Staging Real Estate, who us?

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Here again, GMA (Good Morning America) is talking about real estate. This time the sky wasn’t falling. They were out to tell the world our trade secrets. What it comes down to is that the we secretly stage the properties to make them sell! Of course we do, part our job is to make ETHICAL suggestions to make your property as attractive to buyers as possible. You see there are real estate agents that don’t subscribe to a strict of code of ethics as REALTORS® and may not be ethically in their suggestions to the home owners. By Maryland law, if there is a problem with the house..You have to disclose the fact. Anyways, back on topic…Yes we make suggestions to make the house more appealing to the buyer. Digitally repairing pictures has gone wild in today’s technology. Don’t believe me, look at your “Glamour Shots” photo…YOU LOOK GREAT (is that you?) Some REALTORS® use that same concept to enhance photos. Which one looks more attractive below?

The home owner had a grass patch down at the time of the photo. This is not hiding a problem. It is only making it more attractive for online viewing. This yard does look very similarar to the picture on the right now. GMA also said that agents digitally insert furniture into empty rooms. Now, that is a great idea. I don’t know about hiding the view out the window, like they said. If there is an ugly building outside the window, but the picture shows bright fluffy clouds. That’s a little deceiving. As most disclaimers on MLS sites say…Information deemed accurate but not warranted. You must verify all information yourself. (or something to that affect)

And yes, when we have the chance, we stage the showings. If possible, we try to show ones that are not as attractive early in the trip and put the more appealing ones closer to the end and then end with a dud. Don’t take this the wrong way. If you are working with a good agent, the agent will know what you are looking for in a home. Afterall he/she has been in the car with you for sometime, he/she will be able to pick up on your needs and wants. This process only helps you, the buyer, make a decision. In today’s market, you can see a lot of houses before you find the one you like. Good agents, are out looking at houses all the time, whether virtually on-line or physically in the house. Buyers can be awe struck by some of the cosmetics of the house and the excitement of the process. We try to match them up with all of their needs. Ultimately the buyer is still in charge and makes the final decision.

GMA mentioned about zillow.com. This is the latest buzz in the virtual world. My comment is this..Look at the pictures above..Don’t always believe what you see. Ask your agent to pull comparable homes for you. They will be so much more accurate. Now the secrets are out… we try to make homes sell.

48 new in the last 2 days
77 under contract in the last 7
1278 total homes active in Frederick County

March 24, 2006 · Filed Under Market Condition, Staging, seller

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Spring or Not Spring…


Well, it seems that Spring is here because I can see the flowers behind the snow flurries… We have been spoiled this winter. I believe we have had more 60+ degree days this winter than snow days which has really confused the local plant life. But you know, March is not over and we have had some nice size blizzards in March… (we can only hope.) I happen to like the snow, it should be on the ground between the months of November and February. Don’t you think?

Soon the flurries will turn to rain and the flowers will blossom. I say this because, homes will be able to stand out. Winter has such a dismal affect on home curb appeal (unless it is a holiday.) I like to see when home owners have pride in the way the front of their house is presented to the public. Bright flowers, edged sidewalks, trimmed bushes and fresh mulch. Mulch has to be the quickest and cheapest fix to brighten up the house. Compliment that with some perennials and wahlah!!! Curb appeal has a major impact on the presentation. With 1200+ homes on the market…Sellers need to do everything they can to stand out from the pack…and do it in a good way. A broken wheel barrow propped up against the rusted antique car in the driveway is not! Presentation, Location and Price…key elements in a successful sale.

64 New in the last 2 Days
424 Month to Date
81 Under Contract in last 7 Days
318 Month to Date
1242 Total Homes for Sale in Frederick County
281 Withdrawn/Expired/Temp Off Market

In case you were wonder how many homes are on the market in neighboring counties
814 in Washington County
2894 in Montgomery County
1010 in Howard County
699 in Carroll County

March 17, 2006 · Filed Under Market Condition

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GMA…Bubble Trouble


Good Morning America had a story this morning about the “Real Estate Bubble” That’s all we seem to hear from the National Media…”Has the Bubble Burst…News at 11″ “Interest Only loans the latest craze…is it putting young couples at risk? Stay tune for our report!” It can make a person paranoid. I didn’t hear the “POP” but I do hear a slow leak that started about mid July last year. It seems that the expert on GMA didn’t hear it either. I have to agree with what she did say…move because you want to. If all of this talk about the bubble has you worried about holding onto a risky piece of property, then sell. If your family is happy with your location and you can’t see your self picking up and moving…then stay. Just like the stock market you always runs some type of risk with your investment. Depreciation, High interest rates.

Look around, the only homes that are really staying on the market forever….are the ones that don’t show well, the location or the price. Truly, these are the only three reasons why a home does not sale, Location, Presentation, and price. Home owners today, have control over two of them (price and presentation) With as many homes on the market today. (1201 in Frederick County) Owners need to be on top of their game if they want to move quickly in this market. The house prices are still going up, just not at the record rate that we were used to. Homes have to show their best at all times.

81 under contract
44 new to the market (this will pick up tomorrow. Most agents put the on MLS today and tomorrow)
1201 total properties in Frederick County.

So use YOUR best judgement for YOU when it’s time to sell.

March 10, 2006 · Filed Under Market Condition

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Uncle Sam… My dog(s) ate my receipts!!!


Alright, I have not been the most organized person last year with all my receipts. My New Year’s Resolution this year is to manage my receipts better than last year. (That’s not hard to do…I have one pile) This year, I will make 12! Tonight, I meet with my CPA…I am sure the bill will be double.

Anyways…Today’s numbers
59 new listings
76 under contract
1142 total active listings in the county.
What I found in the Metropolitan Regional Information Systems today; the total sold last month was 237 with average days on market at 74 and average price of $365,624. The solds are down from last year by almost a hundred, prices are up by almost $40k and the inventory is more that doubled. Again, showing us it is a different market from years past.

By the way… The dog pictured above (Benson) did survive the mess he made in the above picture. Please notice the date of the next one…

I can only image what was was going through Buster’s (the good dog pictured below) mind when he had seen what Benson did on the next day.

That prompted the creation of a “Free to a Good Home” flyer.

And yes he is still here…

March 2, 2006 · Filed Under Fun, Market Condition

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