The RESA International Conference is the only one of its kind focused on providing stagers (RESA and non-RESA members included) with personal and professional development opportunities. The entire conference is dedicated to YOU. CLICK HERE for further details.

With the industry growing leaps and bounds, this is the perfect opportunity to:

■ Learn how to take your business to the next level
■ Learn what it takes to become a leader
■ Hear first-hand what the industry leaders are doing
■ Understand what it takes to “close” the deal
■ How to give a presentation
■ Learn how to market your business
■ Meet vendor partners who are there to support YOU!

If you are still unsure about taking that ‘leap of faith’ and living your dream of becoming a Home Stager, then please join me LIVE for the PRES Staging Webinar on Thursday February 18, 2010 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Pacific Standard Time. I will go through the PRES home staging AND redesign course and answer any questions you may have!

You will also receive a SPECIAL OFFER just by joining the webinar!

All you need is your computer and your phone. Make sure all your programs are closed except your internet and you will get a better connection.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1. On Thursday night go to your computer and CLICK or Cut and Paste this link in your internet browser:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/join/575894843

2. Phone in to get on the webinar call and listen to the prompts:

Dial +1 416 900 1165

Access Code: 575-894-843

Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting (if you are calling in my phone you just press #the two digit pin number#)

Meeting ID: 575-894-843

On the webinar you will have an opportunity to ask questions and find out answers to any questions you may have. I look forward to talking with you!

You will only receive a SPECIAL OFFER by joining the webinar!

One of the resources that I use to keep updated with the real estate market, and what is going on with the NAR (National Association of Realtors) is through a website called Active Rain. It’s a blog site so there are thousands of members, thousands of articles and lots of great topics.

I just read a blog titled: It’s Time For Realtors to Stand Firm on Not Doing Open Houses written by Lee Morof, Associate Broker/Attorney in Birmingham, Michigan. He is with Re/Max Showcase Homes. You can read the full article from this link

It’s a great article and while he does have some very good points we know that not all areas in North America face the same concerns about Open Houses as others. You can read more about the CONS in his article.

What I found really interesting are these statistics:

Every year I order the results of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Survey of Home Buyers and Sellers. I am particularly interested in How the Buyer Found His or Her Home in the last year because that determines where my marketing efforts will go to sell the homes that I list. Because the numbers pertaining to open houses are so dismal, it is no longer a category in the survey results. I do understand that open houses were more successful before personal computers and the internet but now, approximately:

• 90% of buyers begin their home search on the internet
• 36% will find their home on the internet
• 36% will find their home through the help of a realtor,
• 12% from a yard sign
• 6% from a friend, neighbor or a relative.

That covers ninety percent. Another 5%, will purchase new construction from a home builder or the builder’s agent.

And because of the internet availability as a resource this is precisely why homes need to be staged so that the MLS photos look FANTASTIC! That is what will attract a potential buyer. As PRES home stagers it is critical that the realtors we have strategic alliances with know the value of a staged home.

Christy Clark a well-known radio personality brings in industry experts to discuss topical issues of the day. Dana J. Smithers of PRES Staging Resource Centre and Sun On My Back Redesigns a real estate staging expert, was quick to reply to Christy’s first question of, ” So what is a seller to do in this buyer’s market to make a sale of their home?” – STAGE IT! There was a lot of banter back and forth much like 2 woman around a kitchen table! Listen to the interview to see what Dana tells Christy to do with the chickens!
Dana’s talk is about half way through the podcast if you want to skip the beginning…

Listen to the Podcast of the show here