4th July
The Staging News
with Becky Harmon
In This Issue
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"Becky Harmon not only talks the talk, but walks the walk! Awesome instructor- outstanding, caring mentor- phenomenal leader!!" 

Dr. Susan Mongeau, Washington, D.C.
Susan Mongeau Susan Mongeau

 

"I want you to know how much I enjoyed our week together - your class far exceeded my expectations! You create a wonderful environment to learn; your teaching is thorough and thought provoking. The class setting is wonderfully intimate and the hands- on experience applying the concepts of staging and redesign in actual homes is invaluable to students embarking on this career. You are a warm, insightful and beautiful girl. 

Sharon Morris, Hollidaysburg, PA.
 
Sharon Morris Sharon Morris

 

"Hi Becky,
Just jotting off a quick email to say that it has been a complete pleasure to work with Jerry and Jessie. My website should be finished soon and they have both made every effort to make it wonderful. My business cards came even earlier than expected and I love them! I'm already on the first page of Google which is amazing.
I'm so glad I made the decision to come to Jacksonville.
Thanks,
Liz"
February 2011 class
 firstimpressionsby
elizabeth.com

 

Call Nest Design Group for SEO and Website Creation. 234-2034
 
  July 2012
Friends, Family and Staging Fans,
Welcome to the new and improved "Staging News." This e-zine is for fans of staging, inspiration and personal motivation. Glad you joined us. 

BECKY HARMON

 

Becky Headshot 2

Curb Appeal 101
 

I always enjoy staging houses in our beautiful historic areas. This particular client's home had already been on the market quite a long time when I saw it for the first time on the initial consultation. All the other homes in her neighborhood were selling quickly. The style and furnishings in this home were already absolutely perfect for selling. The problem was not obvious to her.

 

"I could move things around a little," I suggested. "But your problem is not the interior. Walk with me to the curb." She followed me to the street.

 

"Now describe what do you see?" I asked as she turned around. "I see what you mean," she said. "The front of the house doesn't begin to tell the story of all the updating that has taken place inside. In fact, there have been times people made an appointment and then didn't get out of the car when they pulled up."

 

The old overgrown azaleas and camellias dominated most of the front yard and covered the quaint front porch. I recommended that she pull them out completely and plant low-growing hawthorn plants next to the foundation. Then she needed to sod the space where the large plants had been. This added some extra real estate. These compact, Charleston style yards, are small anyway and then there is a sidewalk eating up some more space. After the changes were made, the home sold overnight.

 

Curb Appeal isn't just an after thought. It's the pretty face that gets the date to the prom! Who cares that you spent a fortune for the dress and shoes.

 

Since 90% of homebuyers look online before deciding which homes to tour, the first picture, the front of the house, may be the most important one.

 

I bumped into one of my staging clients awhile back and she said her house had not sold after a long time on the market. I was shocked since our average DOM is about 14 to21 days.

 

She remarked that the online stats revealed that 1500 people were looking at the first picture, the front of the house, but only 500 opted to look inside. What a shame! The interior, which was staged, showed well and was beautiful and updated.

 

After reviewing the online picture of the front, I realized what caused the problem. The hedge around the house had obscured the photographer's view so he had to walk up the driveway to get the whole house into the picture.

 

It appeared like the property was tiny when in fact, it was huge. I suggested an aerial photo which fixed the problem and the house sold within a few weeks.

Aerial Photo

How can you judge your property for Curb Appeal? Look at it through the lens of a camera from across the street. This is a powerful tip to objectively view your most important picture.

 

Obviously, a manicured lawn, fresh mulch and annuals go a long way to freshen things up. One of our "tricks of the trade" is too use Design Master acrylic floral spray in green to camouflage a brown spot on the lawn. We once used it to "revive" a frost-bitten brown sago palm till the new summer fronds appeared. 

 

Sometimes the shutters or front door need a coat of fresh paint and a color change. Your tarnished hardware can be restored with Oil-Rubbed Bronze paint from Ace Hardware. And certainly, everything must be immaculate. See my Pinterest page for more tips. 

Pinterest Link  

Orange Door
Orange Door

So, put on a pretty face to get that date to the prom. All of your curb appeal efforts will result in more showings. More traffic means a faster sale and more money. 

 
Copyright 2012 

 


   

 

BACKSTAGE 

 

    

 

1. The Advanced Class was a major hit, according to our feedback. We will surely do it again next year. The wonderful comments were so appreciated. Thank you to our 6 distinguished speakers who covered so many great topics. See more pictures and details on the last 2 blog posts. We are still editing the recordings. http://stagehappy.blogspot.com/ 
 
 
Advanced Class red 
                                   A Few of the Girls
 

2. ~RESA - Real Estate Staging Association - Our July meeting is Friday, the 13th at the Southeastern branch of the public library on Deerwood Park Blvd, off Gate Pkway. 32256 10:15AM It will be fabulous, as always. We have a roundtable discussion planned and a speaker. Join us. Anyone interested in staging is welcome.

 

Make your reservations through Becky Quaid at 

 Reservations link   

 

Royce                   Royce, a designer from North Carolina

 

3. I am starting an official coaching/mentoring opportunity for our students and any staging business owners. Those who stay connected always flourish and grow. Several years ago, I got certified as a lifestyle coach through Dream Mentors International. The concept of accountability and goal-setting works to bring us all up to a higher level of productivity and happiness.

 

Join us for the monthly mentoring session called "Happy Hour with Becky." We also offer a one-on-one strategy session by appointment. Next conference call is July 9th at 8:00PM EDT. $15 a month to be on the mentoring team. We had about 30 on our first call. Get more info... [email protected] We had rave reviews after our last session.

Limited Space Available

 

4. Our July Certification Class starts on the 16th - 20th. Our August Class is the 21st - 23rd. Limited space available.The Online class is usually the first week of each month. E-mail for the brochure and our half price special.

 

 

Favorite Resources

 
4th July 
 ~These vendors can give you designer pricing on their products. They are my favorite resources. We cannot be responsible for their work. They are not employees of Transformations. 
 
 * Call Keith at the Carpet Man (new location on Phillips just north of I-95) for designer pricing on carpet and  flooring. Installation in 24 - 48 hours. 904-803-7825  CONTRACTOR Pricing- Clearance Sale

 

"Keith just helped me with replacing carpet. His price came in lower than the guy I have used before, so I will definitely use him from now on. He was great and so was his installer." Helena Norden, Coldwell Banker, P. A.
  
* Call the Floor Club for another great place for flooring and tile. 646-4400 
  
* Call Martin Schramm for all your computer tech needs. 904-910-3511
 
* Jerry Busche - Website SEO 992-6144  
* Call Kellyann Norton at Total Home Management for deep cleaning. 238-9040 
 
* Jesse Preza of Nest Design Group for websites. [email protected]

 

 *Fabric and Tile Masters for Carpet and Tile cleaning. 221-9550

 

 *Big Guy Moving- Move One Item or a Whole House 859-3137

 

* Alan Yakel is my favorite painter. 904-254-0518


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Please feel free to call if you have questions about our classes or services. 904-945-0093 
Here's a recent class clip...   
Till next time... 
Happy Staging,
       Becky Harmon 

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take."
                                           Wayne Gretske

 
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Offer Expires: August. 15, 2012