I have been socializing up a storm lately... blogging here, tweeting there, facing here, linking there. It can be never ending and so addicting. It has been easy to sit in front of the computer and socialize away. I tend to eat and drink more too. Humm, this is not good, not good at all.

Since I have had more time at home recently, I have had to restrict myself from my social internet party. No more eating, drinking and relying on Internet socializing for my marketing. Oh now don't get me wrong... AR will always be my addiction, but I will be toning it down with all my other vices. I will not be the Biggest Loser in Real Estate!

So in order to loose 10 pounds;

I am going back to pounding the pavement.

I am going back to visiting Open Houses,

I am going back to passing out 10 cards a day,

I am going to "limit" my social/marketing network intake,

I will smile, chat, and enquire.... like I did when I first started and Active Rain was just a small community of 11,000 and "everybody knew your name".  

Yup, I am starting over.

Whew, glad that I got that out, I feel so much better, part of some kind of real estate therapy I guess. ;) 

My inspiration for this Blog has come from 2 Active Rain sources or should I say "Trainer Sources:

A blog by Joe Manausa   ACTIVE RAIN MEMBERS EPITIMIZE SUCCESS

and another by Lenn Harley  "DON'T REST ON YOUR LAURELS". Or, past success doesn't guarantee future success.

Both of these Blogs really got me thinking...two different view points but powerful information that we can all learn from.  We can be thankful for all that the Internet has allowed us to do, but we can't forget our bottom line to get out, meet people and promote our services.

So folks, I am starting this "diet" tomorrow, because I have something to say tonight on the net, and also have a small glass of wine to inspire my writing.

But you may want to ponder this thought: If Internet socializing were to suddenly go away... would you survive?

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 Lori Kim Polk is the Founder and Lead Designer of Artful Journey Designs and Staging, a full service Home Staging and Design Corporation and nationally recognized leader within the home staging industry combined with Ryan Dressel from Stage Right Design located in Roseville, California. With 6 years of success, they have been recently featured in Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News and Review, KFBK radio and SMUD's Home of the Future. Proudly serving Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, Sacramento, and surrounding areas.

We are presently the #1 Staging Company in the Sacramento area. Our stats say it all.....current DOM with our staging is 16 days.  Call us today at 916-300-0402 or 916-517-5710 for our premier services. "The art of selling your home!"

View our listings HERE.   View our portfolio HERE.

We have real estate packages just waiting for YOU!

The first annual 5K Fun Run Doggie Walk was held today starting at Baker's Nursery on Taylor Road. This run will benefit a local animal sanctuary "A Chance For Bliss" who's owners are desperately trying to save their animal ranch. This wonderful sanctuary is in foreclosure and many area supporters have tooted their horn to promote funding for this exceptional animal ranch that gives these creatures a forever home to live out their life. Local Veterinarians, volunteers, and area businesses have donated their services to this very unique ranch that offers dignity, and love in the final years of life.

A great turnout, a great effort, and a great cause. We all felt blessed to be a part of it.

A Chance for Bliss still needs donations to make their goal to save the ranch. They are almost there, can you help?

Check out the start of the race here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2X24SQJFL0

Meet their residents HERE.  See the history of their mission and animals HERE. 

A Chance for Bliss Animal Sanctuary 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Public Charity Promoting the Truth of the Inherent Worth of All Beings www.achanceforbliss.com  

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  Lori Kim Polk is the Founder and Lead Designer of Artful Journey Designs and Staging, a full service Home Staging and Design Corporation combined with Ryan Dressel from Stage Right Design located in Roseville, California. With 6 years of success, they have been recently featured in Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News and Review, KFBK radio and SMUD's Home of the Future. Proudly serving Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, Sacramento, and surrounding areas.

We actively volunteer and donate to those in need... Do you?

It can happen and it did in this market! We staged a beautiful Granite Bay home last month that went pending within days of the staging. We were pleased to hear that it received multiple offers and when it came down to the final price... it went for $80,000 over the listing price. WOW! How cool is that? Here is the RES for this beautiful home! __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Lori Kim Polk is the Founder and Lead Designer of Artful Journey Designs and Staging, a full service Home Staging and Design Corporation and a nationally recognized leader within the home staging industry combined with Ryan Dressel from Stage Right Design located in Roseville, California. With 6 years of success, they have been recently featured in Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News and Review, KFBK radio and SMUD's Home of the Future. Proudly serving Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, Sacramento, and surrounding areas. We are presently the #1 Staging Company in the Sacramento area. Our stats say it all.....current DOM with our staging is 18 days. Call us today at 916-300-0402 or 916-517-5710 for our premier services. "The art of selling your home!"  We have real estate packages just waiting for YOU!

I recently did a blog here on AR for a local non profit animal sanctuary called "A Chance for Bliss". This wonderful sanctuary is in foreclosure and many area supporters have tooted their horn to promote funding for this exceptional animal ranch that gives these creatures a forever home to live out their life. Local Veterinarians, volunteers, and area businesses have donated their services to this very unique ranch that offers dignity, and love in the final years of life.

We have been noted in their newsletter as "Active Rain (the largest real estate network) friends to help the sanctuary."  Lets' show them the true spirit of giving!

Animals do not understand foreclosure. Even if half of the 163,000 of us here on AR just contribute to a worthy non profit, can you just imagine what that could do to help?

This started as a local mission for me, but now it has became more with the help of my active rain friends and my entire school that is contributing books to this cause. If you can help, please go HERE. Every dollar counts and is so appreciated.

This is more than just a possible foreclosure... it affects creatures that have finally found a place of refuge... away from pain, and neglect, one that allows them to live their life in peace and love.

For those of you who live local, there is also a garage and yard sale benefit in Rocklin this weekend. Tell all your friends. Stop by say "hi" and know that every dollar spent will go this worthy animal sanctuary  A Chance for Bliss.

Please contact us with any questions at the email address listed below. Come to our garage & yard sale to benefit A Chance for Bliss ! We've got LOT of great items for sale, so come early for the best selection. We'll also have yummy baked goods and hot drinks available.   We hope to meet many of you wonderful supporters at this "fun-raiser" ~ Lydia, Christina, Suzi, Doris and Kathryn Saturday, November 28th 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (please, NO earlybirds)   6722 Magnolia Way (off Lone Tree Way & Grand Canyon Dr.) Rocklin RIGHT OFF HWY 65/BLUE OAKS EAST EXIT       Questions? email: lydia@achanceforbliss.com

Savvy Investors in today's market are calling on the services of Sacramento's Premier Staging Companies:  Artful  Journey and Stage Right Design 

 The Roseville, Rocklin, and Granite Bay areas, are booming with foreclosures and investment properties.  There are great buys in these areas and with the help of professional home staging services, these properties are selling in record time.

 This Granite Bay home, was a recent foreclosure. It was completely remodeled and upgraded. Before it was listed for sale, these smart investors called upon the services of Artful Journey and Stage Right Design.  They purchased one of our "Investor Packages". It was staged in one day, received multiple offers 2 days later and is SOLD within 1 week!  This Investor knew that the home needed to be shown in its best light with warmth and personality. They were on a tight budget and they wanted to get a good return on their investment... and they sure did.

Not only were the investors happy, the REA who sold it was happy, and the neighbors were thrilled to see the upgrades and sale of this beautiful home in their neighborhood! Here are some Before and Afters.

Check out "what we can do for our investors" in a previous BLOG.

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  Lori Kim Polk is the Founder and Lead Designer of Artful Journey Designs and Staging, a full service Home Staging and Design Corporation combined with Ryan Dressel from Stage Right Design located in Roseville, California. With 6 years of success, they have been recently featured in Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News and Review, KFBK radio and SMUD's Home of the Future. Proudly serving Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, Sacramento, and surrounding areas.

We are presently the #1 Staging Company in the Sacramento area. Our stats say it all.....current DOM with our staging is 18 days.  Call us today at 916-300-0402 or 916-517-5710 for our premier services. "The art of selling your home!"

View our listings HERE.

View our portfolio HERE.

We have real estate packages just waiting for YOU!

Most of you know that I have 2 jobs... my 5^th grade class and my staging and design work.  I have done this now for over 5 years and have built a very successful staging business besides my 9 to 4 teaching commitments.  To me, these are 2 full time jobs.

How do I do it?  I get my initiative, my drive, and my focus the hearts of the kids. I truly owe it all to them for helping me to continue my focus.  They inspire me to do my best, to be the best at what I need to be, and to accept "hurdles" with dignity and to push on through hard times.

So from the hearts and souls of my "wild and crazy" fifth grade class...

They say.....

"Always be honest and do what is right."

"Work as hard as you can to get the best grade."

"Ask for help when you need it."

"Don't lie, cheat or deceive others."

"Don't be afraid to try something new."

"You always want to do your best even when you don't want to."

"Listen to your teacher." (No, I didn't sway someone to say this.)

"Don't copy from someone else."

"Do your own work."

"Be honest and do not lie."

"You have to do your best so that you get a good education."

"When you do your best, you will feel good about yourself."

"I want to help others because I care about them."

"My second grade buddy needs my help so much. I wish I could take him home and play on my computer with him because he doesn't have one."

 To me, these kids are ahead of their time. For you, they hopefully have given you a fresh perspective and another view towards your business and your focus.

 Best to all of you pursuing your Real Estate efforts from my wonderful, insightful class.

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  Lori Kim Polk is the Founder and Lead Designer of Artful Journey Designs and Staging, a full service Home Staging and Design Corporation combined with Ryan Dressel from Stage Right Design located in Roseville, California. With 6 years of success, they have been recently featured in Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News and Review, KFBK radio and SMUD's Home of the Future. Proudly serving Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, Sacramento, and surrounding areas.

We are presently the #1 Staging Company in the Sacramento area. Our stats say it all.....current DOM with our staging is 18 days.  Call us today at 916-300-0402 or 916-517-5710 for our premier services. "The art of selling your home!"

View our listings HERE.

View our portfolio HERE.

We have real estate packages just waiting for YOU!