Valley Springs, CA February 13, 2012 Shell Brodnax, President/CEO of the Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®), the trade association for professional home stagers was honored by the Staging & Design Network as the 2011 Leader of the Year during the association’s annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
RESA’s annual convention recognizes home staging professionals in local chapter, state and regional leadership positions, as well as professional home stagers and industry professional service providers. RESA has 5 regions throughout North America and honors professionals in both Rookie Stager of the Year and Professional Stager of the Year categories as well as REALTOR® of the year, innovator of the year, product of the year and several other categories. During the awards banquet the presentation was stopped to honor Shell Brodnax, the President/CEO of RESA as the Staging & Design Network’s Leader of the Year.
“We were very pleased to be a key sponsor of the 2012 RESA Convention. This was a fabulous event, packed with great information and resources for the staging industry. We are delighted to honor Shell Brodnax with the 2011 Staging & Design Network Leader of the Year Award. Staging & Design Network’s tagline “Share. Grow. Inspire.” Is all about growing our community and Shell most certainly embodies this mission! Shell has shared her time, talent and passion. She has fostered enormous growth in the staging industry through her development of RESA®, and she continues to inspire all of us with her positive outlook and persistence at breaking through any brick walls set in her way,” said Tricia Tomlinson, the organizations founder and CEO. (more…)
Linda Barnett and the Home Matters Home Staging team of Indianapolis, Indiana has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor given annually to approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on service companies.
“Our Super Service Award winners are the cream of the crop when it comes to providing consistently high quality customer service, as judged by the customers who hired them,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List.
Home Matters goal is quite simple; “we create stylish…. warm and welcoming houses that captures the buyers’ attention from the moment they are introduced to the property. We focus on the buyer demographics, the selling features, lifestyle selling techniques and the strategic placement of furniture, accessories and art that translates to a powerful marketing tool! By doing so it shows that staying focused on their clients and their needs; honors, awards and recognition will follow. This is such a special honor for us because it is the second year in a row and because it comes from feedback of those many home owners that have used our services.” Barnett said.
Barnett-A Staging Professional, Interior Decorator, former Realtor and Home Staging Trainer- founded Home Matters Home Staging and Redesign in early 2004 and today operates one of the largest and fastest growing Home Staging companies in the mid-west having serviced over 2,000 clients with 5 property stylists. Barnett- was trained in 2004 as an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) and extended her education in 2008 by becoming SAR Certified, and again in 2009 by becoming certified as a CSP and is a recent graduate of the Staging and Redesign Advanced Staging Course taught by Matthew Finlason, star of the HGTV series “The Stagers”. Barnett- is lead instructor for the Staging and Redesign (SAR) course and is an Indiana State certified instructor through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and the Indiana Real Estate Commission offering certified training to Home Stagers and Real Estate agents including a GRI continued education classes on Home Staging for the Indiana Association of Realtors at the IUPUI Campus at Kokomo, Indiana. Barnett- served as Technical Editor for the Home Staging for Dummies book, which was released by Wiley Publishing, Inc. in May of 2008. Barnett- has received the RESA-PRO designation by meeting the 5 mandatory requirements the last of which was Passing the RESA-PRO Home Stagers Ethics Exam in August of 2010. Barnett is also a professional business coach and mentor for Staging Professionals throughout the U.S.
Home Matters has received much media coverage from television segments as well as many newspapers and magazines articles. Linda and her teams’ extensive body of work earned her a nomination for the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Professional Stager of the Year Award from the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) and have been named “Best in Class” Home Staging & Redesign Company by the F.C. Tucker Real Estate Company for 2008, 2009 and 2010. Home Matters was named 2010 “Best of Indianapolis Home Staging Company”, by the Indianapolis Monthly Magazine. Home Matters also enjoys the highest of customer satisfaction rankings among all staging companies by Angie’s List and is the recipient of the Super Service award for 2010 and 2011 for Home Staging. Barnett- is President of the Indiana State Chapter of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), a position she has held since 2008. Barnett- has been asked to share her expertise in Home Staging on several occasions as a member of the Panel of Experts at the 2011 RESA Conference and again at the 2012 RESA Conference as a round table facilitator.
Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines. Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2011 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.
For further details about Home Matters, Home Staging and Redesign or for contact information please visit our website: www.homemattersllc.com.
Angie’s List collects consumer reviews on contractors and doctors in more than 500 service categories. Currently, more than 1 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them make the best hiring decisions. For further details visit the website at www.angieslist.com
Selling a home is never easy. However, the challenges today seem overwhelming to most sellers. The main criteria for selling real estate have always been location, size, and price but never before have presentation and condition been as important as they are today. 95% of buyers are shopping first on the Internet and “driving-by” properties in a “click.” Without a doubt, appealing website photos are the key to attracting buyer traffic. Visiting the property, buyers form first and lasting impressions within seconds. 90% of the population cannot visualize and base their judgments solely on what they see and how they feel, and research is proving that emotions play a much larger part of the decision making process than previously assumed.
In this tough market, buyers are also demanding and getting best value, so properties that are in good condition sell faster and for money. According to Barbara Corcoran, for every $1 a home seller does not invest in condition work, a buyer will deduct at least $3. Most buyers today are putting their full investment into the purchase price of the home and don’t have extra money for any major work. In addition, the majority of buyers do not have the time or the desire for renovation. (more…)
Christine Rae, author and home staging expert, was recently seen on CBS and other network affiliates across the country as an expert guest on The Michael E. Gerber Show.
Orlando, Fla. – July 1, 2011 – Christine Rae, President and CEO of CSP International™ Business Training Academy, was recently an expert guest on The Michael E. Gerber Show. Michael E. Gerber, internationally recognized best-selling author and consultant, hosts the show that was recently featured on CBS and other major network affiliates across the country.
“The Michael E. Gerber Show” features an interview format, with Michael E. Gerber interviewing business leaders and marketing experts from around the world. Christine Rae was one of Mr. Gerber’s recent guests, discussing her unique ability to forecast and develop trends, teach, train and educate people, married with her discerning eye for staging and décor.
Christine is well known and respected for her work as a successful international trainer, speaker and author of Home Staging for Dummies (Wiley.) Christine’s passion to excellence caused the evolution of the CSP training program into an international success; in 2009 she opened a sustainable destination training school, resource centre and support network. Recipient of many awards/accolades including an International Staging award in 2004, the 2008-09 RESA Innovator Award for Staging Industry Leadership & 2009 RESA Product of the Year for the Staging Standard Magazine illustrates Rae’s abilities as a true visionary.
The list of “first in the industry” is without precedent and led to the professional development of industry standards and ethics where there wasn’t any. Always on the lookout for the next opportunity to raise the profile of the staging industry, Christine’s capacity to take on new ventures has led to many notable accomplishments.
Michael E. Gerber is a true legend of entrepreneurship. Inc. Magazine called him “the World’s #1 Small Business guru.” One of BusinessWeek’s bestselling authors over the past two decades, his New York Times Best Selling Book, The E-Myth Revisited has sold over 5,000,000 copies in 29 languages. Michael passion and genius for entrepreneurship has transformed over 70,000+ businesses in 145 countries in the last three decades. Michael believes all entrepreneurs seek a path that has, at its core, a higher, more inspiring meaning than just making money, or selling a product, or seizing market share. Above all, they are trailblazers seeking to transform lives in all that they do.
The Michael E. Gerber Show was produced by Nick Nanton, Esq. and JW Dicks, Esq. Dicks and Nanton are also the founders and producers of the organization and TV show, America’s PremierExperts®.
About Christine Rae:
Christine Rae is the author of Staging for Dummies (Wiley Press), creator & editor of the CSP International Staging Standard magazine (the only one of its kind) and her environmental concern and love of nature led to the CSP International proprietary green certification program (Certified EcoProfessional) and the concept and development of EcoStaging®,. Also in 2009 CSP International headquarters (4000sf) received its Carbon Neutral certification.
Christine’s leadership and drive produced many unique tools for graduates of the CSP program to use as marketing leverage. The Room Ready Handbook®, Sellers Edge DVD, Agents Edge DVD and the Staging Safe Color™ palettes are some of the tools, and then in 2010 stagers she partnered with Robert Allan® fabrics to develop an affordable line of luxury linens.
A strong woman, who has forged her own road, makes lemonade out of lemons wholeheartedly believes in paying it forward. She is an active volunteer and supporter of the One Drop Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and Women to Women International. Over the ten years she pioneered this industry she has also been a member and supporter of many industry associations including Charter member of RESA currently serving as Ontario Chapter President for Real Estate Staging Association. January 2011 CSP Staging program received accreditation approval from RESA.
Christine Rae’s ability to forecast demographic and lifestyle trends, along with her ability to inspire people and communicate her vision have made both her, and CSP International the, leaders of the staging industry.
Staging isn’t just for homes anymore. When the PBS show “Ideas In Action” with Jim Glassman came to Dallas to interview His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the SMU campus the producers had to scramble. The room was big, orange and empty. Producer Sydney White realized a stager would be the ideal professional for the job because stagers are used to working quickly and have excellent resources. Holly Bellomy, owner of Dallas Real Estate Staging and Dallas RESA Vice President, was tapped for the assignment. (more…)
June 8th, 2011 (Long Island, NY) – Cathy Hobbs, CSP Instructor was announced monday as a HGTV Design Star finalist, and it comes as no shock to Certified Staging Professionals; as they boast of only hiring the best of the best in the industry.
Certified Staging Professionals hires their instructors based on staging talent, business savvy in the trenches, and adult education experience. With 100 hours worth of training starting in January of 2011, between running her own successful staging business in NY (and an out of country unexpected, unexplained, absence – until now!) Cathy Hobbs was formally certified to teach the world acclaimed Real Estate Staging Program just this month.
“As much as we pride ourselves on choosing qualified instructors, they also choose us” says Christine Rae, President and CEO of CSP International Business Training Academy. “Many of our instructors are successful when they come to us; they want to be associated with training recognized for its quality curriculum and brand significance.”
“With some 6000 people applying for 12 coveted slots on Season 6 of Design Star. I was thrilled to have been selected! It is an exciting season, with lots of twists and turns! The staging skills I learned through CSP absolutely were part of my “tool kit”. Be sure to watch as I try to earn my own show on HGTV!” says Cathy Hobbs founder of the interior design and home staging firm apherea based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
In addition to running her growing business, Cathy Hobbs has nearly two decades of experience as an on-air television news correspondent and continues to make regular television appearances. She has worked in some of the top television markets in the country and is currently in her 12th year as an on-air television reporter and anchor at a top affiliate station in New York City, where she has developed a strong fan base. Cathy has been nominated for nineteen Emmy awards, and is a five-time Emmy award winner. In 2003, she took one of the Emmy awards top honors, earning the coveted award for Outstanding General Assignment and Live Reporter for the entire New York City region.
Certified Staging Professionals is the leading staging training company in North America and Australia. Founded in 2005 by internationally- acclaimed staging expert, Christine Rae. The CSPI Academy delivers comprehensive training programs in staging, redesign, green science and marketing, and provides unparalleled after-training support to real estate professionals, stagers, professional organizers, decorators and entrepreneurs.
How home staging can help your house sell. Home staging is more important than ever these days because of the competitive housing market. Getting your home in order and following these home staging tips can give you the edge you need to help your home sell fast.
This is the title and caption of the recent video I worked on in partnership with the Marketing department from Angie’s List. The video is shown on their national web site to help educate Angie’s List Members about Home Staging. I am always pleased and very proud when asked to contribute to the public’s education about Home Staging. I’m even more pleased with this particular video because it is being shown to Angie’s List members nationwide.
Click on the Angies List Logo to watch the YouTube version of this video.
Spring is almost here! We welcome the season of abundant renewal and growth. The days may be getting longer, but are we really getting ahead? Are we even keeping up? We all experience that “not-enough-hours-in-the-day” feeling from time to time, but there are ways to prevent it from becoming a way of life. As the spring housing market heats up, here are some suggestions to help you and your home staging business blossom.
Know your business goals: The more clearly and specifically you identify and focus on your goals, the more easily you can achieve them. Especially at those times when life gets most hectic, returning to your “big picture” goals can refresh, motivate and inspire you. Referring to your vision statement, mission statement or business plan often can prevent you from veering too far off track.
Analyze and refine as you go along: Like you, your company needs to evolve over time.The longer you’re in business and the more statistics you keep on your work, the better you’ll be able to make data-driven decisions about which services, systems and procedures work best (and are most profitable) for your unique company. The rule of (green) thumb is not to be afraid of change. What worked when you started on your journey may no longer keep you moving in the right direction. Every thriving business needs occasional “pruning” to keep it growing strong; so assess what is and isn’t working, and change accordingly.
“Write” everything down and keep it with you: Whether you prefer a paper-based planner or something more high-tech, make sure to record all pertinent information in it, update it regularly and keep it with you at all times. Make sure other team members are on the same page as plans and schedules change.
Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize: A stager’s day can change from moment to moment, so keeping your focus on what’s most important and urgent at any given point can mean the difference between success and burnout. Review and revise your priorities as often as necessary to stay on track.
Diversify your team: The better you can identify the diverse skills and expertise needed for your unique team—and delegate functions and tasks accordingly—the more productive and successful your company will be. In addition to excellent design skills, look for team members who have strong business, marketing, and interpersonal skills.
Use technology to your advantage: There is a mind-boggling amount of technology available today to support a home staging business. The trick is to make technology work for you rather than against you. Streamlining, synchronizing and, when necessary, updating the systems and equipment you use can keep your efficiency at its peak. If this subject seems overwhelming or you need more information to get started, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from those who are more tech-savvy.
Network, network, network: Ours is a new and constantly-evolving industry. Networking with fellow stagers, members of the real estate community, service providers and business experts is a wise use of time because it allows you to exchange ideas, market your business and stay on top of standards, trends and innovations. It’s also a great way to make friends, solve problems, and share the lessons you’ve learned along the way. There are ample opportunities to mingle at the local, state, regional, national and international levels—whether you’d prefer face-to-face interaction at events like the RESA Convention, or you’d rather let your fingers do the “talking” on sites like Activerain/SIF. Whichever way you choose to participate, you’ll be gaining valuable information to grow your own business and helping to tend our “community garden.”
Balance work with “play”: Small business owners (and many of their dedicated team members) are masters of blending personal life with professional life, but this can become problematic when the former is sacrificed for the latter. Don’t neglect your personal life. Make time for the friends, loved ones, and activities you enjoy. Sacrificing your nerves and overall health won’t help you grow your business—or your life. When (or, ideally, before) you feel overwhelmed, take a walk, take a nap, or take a trip; see the sights or see a movie. If it helps to make it more official, block off some personal time on your work schedule. (Think of it as working on YOU!) Above all, never forget that a little R&R can go a long way toward preserving your creativity, productivity and sanity.
I hope you find these suggestions useful and enjoy all the best that springtime has to offer!
Home Matters Home Staging and Training a professional home staging company “Servicing the needs of our Real Estate community here in Metro Indianapolis and all of central Indiana” We help real estate professionals, home sellers, builders and investors with their home staging needs and we provide the most relevant and up to date Home Staging Training that the industry has to offer through the Staging and Redesign (SAR) 3 and 5 day courses. For more information regarding our services and our training schedule, please contact us at 317-209-9801 or visit us on the web. http://www.homemattersllc.com/
The Real Estate Staging AssociationTM (RESA) announced the 2011 Home Staging Industry and Leadership Award Winners during the International Home Staging Convention January 24th, in Las Vegas Nevada.
RESA recognized Staging Professionals in chapter, state and regional leadership positions. Professional home stagers in 5 regions throughout North America received awards in both Rookie Stager of the Year and Professional Stager of the Year categories. RESA also recognized a staging REALTOR of the year, innovator of the year, product of the year and spouse of the year.
Local Chapter President of the Year is Karen Otto with Home Star Staging in Plano, Texas.
RESA 2011 State President of the Year is Bernadette Flaim with Attention 2 Detail, Leonia, New Jersey.
Regional Vice President of the Year is Charlene Storozuk with Dezigner Digz, Burlington Ontario, Canada
Product of the Year- Darby Inventory Management for Home Stagers
Innovator of the Year- (A Tie) Ashley Whittenberger, The Interiority Complex and Patti Morrow the Interior Design Protection Council.
Staging REALTOR® of the Year- Doug Folsetter Remax Escarpment Realty, Inc Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
RESA Spouse of the Year- Chris Norton
Rookie Stager of the Year Region 1 Northeast-Birgit Anich, Redesign Your Space Norwalk, CT
Rookie Stager of the Year Region 3 Southern-Cyndee Long, Seaside Home Stager Pawleys Island, SC
Rookie Stager of the Year Region 4 West-Linda Turner, House to Home Staging & Interior Design, Calabasas, CA
Rookie Stager of the Year Region 5 Canada-(A Tie) Christine Bird, New View Home Staging, Waterloo, Ontario Canada
Rookie Stager of the Year Region 5 Canada-Sally Weatherley, Exit Stage Right, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
Professional Stager of the Year Region 1 Northeast-Claudia Jacobs, Designs LLC Goshen, NY
Professional Stager of the Year Region 2 Midwest-Teresa Meyer, Stage A Star Staging & Consulting Services, Cincinnati, OH
Professional Stager of the Year Region 3 Southern-Kathy Nielsen, Georgia Interior Solutions, LLC, Atlanta, GA
Professional Stager of the Year Region 4 West-Annie Pinsker-Brown, Stage to Sell, Culver City, CA
Professional Stager of the Year Region 5 Canada-Heather Cook, Rooms in Bloom Home Staging & Design, Kitchener, Ontario Canada
The overall RESA 2011 Rookie Stager of the Year-is Birgit Anich, Redesign Your Space, Norwalk, CT.
The overall RESA 2011 Professional Stager of the Year-is Annie Pinsker-Brown, Stage to Sell, Culver City, CA.
Award Winners Photos
Convention Photos
About The Real Estate Staging Association
The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) is the trade association for Professional Real Estate Stagers. For more information on the nominees and the convention please visit www.RESAConvention.com For more information about Real Estate Staging, the RESA Endorsement Program, or to find a professional stager call 800-201-8687 and speak with Shell Brodnax, or visit the RESA Web site at www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com
February 2nd, 2011 (Minneapolis, MN) – Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®) has awarded Certified Staging Professionals® the RESA® Accreditation™.
In any industry choosing the best service or product can be difficult for the consumer. Consumers look for symbols of excellence, proof they will have a good experience and value for money. RESA’s Accreditation process does this for the staging training industry; it sets the standards for staging training.
“We have always known we have a leading staging training program, one which grows with the staging industry, however, being older than the trade association it wasn’t until this year we felt we should get this stamp of approval from RESA” explains Christine Rae, President and founder of Certified Staging Professionals course. “Similar to our CSP International Masters of Real Estate Staging, stagers apply to show proof of experience, excellence, the RESA Accreditation of the CSP Program is proof to potential staging students, the staging program exceeds high industry standards set by the staging trade association; RESA.”
“The application process was grueling; it took weeks to compile the necessary proof of enriched course content, viable finances, excellent reputation, office procedures, trainers experience and more!” says Angela Brooks, Director of Marketing & National Accounts for CSP International Academy. “As much as it is hard work, it is comforting to know all staging training programs will need to go through this process.”
“The program follows the guidelines set forth of the US Department of Education’s accrediting agencies process. RESA® reviews not only the actual training providers books and methods of teaching, they also review their administrative policies as well has insuring the companies are fiscally sound.” Says Shell Brodnax, President of RESA. Certified Staging Professionals was formally accredited by the Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®) on January 25th during the annual RESA Convention in Las Vegas.
The Certified Staging Professional Program was founded in 2005 and now boast thousands of graduates, who have earned the CSP designation by passing an intensive course curriculum including 2 exams of which graduates must achieve a 75% or higher grade.
Certified Staging Professionals (www.stagingtraining.com) is the leading staging training company in North America and Australia. Founded in 2005 by internationally- acclaimed staging expert, and author Christine Rae. The CSP International Business Training Academy delivers comprehensive training programs in staging, redesign, green science and marketing, and provides unparalleled after-training support to real estate professionals, stagers, professional organizers, decorators and entrepreneurs.
The Real Estate Staging Association is the member run trade organization for professional stagers in North America. RESA provides support services and educational resources for professional stagers in addition to providing vital information regarding the benefits of staging to REALTORS® and consumers. For more information on staging or to hire a professional stager, information on education or future sponsorship opportunities or RESA® Accreditation™ contact Shell Brodnax, visit the RESA Web site at www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com or call 800-201-8687
Valley Springs, CA February 13, 2012 Shell Brodnax, President/CEO of the Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®), the trade association for professional home stagers was honored by the Staging & Design Network as the 2011 Leader of the Year during the association’s annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
February 2nd, 2011 (Minneapolis, MN) – Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®) has awarded