Email from Barb Schwarz, President and CEO of StagedHomes.com

"My Dearest Janis:

I do hope you are doing well. It sounds like you have been very busy with your move [to Eugene] and I must say your new home looks very nice and what a view from the deck area…..

Sharing knowledge with other ASPs does strengthen each of us and allows us to have stronger bonds and develop long lasting friendships. I love your positive attitude that "the cup is half-full not half empty". If we all think positive, then our minds can be more creative and our businesses will have more of an opportunity to be successful.

The numbers are there and everyone will be able to stay ahead of the curve in this industry if you all stick together, continue to share with one another, and stay positive. Remember, all of you will make a difference, because each of you are so special, have so much love in your hearts for those you come in contact with and all of you share the same goals. That is what is going to set you apart from other competition.

I only wish you success in the coming year and please do stay in touch. Blessing to you always."

– BARB SCHWARZ

Email from Agent who was selling 86 condo units at Westmoreland Village

"Dear Janis,

Thanks very much for the incredible job you did. It was very refreshing to work with a dedicated professional in our time of obvious need. I have been selling real estate for 17 years. While I have had a full career, I have not used a staging professional for help. The Westmoreland Condominium project has been a great success and has been a much easier job of selling when people can see for themselves how good a space can look.

While a top salesperson can use all of their skills presenting, closing and accommodating, homebuyers largely decide based on what they see. A skilled salesperson can close someone on a purchase, but because of the long delay before a homebuyer puts their hard earned money down, homebuyers can talk themselves out of the sale. When a homebuyer is truly excited by what they see, sales close more effectively and in less time. Because of this a home sells for more. Staging a home greatly helps accomplish the goals required by our clients.

Even more so, staging by someone like you helps accomplish this. We began with a sales goal of selling all 86 units at Westmoreland in 6 months. In 1 month we have sold 46 units – at full price. Because of your loyalty to us, keeping costs down and performing on a high level, we would only use you in the future. If you were not available, we would only consider using an Accredited Staging Professional. The education pays off quite obviously.

Thanks very much for your service. We look forward to working with you in the future."

– MIKE O'CONNELL, JR., RE/MAX Integrity

Email from wife of Michael O'Connell Sr., Developer of Westmoreland Village Condo project

"I was truly amazed how much more "livable" the condos appeared when I saw the welcoming colors Janis used.  The theme was carried throughout in her choice of four different, contemporary styles.  You could almost feel yourself wanting to be engaged in preparing a meal to make the presentation complete!  One of Janis' touches was to use the breakfast bar so well in the staging of the home. Comments we heard back from people who had seen the condo prior to staging was that Janis' choices in furniture and decor made the condos look bigger!

Staging the four condos differently had a huge effect on reaching different buyers. Some units actually looked bigger than others, in fact we have been told by some of the Realtors that one of the questions they most often receive is, "Oh, I like this one...is this one bigger than the other one?"  Janis' ability to make a statement through visual impact overwhelmingly gave our model units that, "I want this one" appeal.

I further want to emphasize that we believe beyond any doubt that staging our model units prior to our kick-off date had the effect we wanted!  We actually had a frenzy of buyers wanting to write up their offer on our opening day.  We sold one quarter of our 86 units that first weekend!

The time crunch we expected Janis to work within actually became a positive rather than a negative! The commotion of boxes, bedding, lamps & loveseats coming through the door had everyone excited.  Her team worked efficiently and enthusiastically over a 3 to 4-day period and the units were ready on time.  We were amazed and very proud of their accomplishments and have reaped the benefit of working with them over and over again. I am continually hearing how nice those four units look!"

– LINDA O'CONNELL, office of Mike O'Connell Sr., Commercial & Investment Real Estate

Email from Realtor after Consultation Plus Refining Session (CPR)

"I thought you might like to know that I received a call from an agent 2 1/2 hours after putting the home on the market to say he was writing an offer. I have received it and it's over list price. We have other showings scheduled for tonight and tomorrow morning.

You and your team are true professionals and I appreciate how hard you work for the client!"

– JOI COMBS

Excerpt from Seattle Times article - DIGS pullout section (Design Interiors/Garden Spaces)

Windermere associate broker Mike Knutsen has been selling homes for 20 years, most of that time without home staging. But when a home in West Seattle sat on the market for longer than expected, he sought out the services of Janis Gaines in hopes of moving the property. Within two weeks of the staging, the home sold, and Knutsen, a self-professed skeptic, was converted.

"Staging brings the home to life and makes it much warmer," said Knutsen. "It gives people the ability to see how they can use the space."

– MIKE KNUTSEN,
Windermere Real Estate

Email from ASP who has interned on several NWDH Staging jobs

"You have been such a great mentor! You showed me the "real work" involved in home staging. It is very exciting but I can tell that it is a lot of hard work. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to help you."

– SUNNIE LIM,
ASP

Email from homeowner after Consultation Plus Redesign Session for home in partnership with Tessera Design

"I just want to say that what we formerly described as "our cheesy little house" has become an elegant, comfortable and peaceful place, thanks to you and your wonderful group. I hadn't realized that I had too many things everywhere, including on the walls, and that the cluttered look brought a cluttered, almost claustrophobic feeling. We are thrilled and proud of our home now."

– LORRAINE & ED

Email from homeowner whose home was Staged and sold within 4 days

"Hi Dale (and Janis),

Thank you very much for everything you have done for us to get mom's house on the market. Marilyn and I walked through the house yesterday evening and we were absolutely delighted! Janis has exceeded our expectations with the staging in every way! This is very exciting. I will forward this message to Kathy so she can see the results of our hard work and the effect of the home staging. I want to make an offer on the house myself."

– DAVE E.

Email from Realtor who has had NWDH Stage several of her listings over the past two years

"Thank you very much, Janis, for your email here and for the bid. I think you are one of the most professional people I know! I will get this to John and Clare and see what they decide. Your recommendations are good ones, and I'm sure they will take them into account. Have a good week and talk to you soon."

– DALE KANEKO,
Windermere Real Estate

Email from homeowner and "collector" after Consultation Plus Redesign Session

"If you don't remember me, I'm the guy with an incredible amount of junk in the garage. It looked like Gilligan's Island's Garage Sale. Thanks again for all the stuff you taught me. I moved to Arizona and am just finishing a 5 week flip. Of course I have already accumulated a garage full of furniture. I have my realtor friends trying to rent my furniture, I just can't figure out how to charge them. Right now, I'm being selfish and am going to stage my flip and get it sold, then I'll explore the furniture rental business.

You are a great talent and impressed on me to treat my house like a business. Not always easy to accept, but you made me some great money off the house in Bellevue, I would be crazy not to use the formula. Let me know if you ever get to Phoenix, I owe you many margaritas!"

– REX R.