Rockland Home Staging

I have been planning on creating a HSS (Home Staging Show) that I can publish on my website almost as a commercial for Rockland Home Staging.I thought it would be a great way to market myself and my business.  I was trying to think of ways to use HSS as a marketing tool. I was having a mental block on how to do this.  I did not want to just list a bunch of before and after photos and write things like Bathroom Before / After but my brain was fried.

Then I watched Becky Fields  Home Staging Show which can be seen here:

Real Estate Show

I'll be honest, at first I was tempted to email Becky and ask if I could just copy her show. (OK I'll admit it - I was having a moment of weakness). It has been a really long week and my creativity meter was on low.  So I drank a pot of coffee and got to work.  I did not have a specific plan but the beauty of Real Estate Shows is that you can start, just start and see where it will lead you.  

You can watch my show here:

As some of you may know I have not updated my website since the day a put it up and I am past due to update it.  This should motivate me to get it done!  I can't wait to get the show on my site.  And now with the release of Real Estate Shows new player people will not even have to leave my site to view the show.  The embedded show above should be available from RES soon.  Then we will be able to post the shows directly to our websites or blogs.  :)

I'm asking anyone who creates a show to link the show and your blog to my original post about RES.

Real Estate Shows + Home Staging = SUCCESS

I think the more people see what can be done the more creative they will become.  I'd like to thank Becky Fields for inspiring me!

* My tag-line is not copyrighted but I would prefer if people do not use it. Thanks! 

OK most of you guys know that I love vFlyer.  Recently I was contacted by Oliver from vflyer.com.  Oliver said that vFlyer was featuring a business that uses and promotes vFlyer.  He said I was chosen because I have been supportive of vFlyer on Active Rain.  So when I went back and looked I realized I really have blogged a lot about vFlyer.  Well some may say that I'm obsessed with cookies, the case may also be made that I'm obsessed with vFlyer.  ;)   I HEART YOU GUYS!!!

I've been asked to write a tutorial on how to upload your vFlyer widget to Active Rain.  It will be coming soon!

Here is a link to the vFlyer article: vFlyer star Maureen Henry

If you missed any of these fascinating vFlyer blogs now is your chance to resurrect them from the dead:

It is a huge decision to choose one member to spotlight in the  Weekly Member Spotlight .  I have decided to break with convention and feature an entire group.  The Photography group is one of the nicest places on Active Rain.  It is the kind of group that reminds me of the bar from the series Cheers.  It is the kind of small group where everyone knows your name, everyone is friendly and you may even learn something if you spend enough time there.   

I'd like to introduce you to the major players in the Photography group.

Follow this link to learn the basics, sharpen your skills and explore the World of Photography with Photography 101 tutorials written by Active Rain Photography Group Members  Cheryl keeps a list of the best posts at the top of the group. This is a fantastic resource.  I think it is also a great idea for all group moderators. 

Some folks here just want to take better shots of their listings. Others are confirmed Shutterbugs. The Photography group chats about equipment, tips and techniques for all types of Photography.

Cheryl Johnson 
http://www.bob-taylor.com/
Highland Park, CA 
More about me... 

Cheryl is the group moderator as well as an active member.  She is always willing to help out and has a wonderful personality.  Read some of her posts here:

Photography 101: First Homework Assignment
Photography 101: Depth Of Field
Photography 101: Attention Kodak V705 Users: You Have Exposure Compensation

Many people don't know what Chery actually looks like but if you are dying to know you can check her out here: A Moment Of Epiphany .

Bryce Mohan
http://www.brycemohan.com/
Bellevue, WA
More about me...

Bryce is a professional Real Estate Photographer that specializes in exceptional custom real estate and architectural photography. Bryce is one of the most giving people I know on Active Rain.  He is willing to share his photography techniques and provide people with constructive feedback.  If you want to see truly fantastic real estate photography check out his website.  (do it now - we'll wait)

JLS Quality Street Cover! :)
This Week in Pictures [03-22-07]:
Photography 101: Low Light It is a series - check them all out!  (not now, later)

If you have not met Bryce I think it is about time to check him out!  BTW did I mention he is In Support of Stagers: (small plug - you can't blame me)

Mike Stankewich, MBA, e-PRO - ZipRealty, Inc.
http://www.mikestankewich.com/
Huntington Beach, CA
More about me...

Mike is an expert local area REALTOR, real estate market analyst, columnist, and the leading selling and listing e-Pro Internet Professional within ZipRealty in Huntington Beach, California.  Mike is a also a realtor that understands the importance of quality photography. 

Real Estate Room Photography Made Simple!
Simple Way to Resize Pictures to Post to the MLS or to Send to Clients
Kodak v705 Tutorial IV - Picture Modes

Mike is currently writing a tutorial series for Kodak v705 users.  Everyone who purchased this little gem should print out all Mike's tutorials and practice, practice practice. 

 
Jeff Turner
http://res.realestateshows.com/
Santa Clarita, CA
More about me...

Jeff helps real estate agents grow their relationships, their network and their businesses by effectively using evocative Internet-based services. He is the President and Founder of Real Estate Shows.com/. 

Your Kids Will Think You're Cool... For About 15 Minutes
Probing The Depths Of Field
Give The Consumer More Views!

Most of you are familiar with Jeff's posts, but if you don't browse the Photography group you will miss some of the most interesting ones.  I credit Jeff with bring a broader awareness to the value of real estate photography.

Craig Schiller
http://www.realestaging.net/
Chicago, IL
More about me...

In 3 years Real Estaging has become Chicago's premier staging company.  We understand how to apply style, scale, proportion, color, and flow so that a property looks its best and sells quickly. To know the "magic" we do, check out the BEFORE & AFTER gallery on our website.  (OK you can do that now - we'll wait)

Someone needs to tell the truth... PHOTOS LIE!
Set Your Sites Low... to Raise Your Standards 
THINK CRUSTY THOUGHTS... When Taking Listing Photo
TRIX FIX 12 PIX

Craig understands how to make homes look their best so they will photography well, show well and sell for the maximum amount of money.  Craig always says, "Stage it, List it, Show it, Sell it".  For purposes of this blog I'd like to add, Photograph it, to his list. 

OK now you have met the major players in the Photography group.  I hope you will read what they have to say, and check back to the group home frequently.  You need to check the group home because many of the members tend to be purists when it comes to the Photography group.  Many members use the post to group feature so their posts will only appear in Photography.  You can read more about that here: Cross Posting , Spiders, and Moderators! Oh my!  and Group Management - Part Two .

You may be wondering how I fit into the photography group, well, I'm the one posting Help Me blogs there.  And I can tell you I have learned so much.  Everyone goes out of their way to help the photographically challenged. 

I'd like to introduce to next week's Member Spotlight author:

Tina Stewart Howell *Frisco & Celina Area Realtor
http://www.tinahowell.com/
Celina, TX
More about me...

Colleen Kulikowski
http://www.paradisereport.com/
Celebration, FL
More about me...

Serving Buyers in Celebration Florida, a community in the Orlando Florida area with Orlando Avenue Top Team. Her background as a consultant and computer expert assists clients to achieve their goals.

Colleen is the creator of the Member Spotlight.  I think it is a great way to get to know people who you may not have met before. 

Weekly Member Spotlight , Two New Active Rain Groups , Member Spotlight - March 1, 2007

Active Rain Member Spotlight Founded: 04/10/2007 This is where you can find all the member spotlight posts

Check out last week's member's spotlight  Member Spotlight! Read All About It!
It could use some TLC - and I'm featured.  (shameless plug) 

The home staging industry is gaining steady momentum in the Real Estate industry but many of us have been looking for a way to fan the flames and ignite interest.  I've been reading the book, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and racking my brain to figure out a way to get realtors not only interested, but excited about home staging.  In Gladwell's book he explains how little things can make a big difference, eg. it only takes one match to start a fire.                                          

Enter Jeff Turner of RealEstateShows.com. 

Most home stagers understand the value of merchandising the home as a product and what better way to advertise our product than with a sixty second Show.  Jeff and his team have been working tirelessly to come up with a program where home stagers could produce shows for real estate agents with the agent's personal branding included on each show.  

What they have come up with is truly special.

RealEstateShows.com has set up a special Home Staging account with capabilities not found in a regular RealEstateShows.com account. It will allow you to sign up real estate agents and managing their accounts via your login. It will allow you to offer your real estate clients a special rate of $100 per year - this is $25.00 off the regular price, and provides you with your own account... FREE! Yes. It will cost you nothing!

What's the catch?

Well, none really. The account is yours to use and all you have to do is get two of your real estate agent clients to pay for their personal account within the first 6 months. Do that and the account is yours... forever. That's it. Now, if I can't get two of my accounts to do this in 6 months, i probably need to find another line of work. :)

I seriously can't think of a more powerful tool to help grow your business. We're already taking photos for our clients... this is a tool that will help us help them grow their business as well. Like Jeff says, "it's all about relationships." 

I'm already signed up.

A sample show is automatically deposited in your account when you sign up. Of course, the real magic will happen when I do my own, but here is the sample. Imagine what you can do with this!

This is how I'm planning on using using Real Estate Shows to build relationships with key realtors.  Most of us work with several realtors all the time.  It is the law of 80 /20.  You get 80% of your business from 20% of your clients.  I am planning on purchasing Real Estate Shows for these top agents.  I am trying to partner with group of realtors that I work with all the time.  These are realtors that appreciate the power of home staging and understand the benefits of a good web presence.  I am trying to create a team where Rockland Home Staging is an an integral part of the real estate process. I think Real Estate Shows is a vehicle that we can use to cultivate these relationships.  

Need more information?  You can check out http://www.homestagingshows.com/

How do you get on board? Well, they want to verify that you're really a home stager. So, you need to just contact RealEstateShows.com via email at info@realestateshows.com, tell them you'd like to be a part of the RES Home Staging Group, send them a link to your website and once they've verified who you really are, they will send you a special link to sign up for your own account.

Realtors should contact their local home stager today.  When we work as a team everyone benefits.  

I would love to see how everyone is using RES to market their business and forge relationships with realtors. Please post your shows in the comments or link you blog in the comments so we can see them! 

I'm excited. This could be the tipping point.

WEST NYACK LIBRARY

65 Strawtown Road

West Nyack, NY 10994

Phone: (845)358-6081

Fax: (845)358-4071

E-mail: West Nyack Free Library

Adult Programs

Home-Staging: A Different Way of Looking at Your House
Wednesday, April 11 at 7:30 PM
Maureen Henry owner of Rockland Home Staging shares a proven strategy for using your own furnishings and accessories to create a warm and inviting environment.
Registration begins March 28. - Spaces are still available.

Maureen Henry  from Rockland Home Staging spoke to a group of about 20 at the West Nyack Library.  The group was interested in Home Staging and Interior Redesign. 

The course focused on 5 Redesign Resolutions:

1. Getting Organized

2. Finding your personal style

3. Chooseing a color theme 

4. Getting creative - never let a small budget stop you from decorating.

5. Resolving to bring into the home only things that you truely love.

The group was lively and asked a ton of questions.  We watched a 10 minute slideshow illustrating the various Redesign Resolutions while snacking on cookies.  Everyone had a great time, including the instructor!

IT'S ALL HAPPENING AT THE LIBRARY! 

Here is an Easter Bunny Cake that I've been making for years.  My Mom used to make it when I was a kid.  It could not be easier.  You just use one box of yellow cake mix in two 9 inch round cake pans. 

When the cakes have cooled cut two pieces out of one of them for the ears - this will leave you with a bow tie shape.  

Arrange the bunny on a tray then frost.  I piped the icing on to the cake using a pastry bag and floral tip, but you can just frost it using a knife.  I have also seen it covered in coconut.  

Whenever I make this cake people love it!  They think I went to so much trouble, but really it couldn't be easier!

Here is a link to Google images where you can see some other cakes using the same technique:

http://images.google.com/images?q=Easter%20bunny%20cake&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wiWISHING

EVERYONE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY EASTER!!!!!!  

(See I'm not only a cookie stager - I do cake also)