Great article on Showhomes that appeared in the Tampa Tribune this past weekend. Showhomes opened two new locations recently in the Tampa area:
By Shannon Behnken, Tampa Tribune, Fla.
Jan. 25
TAMPA -- Some of Tampa's finest houses need more than impeccable maintenance or discounting to sell in this economic environment.
They may need you.
That is, if you're compulsively neat, have a home's worth of upscale furniture and don't mind moving every few months.
Though most people are familiar with staging a house using fine furnishings and decorations, a new Tampa business thinks the abundance of vacant homes on the market needs a human touch.
"There's a huge difference in the energy in a home that's staged not with just furnishings but with people," said Linda Saavedra, who's opening the Tampa franchise of Nashville-based Showhomes. "It brings a warmth to the home and helps buyers make an emotional connection to the home."
Showhomes is looking for what it calls "home managers" to move into some of Tampa's houses until they sell.
The positions don't pay a salary but offer the opportunity to live the high life for a fraction of what it would normally cost to rent the home. Home managers are responsible for maintaining the lawn, paying the utilities and keeping the home in "show-ready" condition at all times.
When the house sells, the home manager can opt to be moved to another vacant house. Some of the homes could be worth as much as $5 million or as little as $250,000. The monthly fee to live there could range from one-half to one-third of the market rental rate for the neighborhood.
"It's a great situation for everyone involved," Saavedra said. "It offers a lot of benefits for the homeowner and the home manager."
Moving people into the homes, Saavedra said, offers an option for many homeowners who can't afford traditional staging or have left town and can't maintain the home.
The Bay area has a backlog of more than 30,000 homes for sale, so Saavedra hopes the concept will take off. Real estate agents, hungry for anything to help their clients' homes stand out among the competition, are eager to learn more.
In the Bay area, 53,630 properties received a foreclosure filing in 2008, according to California-based RealtyTrac. Thousands of those homes are empty. Vacant homes are harder to sell, real estate agents say, because buyers can't see themselves living in the home and tend to make low offers.
Homes that are occupied and staged get 10 percent to 20 percent higher prices and sell 60 to 90 days faster than vacant homes, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Saavedra opened her business in December and is holding her grand opening this month. For those uncomfortable with a home manager moving in, Saavedra will offer traditional staging.
She hasn't staged a local home yet, but said she has a growing list of interested home managers and hopes to start placing them by the end of the month.
She said she hopes the good deals will persuade more people to try being a home manager. For example, a South Tampa home she looked at recently is listed for $670,000. The monthly fee for a home manager would be $1,000.
Most Showhomes franchises work only with higher-end homes, usually ones that start around $500,000, but Saavedra said she will consider homes in the $250,000 range because there are so many vacant in that range in the Bay area.
Even with the potential benefits of home staging, it can still be a tough sell.
Home managers can be single or bring the family, but they can't smoke or have pets. And their furniture has to pass muster. If they don't have enough furniture, they can rent it from Showhomes. The company also does criminal and credit checks on home manager applicants.
The average time a home manager stays in a home is about five months, although some have had to move in as little as 60 days. Others have stayed for about a year.
Homeowners pay a set-up fee of about $1,500 to $3,500, depending on the square footage, to place a home manager into the house. (The company is waiving the fee in January for the grand opening.) Homeowners don't collect rent, though. The monthly fee home managers pay goes to Showhomes. When the home sells, Showhomes gets 1 percent or less of the list price of the home.
Showhomes has a nice concept, said Chris Lafakis, an economist with Moody's Economy.com, but nothing is a sure thing in these economic times. Staging a home with people and decent furniture may generate more buyer interest, he said, but nothing will sell the home faster than lowering the price.
"When it comes down to it, the consumer's choice is about whether they can afford the home," he said.
The nationwide company doesn't seem to have much trouble getting customers, though.
Showhomes started in 1986 and doubled in size last year as the real estate market persuaded more homeowners to give the service a try. The company has 44 franchises nationwide, said Thomas Scott, vice president of operations.
As untraditional as the arrangement may be, some home managers say the lifestyle fits them perfectly.
Paul Huber has been living in a Minnesota Showhome for three months. With a pending divorce, Huber needed to find temporary housing but didn't want to trade in his 6,000-square-foot home for a tiny apartment. He called his local Showhomes franchise and was immediately placed into a 3,000-square-foot home in a gated community on a golf course.
Huber rents the home furnished.
"All I needed to bring was sheets, towels dishes and silverware," he said. "The place looks like it came out of Better Homes and Gardens. It's great."
The home is on the market for more than $800,000, and Huber pays $2,500 a month, plus utilities.
But there is a downside: He never knows when he will get the call to pack up and leave. Huber said the home he's managing has had 10 showings.
"Most home managers start thinking, 'Gee, I hope it doesn't sell.'" he said.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
About Their Partnership
Tanya and Natasha were introduced in May of 2008 and became fast friends. They discovered that they had many things in common. Both relocated from the D.C./Baltimore area. Both have an entrepreneurial spirit. And both of them love to shop for home furnishings and accessories.
"What's my favorite thing about Tanya? The thing I noticed instantly was her willingness to cooperate and share resources and ideas. She was clearly very ambitious, but also very helpful and supportive and sincere. I knew immediately that we would be able to form a profitable partnership and I am happy to say that we have become good friends as well." - Natasha Little
“Natasha is very outspoken and she’s a go-getter. Once I realized that we share the same vision and are each willing to do put in as much work as it takes accomplish our goals, even when it means long days and sleepless nights, I knew that we could form a successful partnership. Our styles are very complimentary, so working together is easy. It just flows. We both have a passion for all things real estate and helping others. We share a mutual respect for each other’s businesses and support one another completely. It’s the best of both worlds.” - Tanya Venable
Tanya and Natasha remain independent owners of their respective companies, Fresh Eye Designs, LLC and Showhomes Greenville, but continue to collaborate to provide a full-range of design services and marketing support to local Realtors and homeowners.
Contact Natasha at 864.423.4936
Contact Tanya at 864.351.8305
"What's my favorite thing about Tanya? The thing I noticed instantly was her willingness to cooperate and share resources and ideas. She was clearly very ambitious, but also very helpful and supportive and sincere. I knew immediately that we would be able to form a profitable partnership and I am happy to say that we have become good friends as well." - Natasha Little
“Natasha is very outspoken and she’s a go-getter. Once I realized that we share the same vision and are each willing to do put in as much work as it takes accomplish our goals, even when it means long days and sleepless nights, I knew that we could form a successful partnership. Our styles are very complimentary, so working together is easy. It just flows. We both have a passion for all things real estate and helping others. We share a mutual respect for each other’s businesses and support one another completely. It’s the best of both worlds.” - Tanya Venable
Tanya and Natasha remain independent owners of their respective companies, Fresh Eye Designs, LLC and Showhomes Greenville, but continue to collaborate to provide a full-range of design services and marketing support to local Realtors and homeowners.
Contact Natasha at 864.423.4936
Contact Tanya at 864.351.8305
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Can-Do House
The Home Builders Association of Greater Spartanburg, in partnership with Ingles, YouthBuild Spartanburg, Stock Building Supply, MY 102.5, and WSSL 100, announces the construction of the “Can Do House” at the upcoming 7th Annual Home and Garden Show at WestGate Mall.
This “house” constructed out of cans will benefit two local worthy charities: Miracle Hill Food Bank and the Second Presbyterian Church Soup Kitchen. To encourage donations, any person who brings 5 or more canned good items to the Home and Garden Show will be eligible to enter a drawing for a $500 gasoline gift card!
“Can Do House” Chairman Dale Burnett says, “The HBA of Greater Spartanburg is pleased to have the opportunity to give back to the community by supporting such worthwhile charities. We are keenly aware of the impact these two charities have in our community, and we hope our involvement will increase both awareness and contributions.”
The framing of the house – constructed by YouthBuild students using donated materials – has already begun, and it will be transported to WestGate Mall Thursday morning, February 5th. Each day, the donated cans will be added to the structure. Visitors to the Show can watch the house grow, and they are encouraged to return Sunday to see the final product!
“We are elated at this unique partnership. Ingles has been exceedingly generous in their contribution of canned foods and the offer to match Laura Lynn brand donations collected at the ‘Can Do House’ while YouthBuild Spartanburg undertook the construction and painting of the frame of the House. To see all of these entities working together to benefit the hungry in Spartanburg County is such a blessing,” said Jennifer Bradey, Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Spartanburg.
The Upstate’s only FREE Home and Garden Show will be held February 5 – 8, 2009 at WestGate Malls. Show hours are 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information on the Show, please visit www.hbaspartanburg.com.
Showhomes will have a booth at the show, please come and see us!
This “house” constructed out of cans will benefit two local worthy charities: Miracle Hill Food Bank and the Second Presbyterian Church Soup Kitchen. To encourage donations, any person who brings 5 or more canned good items to the Home and Garden Show will be eligible to enter a drawing for a $500 gasoline gift card!
“Can Do House” Chairman Dale Burnett says, “The HBA of Greater Spartanburg is pleased to have the opportunity to give back to the community by supporting such worthwhile charities. We are keenly aware of the impact these two charities have in our community, and we hope our involvement will increase both awareness and contributions.”
The framing of the house – constructed by YouthBuild students using donated materials – has already begun, and it will be transported to WestGate Mall Thursday morning, February 5th. Each day, the donated cans will be added to the structure. Visitors to the Show can watch the house grow, and they are encouraged to return Sunday to see the final product!
“We are elated at this unique partnership. Ingles has been exceedingly generous in their contribution of canned foods and the offer to match Laura Lynn brand donations collected at the ‘Can Do House’ while YouthBuild Spartanburg undertook the construction and painting of the frame of the House. To see all of these entities working together to benefit the hungry in Spartanburg County is such a blessing,” said Jennifer Bradey, Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Spartanburg.
The Upstate’s only FREE Home and Garden Show will be held February 5 – 8, 2009 at WestGate Malls. Show hours are 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information on the Show, please visit www.hbaspartanburg.com.
Showhomes will have a booth at the show, please come and see us!
Monday, January 19, 2009
About Tanya
Tanya was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. At a young age she developed a love for real estate and interior design. Early on Tanya worked in construction, learning the ins and outs of demolition, put-back, and basic carpentry skills. All her life she's used her natural talent for creating functional spaces to help family and friends transform their homes.
In 2005, Tanya was relocated to Greenville for a temporary work assignment. However, once here, she fell in love with the beauty of the Upstate and decided to make Greenville her home. Tanya soon realized that there was a need and became one of the first pioneers to bring Home Staging services to Upstate, SC.
For the last three years, Tanya has been educating realtors and home sellers on the benefits of Home Staging. She has helped numerous Upstate families get their homes sold. She has a passion for what she does and loves to help people.
Tanya has successfully trained as a real estate agent and Home Staging Professional. She continually strives to perfect her craft by keeping abreast on current issues in the staging and real estate industries and takes on-going training courses.
Tanya is a proud to be a local SC business owner, who loves giving back to her community. Tanya believes in providing all of her clients with the highest level of service possible. Her mission is to help her clients achieve their goals.
In 2005, Tanya was relocated to Greenville for a temporary work assignment. However, once here, she fell in love with the beauty of the Upstate and decided to make Greenville her home. Tanya soon realized that there was a need and became one of the first pioneers to bring Home Staging services to Upstate, SC.
For the last three years, Tanya has been educating realtors and home sellers on the benefits of Home Staging. She has helped numerous Upstate families get their homes sold. She has a passion for what she does and loves to help people.
Tanya has successfully trained as a real estate agent and Home Staging Professional. She continually strives to perfect her craft by keeping abreast on current issues in the staging and real estate industries and takes on-going training courses.
Tanya is a proud to be a local SC business owner, who loves giving back to her community. Tanya believes in providing all of her clients with the highest level of service possible. Her mission is to help her clients achieve their goals.
Monday, January 12, 2009
About Natasha
Natasha Little was born in Washington, D.C. and moved to South Boston, Virginia when her father retired from the Treasury Department. Having lived in our nation’s capital and a rural small town gave her an appreciation for both lifestyles.
She loves being able to go the theater and museums as much as she loves walking down tree-lined main streets bordered by little shops and that’s why she decided to make Greenville her home.
Here’s a little more about Natasha in her own words:
I came to Greenville in 1998 when I was just out of school. I was house-sitting for a friend of mine who was out of the country. Her parents needed someone to care for their home when they were relocated to Ireland because of a job assignment. It was supposed to be a one-year gig, but to my surprise, I fell in love. (With Greenville, that is!)
I’ve always enjoyed touring houses and rearranging living spaces and I was fascinated with all kinds of design from a young age. When I was in seventh grade, I started sketching plans to remodel my family home. I still have the drawings. I clipped articles from magazines, compiled samples from furniture catalogues and saved swatches from fabric stores. I designed and redesigned my own house and bedroom (on paper) dozens of times…. but I could never quite convince my parents to bankroll my projects.
Note to self: beef up sales and marketing skills. (Which I did, incidentally.)
I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to be an architect or an interior designer or real estate agent. I eventually went to school to learn more about graphic and web design.
I held several sales and marketing jobs (assistant to an insurance agent, appointment setter, promotional advertising rep) while I was in college.
I also worked as a substitute teacher for 5 years while I honed my design skills and worked on my business plan. During my summers off, I took different temporary assignments with small businesses and large corporations alike; it was a great way to educate myself about Greenville business ownership and real estate.
I eventually left the Greenville school district for a private industry job. As I approached the age of thirty, it seemed the prudent and responsible thing to do. I knew I wanted to work for myself when I was still in high school, but after I entered the working world it was hard to leave the security of a steady job with a regular paycheck. I wanted to start my own company, but I was apprehensive.
In February of 2007 I got the nudge that I needed when I was laid-off. Since I no longer had the regular job and the steady paycheck I decided there would never be a better time to strike out on my own. I’d been designing independently for over ten years and learning about the local real estate market – why shouldn’t I make it my livelihood? So I formed my LLC (A Little Luxury) and didn’t look back.
As much as I love home staging (HGTV junkie for sure), I looked around and noticed that the vast majority of staging companies were small and struggling. There had to be a better way. During my diligent Internet research, I discovered Showhomes – America’s Largest Home Staging Company!
Showhomes is different. I believe we provide a superior service at a more reasonable price than all of our competition. That’s precisely why I bought into the franchise a little over a year ago, even though I had established my own successful enterprise.
Showhomes consistently beat market conditions, while Showhomes offices charge Realtors nothing for their services and homeowners get a fully staged home for only a fraction of the cost of traditional staging. For more info, visit www.showhomes.com. Or call 864.423.4936
I love being a home stager. I get to help people sell their homes and shop for a living – what could be more fun? I’ve been able to bring together my different skill sets: my love of marketing, my passion for design, my love of real estate, and my desire to help people. Some days I wake up and think: this is so much fun! I can’t believe I get paid to do this!
She loves being able to go the theater and museums as much as she loves walking down tree-lined main streets bordered by little shops and that’s why she decided to make Greenville her home.
Here’s a little more about Natasha in her own words:
I came to Greenville in 1998 when I was just out of school. I was house-sitting for a friend of mine who was out of the country. Her parents needed someone to care for their home when they were relocated to Ireland because of a job assignment. It was supposed to be a one-year gig, but to my surprise, I fell in love. (With Greenville, that is!)
I’ve always enjoyed touring houses and rearranging living spaces and I was fascinated with all kinds of design from a young age. When I was in seventh grade, I started sketching plans to remodel my family home. I still have the drawings. I clipped articles from magazines, compiled samples from furniture catalogues and saved swatches from fabric stores. I designed and redesigned my own house and bedroom (on paper) dozens of times…. but I could never quite convince my parents to bankroll my projects.
Note to self: beef up sales and marketing skills. (Which I did, incidentally.)
I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to be an architect or an interior designer or real estate agent. I eventually went to school to learn more about graphic and web design.
I held several sales and marketing jobs (assistant to an insurance agent, appointment setter, promotional advertising rep) while I was in college.
I also worked as a substitute teacher for 5 years while I honed my design skills and worked on my business plan. During my summers off, I took different temporary assignments with small businesses and large corporations alike; it was a great way to educate myself about Greenville business ownership and real estate.
I eventually left the Greenville school district for a private industry job. As I approached the age of thirty, it seemed the prudent and responsible thing to do. I knew I wanted to work for myself when I was still in high school, but after I entered the working world it was hard to leave the security of a steady job with a regular paycheck. I wanted to start my own company, but I was apprehensive.
In February of 2007 I got the nudge that I needed when I was laid-off. Since I no longer had the regular job and the steady paycheck I decided there would never be a better time to strike out on my own. I’d been designing independently for over ten years and learning about the local real estate market – why shouldn’t I make it my livelihood? So I formed my LLC (A Little Luxury) and didn’t look back.
As much as I love home staging (HGTV junkie for sure), I looked around and noticed that the vast majority of staging companies were small and struggling. There had to be a better way. During my diligent Internet research, I discovered Showhomes – America’s Largest Home Staging Company!
Showhomes is different. I believe we provide a superior service at a more reasonable price than all of our competition. That’s precisely why I bought into the franchise a little over a year ago, even though I had established my own successful enterprise.
Showhomes consistently beat market conditions, while Showhomes offices charge Realtors nothing for their services and homeowners get a fully staged home for only a fraction of the cost of traditional staging. For more info, visit www.showhomes.com. Or call 864.423.4936
I love being a home stager. I get to help people sell their homes and shop for a living – what could be more fun? I’ve been able to bring together my different skill sets: my love of marketing, my passion for design, my love of real estate, and my desire to help people. Some days I wake up and think: this is so much fun! I can’t believe I get paid to do this!
Monday, January 5, 2009
New Year. New Partner.
Showhomes Greenville is now affilliated with Fresh Eye Designs, LLC.
Fresh Eye Designs, LLC is proud to announce the launch of our brand new website! We’re Greenville’s upscale home staging and restyles company and we’re inviting you to come take a look at our portfolio. In addition to the services we provide for high-end vacant homes, we also provide consultations for occupied homes in every price range. We’ve had several recent successes even in this challenging market. Come see what we can do for you and your listings. Fresh Eye Designs, LLC – Where Staged Equals Sold!
Fresh Eye Designs, LLC is owned by Tanya Venable.
Fresh Eye Designs, LLC is proud to announce the launch of our brand new website! We’re Greenville’s upscale home staging and restyles company and we’re inviting you to come take a look at our portfolio. In addition to the services we provide for high-end vacant homes, we also provide consultations for occupied homes in every price range. We’ve had several recent successes even in this challenging market. Come see what we can do for you and your listings. Fresh Eye Designs, LLC – Where Staged Equals Sold!
Fresh Eye Designs, LLC is owned by Tanya Venable.
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