STAGED and SOLD!!! SUNROOM BEFORE: NOW AFTER!!!!  ABSOLUTELY AMAZING - SAME ROOM I PROMISE!     and the bedrooms  same house STAGED AND SOLD!!! Owner's furniture & my linens & decor. Here is the Master Bedroom after Staging. Second Bedroom BEFORE    and NOW AFTER STAGING -- SAME BED & DRESSER!!!!     TO SEE MORE OF MY ONLINE STAGING PORTFOLIO,  go to www.stagedhomes.com and click on "Staged Properties" and then in the Search area, type in "Abilene" as the city and click "Search" The best time to stage your home is before the sign goes in the yard.  For the fastest sale, call Beverly for a staging consultation. The initial visit is FREE!  Staging a house to sell is an investment for a faster sale. A faster sale can save you a truckload of funds due to stopping the carrying costs of finan... 05/27/2010

HOME STAGING IS NOT JUST FOR THE HIGH END LUXURY MARKET. EVERY HOME CAN BE STAGED!   Staging is not decorating.  Staging is marketing one's home like a product, in the same way that when you market your car for sale, you wash it, wax it, detail it, even if the car has never been detailed before when you decide to sell it.  One would never think of advertising their automobile in the newspaper, "AS IS" ... with all the tossed floorboard gumwrappers included! When preparing your home for the market, Barb Schwarz, the Creator of the home staging industry in the US. recommends that sellers walk across the street from one's house to take a fresh look at your house before you put it up for sale. If possible, step into the neighbors yard to get a good view of the whole front of your house, and... 05/25/2010

Orange you glad we are having a discussion about orange pillows?     MAYBE I JUST WANT TO PROVE THAT YOU CAN BLOG ABOUT ANYTHING! or perhaps, I need to confess, my brain can't handle any thing more complicated than a discussion of what color pillows to put on the couch? I used to think what color pillow goes on the couch was a simple decision until, I decided that I needed to be more in touch with the times and the trends of home design.  A perusal of current home and interior design and decor magazines and catalogs revealed that orange decor was all the rage as there was orange furniture  and orange decor items..      I was beginning to think well orange it is and orange is what is will surely give a couch a little zing. I can help you save money now, because I am here to tell you that... 05/23/2010

I really did it.  This Saturday,  I got up at 7:00 a.m. loaded the car and finished loading a pull behind trailer and was at the house to be staged at 8:30 a.m.  All was on schedule except for some details, the owner had been too tired to pack his car so there was STUFF in the living room and the Master bedroom.   I assured the seller, no problem, let's stash it in the garage or the Master closet. With that problem solved, then it was on to vacuuming and cleaning kitchen cabinets and bathrooms.  The seller pitched in recruited volunteers, too bad there was no HGTV camera because with the cleanup crew and the stager (that would be me) it was an awesome day of transformation.  I left the house at approximately 9:00 p.m.  that evening, the only rest was a lunch break to regroup and regathe... 05/11/2010

Tenants Love Staged-to-Lease! I put my SPECIAL decor package into a home that was marketed for lease this month. The leasing Realtor told me the tenants she showed loved the house! Staging to Lease works! The decor package for the kitchen included a kitchen window curtain,  a kitchen counter vignette, a  teakettle for the stove and an extra  cookbook for display on the opposite counter,  and a wall hanging at the end of the U shaped kitchen. There was a decor at the fireplace,  A metal art piece was placed above the fireplace flanked by 2 silk plants and 2 wrought iron chairs that had been left behind by the owners with a small fireplace rug. Vignette  staging was used in the 2nd living with a zebra print rug  and the  Master Bedroom was staged with a air mattress bed and bedding,  wall... 04/27/2010

I have attended Toastmasters for several years now, and I have given some good speeches, probably some mediocre speeches, smile,  and hopefully no bor r r ing speeches,  but every speech I have ever given, I have strengthened my public speaking skill. That would be enough right there to attend Toastmasters.   After all  included in the mission of the club is to encourage and support each member to improve their speaking and communication skills. However, another reason that  Toastmasters is so beneficial is the opportunity to hear wide array of  high value, content dense speeches,  which are presented with polish and flair and easy-to- listen, entertaining format.   This week at Abilene Toastmasters on  Monday evening at 7:00 at TSTC (Texas State Technical College, E Hwy 80 in the Arbec... 04/22/2010

The bluebonnets are blooming in Abilene.  These bluebonnet photos were taken off of the Road 707 just south Abilene Regional on Highway 83/84.  Here is a close up!     and closer!!   This field of bluebonnets is next to Saddle Creek Estates.  I recently staged 7850 Saddle Creek and is a fully staged to sell home.  More photos are available on www.stagedhomes.com.   a view from the upstairs bedroom of some  West Texas blue sky.     Upstairs bedroom 7850 Saddle Creek  with East Window to Blue Skies!     Downstairs kitchen of 7850 Saddle Creek with east kitchen window. 04/13/2010

Each of the last three  days, I have gotten a phone call asking me if my company needed someone to mow the grass.  Each time, I think  hey wait a minute, I had my grassed mowed last week, the next door neighbor just mowed their grass and then there's the other neighbor that seems to always need their grass mowed.  Why aren't  these grass mowers calling them instead? Then it dawned on me.  My real  estate staging advertising dollars are at work.  In the business and service section of the local newspaper, Abilene Reporter News,  my staging business "STAGE IT" is listed under home staging.  I also have a display ad in the  "yellow" pages of the local Names & Numbers phone book. There you have it three calls to mow my grass, the next call should be to Stage to Sell, don't you think? Now ev... 04/08/2010

When STAGING A HOME FOR SALE,   FRESH GREENERY, FRESH FLOWERS,and  FRESH FRUIT ADD a sense of LIFE AND NEWNESS AND COLOR  TO THE HOME.  For the home seller, there is no faster OR less expensive way to add the touch of luxury.  The training from the Barb Schwarz organization at www.stagedhomes.com suggests to look to the outdoors, to what can be brought indoors to add fresh, to add green, to add life and  to "bring the outdoors in." In the dead of winter, it  can be that greenery may be scarce; however not so in Spring. In Abilene the redbud trees are blooming all up and down Sayles Boulevard, the oldest street in Abilene. The flowers are blooming on every street corner now at corner grocery (HEB) and home stores alike (LOWES) and HOME DEPOT) A favorite fresh flower are white tulips.  Fr... 03/30/2010

This is my second attempt to post this blog. Although,  my computer auto saves with out my asking it too, I haven't figured out where it gets saved to!   And that is all I am going to admit to right now.  However this being the great post that it is I persist....        Turquoise is "IN" at least according to the online article on "Realtor.Org"  and they must be right, of course, because I  have a turquoise spread on this staged Master Bedroom.  Interior home design colors follow fashion trends, it seems and turquoise is showing up everywhere.  In any case, turquoise is close to being a more neutral color.  Lots of ladies and men look fine in a little turquoise.  Now, no need to paint all the walls turquoise, in staging, the best way to add a pop or splash of color is with bed linens, p... 03/27/2010

This spacious story book style Saddle Creek home was a delight to stage,  It is a four bedoom, four bathroom two living, three car garage.  The fourth bedroom can be the fourth bedrooms or  used as a library/study/office.  Here is the exterior grounds and house is sited on three acres. photos: There is a 3 car garage on the right side and with all the rain and snow, the grass will be verdant green this spring in West Texas. The  upstairs living has a raised hardwood dance studio floor complete with ballet bar!   Here is a  favorite  before and after photos:  DINING ROOM BEFORE FURNISHING AND STAGED: DINING ROOM AFTER HOME STAGING:   My Favorite Bedroom Staged with alcove.  The Downstairs Master is incredible, but something about this room makes me think this is the perfect retreat for a... 03/21/2010

STAGED & SOLD ARE 2 SWEET WORDS!   THIS HOUSE DID NOT MAKE WWW.STAGEDHOMES.COM AS IT SOLD TO THE 2ND PERSON WHO SAW IT AFTER A STAGING DECOR PACKAGE WAS PUT IN PLACE. Staging really works.  The staging plan was to stage the fireplace, the dining table in the house, and use a vignette in the kitchen and the bath. When I saw the bookcase in the living I knew it needed a little something not to look so bleak and empty.  Here's an example of using only a minimal amount of staging decor that led to a SOLD home!   Here's the dining table set for staging.       03/07/2010

VACANT DOESN'T MAKE IT WHEN IT COME TO MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR SALE.  A savvy seller  knows that a furnished home sells  faster than an empty home.  A  good Realtor will recommend  a home stager to assist with furnishing, arranging and staging empty rooms.   Here's an empty Master transformed with a little help from the trunk of the car and a blow up air mattress.  THE MASTER BEDROOM WAS EMPTY & SO SAD....      NOW THE MASTER BEdROOM IS STAGED AND SO SERENe...   02/14/2010

I'm excited to be going to home staging training with Barb Schwarz.  This will be my 3rd time.  I went to my first training in 2007, returned in 2008, and when I found out that Barb Schwarz was coming to Texas, I knew I had to go. The training is at the Doubletree by the Galleria in Dallas and I am staying at a nearby La Quinta.  Looking over my staging scrapbooks, I realize now some of my early rooms were sparse on staging sizzle. I have learned a truckload of information from www.stagedhomes.com and staging training. It's not too late to register and there's a $50 discount for Realtors through the 15th of February. Realtors also receive continuing education credits.  Here is a photo of the staged sun room of 909 Blair, Abilene, TX       02/12/2010

The home is beautifully staged" reads a glowing description on an Abilene Board of Realtors MLS listing.  The recent monthly issue of the online portion of the Realtor magazine features an Accredited Staging Professional and Realtor with a five minute video clip. Barb Schwarz's website, www.stagedhomes.com now features only staged homes for sale.  Yes,  staging seems to be everywhere!   I was in the Lowes store the other day and there was a book on home staging and I can't believe I paid full price for it.  I never, never pay full price for a book,  but I did for this one!  The title is Staged to Sell (or Keep) (I'm still trying to decide if I should keep it. Maybe I will for the pictures, but some of the rooms are a little too busy, for me. That may be because I am in too stretching th... 01/26/2010

I had an art print of a greenhouse with the walk leading up to it and rays of sun streaming in and it was so beautiful that I named it "SUNDAY MORNING."   In a previous move, I am not sure what happened to the print.  Sunday morning is a great morning to reflect. Sunday morning is a great morning to take a walk. Sunday morning is a great morning to blog. Sunday morning is a great morning to go to church. Best of all Sunday morning is a great morning to stop and listen....   HAPPY SUNDAY MORNING!   01/17/2010

  WHAT DOES A HOME STAGER DO?   1.  A home stager will see your home with fresh eyes.  2.  A home stager will see your home the way a buyer will and communicate what a buyer wants.3.  First, if the home is preowned, the home stager will identify any repairs that must be done prior to showing to buyers. 4.  Next, a professional home stager will recommend paint colors that buyers want. 5.  Then a home stager will identify what clutter must go.  It will be more than you think, I promise! A local professional organizer, Cappy Phipps, recommends that you plan a reward for your decluttering  session. His reward choice is ice cream! Barb Schwarz, creator of www.stagedhomes.com states that the way you live in a home and the way you sell a home are two different things! 6.  A home stager will  u... 01/10/2010

I subscribe to  a weekly Jim Rohn Newsletter and this  email  was in my inbox when I got home this evening entitled "The Passing of a Legend."  The Passing of a Legend With great sadness we share that Jim Rohn, our mentor and friend, left us December 5, 2009 for a better place. Over the past 18 months, in his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis, Jim assured us with a smile that all is good, that he would fight until the last breath, yet he had no fear as to what would be next. Jim’s faith was as much a part of his life as his desire to inspire and challenge us all to be the best we could be and to live our dreams. Jim’s courage in his final months and days were a testament to his message that we should all fight the good fight. He never gave up and never gave in. Jim Rohn touched millions of... 12/05/2009

 DEFINE THE PURPOSE OF THE ROOM AROUND A  FOCAL POINT.   A fantastic view might be the focal point of a living room facing a lake or a great green space.  On the other hand, an architectural feature such as a fireplace or a bay window seat might be the focal point of a living space.  When there is not a unique feature or view, then a piece of furniture can stand in for the focal point.  For example, in a dining room, a dining table can be the focal point.  In a bedroom, the bed can be the focal point.  In a living room, a dramatic painting  may be the focal point.  2.  Arrange the furnishings to be balanced in the room and proportionate in size to the room.  Most people have way too much furniture and need to pare down about 1/3 of the furnishings.  A neat solution for many rooms  is to... 12/04/2009

WHERE HOME STAGING MEETS SOLD!   ABILENE TEXAS, PRETTY HOUSE IS SOLD SOLD SOLD AFTER BEING STAGED.   House was unstaged for about 2 months and after staging was under contract in only a week!       HERE ARE THE STATISTICS!   LISTED AND NOT STAGED: 09/07/2009   Staging Agreement:      10/22/2009 Staging Complete            10/26/2009 CONTRACT DATE              11/02/2009 CLOSING DATE:            12/01/2009 SOLD!!!! MEETS HOME STAGING!   Before STAGING   AFTER STAGING! Staging Completed by Beverly Carlson, Accredited Staging Professional.  For a staging consultation, call Beverly at 325-721-2429. 12/03/2009