One of my objectives in 2009 is to reach as many homeowners as I possibly can with solutions on getting their home sold more quickly. So... at the tail end of last year, I did some out-of-the-box thinking along with one of my partner Realtors, Kirsten Conover with Prudential Georgia. The solution: Offer a free seller seminar that would benefit all in attendance. The plan is to have Kirsten share her perspective as a Realtor and for me, to share insight into things that truly make a difference when a homeowner puts their home on the market.
Sure, this is an investment of our time. And truth be told, we won't truly understand the impact we'll have until months later (if ever). However, I can say with all the certainty in the world - it's going to feel good to give.
The event is this Saturday, January 10th between 2-4 p.m. I'll be sure to create a blog post to let you all know how it went.
GETTING IT SOLD!
Give yourself an edge in this challenging market! FSBO's welcome!
Exclusive, one-time FREE home selling/staging seminar sponsored by Georgia Interior Solutions and Prudential Georgia Realty Midtown. Learn the secrets of selling your home in this challenging market from a top Atlanta home stager and Realtor!
When: Saturday, January 10, from 2-4 p.m.
Where: The Prudential Building 1409 Peachtree Street (park on 2nd level)
Atlanta, GA 30309.
For Reservations:
Call Kirsten Conover (404) 386-1103
Call Kathy Nielsen (678) 522-8392
From Kathy Nielsen, Home Stager:
* Learn how to avoid the 5 most common mistakes made by home owners in showcasing their home.
* Learn the best way to arrange your furniture to highlight the features as well as the space.
* Learn which rooms are "key" to the potential buyers visiting your home.
From Kirsten Conover, Realtor:
* Learn how to see your home through the eyes of a buyer's agent.
* Learn how "not being in a hurry to sell" can actually cost you money!
* Learn the pros and cons of selling "as is".
* Learn Why 87% of all For Sale By Owners eventually use a realtor.
Feel free to bring along photos of your home and questions for one-on-one consultation after the seminar.
**Attendees will be entered to win free staging for one room in their home from Kathy Nielsen OR a free Open House held by Kirsten Conover, including on-line marketing, signage, balloons and refreshments. **
UPDATE: Unfortunately, we only had two people attend. And while that may be discouraging, this will not prevent me (or Kirsten) from doing them on a regular basis. Why? Because I truly believe it's information that's of extreme value to the sellers. In fact, we're scheduling another for February!
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Georgia Interior Solutions (GIS), LLC is Atlanta Georgia's Premier Home Staging Provider. Owner and Real Estate Staging Expert, Kathy Nielsen has appeared on the pages of Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Home Improvement; Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. You can also see one of her staged homes on HGTV's hit show Sleep On It.
With their extensive home staging portfolio, you'll quickly learn that they have the experience and knowledge on what it takes to make your home and/or listing appeal to the prospective buyers. Contact them today for your free no-obligation appointment: 678 522 8392.
Home Staging Atlanta - Kathy Nielsen - 678 522 8392
RESA Professional Stager of the Year - Southern Region 2011
Whether your home is vacant or occupied, this Atlanta Georgia Home Stager, Kathy Nielsen, understands what it takes to sell a home quickly. Her homes have graced the pages of several publications, appeared in TV commercials as well as on HGTV's hit program Sleep On it.
With years of experience and a massive inventory - Kathy makes the perfect choice.
Home Staging Website: Home Staging Atlanta
Before and After Pictures: Atlanta Home Staging Portfolio:
Email: Kathy@HomeStagingAtlanta.com
Blog: Atlanta Home Staging
- Kitchen Transformations
- Short on Space? Keep it Simple
- Tips on Selling Your Home From a Professional Stager
- Curtains. Should they stay or go?
- How to dress up your coffee table and end tables when selling
- Quick tips for table settings
- How will buyers remember your home?
- Atlanta Home Staging Consultations - Check out what the homeowner did
- Atlanta Loft Gets Home Staged
- How to ensure your home appeals to a broad base of prospective buyers
Hi Kathy, great marketing idea and and perfect timing in implementing it right out of the gate for 2009. Sets you up as a leader in the industry. Hopefully you will get some press coverage out of it afterward. Maybe conduct a survey of those in attendance to get some feedback to use in your statistics.
Great idea! I'll look forward to hearing how it goes.
Thanks, Michelle. I think the survey is a wonderful idea. Thanks for mentioning it.
Bob - we should consider doing something similar in our neck of the woods (smile).
Kathy
Hi Kathy, I'm VERY interested in how this goes for you and the agent. A local agent and I set one up over a year ago and we had zero response. Of course, our market is small but I was surprised that we didn't get even one taker.
May I ask, how did you get the word out about your seminar? Hope that you have a great response.
Hi, Ginger. Given that the market conditions have changed so much in the last year, I'm hoping to see a lot of homeowners leverage this.
As for how we got the word out - we had an ad in the paper; blogging and a vflyer posted on Craigs list. I'll be sure to post an update.
Kathy
Kathy - I have been considering doing something similar here in Virginia. Can't wait to hear how it goes.
Kathy, this sounds like a great idea! I am trying to do a very similar type of seminar in my area. Can't wait to hear how it goes!!
Hi Kathy, Best of luck to you with the presentation! My personal experience in doing a similar type of seminar a couple years ago was that it generated no business for me. Zero. In my situation the Home Seller seminars were coordinated by a mortgage broker friend of mine and included a realtor, stager (myself), and a remodeling contractor. To my knowledge the realtor got a wonderful listing directly from an attendee at the event, but she was the only one. We advertised in The Seattle Times, local real estate offices, etc. and commited to doing four seminars. Some were well attended (about 15 people) and the last one we did we only had one person show up! So, expect anything!
I will look forward to reading the results. I think your timing is perfect before spring when many sellers prepare to sell. Best wishes for a terrific event.
Kathy: I think this is a brilliant marketing idea and you will reap many more rewards than you expect. You are putting effort into establishing yourself as an expert and everyone wants to work with the expert. Good luck. I'm sure you will be a big hit.
Don't forget to notify the local newspapers and news shows. If it is a slow news day, you may very well get a story or article about it.
I will be anxious to hear how it all turns out. I was asked to do one in the past at a Realtors office and only two sellers showed up. I'm not sure the marketing of the event was the best it could have been. I would consider giving it a try again. I'll be watching for your update.
Kathy - I wish you much success with this seminar. Many home-owners are looking for free advice these days and it can definitely turn into a job in the future. Your name will be out there - I think it is a great idea.
Hi Kathy,
I am giving a class like this at my local library in March. I can't wait to hear how this goes for you! The library sends out a notice to all residents in the village, I am doing a press release, sending out flyer's to local Realtor offices and posting at local bulletin boards. I have my fingers crossed for you and me!! LOL
HI Kathy; I look forward to hearing about the results of your workshop. Good tactic to give specifics as to what you are going to cover. Makes it more interesting and of more value. Good luck!
Well the only thing I wonder about is the free questions with photos at the end. Maybe you give away a staging of a room or something, but don't give away the farm. Good luck this will be a huge hit and you'll be surprized and pleased with the attendance, my prediction. Let us know how it goes. T
Thanks everyone for the well wishes with this seminar. I'll be sure to post the results next week.
Kathy
Kathy, I think this is a great topic - certainly at the top of everyone's minds. I would encourage you to continue to offer it once a month - so that you build traction. You may also want to find community groups to host you to offer this class. Feel free to email me if you'd like a list of ideas of places to promote your seminar in the Atlanta market. All the BEST!
Kathy ~ this looks very interesting and like something that will be a huge success. We have an agent we work with regularly and she has inquired about us doing something like this on a somewhat regular basis for her office and then outside of her office. The key, I think, is to make it free - knowing the potential business you can capture from meeting new clients while also helping the industry. PLEASE keep us posted on the specifics! Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea.
I think that is a great idea! Our business really is a lot about educating our clients. By the way your work is gorgeuos! You truly are talented! Thanks for sharing your ideas and photos!
Bethany
What an awesome idea! I wish you much success and please keep us posted~
Kathy, I have been invited to participate in a seller's forum in February with a local Coldwell Banker and am looking forward to the opportunity.
Thanks for sharing, good luck with yours, and let us know how it goes!
Kathy, how did your seller seminar go? I am doing on in February at my local senior center and am interested in the response you got.
Thanks, Annie, for asking.
I just provided the following update to the blog post:
Unfortunately, we only had two people attend. And while that may be discouraging, this will not prevent me (or Kirsten) from doing them on a regular basis. Why? Because I truly believe it's information that's of extreme value to the sellers. In fact, we're scheduling another for February!
Kathy