Scottsdale REALTOR and Fellow Active Rainer, Dru Bloomfield, emailed me this a.m. to share this article published by Realty Times in response to the NAEBA's blast of home stagers and home staging. (If you missed it - read about it from Cindy Lin or Sheron Cardin)
Who's Getting In Your Pocket, Now: Spoilsport Buyer's Agent Group Comes Out Against Home Staging
by Blanche Evans of Realty Times
Just to give you glimpse of what the article says - it begins with "That's as silly a complaint as I've ever heard. Worse, it can do some serious damage. Staging doesn't "make" people buy homes any more than miracle bras and mascara make men propose marriage."
Here's another thought - Kaushik Sirkar's blog Curb Appeal - More Important Than Ever! shared with us a recent article written in The Arizona Republic about improving a property's landscaping (hence, curb appeal). Quoting Kaushik's blog "How much of an impact can this potentially have? See this article from the Arizona Republic. WOW. 7% higher selling prices if you have trees. 10-15% higher prices if you have superior landscaping. Deltas between two homes on the order of 6 figures for the one with better landscaping. One example of a home with a gorgeous yard selling for nearly 2 TIMES what a similar home without curb appeal sold for."
Hmm....I wonder if the National Association of Landscapers know that they're effecting potential home sales?
So, what do you think?
At least the animals are smart enough not to disparage an entire industry of their associates on the internet - where it will remain for eternity. (OK - I know it's not even possible, but could you just imagine?!)
Next we will be accused of training at a Harry Potter boarding school for wizards. Hey, just wave a magic wand and all the public will be fooled. WOW that is power.
News from Hogwarts......
Thanks for the chuckle amid the frustration of the recent news we wre next to shysters. My grandmother always said, "Take it frome whence it comes". I don't think there was alot of intelligence in the article of our devious ways!~~
I want in on the new course too James,do we get magical powers too?
Actually, Nicola - I think stagers already have magical powers - we're just going to learn how to "unlock the power within". I'm thinking we should also get a broom - not that we're planning on doing any cleaning, but the way gas prices are right now - something more economical is called for. Any other ideas?
P.S. Sounds like your Grandmother is a wise woman!
Nicola - your comment implies there are people out there, who do not love us. I have never heard such a thing! (Maybe read, but never heard) I was under the impression everyone thought home stagers walked on water and the service we provide is absolutely nothing short of pure genius. Should I be doubting?
P.S. You'll need to petition the Head Master for wand privileges. That's usually reserved for second year students.
Love the wit generated here today!! Staging really is a power to be reckoned with and in many ways, it is MAGIC. Magic from the creative minds of the clever professionals who understand the power of 'beauty'....and we are not talking miracle bras or similar attributes here!! Thanks!! Regards-Kathleen
Oh yes, please. I want a magic wand - a real one! Not one of those fake ones they use in the movies... Oh, I would like some real pixie dust too - seems like I'm all out.
Kathleen - beautifully written statement - love it "Magic from the creative minds of the clever professionals" Pure genius, my dear! Would absolutely make a great marketing campaign...
I am truly devious! With one hand behind my back I can make a room appear larger than it is. All I have to do is apply some scale, shape and color that correctly defines a room and POOF the square footage magically gets larger. Never mind the tape measure, the listing sheet, and the education we have and are still paying for to develope that magical talent. If trained right we can educate all naeba's on just how we accomplish this magic trick. It will take a few years of practice and a strong back, but I am willing to let them move some furniture in the process.
Thanks, Calie for sharing this article. Both the article and blog had me laughing. And... I needed a laugh.
Kathy
I've had a hard, busy, productive & prosperous day -- after reading all this, I am smiling till my jaws hurt. We are so devious; and talented, too. What could be more threatening than that? Don't you think we could all put our minds together and write and direct a LifeTime Movie. The heck with HGTV! OH, OH, OH. I feel a blog coming on!
Oh my stars, Ladies - I was worried about all my comments derailing the true purpose of the blog - but you know what? It's exactly what we all needed today. Last week was a tad bit stressful for all of us (wouldn't you say?) ... I'm glad everyone can end this day with a smile.... now, where's Head Master James? I'm sure some of us are in need of extra homework after a day of admitted mischief.
"ciku" later!
Sherry - Great Idea - instead of "Let them eat cake" - You can "Let them move furniture!" I hope you're not using your wand in front of non-magical type people! The Head Master is sure to find out!
Carole - Fairy Dust... do you have connections? I want some of that, too.
Nicola - Remember, we a home stagers - not home cleaners. Return it quick before it rubs off on you!
Kathy - We aim to please with a fist full of humor and a pocket full of smiles. Thank you for stopping by the James Frazier Magical School of Staging, please come back again soon.
Karen - Wouldn't it be nice to have a staging show produced here in the US? We could do a spin off of "What Not To Wear" - how about "How Not To Sell Your House?" You're in charge! Just let us know when the auditions are.
Hey Kathy - What book of spells? You got one that you're not sharing?
News from Hogwarts.....
OK, one person, Calie Waterhouse, has encouraged me to return to this post. I have now yielded to this frenzied public demand as Mark Twain would say, and so I am announcing the official opening of the James Frazier Memorial School of Magic. All you need is a little hocus pocus.......
Actually I am well qualified to open said school as I once developed a business plan for a School for Psychics ( this was during the heyday of Psychic Friends Network and their "certified" psychics). Their own advertisement emphasizing "certified" made me wonder where one went to get "certified" in the art and , finding no official psychic schools. I decided to fill the obvious gap in the education of psychics.
So my idea was the do this as a correspondence school. Each week I would send out a page with 20 questions. At first, you trained by answering the questions correctly. Then each week I would send out another 20 questions except the last word would be missing. With each week, less of the questions would be provided and then the final exam you had to guess the questions entirely. All for the low low price of just $2700 for the entire course, all materials, a graduation certificate, and a . See if you have natural ability and guess that last part.
Although It never got off the ground- I am certain I can apply this sound business plan to this endeavor.
Way to go Blanche! Seems like she started this new forum on ranting specifically for this article. Nice to have her on our side!
Cari - yours is the voice of reason. You're absolutely right - Way to go, Blanche! It's nice that we, home stagers, have "champions" such as Blanche who have come to defend us in ways we never could (alone).
I love Ms. Evans. She is hilarious. My favorite part is
"That's as silly a complaint as I've ever heard. Worse, it can do some serious damage. Staging doesn't "make" people buy homes any more than miracle bras and mascara make men propose marriage. But it's worth trying ..."
LOL