Register before the 31st of March and you will receive the special early bird investment of $495.00.

Last year we had over 300 ASP/ASPMs in attendance and this year we are expecting even more. Space will be limited so sign up early to ensure your spot.

Invest in yourself and your future by coming to our ASP convention. There is no better way to get to know so many other successful Accredited Staging Professional Stagers and Real Estate Agents. We will also provide you with a wealth of opportunities to meet our affiliates and sponsors. You will learn valuable ways to make your business even more successful, profit from our speakers ideas, and have valuable time talking to and making life-long friends with those in our wonderful Staging industry.

Where else can you go to receive the knowledge and networking opportunities you will have at our 2008 ASP/IAHSP convention? This is the place! This is the official Staging convention of our Home Staging industry. Is it worth the investment? You betcha! All you have to do is ask anyone who attended last year, and they will confirm what I say is true. You simply cannot afford to miss it. It doesn't cost you money, in the end your investment to come will make you money.



Click here for the registration form!

Labels: 2008, Convention, Education, IAHSP, Registration

After spending nearly seven months in Fallujah, Navy Corpsman Matthew Chutjian was relieved to be out of the war zone where he'd worked as a medic caring for injured Marines. It didn't matter much to him that his belongings were sparse back at Camp Lejeune. Recently engaged to Raleigh teacher Melissa Markus, Chutjian thought he might buy her a bed for Christmas; she still hadn't replaced hers, a waterbed that had popped when she moved into her townhouse near Crabtree Valley Mall.

But Markus kept refusing the idea. And last Saturday, Chutjian realized why.

The interior of Markus' townhome soon to be the home of the couple when Chutjian is released from the military in January was freshly painted, updated and furnished.

"I was amazed," says Chutjian. "I just thought I was coming up for a weekend and there were all these people standing in front of the house. I had no idea."

The makeover, which included fresh paint, new furniture and accessories, lighting and a new floor in the master bedroom was the brainchild of Janine Varney, owner of Well Dressed Homes and a professional stager and designer. As ambassador of the Raleigh Regional Chapter of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP), it was Varney's job to come up with a project for the organization's World Wide Staging Day.

She suggested to the chapter the project revolve around fixing up a home for a returning soldier.

"A lot of these soldiers don't come home to a nice home," says Varney. "A lot of them don't have things because they've been away for so long. Matt's only possession right now is his [TV] and that's not here, it's on the base for him. When we arrived, Melissa was sleeping on a blowup mattress. She's a teacher. I value her." And with Chutjian a soldier who fought for his country, Varney was determined to do a bang-up job.

Serendipity also played a hand in the makeover. While looking for a soldier candidate, Varney's fifth-grade daughter came home from Leesville Elementary one day and mentioned her teacher's fiance had just come home from Iraq. Varney contacted Markus, who was a little reluctant at first.

"It's a little unusual to have people come into your house and remodel the whole thing. Some people are hesitant of that," says Varney. One challenge was removing furniture and repainting, especially considering Markus still has a roommate, a fellow teacher who agreed to go along with Varney's suggestions. "She was a real sweetheart," laughs Varney.

Varney is quick to point out that Markus' townhouse was nicely decorated to begin with, but female-inspired and eclectically furnished. After talking with Markus, Varney decided to create an atmosphere of urban chic, a home that would be welcoming for both sexes.

Ten to 15 members of the IAHSP's Raleigh chapter descended on Markus' townhome (she was safely tucked away at Varney's) and overhauled the home in two days, working late into both nights. The kitchen was repainted sage green and the light fixture changed. New dining room furniture was purchased, as well as rugs, pictures, silk draperies, accessories and a fresh coat of paint an earthy rust color to tie the dining area and family room together.

A half bath off the hall went from pastel to neutral, also gaining a new light fixture, and the master bedroom upstairs underwent the biggest transformation. The new champagne color of the bedroom is highlighted by a horizontal seafoam blue stripe and boasts all new bedroom furniture, bedding, draperies and accessories. The master bath was painted to match and includes a vanity updated with new hardware and a decorative paint treatment. There is also a new vinyl tile floor, installed with the help of one of the stager's husbands.

The couple agreed the new bedroom was the favorite room.

"Our bedroom was one area I didn't even touch when we moved in, and I felt bad because I still had Care Bears and stuff from when I was little," laughs Markus. "It was such a girl room and with him moving in I wanted it to be his room too."

Varney was able to find some generous donors, including Cort Furniture and American Furniture Rental, as well as Lowe's Home Improvement. But a lot of the donations and money came out of pocket-to the tune of about $2,500 from all the staging professionals who worked on the home.

In addition to money, the ladies put in a lot of elbow grease as well. But it was worth it seeing Chutjian and Markus walk through the door for the first time.

"It's the holidays and it made me think about how lucky we are," says Varney, who admits she was exhausted and relieved by the time the transformation was complete. "But then I felt selfish. The light bulb went off and I thought, ‘I've spent two days doing someone's house as a gift, and he's been over in Iraq fighting for us for seven months.' Then I thought, ‘I need to do more.' "

And next year, she will. Varney's already looking forward to next year's project and is hoping for more donations and continued awareness of the program. Markus, who was in on the surprise, had tears in her eyes when she toured the transformed space.

"I'm shocked with what they've done," Markus says. "They did a really good job. They took all of our stuff and incorporated it with the new items. I don't even know how to thank them."

Authored by: Christa Gala - Published in: http://www.triangle.com

Review your local Yellow Pages and Newspaper for:

• Estate Lawyers


• Assisted Living Directors/Administrators


• Retirement Center Directors/Administrators


• Alzheimer Center Directors/Administrators


• Adult Children of Elderly Citizens


• Rehabilitation Centers


• Home Health Care Centers


• Churches with Pastors of Senior’s


• Senior Activity Centers


• Storage Unit Complexes


• Give talks to Senior Clubs


• “Geropsychologist”  Doctors, Counselors and Therapists for the Aged

Labels: Senior Market, Senior Staging

Would you like to take a cruise while earning your ASP designation?

Click below for information on the ASP course being taught by Barb

during a fabulous Caribbean cruise:

Carnival Conquest Cruise (departs Galveston, TX)  Feb. 24 – Mar. 2, 2008

 

Step one – Throw away obvious trash

Go through the space with an eye for things that can be thrown out immediately. Do not get tied up with things that may be thrown out. Just take out all of the "no-brainers," so to speak.

Do not let this trash stay around or in view. If there is enough trash, coordinate a bulk pick up with the city. If not, put it in bags or wrap it up in a tarp or sheet for trash day. Until trash day, resist the temptation to pull things out of the trash pile.

Step two – Clear away a wall and walkway

Clear away one long wall and a central walkway through the space, even if you have to stack some things higher to do it. If possible, keep furniture and larger items stacked together on the perimeter of the piles. Leave a clear space near the room’s entrance for a sorting table, but do not set up the table until "Step 7."

Step three – Pull items out by "department"

Imagine the space is a new retail store, and that you have been hired to set the store up for opening day. What items would you put with each other? You are going to pull out and group items into departments along the cleared wall.

Start by pulling out everything you can from the department with the largest items (i.e., appliances, furniture). Stack the items in a very condensed way by the cleared wall to conserve the space you have claimed. When all of the furniture is handled, choose another department, working from departments with larger things to departments with the smaller things. Place the smaller things into boxes within their department. Put a sign up over each department, so you (or anyone working on the project) can immediately see how items are sorted.

 

Step one – Prepare your sorting area

Choose a space, preferably indoors, where you can secure and sort through the possessions from the space you are preparing to declutter. You will need a generous amount of space, either on the floor or on shelves, to hold the items during the process.

Set up a sorting table and place a blank legal pad and pen on it. Collect any empty boxes or containers you have, packing tape, packing tissue, scissors, a utility knife, several "Sharpie" markers, some sticky notes, file folders, paper clips, a stapler with extra staples, and rubber bands, and place them in an organized way under the table. Going forward, you can use a radio in this area, but, preferably, leave your phones and televisions elsewhere.

Step two - Designate "letting-go" areas

Before clearing the space you are decluttering, designate areas to hold the items temporarily that you will decide to toss, sell, donate or give-to-friends-and-family. Your trash and donate areas, for example, will be convenient to the trash or donation collection process (i.e., near the regular trash, or in front of the building for pickup). Your sell pile may be in the basement if you hold an annual sale or in a vehicle for delivery to a consignment shop. Your give-to-friends-and-family pile may be either in your vehicle, so you can deliver items directly, or in a place you keep gifts until the appropriate occasion arises.

Step three - Pull out any "no-brainer" toss, sell and donate items

Go through the entire space three times with an eye for things that can be thrown out, sold or donated. Do not get tied up with things that may be thrown out, sold or donated. Just take out all of the "no-brainers," so to speak. 

Do not let these items stay around or in view. If there is enough trash or donations, coordinate a special pick up. If not, put the trash in bags or wrap it up in a tarp or sheet for the next trash day. Sell and donate items can be place in your vehicle for delivery to those locations. Resist the temptation to revisit your decisions.

 

Step 1: Recognize, own and embrace your clutter problem.

Every item of clutter has a thought or a feeling attached to it. Maybe a thought about how an item can be used in the future or a guilty feeling about a worthless item dropped into the space after a long workday. Recognizing that you have clutter and that you, and the others in your household, share the responsibility for it is an essential realization that will help you move forward to a solution.

At this point, you can begin looking at your clutter as a solution in process. Try to release your embarrassment, and keep only enough guilt to drive you toward and help you maintain your objectives.

Step 2: Develop a vision and commit to a result.

Consider the result you would like to achieve. Do you merely want to reclaim your foyer, or is there some way you would like re-purpose the room? If you are sorting through the drawers of an antique sideboard, what will you store in the drawers later?

A large decluttering project can be overwhelming and being very specific about your outcome will help you through the obstacles that will arise to discourage you. While you are out shopping or on your lunch hour, pick up some paint samples, look at your options for organizing products, or visit a furniture or decorating store. Clip pictures from your favorite magazines or draw a picture of your ideal result

Step 3: Make a time plan.

What are your time constraints? Some of my clients want quick results so they can move on with their lives. They see a big event, such as an upcoming family visit, a vacation from work, or a significant birthday as an opportunity to finally dig through their messes. If you prefer a speedy result, you should consider scheduling a professional organizer with a crew, or a group of trusty friends and family. During the sorting process, you will be inundated with decisions, a professional organizer will provide an overall plan and lead the "troops," freeing you up to concentrate on the individual pieces of clutter.

Other clients have plenty of time and prefer to work through their clutter with the help of a weekly coaching session with a professional organizer and on-going support from a "clutter partner." Clutter partners are close friends who help you declutter, often in exchange for helping them do the same.



In any case, having a set of time goals that are tied to your vision is essential.

Click here to see the examples of Staging Bids and Proposals on the University!

Labels: bids, proposals

Update your profile & create your feature page

With the many thousands of visitors to the site each month you are missing your best marketing tool if your Profile and Feature Page is not top notch.

Career Book

  Your best marking tool and you need more than one!  Call you doctor, accountant, hair dresser, lawyer… Take them out to lunch and educate them as to what you REALLY do.  Show them your career book and offer to let them take your career book to their office for the waiting area.  Not only will they do that but they will pass your Career Book around the office to their employees.

Business Cards/Brochures

   You need something to put in people’s hands as you meet them

ASP™ Photo Tote

Use the 3 foot rule…If someone is standing 3 foot from you…TALK TO THEM about Staging®  The ASP Photo Bag is a great ice breaker because is creates interest and questions.

Labels: ASP Network

Labels: advice, Staging tips

Labels: Stage to live

Click here to see the Sherwin- Williams paint colors Barb has choose for Staging!

Labels: colors, ideas, paint, Staging

Click here to see the Staging Ideas on the University!

Feel free to share your own here!

Labels: staging ideas

Labels: business planing, planning

CONTAIN –

1.   Storage is KEY!  Is the piece easy to contain either in a storage unit, in a box, bag or on a shelf?  ALWAYS keep your eyes open for useful storage aids including shelving, cardboard boxes (unusual shaped boxes sometimes come in very useful too), clear boxes or tubs, any and all large zippered bags, packing materials, oversized plastic (to cover couches, etc.), old blankets, furniture pads, etc.  The time you spend up front in taking care of your storage needs will pay for itself over and over! 


2.   Hand-held shrink wrap rolls are invaluable tools to wrap around rugs, or around drawers, breakable items, etc.  I always have a supply of the 6” rolls and a few of the larger rolls as well.


3. If something requires multiple pieces to assemble each time – chances are you won’t take the time to mess with it.  Think what can be loaded, unloaded, wrapped, and put away in a reasonable amount of time.


4. IMPORTANT TIP:  Watch for stores that are going out of business – they usually sell off their store fixtures and shelving for bargain prices.  You can usually pick up great bins, racks, office supplies, boxes, and misc. bulk material handling stuff.  Keep your eyes open for carts, laundry bins, or shelves on wheels.  They come in extremely handy if you have to Stage a house/condo  that has an elevator or simply for moving your inventory around.


5. In my warehouse I have one large shelf near the entrance that is dedicated to packing materials including bubble wrap, paper, plastic bags, cardboard, IKEA bags (these are great blue bags that you can buy for $1.00 that I always transport my pillows and lampshades in), etc. Reuse and Recycle as much as you can within reason of course! 

CARRY –

• Must be lightweight enough that you (and one other person) can lift it.  It should not be too bulky or awkward in shape or you will find yourself fighting with it more than being glad you have it. 


• Keep in mind that sometimes large chairs and couches have trouble fitting through doors, so unless you plan on having assistance, don’t plan on using them alone.


• Never try to carry too many things at once – especially if they don’t belong to you.  Use respect and care when handling your client’s things and only carry one item in each hand. 


• Use proper ergonomics when lifting anything heavy, and get in the habit of always picking up items from the bottom (i.e. don’t pick up lamps from their harps, or vases from their necks, or flower arrangements with the stems.  You never know when something is not attached or has an existing crack, etc.)

Question #1:  Based on your Business Plan and Marketing Plan, Who is your Target audience – your potential client?

Ideas to consider: 

Residential: Occupied &/or Vacant??? Consultations &/or Stagings???

                      Owner vacant or Builder Vacant???

Commercial: Occupied and/or Vacant???

Question #2: When you determine that you want to Stage vacants, do you buy Inventory or not?

BIG IDEA:  DO NOT BUY INVENTORY UNTIL YOU NEED IT!  How many vacant Stagings do you have SCHEDULED?  Schedule, and then buy as needed.

Networking or Not Working – It’s Your Choice!

Even if you think of yourself as a great Networker, you might want to consider a few life lessons about Networking.  They are:

Make Networking a REAL goal!  Networking is a daily activity.  It’s like eating an elephant – one bite at a time!

Recognize, Organize, and Reorganize Your Current Network!  All of us have a network, but most of the time we aren’t aware of it.  Make a list of all the people on your holiday greeting card list, in your home owner’s association, your church, and your professional associations.  You get the idea.

Make Sure Your Networking Tools Are Ready At All Times!  This doesn’t mean your business card or brochure.  It means making sure you have a clear objective, an appropriate attitude, and great phone skills.

Make the First Contact in Any Situation.  Walk up to someone, look them in the eye, introduce yourself, and ask a question.

Help Others.  My goal is always to be remembered well.  What better way than helping other people?

Keep in Touch Regularly.  This may not sound important, but believe me, both positive and negative things make lasting impressions.

Say Thank You and MEAN IT!  We say thanks to the person who brings us water at our table and thanks to the person who takes our money at the bank.  We certainly need to say thanks to those who give us their time.

And Just Do It!!!!

I.          Identify Your Client – Tailor your presentation to your client.  Do you have a niche market?  You need to be clear exactly who your message is for.  Who can you help the most?  Who do you understand the best?  Where do you have the most experience?  Think all of this through and develop your message specifically for this ideal client. Examples:  Home Owner, Real Estate Agent, Builder, others?

II.         Identify Specific Challenges for each client and tailor Marketing Portfolio.              What does your client want to do but doesn’t know how.  What’s missing for them?  What are they struggling with?  What is confusing or frustrating for them? Clearly articulate this: “I work with these kind of clients who have this kind of challenge.”

Kelly McFrederick, ASPM, IAHSP

ASP Course Trainer, Stagedhomes.com

• What are we worth?-We have a value service worth dollars as an investment for the Home Seller. “WE ARE CREATING WEALTH FOR OUR CLIENTS, WE DESERVE TO BE PAID!”

• Pricing per hour-All Staging Services derive from your worth per hour and what the market will bear as we continue to grow and you gain experience.

• Some Staging projects can are priced by “What is worth to me to get the Staging Project Accomplished and Completed?” and “How much do I want to make per day or per hour?”

93% of ASP Staged Homes sell in 1 month or les

31.8 days or less for ASP Staged Homes

160 days or more for Non-Staged Homes

Labels: Stage, Staging, Statistics