance!

Create a  client database for your business and send out your annual cards quickly and easily with no hassle or stress.

You can send a printed greeting card with your  own message in Less than 60 Seconds.

• Choose your card
• Write your message
• Click send

SendOutCards prints it, stuffs it and mails it, (with a real stamp on it)  all for less than a greeting card at the store.

You can even upload a picture from your own computer and place it in the card… It is a fun, easy and stress free way to put back the personal in sending a greeting card!

Test Drive before you buy!  Send one card for FREE!

Call 1-866-703-0809 and ask for my assistant Cathy to help you get started today

No Comments »

A consultation is a powerful marketing tool which can be used as part of your listing package.

· Having access to a qualified, professional staging company on your team sets you apart from other agents who are not using staging consultations or stagers.

· Saves you the awkwardness of having to explain to your clients what needs to be done to prepare their home for sale. We are skilled at handling the emotions of our clients in a professional, calm, and rational way. We remind them we are preparing their house for the largest buying audience.

· Very cost effective and high yield on the return – for as little as a $125 one-hour verbal walk through and your homeowner will have the tools needed to prepare their house for sale.

· When your client receives a consult, it can become a “pride of ownership” issue. It is easy to follow the recommendations to get their home ready for sale. This allows the homeowner to be proactive – if they want to truly sell their home, they will improve the condition of the home. This is a key components to the sale of your listing.

· We create equity for our clients. The return on the investment of a staging consultation will ALWAYS pay for itself! Statistically, the better the condition and showing of the home brings a quicker sale and a higher sales price.

Realtors Know:

• How to get a listing
• The laws concerning selling & buying
• Contracts and extensive paper work
• Determining a fair listing price
• Extensive Marketing and Showings (and always smiling!)
• Closing the deal

Home Stagers Know How To:

• Create good traffic flow in rooms

• Neutralize a lived-in space

• Let the light in

• Create ambiance

• Use accessories to high light the space

• Prepare a property according to the market

• Use of popular neutral styles to appeal to the widest audience
• Apply the latest color trends

• Shop for owners, usually with discounts

• Maintain an inventory of accessories and furniture
• Create good curb appeal
• Accentuate all architectural details

Comments Off

When I was ready to take my business forward, I realized that I really did not know where to start or how to juggle all the ideas and plans that were swarming in my head.  I was going to need some help so that I still had a life outside of my business that I didn’t neglect my family, my friends or myself.

I need someone to help me to identify priorities and develop strategies that focused on developing my business and at the same time allowed me to reach my goals.

So I hired a “personal coach”.  I wasn’t exactly sure of the whole idea at first, but learned that a coach is someone that takes you step-by-step as you work on your business, personal life, management and leadership.

I signed up for 3 months with Coach Cathy of Coaching with Cathy.  The 3 months were most extraordinary!  It felt good to know that I had someone in my corner that you could bounce ideas off of, who was not judgmental or critical.  Someone who could get you back on track, even when things looked like they were overwhelming and uncertain.

I highly recommend hiring a “personal coach” to help you tap into your inner voice, and stay focused on your priorities.  In doing so you will be able to pursue your passion, whatever it may be.

No Comments »