WHAT IS A HOME MANAGER?

A Showhomes Home Manager is a person or family with beautiful home furnishings who lives in a vacant home for sale. In exchange for keeping it clean and letting Realtors show the home, Home Managers get dramatically reduced monthly fees, far below the market rate.

Home Managers are professionals who are:

- Relocating

- Building a New Home

- Seeking Temporary Housing

- Going Through Family Changes Such As Divorce

- An Individual or Family Looking To Reduce Expenses

- An Individual or Family Looking to Maintain Their Currently Level of Living or Lifestyle

- Looking To Get Familiar With An Area Before Purchasing

- Looking For Flexibility As There Are No Long Term Lease Requirements

WHY stage?

Competition. With 9 out of 10 buyers previewing or finding their homes online, presentation has never been more important. Staging your homes gives you a competitive edge over your competition. It also reduces low ball offers that buyers associate with vacant properties.

"Price Gets you Interest, Staging Gets you Offers." (Gary Keller, Keller Williams)

Owner Occupied Homes

Known for our success in staging vacant homes, we also help sellers with owner occupied homes. Whether it's a home on the market for sale or a new home, we can provide staging expertise to showcase your home. For occupied homes on the market for sale, we can re-design and re-purpose the existing furniture and decor of the home, and using your furnishings, create a "model home" look that buyers respond to. Staging enhances the presentation of your home and makes it more competitive in the market place, helping to capture a faster sale at a premium price (vs. a non-staged home). A professional stager can also provide useful information and often resources to help with packing, moving, de-cluttering and organizing, making your move easier and preparing the home for staging. Staged homes sell faster and for premium prices, bringing a greater net gain to the table for sellers.

Paint

While that favorite shade of purple was perfect for you, it may be a turn-off for that potential buyer. With a Showhomes Update we can provide the perfect changes with our Exclusive Color Palettes which are on-trend neutrals that will not distract from the outstanding features of your home and will provide mass appeal. Your Showhomes staging professional will help select the perfect palette for the look and feel that will place your home above the competition of similar homes for sale.

Home Managers are professionals who are:

- Relocating

- Building a New Home

- Seeking Temporary Housing

- Going Through Family Changes Such As Divorce

- An Individual or Family Looking To Reduce Expenses

- An Individual or Family Looking to Maintain Their Currently Level of Living or Lifestyle

- Looking To Get Familiar With An Area Before Purchasing

- Looking For Flexibility As There Are No Long Term Lease Requirements

WHY SHOWHOMES?

Showhomes is America's Leader in the Home Staging Industry. With over 30 years of experience, and a network from coast to coast, the Showhomes network has helped sell over 30,000 homes worth over $10 billion. We're proud to have partnered with many local and national real estate brands such as Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, Berkshire Hathaway, Re/Max, Century 21 and more. We've successfully helped thousands of realtors, homeowners, investors, banks and builders market and showcase their listings for a faster sale and higher price. Our service speaks for itself. Our results pay for the service.

NEW HOMES

But we don't just do homes for sale, we're happy to help you with your new home too! If you're craving a new look, hungry for some new ideas or inkling to have a "makeover" of your own, we can help. Showhomes staging experts can design, ReStyle and provide DIY information or a full service "makeover", transforming your home in as little as 1 day. Showhomes is the leader in decorating and staging; we can help you create the home you'll fall in love with which suits your lifestyle and personal preferences.

REPLACE OLD CARPET

Worn or dated carpeting is the #1 turn-off for home buyers. The thoughts of selecting, purchasing and dealing with installation will have a potential buyer quickly check the home off their list. With a general 3 to 1 return on investment, fresh and new carpeting can be the key to a faster home sale. Coordinating with our Exclusive Showhomes Color Palettes, our light neutral warm and cool tones of carpeting will not only be pleasing to your budget but will give your home a true designer look. All home sellers want multiple offers and a quick, profitable sale. A Showhomes Update can be the answer to what you've been dreading. From palette selections through job completion and installations, we not only provide staging design but bring in qualified contractors to quickly and painlessly prepare your home for sale. The value Showhomes brings and the return on investment is why Showhomes is the nation's leader in Home Staging and Design.

PRIVACY POLICY

This Showhomes Franchise Corporation Privacy Policy (this or the "Privacy Policy") explains our practices, defines our users' ("you" or "your") privacy options and describes how your information is collected and used by Showhomes Franchise Corporation ("we," "us," "our," or "Showhomes").

By using the Showhomes website or any of our features or resources you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

We reserve the right to modify this policy from time to time and will mark new versions with a corresponding effective date. We recommend you visit the Showhomes website to review any changes in our practices.

This Privacy Policy governs your use of the Showhomes® website at www.showhomes.com, www.showhomesfranchise.com ("Sites").

Our Sites may contain links to other websites. These links are not endorsements of any products or services on such websites. These websites may have privacy policies different than our Privacy Policy.

What Information is Collected?
We may collect personal information from you on our Sites or through any other digital or personal communication with you. Information collected by us is voluntarily provided by you and may include information such as your name, email address, and physical address. Our Sites may also collect general information about your technology interface or preferences (such as the type of browser used or the files requested).

The information we may collect includes, but may not be limited to:

• Your contact information, such as your first name, last name, phone number, and email address, to allow us to respond to submitted inquiries;
• For potential franchisees, your contact and financial information, such as your first name, last name, email address, physical address, cash/liquid capital to invest, and net worth, to allow Showhomes to respond to submitted inquiries;
• Information regarding your browser and other technical specifications required to use our Sites;
• Computer data or files, often called "cookies," which may be sent by your web browser and stored on an individual computer to allow our server to "recognize" you through the navigation of the Sites;
• Computer data files, often called "web beacons" that are collected from emails or links on third-party sites that allow our server to evaluate the popularity of those links or the information contained in emails or on third-party sites; and
• Your IP address to measure our website traffic and to help provide a more personalized experience.

Children Under the Age of 13
Our Sites are not designed for children and we do not knowingly collect information from any person we know is under the age of 13.

How is User Information Used and Shared?
We collect information about you in order to provide you with services and also collect information that is necessary for our Sites to work properly. We use personal information about our users for a variety of purposes related to our business, including but not limited to:

• Allowing you to receive information from us regarding Showhomes services;
• Adding information from social media platforms to our Sites where you discuss our services or use a hashtag related to our services;
• Sharing information with our local franchisees regarding your request to become a Home Manager or other request on the site;
• Tracking information about your visits to our Sites to allow us to provide better service;
• Sending or initiating direct marketing programs, such as newsletters or information about new products or services we (or any of our affiliated companies) are offering;
• Contacting you regarding an inquiry on our Sites that you have initiated; and
• Providing information about your usage or preferences to our third-party vendors and providers.

We may share information, in the aggregate, regarding your online browsing preferences to evaluate our services or allow third parties with whom we work to better serve our users. We will not share personally identifiable information in these instances, other than described in this Privacy Policy. We may, however, share personally identifiable information with franchisees or our local business partners regarding inquires you have made for a specific Showhomes® market. All financial information submitted in connection with a franchise inquiry will be kept confidential and will not be shared with third-party vendors.

We may provide user information to third-party service providers or vendors for purposes of, including without limitation, initiating direct marketing programs on our behalf, data tracking, maintenance or development of our Sites, development of online services or customer service, or other contracted promotional opportunities provided to our users. We will not share your information with third parties to directly market their products to you. We may share this information with any subsidiaries, licensees, suppliers, distributors, affiliates, assigns, successors, or other related entities and their respective owners. We may also share your personal information in connection with law enforcement requests or in response to investigations, subpoenas, court orders, or other legal process to establish or exercise our legal rights or defend against legal claims or as otherwise required by law.

Business Transfers
We may also disclose your information to a third party as part of the reorganization or a sale of the assets of Showhomes, or its subsidiaries, divisions or franchisees. Any third party to which Showhomes transfers or sells the Sites or related assets will have the right to continue to use the personal and other information that you provide to us.

Behavioral Advertising
We may also use third-party vendors, such as Google Analytics, to advertise to our users online. These third-party vendors may display Showhomes advertisements on other websites based on your internet usage. More specifically, these vendors use first-party cookies (such as the Google Analytic cookie) and third-party cookies (such as the DoubleClick cookie) together to inform, optimize, and serve ads based on your past visits to the Site or another site affiliated with Showhomes. Any information that these third parties collect via cookies is not linked to any personally identifiable information (name, address, email address, or phone number) we collect or you provide on the website. You can opt-out of Google Analytics for Display Advertising by using Google's Ads Settings.

How is User Information Protected?
We maintain administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for all user information collected on our Sites.

How Can Users Limit Information Collected?
By providing information to us or browsing our or our franchisees' Sites, you are consenting to our use of your data as outlined in this Privacy Policy.

While we work hard to use and disclose our users' personal information only for the purposes identified above, you can choose not to provide personal information or limit the personal information obtained by us as follows:

• You may have your contact information removed from our marketing lists that are used to inform users of new or relevant products, services, and special offers by clicking on the unsubscribe link in any communication received from us or by emailing us at [ADD EMAIL ADDRESS]; and
• You may limit the collection of "cookies" from your Site usage through your browser settings. However, this may disable our ability to provide you with the most relevant information regarding the Sites.

Your California Privacy Rights
California Civil Code Section § 1798.83 permits users of our Sites that are California residents to request certain information regarding our disclosure of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, please contact us via the Sites.

Contacting Us
For additional information pertaining to our Privacy Policy, please contact:

Showhomes Franchise Corp
2110 Blair Blvd
Nashville, TN 37212

Showhomes Charleston is honored to win national award

The Psychology of the Closet When Selling Your Home

As a professional real estate stager, I have the pleasure of many years of helping homeowners in assessing their homes for the real estate market. From fine-tuning just a few details to complete overhauls, I have assisted many, many sellers and their agents in preparing to have the best possible presentation to buyers.

Utilizing my training and skills, this process is generally a 2-hour meeting wherein I tour the home, assess every room, take copious notes, and then walk through the home with the seller and their agent (when possible) to review and discuss my analysis. I carefully compile the notes into a written assessment which is then sent to them so that they may take action toward completing those suggested items and tasks.

One of the most noted issues that sellers of even the most well-kept homes tend to have overlooked are their closets.  The majority of closets I encounter are messy, over-packed, have wall scuffs, and are terribly unorganized.

In fact, when I come upon a neat and tidy closet that meets my high standards, I jokingly award a "Closet of the Week" accolade to applaud their effort. But, why do closets matter when selling a home- After all, it is a closet - meant to hide and disguise all the junk and extra things we really don't use or need. And, buyers shouldn't care - we're all on the same page about the function of a close - to hide the messes! As long as the main rooms are lovely, who really cares about the closet-

The answer is that when buyers are viewing your property, no stone is left unturned. They are judging the home's quality and features and looking in every nook and cranny. They want a well-maintained home. When they see a disaster in a closet, they are psychologically assessing your ability as a seller to care for a home. If you have taken time to keep your closets neat, clean and organized (after all, it is the place to hide our junk), then you must really care about other unseen places in the home.

In essence, the psychology of a closet is a critical element when selling your home. Not only are you selling the home itself, but also selling yourself as a good caretaker of property. A good closet cleaning may only take an hour. But the investment is worth the effort - and you might even win our award!

How to Win Showhomes Charleston's Closet of the Week

• Paint the walls
• Get rid of things you don't want or need.
• Pack things you aren't using now but want to keep. Move to an attic or storage unit.
• Clear everything off the floor. It is important to see the depth of the closet.
• Get rid of any cardboard.
• Organize clothes by color (I prefer light to dark).
• Pack away and dirty or beaten-up shoes.
• Suitcases should not be stored in a master closet.
• For showings, remove dirty laundry from hampers.

The fearless approach to the staging conversation with your clients

In my years of experience as a certified, home staging professional, I've encountered many situations where a real estate agent has been reluctant to talk with their client about staging. Fearing offending their client, they have chosen not to make the recommendation that staging may be necessary to improve its marketability. Instead, the listing languishes on the market, decreasing its opportunity to sell quickly and for more money.

 

So what can an agent do to convince their sellers that an investment in staging is important, if not essential to get the home sold- Here are a few ideas that could help these staging-sensitive agents to reformulate their approach to encourage staging for any listing:

 

1.      Let them know that you work with a qualified, certified Staging Professional. These individuals are committed to high quality standards in the staging industry. If you do not have a partnership with a qualified stager, be sure to research local professionals through the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), Home Staging and Redesign Association (HSRA), or the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP). Each of these organizations are industry pace-setters and their websites will provide directories of staging professionals in your area who are committed to high standards of staging excellence and ongoing training. Your clients deserve to work with someone who is qualified, experienced and affiliated with one or more of these organizations. Some agents that I work with take me with them on their listing appointments as part of their team so that their sellers know right away that staging is going to be a part of the sales process.

2.      Approach the conversation in a sincere way, letting them know that you want the best sales outcome, and that may include staging. It's not hard for people to feel your sincerity. If you believe in what you are saying, it will come across to the listener in an honest way. And, if you have facts and knowledge about the power of staging, your sellers will be impressed. Studies by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), indicate that staging increases the opportunity for a faster sale at a higher price. In fact, the 2019 Profile of Home Staging by NAR, concludes that 83% of buyers' agents say that staging makes it easier for buyers to 'visualize' the property as their future home. RESA's studies conclude that homes that are staged spend an overwhelming 90% less time on market. These facts are critical to help buyers objectively consider how staging advice can boost their home's marketability.

3.      Help the sellers put on buyer's glasses. Most of the time, sellers cannot see past their day-to-day, lived in view of their own home.  Whether they have occupied the home for 30 years or one year, living in a home takes away a perspective that is essential in putting the home in the best position for sale. A professional stager can provide an assessment of the home which is essentially "buyer's glasses". Almost all sellers have no idea what is absolutely essential in staging the home prior to our appointment. I find that after my recommendations are clearly communicated, those "buyer's glasses" the become a laser-focused motivational impetus they need to get the home prepared for market. By confidently suggesting that your seller allow a staging professional to assist them, you are helping them to have the right perspective on selling their home and take actions such as eliminating clutter, rearranging or editing furniture, and making valuable updates that set them apart from other homes on the market.

4.      Don't wait. Choosing to wait for any type of staging assistance can be detrimental to the listing's potential, as the first 30 days on the market are critical. Fresh listings are seen by the most number of buyers and therefore the opportunity for showings and a potential sale are maximized during that time frame. Too many agents wait until the home hasn't sold for several months to call me. They may even be in danger of losing the listing. At that point, the list is stale and buyers have "passed over" the home on multiple occasions. We have much more to overcome at that point, because the home lost momentum in marketing in the critical early stages.

5.      Let your staging professional deliver the news. At the risk of offending their clients, many agents choose not to say what needs to be said to their sellers. The good news is that you don't have to deliver that news. Professional, certified and experienced stagers have techniques and talents in communicating the news in a respectful, yet honest way and you are off the hook. Your job is real estate. Our job is staging. But, our goal is mutual, to help the home to sell. When we are all on the same page about that end result, that bad news we deliver becomes valuable tool toward making a listing outshine the competition.

 

Whether you are a new agent or a seasoned one, understanding the importance of staging in this modern real estate world is critical to your success. Don't be afraid to discuss staging with your sellers. Understand that without doing so, you may be doing a disservice to your client. Working with a staging professional will enhance your credibility, take the pressure off you, and increase the opportunity for a successful sale.

 

Lorelie Brown, Owner of Showhomes Charleston is a certified staging professional in Charleston, SC. A RESA-PRO member, an HSRA-Elite Member, and a member of IAHSP. She is passionate about the power of home staging and has staged over $300 million in real estate.

Reflections on the Las Vegas Furniture Market

Reflections on the Las Vegas Furniture Market

A couple of weeks ago, I flew to Las Vegas for a mastermind meeting with colleagues and to attend the Las Vegas Furniture Market.  Having attended the High Point Market frequently, I was excited to tread new terrain and experience a fresh atmosphere of furnishings vendors. (Given that the weather was unusually cold in Charleston at the time, I welcomed the warmer climate, too.)  What I found in Las Vegas was not only a fresh platform for experiencing design, but also a renewed perspective for serving clients.

Having Limited Options is Less Stressful

When visiting the High Point Furniture market (a to-the-trade only event), one is generally overwhelmed.  This is the largest home furnishings market in the world and has been operating for nearly 100 years.   It takes up a majority of the small downtown area of High Point, NC during its twice-yearly operation.  In fact, there is 100 million square feet to cover! You must travel on trams and buses to have any hope of visiting the 1800 vendors that display there.  It is in my opinion, exhilarating, intimidating and rather exhausting. Having no hope of seeing everything, one makes a plan and focuses on specific vendors or buildings (some over 10 stories) to accomplish the tasks of placing orders or making contacts.

Oppositely, the Las Vegas market, while newer on the scene having begun in 2005, is comprised of three buildings and a few tents. Its compact campus makes it easy to navigate and its more open building structures create a breathable scene that is not daunting. I felt no stress at all about traversing the campus. Each floor clearly marked the vendors who were on display and are so compact that you do not feel as if walking through a maze. We wasted no time in finding our merchants and that made our visit very efficient. While the campus is smaller and offers fewer vendors, I left feeling energized and in a rather good mood. I was mentally tired, but not physically worn out.

Genuine Courtesy Matters

When we walked into the Las Vegas Market, we were thunderstruck by the friendliness of the attendants and staff.  (And I'm from the South y'all where pleasantness is a way of life. Charleston is known as the politest city, after all.)  As we walked into the market, we were greeted with smiling faces and warm greetings offering what truly felt like sincerity and kindness. I must say that at the High Point Market, one is also welcomed and greeted favorably, but something about Las Vegas was different. Perhaps it was the dry open air that made me more aware of the faces that greeted me, but there was a genuineness that was palpable.

Follow Up is Not Optional

After attending the market, I received a thank you email from the Las Vegas market. (I know that the High Point Market does this too.)  Like most people, I receive a daunting amount of emails every day.  (Truth be told, my "delete" button is beginning to fade slightly.)  While I did purge this email, I appreciated feeling as though they completed the exchange of my visit with this message.  I'm aware that this email was digitally generated because my registration badge was scanned in, but it was follow up nonetheless and it mattered to me.

Final Thoughts

            Not only did I bring back from Las Vegas some excellent design ideas, new vendor opportunities, and a lighter checkbook, I also learned some things about how to enhance my business.  First, that having options is great, but having fewer options is less overwhelming. They grant some degree of control over to your client while staying in the wheelhouse of what you are able to competently provide. I also learned that true courtesy can be genuinely captured by its recipient. We often use kind words and rogue expressions because it is the right thing to do, but sincere gentility has depth of meaning. Finally, follow up does matter, even if it is a mechanical message. Completing the circle of the sale with communication has great value. All of these are business components that my team and I utilize.  When put into context by an experience like my own, it is a gentle reminder that they have great significance.

Stage your Home for a Successful Sale

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/74421963/thumbs/pro-spotlight-stage-your-home-for-a-successful-sale

Newly Minted Showhomes Franchisees Michael and Renee Douglas Prepare For Business in Michigan

Husband-and-wife team Michael and Renee Douglas met several years ago while working in the logistics field at the same company. Now, they're preparing to enter a whole new industry together with full-service home management and staging franchise Showhomes. 

"We were at a point where we were looking for a career change and we'd always wanted to own our own business in a field for which we had a passion," Michael said. 

The Douglases looked at other concepts when they decided to go into franchising, prioritizing finding the right culture fit. After working with a franchise consultant and exploring a few different sectors, Showhomes stood out because of how the brand touched upon each of their respective passions. 

"I have a big interest in real estate and we also own a couple of homes," Michael said. "Renee really enjoys decorating and the staging piece of it. She really enjoys making our home look nice. She also did some of this work at our other company, decorating the office and remodeling." 

Showhomes also gave the Douglases a much-desired familial feel, plus a sense of strong support. 

"The company we come from has a family atmosphere and that was definitely the sense we got at Showhomes," Renee said. "The leadership team has been great. They've been setting everything up for us to make sure we're doing the right thing and keeping us on track." 

The Douglases recently signed on to kick off the brand's Michigan presence with the state's first Showhomes business in the city of Northville, currently slated for a January 1, 2020 opening date. In addition to Northville, Michael and Renee's Showhomes franchise will serve the nearby cities of Birmingham, Novi, Plymouth and more. The new venture is a joint effort that Renee will enter full time while Michael will split time between Showhomes and his current job. 

"I've always been the one behind the curtain," Renee said. "I like to organize things; I don't need to be onstage. I want to see the reaction from the customers we help. I love it. It makes me feel so good knowing I did such a good thing." 

Michael and Renee aren't total strangers to the world of franchising. Renee's father owned a franchise with the sub sandwich chain Blimpie. She loved how working in the store led her family to form strong connections in their community and is excited to bring that same energy and enthusiasm to Showhomes. 

"I'm most excited about making a difference and helping people," she said. "It's different when the business is your own. Your mentality is different."

The Douglases are joining Showhomes at a prime time. With more than 50 locations nationwide, Showhomes is quickly becoming the premier home staging and management company in the U.S. The brand had several successes in 2019, including an expanded service offering that includes home design and renovation services. Thanks to this, Showhomes experienced a year-over-year sales increase of 30% through October of this year.

While their current focus is set on getting their new business up and running successfully, the Douglases are open to expanding with the brand. When the time for expansion does come, they are hoping to expand into territories that cover the Detroit area. 

"Expanding is not out of the question, but our territory is pretty large and it has a good amount of homes and opportunities, so if we do expand and open more franchises, it's going to be a while," Renee said. 

They will certainly be busy, and not just with business. Like many Showhomes franchisees, the Douglases are actively involved in their community. They've participated in a variety of philanthropic efforts, including cancer drives and Christmas-related initiatives, and support the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, which is part of the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, as well as at local elementary schools. Renee even ran the culture team and philanthropy efforts at her previous job. She and Michael plan to continue being involved in philanthropic efforts through their Showhomes franchise. Plus, with three sons ages 9, 6 and 4, they are looking forward to having more flexibility with their schedules.

"I'm excited about this new venture," Renee said. "I've been in the corporate world for more than 15 years so I'm very excited to have a little bit of freedom with my kids and my job."

To learn more about franchising with Showhomes, visit https://www.showhomesfranchise.com/

Showhomes Rising Star Catherine Chandler Collects Nothing But Success in the Portland, Oregon Market

Since August of 2017, Catherine Chandler has been running her Showhomes business in Portland, Oregon--and thriving. Chandler always had an eye for design, and though she's gone down several career paths, Chandler was always itching to begin her own business. Thanks to the premier home staging service brand, Showhomes, Chandler cites this opportunity with the franchise as "a major dream come true."

Showhomes has helped homeowners sell more than 30,000 residential properties worth more than $10 billion. Thanks to a history transforming empty high-end homes into a furnished and welcoming abode, Showhomes is the one-stop-shop for home staging and redesign. The franchise has locations across 18 states with over 50 offices nationwide. Showhomes has also been featured and recognized by prominent media outlets such as Oprah, DIY Network, the Travel Channel and HGTV. The home staging company boasts both real estate and design expertise—skills in which Chandler excels on a daily basis.

Chandler doesn't refer to herself as the "typical Showhomes franchisee" because of her extensive background in science and technology. After obtaining a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in the field, she became a technical program manager for a tech company. Chandler also dabbled in the publishing industry as a page designer and in the world of retail as a visual merchandiser. 

Throughout Chandler's and her husband's marriage, she has bought and sold five homes—all five of which were staged to perfection. 

"I'd always get compliments on my setup when I staged my houses," said Chandler. "My husband kept joking and pushing me to start my own staging business."

When January of 2017 came around, Chandler's husband wanted her to know he wasn't joking. One night while watching HGTV, he popped open his laptop, Googled "home staging franchise," and signed her up for an informational phone call without Chandler knowing.

"All of a sudden I get a phone call the next day from Showhomes and as soon as they started telling me the whole concept of the company, I was interested," said Chandler. "It's my husband's fault that I'm in this business--but hey, it worked out."

Four months later, Chandler purchased the franchise and has been managing Showhomes Portland West since August of 2017 when they opened for business. Thanks to the city's hot real estate market, Showhomes has been flourishing in Portland, so much so that Chandler's interested in opening a Showhomes location in Southwest Portland as well. 

"Portland understands the value of staging," said Chandler. "Before joining Showhomes, I called other big-name staging companies in the area and asked if they thought there was room for more home staging businesses--they all told me there was plenty of room. I knew there was business to be had."

Chandler's good eye made her a perfect fit for a Showhomes franchise, but she still encountered learning opportunities; she claims that her biggest challenge getting started was learning how to build the brand and make people aware of Showhomes. Chandler does a tremendous amount of networking through Portland's real estate and charity events--from offering to set up booths or tables, Chandler's main priority is having that face-to-face interaction with potential new clients. 

"No one knew what Showhomes was and I consider 50% of my job to be educating people about who we are and how we can make their lives easier," said Chandler. "Building relationships is the single biggest part of my job."

In just a little over two years, Chandler has already accomplished so much with the franchise. At this year's Showhomes annual conference, Chandler was named Rising Star Franchise and awarded Best in Traditional Staging Design and Director's Choice Award for Superior Customer Satisfaction. 

"I'm a very competitive person and I'm always looking at what other staging companies are doing to see how I could do it better," said Chandler. "I knew I could do it, so it's super exciting."

Believe it or not, Chandler's been able to use her skills obtained through her science degrees in her Showhomes business. She claims her problem-solving skills and engineering background have not only helped create beautiful spaces, but aided her in connecting with those of her clients with backgrounds in the engineering field.

"We have a lot of homeowners--high-end homeowners. to be exact--who are engineers themselves, and it puts my clients at ease knowing they're talking to an engineer," said Chandler. "Portland has a huge tech market, so many of my clients work in a similar field that I'm very knowledgeable in."

Chandler looks forward to expanding Showhomes in the Portland area and building more relationships with her community as she continues her successful business with the home staging franchise. 

"My whole job goes back to building relationships," said Chandler. "Every person I interact with could be my next client. You never know where the next big deal is going to come from, so I treat everyone with white-glove service—so far, it has paid off."

10 Years Later, Marisa Salas is Still Thriving With Showhomes

When Marisa Salas made the decision to join an emerging franchise called Showhomes a decade ago, she did so at a time full of uncertainty—and opportunity.

"I wanted a career change, but that was 2008. When the economy's crashing, it's not exactly a good time to reinvent yourself," Salas laughed.

Salas had spent the majority of her career up to that point in the family business, which was jewelry. "My grandfather and father were both jewelers, and I operated one of my father's two jewelry stores for 10 years," she said. When Salas got married and moved from her native South Florida to New York, she continued her career in jewelry on the wholesale side. She and her husband eventually made their way back to Miami to be near family, where Salas took on a new role as the precious jewels manager for the luxury department store Neiman Marcus. After having children not long after, Salas' priorities changed. 

"After I had my kids, I decided the retail business was way too difficult due to demanding evening, weekend and holiday hours, so I took three years off to be at home with my family," Salas said. 

When she was ready to return to the workforce, she began seeking out new opportunities outside of the retail space, eventually discovering Showhomes. Salas and her husband had always been interested in franchising, and the young-but-growing brand presented the chance to get into an industry with a lot of potential at the ground level. Now 10 years later, Salas has established herself as a central part of the real estate scene in the South Florida communities of Coral Gables, Pinecrest, Coconut Grove and Key Biscayne.

"When I first became a Showhomes franchisee, it was strictly a home management concept," Salas recounted. "Over time, we realized many people needed more, so we expanded our service offering to what it is today. In the beginning, I knew I needed another option to win more business, so I began offering staging services, which took off thanks to all of the new construction in my area. Eventually, Showhomes branched out into home restyles and updates, a part of my business that I'm starting to grow."

Salas attributes her sustained success in the South Florida market over the last decade to the relationships she's been able to form with realtors in her area.

"They've grown comfortable working with me and referring me to their clients, which has generated a lot of repeat business for me," Salas said. "A lot of the realtors I work with have been partners for nearly 10 years. As their business has grown, I've been able to grow with them."

It's clear this strategy has spelled success for Salas' Showhomes business—she was recently named Franchisee of the Year at the brand's annual conference in August. A testament to her stellar work ethic and also her modesty, Salas said the award was "unexpected" and recognized her team as the lifeblood behind her franchise's strong performance.

"I have a great team of people in sales and marketing and design that have allowed me to focus more on the business aspect of our work, which, in turn, has resulted in substantial growth," Salas said. 

What drives Salas in her work with Showhomes most of all, though, is thrill she gets from helping her customers move on to a new part of their lives. 

"Our work plays a very important part in helping homes sell quickly, which gives people the chance to close a chapter of their lives and begin a new one," she said. "The greatest joy in my work is the accomplishment that comes when an owner tells me that their home looks so great, they want to move back in."

As far as advice goes for new and prospective Showhomes franchisees, Salas again pointed to how important hiring a reliable team with diversified skillsets is to establishing expertise in each of Showhomes' offerings and ultimately, long-term growth. She also recommended tapping into the franchisee community for the support that she says guided her in the beginning.

"What I find with Showhomes is that we really are a community that helps each other out," Salas said. "I remember when I started, other franchisees were generous with their time and it made all the difference. Now, I find people are looking up to me, and it's incredibly touching and rewarding."

Showhomes Home Manager-Turned-Franchisee Nancy Jones Turned Her Passion For Design Into a Booming Business

Nancy Jones was first introduced to Showhomes while working as an interior designer at Thomasville Furniture in Charlotte, North Carolina. After accepting an unanticipated promotion to district manager in Florida, Jones and her husband, Robbie, were presented with the challenging task of having to find a new home fast.

When Jones swiftly stumbled upon a gorgeous Florida home she was ready to call her own, she and Robbie thought it was too good to be true. Lo and behold, the home happened to be a Showhomes home, which, to both of their surprise, soon became a pivotal point in their careers. After moving into that first home and forming a relationship with the Florida Showhomes franchisee in the process, the Joneses decided to become home managers with Showhomes, which meant living in and maintaining luxury homes in show-to-sell conditions for the brand.

"I had a great experience living there," Nancy reflected. When her job took them to Michigan and then Robbie's job eventually brought them back to North Carolina, the Joneses were figuring out what to do next when Nancy received a call from the Showhomes franchisee with which she'd worked previously, who told her that the brand was looking to add a franchisee to the very territory she currently occupied.

"I'd always wanted to buy a franchise, and when we met with the team back in 2014, we instantly fell in love with the business model powering the brand," Nancy said. "Learning that in addition to the experience we had on the other side of it as home managers, it all made sense."

Fast forward to now, and Jones is an award-winning franchisee in the Showhomes system; beyond receiving the Rising Star Award in 2015, she's been named a three-time Circle of Excellence Award winner, a three-time President's Award winner, won the Shooting Star Franchise of the Year recognition in 2017 and has served on the Showhomes Franchise Advisory Council for four years running.

Nancy attributes their immediate success to a combination of Robbie's construction knowledge and business acumen and her furniture and design background, noting that it was the perfect transition into her duties as both a home manager and franchisee.

"Knowing the scale of furniture appropriate for the size of the room and the design aspect-we can help select paint colors, lighting, flooring and countertops-has helped to transition our business model to include a lot of home updates and renovations. We're now able to hit on all three markets: buyers, sellers and those wanting to make a change in their home style, which has allowed us to increase our revenue streams as a result," Nancy said.

The way the Joneses see it, starting as Showhomes home managers prior to becoming franchisees was extremely beneficial to their business because it helped pave the way for a smoother transition into the lifestyle the brand is asking people to live.

"It's not for everyone; you have to be willing to move with 30 days notice. We're still home managers, and we've moved 11 times in 4 years," Nancy said. "But we keep doing it because it's such a successful program for the franchisee, the home manager and the real estate agent all at once. Our experience helps us when we're screening people to become home managers to know the right questions to ask."

As far as her favorite part of being a Showhomes franchisee in The Triad, North Carolina goes, Jones harkened back to her design roots and how she's been able to apply them in her new career.

"I'm an update and renovation kind of girl at heart," she said. "I love the design side. For me it's about making a difference; it sounds cheesy, but seeing people happy in the place they come to rest and knowing we've helped someone get to their next chapter-be it buying, selling, or changing up their space-for me, it's all about making a difference there."

Showhomes Franchisee Shares Top Colors and Trends for Home Design This Spring

For over three decades, the Showhomes franchise system has helped sell more than 30,000 high-end residences to the tune of $10 billion by transforming them into fully-furnished, welcoming homes through staging.

One of Showhome's greatest staging secrets to success? Staying on trend.

Whether it's a modern home or one with a rich history, every vacant property benefits from updated staging.

"You have to stage accordingly. I'm getting ready to stage a house built in the 1920s, and people who like that house are not necessarily going to like modern furniture," said Cindi Stringer, a Showhomes franchisee in North Carolina. "But if you make it look too period, it will feel dated. I'm going to mix traditional furnishings with some that are on-trend to achieve the look I want."

Stringer, a retired nurse, has been a Showhomes owner for a little over eight years. To keep ahead of decorating trends, she frequents events such as the High Point Market, the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, and is currently enrolled in an online interior design class. Showhomes also offers design certifications and shares many helpful insights at annual conferences.

For Showhomes franchisees that have a flair for design, home staging can be a way to show off their creativity in a way that has tangible results. "It's a lot of fun to see a house come together, and so quickly," said Stringer.

Spring Color Trends

Neutrals are a key element of all interior design. They serve as a blank canvas on which to add personality. "In staging, we put a neutral color on the walls so that anybody's furniture will look good in the room," explained Stringer. "Even with our bigger pieces of furniture, we stay pretty neutral."

For the last seven years, Stringer said, most neutral palettes have been shades of gray, but now the hues are turning softer.

"Colors are popular for around a ten-year timeframe, so design experts are starting to trend away from gray and more toward creamy white and taupe," she said. "We'll still see grays, but they'll be softer, like Benjamin Moore's 2019 Color of the Year, Metropolitan."

Showhomes staging experts then incorporate pops of color to add life and interest to the room. Adding vibrancy through artwork, throw pillows and in rugs and drapery can go a long way. This spring, designers are gravitating toward soft oranges, soft blues, forest greens and even black.

"For these pops of color, we are looking at the colors of the year, like Pantone's 2019 Color of the Year, Living Coral, which is a softer orange," said Stringer. "We're also seeing Craven Clay, which is kind of like a terra cotta color, but again, softer. Leather can take on that color well."

While navy dominated the market last year, this year, it's also getting a "makeunder," as demonstrated by Behr's Color of the Year, Blueprint. A calming and toned-down gray-blue, Blueprint is nearly denim. Along the same lines, earthy greens are going to be big this spring as tastemakers look toward a more natural aesthetic.

Stringer tips her hat to Joanna Gaines of HGTV's "Fixer Upper" fame for bringing black into vogue. "With the modern farmhouse revival-where everything is white and black-we're seeing black windows, shower frames, kitchen cabinets or islands, especially among people in their 20s and early 30s," Stringer said. "You can't overdo it, but black is really trending."

Spring Materials Trends

Rose Gold, a metal that's been trending in everything from iPhones to engagement rings, will be popular in decorating this year-and it can be paired with other metals.

"Previously, if you wanted to use silver, you'd want everything to be silver," said Stringer, adding that softer brushed gold will also continue the momentum it has built over the last couple of years. "Now, it's very okay to mix and have silver and gold in different areas of the same room."

With the trend towards a more natural aesthetic, decorators can also expect to see plenty of wicker, rattan and other earthy fibers coming into vogue this spring in the form of accents like baskets. On an even more natural note, plants have long been a beneficial method of bringing a little more life to a room, too.

Spring Decorating Trends

With the rising popularity of decluttering and simplifying, minimalism is trending this spring more than ever. Stringer notes that this pared-down style has always been a traditional staging staple, but this spring, keep an eye out for a twist. "This year, we're trending toward allowing some personal touches to remain in the staged home-even family photos. Buyers don't want it to be a sterile model home; they want it to be welcoming," she said.

Natural light can open up a room and make it feel much warmer, and as the weather turns sunnier, this is especially crucial. Stringer recommends avoiding heavy drapes and positioning curtain rods to extend out from the window so opened drapes are pushed completely over the walls. "Use beige or white panels only, and they should be floor-to-ceiling," she added.

Stringer says that while clean furniture lines have been popular for several years, specifically sharp-cornered mid-century modern pieces, spring trends are moving more toward softer frames and edges. This also lends itself to a more comfortable, lived-in staged home that's attractive to buyers.

Making A Great First Impression

Incorporating trends works perfectly to update spaces, but a little classic upkeep and attention can go a long way this spring as well. Stringer says to make sure the home's exterior is power washed, the landscaping is mulched and weeded, walkways are swept, the front door is freshly painted and the hardware works as well as it looks.

"You have eight to 15 seconds from the time someone walks in the door to really wow them," she said. "They'll have an immediate emotional attachment if they love it. If they find things that aren't quite right, they'll say 'I can deal with that.' But if they're in a negative frame of mind from the beginning, everything becomes an unsolvable problem."

Have an eye for interior design and enjoy staying in the loop on all the latest trends? Find out more about franchising opportunities with Showhomes at https://www.showhomesfranchise.com/.

The 8 Biggest Eyesores in Your Home-and Genius Ways to Hide Them (Realtor.com)

Those essential but utilitarian home items, such as electrical cords, radiators, and AC units, aren't exactly the prettiest room features. But you can't really rip them out-especially if you're a renter.

So what's a decor-conscious homeowner to do?

Well, we've got good news: A few cheap and clever moves will allow you to conceal them from view. Here are eight less-than-attractive hot spots and genius ways to cover them up.

1. Plaster cracks

Photo by JWT Associates

This one's easy: Turn this problem area into an asset with nice-looking paper.

"You can add an accent wall in a pattern that can't be achieved with paint-and wallpaper is long-lasting and durable," says Dan Schaeffer, owner of Five Star Painting in Austin, TX.

Or try removable or decal wallpaper, suggests Drew Henry of Design Dudes: "It's easy to put up, hides the cracks, and peels right off when it's time to move," he says.

You can also look to greenery to mask these spots.

"Hanging potted plants from the ceiling or mounting them to a wall over a crack would be an especially good solution for a renter who's unable to do an apartment renovation," says Katie McCann, an organizer with Haven.

2. AC unit

Sometimes it's wise to draw the eye away from a sore spot, rather than try to mask it, says Shelley Barndollar of home staging company Showhomes. For instance, she was once charged with staging a home that contained a very old, rusted air-conditioning unit right outside the window.

"When you walked into the room, it was the first thing you noticed," she recalls.

To fix it, she placed a seating arrangement near the room's entrance to distract from the unit. The AC was still visible if you walked over to it, but the conversation area made up for it by luring eyes in another direction.

3. Control panels and thermostats

Photo by Jessica Forbes Interior Stylist

Artwork is your friend when it comes to concealing knobs, temperature controls, and other boring gadgets attached to walls. Consider a bright tapestry, a photo gallery, or a piece of sculpture to hide these items.

"Specifically, take a look at artwork that's a bit raised off the wall so that if the area is uneven, you won't notice," McCann suggests.

4. Old radiators

Photo by Архитектурная мастерская Акант 

Here's a double play for a radiator that's less than aesthetically appealing: a folding screen. Henry says you'll be hiding this spot while also adding interest to the room.

Or, try a metal cover or custom box to cover the radiator-or a sized-to-match piece of wood or marble that can handle the heat, recommends Denise Palmer of Piper Classics.

"Use the space on top as a shelf for books, faux plants, or seasonal decorations," she says.

But you don't have to cover radiators up at all. Even this tangle of metal can be beautified, says Sara Chiarilli, an interior designer with Artful Conceptions.

"We have had such a resurgence of historical buildings and design today, so I would not hide these," she says.

Instead, scrape off the old paint and add a fresh coat. It'll make a big difference.

5. Bulky TVs

An armoire with doors is the classic way to hide the boob tube, but there are newer options, including a piece that allows the TV to drop in and then be pulled out when in use.

"The prices on these have really come down, making them much more affordable," Chiarilli says.

Or you can always install a pull-down map in front of the TV or hang a canvas over it, Palmer adds.

And here's another clever pro tip: Make your TV part of your decor.

"One of the most creative ways that we've seen to hide a TV is to create a tonal wall blending the black rectangular shaped TV into a wall lined with black and white prints and photos," Palmer says. (Check out this lookfrom blogger Kelly Elko to inspire your new aesthetic.)

6. Open closets

Photo by Luke Gibson Photography

Simple tension rods with a plain curtain can hide myriad of eyesores, including your shoe closet, home office supplies, or a washer and dryer, notes Sarah Hollenbeck of Offers.com.

7. Modems, routers, and other internet gadgets

Photo by Rikki Snyder 

"While these boxes are necessary, they aren't always the most aesthetically pleasing," Hollenbeck admits.

To hide one, cover the item with decorative paper or removable wallpaper and then place it in a stack of books.

8. Dangling cords

Photo by The Cabinet Shoppe 

If you're on a budget, there's a simple solution for your tangled mess of cords: Get cord covers painted to match your wall color.

Looking for something a bit more imaginative? "If the wall with your TV on it is relatively small, you could consider creating a pallet or shiplap wall to cover up the cord and add an interesting design element to your home," Hollenbeck suggests.

Forecast on the 2019 Home Staging Market

The time is ripe to invest in Showhomes.

A stable economy and a real estate market that consists of homes taking a longer-than-usual time to sell mean that business will be booming for the home staging market in 2019.

Showhomes Chief Operating Officer Matt Kelton recently attended the 2018 Realtors Conference & Expo in Boston and cited information presented by Lawrence Yun, the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research at the National Association of REALTORS. The real estate market, Kelton learned, is seeing stable growth with no housing bubble. Home prices will also see modest growth, with about 4.7 percent growth in 2018, 3.1 percent growth in 2019 and 2.7 percent growth in 2020.

"Inventory and shortages will still be an issue but we're starting to see inventories pick up," Kelton said. "That's good for us because one of our struggles is a lack of inventory."

For Showhomes, inventory refers to the number of empty houses that are awaiting sale.  

"We talk to franchisees around the country, from California to Florida, and we're beginning to see that inventories are increasing," Kelton said. "Homes are taking longer to sell. There are regional differences. Boise, Idaho, for example, is booming because people are moving from California. For the most part, though, I'm hearing the same thing across the board, that inventories are getting higher and taking longer to sell and that can be a good thing for us."

Kelton has been with Showhomes for 12 years and the industry has come a long way in that time. More and more people are interested in home staging, which can provide a higher return.  

"There are lots of statistics out there indicating that show homes sell 90 percent faster than a vacant home and for 15 percent more," he said. "Staging brings up more money in a faster period of time."

Kelton said half of his phone calls used to consist of him having to explain the concept of home staging. He said that 95 percent of people are finding homes online, so homeowners who don't play what he refers to as "the beauty contest" can have a harder time selling.

"Home staging is now a known commodity and an expected thing," he said. "People understand it's become part of the real estate industry."

Showhomes sees regional variations. Santa Fe, New Mexico, Kelton said, is the most unique market the company has seen.

"There are differences in terms of specific buyer types and international ownership," Kelton said. "Clearly the designs in the Midwest are different from Phoenix, Arizona or Orange County, California."

Catherine Chandler is a Showhomes franchisee in Portland, Oregon. She purchased her Showhomes franchise in April of 2017 and opened it in August of that year.

It was a timely decision. She noted that Portland is seasonal like any other real estate market, but a little less so thanks to a lack of snow and ice that plague other parts of the country.

"The Portland market has been on fire for the past couple of years," she said. "It's starting to happen now where the rising interest rates and the general increase in the number of properties available are returning our market to what's a little more normal."

Population growth in Portland, she said, is "massive" due to the high number of people moving there from California. She noted that Portland is still one of the most affordable cities on the West Coast.

"What the expectation is for 2019 is a return to normal where you list your house, some people look at it and a sale is not going to happen immediately," she said. "That's a really good thing for our industry."

The home staging market in Portland, she said, is also a highly-established one.

"People here understand the value of staging," Chandler said. "There are some fantastic staging companies that are already here and that are well-respected on the national stage. I've gone to national conferences and a lot of the people I've met are in Portland's staging market."

Such an established presence makes the job simpler for Chandler.

"Both homeowners and real estate agents understand the importance of staging and that it really does work," she said. "What that's meant to me, starting a new business, is that I don't have to sell people on the concept of staging. I just have to sell myself and Showhomes."

The wave of demand for home staging has already started in Portland.

"People are more receptive to staging but they are also more receptive to doing what they need to do to sell their home," she said. "Stagers here have talked about seeing an increase in business in what is supposed to be the slow time of the year. That will probably continue."

A strong real estate market and multiple revenue streams make Showhomes a great franchising option in 2019.

"We do makeovers for existing homes, homes updates and minor remodeling," Kelton said. "We're the only company that has this broad menu as being a full-service staging company and design organization. We're getting a bigger and bigger market share."

What ultimately sets Showhomes apart from the competition is the company's Home Manager program, in which the company has executives living in homes that are for sale. This helps the house have a homier, more lived-in look when prospective buyers come to see the house.

"When a home is vacant and has that empty house smell it can be a weird stagnant feeling," Kelton said. "If buyers walk through the house and see food in the pantry, for example, and smell home cooking, we can usually sell that home faster. You're trying to get someone to fall in love with a home and it's very much an emotional aspect."

Kelton expects that 2019 will be an excellent year for the home staging market and for the Showhomes brand.

"When you look at the consolidation and the inventory levels that will be increasing, you're seeing more and more of a need for staging," he said. "The demand is there. This is an extremely under-served market in a fragmented industry. We see this increasing as far as a demand for the general public. It's really a good time to join Showhomes. This is a big time for us, as we mirror the traditional real estate market."

Five Tips for Staging Your Home During the Holidays

It's that time of the year when holiday decorations come out of storage, are dusted off and showcased throughout the home. Though homeowners are giddy to step up their holiday game, people with homes on the market may need to take a different approach. Showhomes Houston and San Diego owners, Shelley Barndollar and Lisa Gulliver, shared five pieces of advice for homeowners that are staging their home for a sale during the holiday season.

Take Staging Photos Before the Holidays

While your home may go on sale during the holiday season, it may stay on sale past this time of the year. So, the home should not scream, "HOLIDAY SEASON!"

"You don't want Christmas photos of the home showing up in June," said Barndollar. Instead, she advises that all homeowners take their staging photos without holiday decorations and with more neutral decor.

Try to Defer from Showings on Holidays

While the real estate industry works 7 days a week, 365 days a year, it's in the homeowners' best interest to defer showings on a holiday. While this is sometimes impossible to avoid because home buyers may only be available for a short period of time, homeowners should try to avoid holidays.

"In the event that a Realtor schedules a showing on a major holiday, the homeowner should still accommodate them," said Gulliver. "If you are in the middle of meal preparation or clean up, try your best to straighten up the kitchen and turn the stove down, and then go for a short walk to let them show the property."

Replace Every Day Decor with Decorations, Don't Add On

"When you are placing any new holiday decorations throughout the home, it's important to remember to replace them with your ever day decor instead of adding them to the existing decor," said Barndollar.

She goes on to explain that if you just add on to the shelf with more decorations, things will look cluttered which can make the home seem smaller. Instead, just swap out the existing decorations with small, festive accents to really dress up the home

Stage Presents, Don't Put Real Ones Out

During the home sale process, potential home buyers from all over are walking through the home, going through closets and checking out each area of the home. Security should always be top of mind. During the holiday season, this sense of security should be amplified.

"You don't know who will be walking through your home," said Barndollar. "Make sure to stage your holiday presents. I would wrap four to five different sized boxes and have them under the tree, but don't put your real presents under there."

Barndollar further explains that you don't want people seeing how many gifts you got and to potentially walk off with one of them.

Keep Decor Elegant and Simple

"As you decorate, it's best to keep the staging of the home in mind," said Gulliver. "When it comes to tree placement and additional decorations, remember that less is more."

Bardonllar adds, "Don't go overboard. It's great to have a tree and garland over the fireplace, maybe just one or two really special tchotchkes that are non-denominational and tasteful. Keep all of your decor to a minimum."

Couple overcomes hearing barrier in building business

 As owners of a Showhomes home staging franchise, Elisa and Brandon Macomber of Santa Fe make a living off their eyes.

Their business depends on their ability to redecorate private residences to make them more appealing to potential buyers. Their revenue has grown each year since they started the franchise in 2016, according to Brandon, and they now employ two individuals in addition to themselves. At a recent Showhomes conference, the couple won several awards including "Fastest Average Sale Time."

But it is her hearing, not her vision, that Elisa said has colored much of her professional journey. A bout of meningitis as a baby left her with profound hearing loss. Brandon, too, is hearing-impaired, the result of a premature birth and an episode of pneumonia.

"Not being able to talk on the phone has been a huge hindrance in my career, and that drove me to start my own business," said Elisa in an email (the Macombers provided written responses to questions). "I knew I could help people in so many ways via text and email, and in person, of course."

Now Elisa, who can lip-read, takes Brandon or another employee with her to meet clients to ensure she doesn't miss out on conversations while taking pictures and walking around the home.

"It can be a challenge, because I need to be able to look at the people while they're talking, but at the same time, I need to look at the house and take everything in visually," said Elisa, who handles most of the staging while Brandon handles the business side.

Brandon said their answering service has been invaluable for collecting names, addresses, emails and phone numbers of the people they interact with.

Asked about their top home-staging tips, Brandon said it's important to "remove yourself and your personal preferences from the process, and neutralize the property."

"By putting yourself on the market, you are trying to sell the house, not your style or your things," said Brandon. "Buyers need to envision themselves living there."

Elisa suggested removing all pictures and sentimentals from the home before it is photographed in order to protect the privacy of the homeowner.

"With (real estate listing) pictures being online all the time now, you want to protect your privacy," she said.

The couple said their work is filled with surprises. Elisa said she once found a black widow spider hiding beneath a client's rug. Brandon mentioned an even stranger experience.

"We found one of our faux apples with a bite mark in it," said Brandon. "That was pretty funny."

Hendersonville Times-News: Cindi Stringer Finds Success with Home Staging Business in Hendersonville

As a nurse for 30 years, Cindi Stringer's joy of helping others has always been evident. Once retiring from her nursing career, Cindi still wanted a way to make a difference in the lives of others while being able to showcase her love for art and decorating.

After much research, Cindi discovered the home-staging franchise, Showhomes. Founded in 1986, the Showhomes franchise system has helped realtors and homeowners sell more than 25,000 residential properties worth more than $8.5 billion, by transforming high-end vacant houses into fully-furnished, inviting valued Showhomes homes.

"What really sold me is when I went to Nashville to visit with the corporate team eight years ago," Stringer said in a news release. "They shared very similar values that I was looking for in a business, had great integrity and showed that they support the franchisees."

Stringer's Showhomes franchise in Western Carolina University has been in business for eight years and covers communities such as Hendersonville, Asheville, Waynesville and Black Mountain. Despite being in one of the smaller markets in the Showhomes franchise system, Stringer has seen tremendous success in the area.

"I think what helps us is that we operate in these small communities and it allows word of mouth to spread much quicker," Stringer said. "After all, we are in the relationship business and thrive off creating successful relationships."

Stringer won Showhomes' Franchise of the Year Award in 2017 which is the top honor a franchisee can receive reflecting their consistent business and overall operations excellence in the region they service. In addition, Cindi has also won the circle of excellence award eight years in-a-row highlighting her superior customer service and customer's satisfaction.

"Awards like these are always an honor to receive," Stringer said. "I know how dedicated and driven all the franchisees are at Showhomes and I am lucky to call them colleagues and friends. At the end of the day, this award reflects how great the Western Carolina community is and I am so grateful to be part of this community."

Moving into the fall home staging season, Stringer noted many trends that she has observed from season to season but says the fall is her favorite season with warm colors and tones displayed throughout homes.

"Grey has been the color of the decade but we see that moving towards beige," Stringer said. "Warmer tones are key and less is always better for staging. By having less scattered throughout the home, it gives space for the owner to see their house and what they envision it becoming."

Along with mixing metals such as silver and gold, creating more spa-like master bathrooms is also becoming more popular as consumers are becoming intrigued with minimalist style.

"There are seven seconds from the moment the buyer walks in the house to when the buyer falls in love with the house," Stringer said. "You have to speak to the buyer's emotions because being in the real estate industry is an emotional process for buyers and sellers."

Looking ahead, Stringer is on the way to capping off a strong 2018 and is ready for all of 2019's challenges. "We have proved ourselves one house at a time and our customers have been thrilled with the work we have done," she said.