azhousephotos – Need real estate photos?
November 28, 2007
Filed under Uncategorized
Tags: azhousephotos, calie waterhouse, real estate photography
Every once in a while, you stumble upon something that is more than just a waning interest. My talents lie in the creative realms. Having studied interior design and creating a very successful home staging business, I have come to realize that it’s not necessarily what “is” that is “actual”. Along the lines of there’s always more than what meets the eye. Understand?
During my staging journey, I continually challenged myself to believe in what was to come. Admittedly, most of the time, I do not know what to expect; but my intuition assured me of the goodness of human kind and the hope of tomorrow.
Now – I have the camera as my guide and admit that photography has morphed from hobby to passion. I’m out in the community every day capturing photos of local flavors of architecture that catch my eye.
Need real estate photography? If you would like a pictorial history of a new build or quality photos for an MLS listing or for property fliers, please email me at info at 2helpagents.com or visit me at azhousephotos
As a novice, you will find that the price for my service is very reasonable and I guarantee your satisfaction.
When I become an expert, I’ll raise my price. For now, I’m enjoying the experience.
Enjoy today & believe in tomorrow. I do.
Accentuate The Positive
When staging a home for sale, it’s our main goal to accentuate the positive – architecture, paint, space, style of the home, etc. While on a recent out-of-state model home tour, I noticed a few things:
Themed homes need to be appropriate to the area. If you live in a desert, a nautical theme may not be appealing to all perspective buyers. (Perhaps one room, but not every room. There is a difference).
Air fresheners and potpourri can be overdone. Even though they may be in the scents of the season, they do not appeal to every nose. It’s important to be respectful and mindful of those with allergies. Less is more.
Four set dining tables in one house, is TOO many!
No ifs, ands or excuses – it’s just TOO many! Typically, a formal dining room table are very nice piece of furniture. Consider a single centerpiece in place of full place settings. (I know it’s not as much fun, but it’s all about the house, right?)
Maracay Homes – Staging a Home Spotlights Its Best Features
November 15, 2007
Filed under Reasons To Stage
Tags: benefits of staging, calie waterhouse, decorated to sell, home staging, Maracay Homes
If you’re reading Maracay Homes October e-newsletter – you’re sure to come across this wonderful little article that highlights the benefits of staging (and Calie Waterhouse of Decorated To Sell) . If you’re still “on the fence” when it comes to staging your home, then consider this:
“Many people are under the misconception that staging is a pricey option for rich homeowners. Not true. Staging is about creativity, not the money. Selling a home “as is” without staging can actually cost sellers time and money. “
I find it quite empowering that a major home builder – like Maracay Homes recognizes the importance and benefits of home staging!
With over 5,000 homes here in Arizona, I can’t help but wonder if Maracay Homes is offering home staging as an added service to help buyers of their homes sell their current ones?
Autumn Smells that Sell
Now that summer is over, it’s time to put away the ocean breezes and the tropical delights. Fall is a time of home made cookies and burning logs. Much different than the days of summer are the crisp nights of fall.
To accent the cooling temperatures, invite autumn into your property by simmering cider on the stove top or add a cinnamon stick or two to your dining table arrangements.
Voted the most pleasing scent, vanilla is always a winner. Whether it’s a vanilla candle or an air freshener, this particular scent is a winner.
Interested in other pleasing scents for the season:
- Cinnamon or Orange Vanilla
- Cinnamon
- Sugar Cookie
- Green Apple
Unexpected Media Coverage? When Not To Worry
October 22, 2007
Filed under Reasons To Stage
Tags: athomeinscottsdale, Dru Bloomfield, home staging, media coverage, scottsdale real estate
Dru Bloomfield of John Hall & Associates received a call Sunday morning. It was NBC Channel 5 calling. The reporter, Omadelle Nelson, called Dru after finding one of her listings on YouTube. Can you believe it? Wanting to bring a camera crew out to the house within hours to discuss Dru’s incredible forward-thinking marketing that she provides to each of her clients.
What an excellent opportunity for both Dru and the home sellers. Talk about exposure for selling the property. But … was the house in tip-top shape for such coverage? The media doesn’t knock every day .. but when it does – would your property or listing be ready?
Here are some tips, so you too, can be ready:
- Have the house professionally staged by an experienced stager.
- To the best of your abilities, keep the house in staged fashion.
- If the property starts to look less than perfect, call upon the stager for some updating. (This may mean an additional charge, but it’s better than being caught off guard!)
- 10 minutes each morning prepping the house before you walk out the door.
- 10 minutes each night putting things away before calling it a day.
- Laundry needs to be put away – either out of sight or folded and put away.
- The kitchen sink needs to be empty and sparkling.
- Have plenty of property fliers available.
- Keep evidence of animals to a minimum.
- MOST IMPORTANT: The room or area that is first seen when the door is opened is THE most important room (or combination of rooms) in the house. This is the area that requires most of your attention and will provide your potential buyer with that required positive first impression. No toys, no papers, no clutter, no mess. Vacuum daily and keep the blinds opened.
Congratulations, Dru on a job well done. You have, obviously, served your clients well 
Tips to Winterize Your Home While Selling
October 15, 2007
Filed under Reasons To Stage
Tags: calie waterhouse, for sale, home staging, winterize home
Now that the temperatures are slightly lower than they were last month, it’s time to start making some changes in the way your house is staged for sale. Here is a list of things you can do with little effort and no out-of-pocket expenses:
- Remove the sunscreens. If available, replace them with your “regular” screens.
- Display candles with the scent of the season – pumpkin, cookies, vanilla, cinnamon.
- Before an open house, simmer apple cider on the stove. The smell is considered very comforting and will help the potential buyer connect with your property.
- Put your comforter or bedspread back on your bed with all the extra pillows that you’ve been storing. (Don’t forget to continue to make your bed each day)
- Store pool toys out-of-site
- Make sure your pool furniture and barbecue are maintained during the next few months. Clean is key!
Another suggestion?
- Reseed your lawn and fertilize. This will help keep it green & add to your curb appeal.
- Replace the light & bright colors of summer with the warmer colors of fall and winter. Consider the bathroom towels – replace the white or blue with burgundy or gold.
- Is it time to have your carpets cleaned? At the very minimum, call your local vendor and have your main traffic areas (including stairs) cleaned.
- Company coming too? Go ahead and refresh the guest rooms now to reduce the stress of having to do it later.
Building Relationships is Key To Selling Homes
October 10, 2007
Filed under Uncategorized
Tags: john burns real estate consulting, selling homes
Every now and then I’ll read something in my inbox that jumps seems to jump out at me. You know – those moments when your brain all of a sudden turns on and something just makes sense. Well – I had one of those moments and I just had to share with you. Don’t worry – I wrote to the author and asked permission (Thank you Holly!) I am sure you will glean as much from this article as I did – if not – reread it and wait for it to hit you! Even if you’re not a REALTOR or agent, Building Relationships Is Key to success in every industry, right?
About John Burns: John Burns Real Estate Consulting, Inc. is dedicated to helping executives make informed home building industry decisions. Are you looking for the next great idea, or for a way to monitor changes in market conditions? Contact John Burns Real Estate Consulting via e-mail or call 949-262-3228 (California).
3 Reasons To Stage Your Home
October 7, 2007
Filed under Reasons To Stage
Tags: benefits of staging, home staging, real estate
STAGING your REAL ESTATE: Why Your Home
I sometimes receive as many as a dozen calls a day from inquiring minds wanting to know more about home staging. While today’s home sellers do understand what home staging is, I find that most sellers just need a little more clarification of what they’re really going to get out of staging their home. Here are 3 Great Reasons to Stage you Arizona home:
1) Competition. With approximately 50,000 homes currently listed on the MLS statewide, what are you chances of being seen by more than a handful of potential buyers if your home doesn’t have GREAT looking photos both in print and on the internet?
2) Get The Edge. Utilize your time wisely prior to actively marketing your house and/or putting it on the MLS, by taking care of the things that could of/should of/would of been done in days gone by.
3) Be Competitive. Instead of being concerned about how well the neighboring competition compares to your property – turn the tables and make them envious of your prime piece of real estate. Would you rather go through 100 marketing fliers or never have a showing? Even if all of the neighbors are taking the fliers – that’s 100x the exposure of advertising your property. Why not just hold a “Neighborhood Open House” and invite everyone to an exclusive showing? Don’t be afraid of what they have to say – invite them!
The Absolute Best Thought For The Day
“The entrepreneur is our visionary, the creator in each of us. We’re born with that quality and it defines our lives as we respond to what we see, hear, feel, and experience. It is developed, nurtured, and given space to flourish or is squelched, thwarted, without air or stimulation, and dies.”
– Michael Gerber
