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Great staging article from 'down under' by Donna Ross:

Via Donna Ross - Home Staging, Sydney, Australia (Great Impressions Real Estate Staging & Consulting - Sydney):

Home staging (or property styling as it's commonly known as on the Australian property scene) is really an art, not a science. One of the many things a professional home stager understands is that it's the house that's up for sale, not the home owner's bread baking ability or taste in music. So, from the sublime to the rediculous - here's 8 myths of staging to sell - busted!

1. Buyers can see past my stuff
No - they can't. 95% of house hunters shop with a 'what you see is what you get' eye. You'll be maximising your chances of a better and quicker sale if you take the time to clean out, clean up and keep your look simple.brewing coffee

2. Baking bread, brewing fresh coffee and playing soft music will make a buyer fall in love with my house.
Maybe once upon a time this was true - but most would-be buyers are onto that old trick. It's more likely to trigger alarm bells, with many wondering what it is you're trying to hide. Your buyers will be happy with a place that looks and smells clean.

3. I'll need to clear everything out to help buyers see themselves living here.
This is only partly true. Wall to wall family photos are distracting, as is your porcelain rooster collection. These things are best put away. But don't go overboard, otherwise you'll end up with a look that feels cold and sterile.

4. If it's an original feature - it adds value.
Sometimes yes - but often no. Generally a property built less than 50 years ago without being updated is more likely to appear dated, rather than classic.

5. My place isn't worth staging.
All homes are worth taking the time to present in a positive light to buyers. The trick to knowing where to start and what to do is in having a good idea of what buyers in your target market will expect, along with learning more about what competing properties in your area are offering.


6. Empty rooms look bigger.            empty room                                          

This is rarely the case. Buyers will always prefer to see how a room is used and what will fit in it, rather than be left to guess. Very large rooms can also be too intimidating for some. Even borrowed furniture can help buyers get an idea of scale and give the eye something of interest to focus on.

7. Converting a bedroom into a home gym won't be a problem.
Bedrooms are one of the most valuable commodities of the 'for sale' property. Having a home gym set up in a bedroom will prompt buyers to wonder why that is. I remember once looking at a house where this was the case. When I came across the bedroom with the gym in it, I immediately began to question if a bed would even fit. Always give the rooms in your house a purpose.

8. No need to worry about wardrobes and cupboards.
Home storage is a big deal to most buyers and is surprisingly valuable. Prospective buyers will open storage cupboards in kitchens and bathrooms, so keep them tidy. Keep only what you're using on a daily or weekly basis, and pack the rest away ready for the move.

Have you got a staging myth you'd like busted? Share them with me here.


 

Donna Ross

Great Impressions Real Estate Staging

"I love helping Sydney home owners and real estate agents catch the eye of choosy buyers with their 'for sale' listings, with fast, simple and inexpensive decorating fixes."

Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell

Stuart Florida Real Estate 

Residential Homes, Condos and Land
Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties

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Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate
Stuart
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Information, listings and ramblings from Stuart Florida on the Treasure Coast of FL. A wonderful place to call home. Jensen Beach, Real Estate, www.GabeSanders.com, www.TreasureCoastFLhomes.com, Hobe Sound, Port St. Lucie, Hutchinson Island, Referrals, Homes for Sale, Condos, Land, Residential, Exceeding Expectations, Premier Realty Group,
 

Cape Coral's Veterans Affairs Clinic planned to open in 2011

Come to the ‘The Safeguard Our Seniors event' which will focus on veterans.  You'll have a chance to meet staff from the Lee County Veterans' Service Office and learn about the latest financial and insurance scams being committed against our veterans, plus you will have an opportunity to learn about the new Cape clinic.

What: Safeguard our Seniors, Veterans
Where: Cape Coral Public Library, 921 SW 39th Terrace
When: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday November 10, 2009
~ Free ~
Info: 850-413-3089, myfloridacfo.com, light refreshments and snacks will be served.

 

 
Picture of Debbie  Cullen-Your Cape Coral, FL Specialist (Century 21 Sunbelt 239.233.2322)
Debbie Cullen-Your Cape Coral, FL Specialist
Cape Coral
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| (347) 312-4211
9448 Ridge Blvd, Brooklyn, NY
Ultra Modern 1 Bedroom Apartment in Upper Bay Ridge
1BR/1BA Apartment
$1,300/month
Bedrooms 1
Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial
Sq Footage Unspecified
Parking None
Pet Policy No pets
Deposit $1,300

DESCRIPTION

This is a very beautiful, renovated 1 bedroom apartment in the upper 90's area of Bay Ridge.
A very safe, quiet neighborhood which is far enough to be private, but close enough to be convenient!
Apartment has:

• Large, beautiful living room (15X9)
• Eat in kitchen with stainless steel appliances
• Master bedroom
• Main bathroom
• Heat and hot water included
• Totally renovated/modern with hardwood floors.
• Freshly painted
• Refrigerator included

Area has:

• R train
• One block away from X27 & X37 Express buses into Manhattan
• Busses: B16,B63,B64,B70, S37,S53,S79,S93
• A block away from Shore Parkway
• Recreational Park overlooking the NYC skyline w/tennis courts
• A few blocks away from Dyker Park Golf Course
• A very large variety of prime shopping, stores, restaurants, specialty food stores, bars, lounges, etc.
This apartment has everything you need.

see additional photos below
RENTAL FEATURES

- Walk-in closet - Hardwood floor - Tile floor
- Living room - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven
- Granite countertop - Stainless steel appliances - Cable-ready

LEASE TERMS

• Credit and Background check required
• No pets
• Applications are being accepted on a first come/first serve basis.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS


Photo 1

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3
Contact info:
(347) 312-4211

powered by postlets Equal Opportunity Housing
Posted: Nov 8, 2009, 4:09am PST
 
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Luke Constantino
Brooklyn
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Longtime volunteers and officials from Habitat for Humanity of Chester County reminisced about the way the organization has grown and helped people over the past two decades during the non-profit organization's recent 20th Anniversary Celebration. Habitat for Humanity of Chester County built its first home in South Coatesville in 1989. And though 20 years have passed, the mission of the organization remains the same: building and renovating homes for families in need. The volunteers, staff members and board members are comprised of a diverse crowd from all areas of the county. The volunteer base has grown from about 70 to 2,500 members. The county's Habitat for Humanity chapter began operating in 1986 as a unit of the Greater Philadelphia Area Habitat for Humanity then became a separate affiliate in 1989 shortly after the construction of the first home in South Coatesville. To date, the local chapter has built and refurbished 107 homes in municipalities such as Coatesville, Phoenixville, West Chester and Downingtown. The organization is looking to expand its service area into southern Chester County. DIALY LOCAL NEWS

 
Picture of Janice Roosevelt,Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO - Matt F (Matt Fetick Real Estate Team - Keller Williams Real Estate -)
Janice Roosevelt,Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO - Matt F
Kennett Square
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    Via Fernando Herboso Real Estate Maryland, DC and Virginia (Key Realty Group-Foreclosures in Maryland,Rockville MD):

    A Short Sale Saga With Bank Of America  . . . .

     

    short sales

     

    Short Sale Saga, Success and Bank Of America LOST !!

    The facts:

    A short sale was started for my client with two mortgages several months ago
    First Trust was with a nameless Small Bank USA from New Jersey
    Second Trust with Bank Of America


    We had an offer quickly and was the package was sent to both banks

    Bank of America to receive $3000 for being a second trust
    Small Bank USA to receive the rest after commissions and closing costs

    Small Bank USA was quick to respond, they did a BPO and they knew that they better take the short sale offer.
    We got an approval with a condition that Bank of America releases their lien for $3000

    So far so good
    My client was impressed


     

    Then Bank Of  America  becomes the  spoiler. . .

     


    short sales specilaist

     






    After several attempts for Bank of America to acknowledge our fax. .2 MONTHS PASSED BY!

    On the third month, we did not even have a negotiator assigned to our  case.

    Back and forth with Small Bank USA . .making excuses for Bank of America to give us the extension to their approval











    Small Bank USA was patient at first and extended their approval. . 3 times for 3 months in a row

    On the  4th month they had enough!

    They told me that they will foreclose the property if we did not have it close to the last extension date.
    We were frantic as we finally got Bank of America to acknowledge the 7th fax we sent to them. . .and they told us that a negotiator will be contacting us.

    We waited on the phone and instead of Bank of America negotiator calling us about our file. .
    it was Small Bank USA
    They had enough and they will proceed with the foreclosure.

    A few days later. .it was foreclosed!

     

     

    My client became another victim from Bank  Of America's inadequacies. . a foreclosure that did not have to happen. . .

     

    foreclosures md

     

    My client was heart broken and my short sale team was too.. hours and hours on the phone. . result ZERO

    We all lost. . THANK YOU BANK of AMERICA . . 

    Wait. . there's justice after all. .

    Small Bank USA contact us and they want us to SELL IT FOR THEM!
    They like the way we have operated during the last few months and saw our efforts for our client , keeping them informed and so forth . . 
    They were sorry that they had to foreclose. .
    "that was the only way they can have Bank of America out of the way
    . ."

    Small Bank USA realized that foreclosing the property was the only way to proceed.

    With Bank Of America out of the way. . .they could  finally resolve it. . 

    We listed the house for them and last Friday WE CLOSE and GOT PAID!

     

     

    Another black eye for Bank Of America. . . .Too bad for the original homeowner. . that he was unlucky enough to get his mortgage originally from Bank of America.

     

     


     

     

     

     

     

     
    Picture of Dana Devine (Charles Rutenberg Realty)
    Dana Devine
    Apollo Beach
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    | (347) 312-4211
    1026 66 Street, Brooklyn, NY
    Renovated 2 Bedroom Apartment on 66th Street off Ft Hamilton Parkway
    2BR/2BA Apartment
    $1,350/month
    Bedrooms 2
    Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial
    Sq Footage Unspecified
    Parking None
    Pet Policy Cats, Small dogs (< 25lbs)
    Deposit $1,350

    DESCRIPTION

    Renovated apartment in a pre war building is convenient to everything...

    Apartment

    ·Newly renovated kitchen

    ·New Stove

    ·New Refrigerator

    ·Parquet floors

    ·Newly renovated bathroom

    ·Heat and hot water included

    Area

    ·2 short blocks from N train

    ·Steps away fromB16 & B9 buses

    ·Close to restaurants and shopping

    ·Library and schools close by

    see additional photos below
    RENTAL FEATURES

    - High/Vaulted ceiling - Hardwood floor - Living room
    - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Cable-ready

    LEASE TERMS

    • Credit and Background check required
    • No pets
    • Applications are being accepted on a first come/first serve basis.
    ADDITIONAL PHOTOS


    Photo 1

    Photo 1

    Photo 2

    Photo 3

    Photo 4
    Contact info:
    (347) 312-4211

    powered by postlets Equal Opportunity Housing
    Posted: Nov 8, 2009, 4:57am PST
     
    Picture of Luke Constantino (RE/MAX AT The Slope)
    Luke Constantino
    Brooklyn
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    Some interesting news for those facing foreclosure that want to remain in their homes, courtesy of Craig Richardson:

    Via Craig Richardson (RE/MAX Allegiance):

    Fannie  Mae announced last week that homeowners facing foreclosure can now lease back their homes at market value for up to a year, according to the Los Angeles Times.  The move was done in part to help the company manage the next wave of foreclosures.

    Not surprisingly, Fannie Mae is reeling because of the amount of foreclosures it has on in its inventory, and, as a result have had to once again turn to the U.S. Treasury for additional funds.  Last Thursday, they requested another $15 Billion from the Feds, the 4th request they've made since being taken over completely by the government, the Times reported.

     

    Source: Los Angeles Times

    Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell

    Stuart Florida Real Estate 

    Residential Homes, Condos and Land
    Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties

    Search the Martin County MLS

    Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot

     
    Picture of Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group)
    Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate
    Stuart
    View My Blog
    Information, listings and ramblings from Stuart Florida on the Treasure Coast of FL. A wonderful place to call home. Jensen Beach, Real Estate, www.GabeSanders.com, www.TreasureCoastFLhomes.com, Hobe Sound, Port St. Lucie, Hutchinson Island, Referrals, Homes for Sale, Condos, Land, Residential, Exceeding Expectations, Premier Realty Group,
     

    There's good news for two catagories of home buyers:

    • The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit has been extended.
    • There's now a $6,500 tax credit for anyone who buys a home and who has lived in their crrent home for any five consecutive years of the past eight years.

    The old version of the tax credit was set to expire at the end of November, and the old version did nothing to stimulate home owners who wanted to sell their current home and move-up to a more expensive one.

    The new rule will also give additional incentive to those who wish to move to other parts of the country, perhaps for another job or for retirement.  And then there are those who really want to downsize now that their children are no longer living at home. 

    At Bill Cherry, Realtors, we are happy to assist you in finding a home, whether you qualify for one of these new tax breaks or not.  But with these incentives, it is an especially good time, in our opinion, to buy your first home, or to sell your existing home and move to another.

     

    BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

    DALLAS - HIGHLAND PARK

    SINCE 1964

    214 503-8563

    WEB

     
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    BILL CHERRY
    Dallas
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    Dallas Realtor, Park Cities Realtor, Highland Park Realtor, Lake Highlands Realtor, Dallas Private Schools, Dallas Episcopalian, Galveston Writer, Texas Escapes, Texas Escapes Columnist, Bill Cherry's Galveston Memories, Dallas Real Estate, Park Cities Real Estate, Highland Park Real Estate, Lake Highlands Real Estate, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Real Estate,Who's Who in Business and Finance, Who's Who in the World,Dallas pianist, Texas story teller, dinner speaker, Episcopalian, <script language="Javascript" src="http://www.blogbar.org/blogbar3_en.php?design=grey&site=activerain.com/billcherry" type="text/javascript"></script>Blogbar
     

    Expanded Version of Tax Credit Will Allow More Homebuyers to Qualify

    RISMEDIA, November 9, 2009-President Obama recently signed an expanded version of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit that was set to expire on November 30. "The new version of the tax credit has the potential to stimulate the housing market even more than the old version due to the fact that more people will qualify under the new rules," said Gibran Nicholas, Chairman of the CMPS Institute, an organization that certifies mortgage bankers and brokers. "Although the tax credit remains at $8,000 for homebuyers that have not owned a primary residence in the last three years, it has been expanded to include a $6,500 tax credit for homebuyers that have lived in their current primary residence for at least five consecutive years out of the past eight years. Under the old rules, move-up homebuyers did not qualify." Consider these three examples: 

    Example 1:
    Jane purchased a home in 2002, lived there for 5 years as her primary home, moved out in 2007, and turned that home into a rental property. If Jane decides to buy a new primary residence today, she would qualify for the $6,500 tax credit based on the fact that she lived in the same residence as her primary home for at least five consecutive years out of the past eight.

    Example 2:
    Harry purchased a home in 2004, and lived there for the past 5 years as his primary home. If Harry decides to buy a new primary residence today, he would qualify for the $6,500 tax credit based on the fact that he lived in the same residence as his primary home for at least five consecutive years out of the past eight.

    Example 3:
    Nicole purchased a home in 2006, and lived there for the past 3 years as her primary home. If Nicole decides to buy a new primary residence today, she would not qualify for the $6,500 tax credit based on the fact that she did not live in the same residence as her primary home for at least five consecutive years out of the past eight. 

    The tax credit applies to homes purchased for less than $800,000 before May 1, 2010. "If you sign a binding contract to purchase a home before May 1st, you would need to close on the transaction before July 1, 2010," Nicholas said. "It works kind of like a gift certificate that can be redeemed for cash. You simply file a form with the IRS right after you buy your home, and the IRS will send you a check for the full amount of your credit." 

    The income limitation for single tax payers went up from $75,000 under the old rules to $125,000 under the new rules. For married tax payers, the income limitation went up from $150,000 to $225,000. "This means that more people will qualify for the credit - especially in parts of the country with higher costs of living," Nicholas said. "This should help stimulate parts of the housing market that may not have been impacted by the old version of the credit." 

    There are many creative ways of structuring your home purchase transaction in ways that maximize the benefits of the credit. Here are a few examples: 

    -The credit applies to 1-4 unit homes as long as you live in one of the units as your primary residence - you could live in one unit and rent out the others

    -If two unmarried individuals buy a home, and only one of the individuals qualifies for the credit based on their income or past home ownership status, the individual who qualifies for the credit can claim the full credit. (Note: In the case of married couples, both spouses must qualify for the credit).

    -The credit applies even if you have co-signers on your mortgage loan 

    For more information, visit www.CMPSInstitute.org



    Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-11-08/expanded-version-of-tax-credit-will-allow-more-homebuyers-to-qualify/#ixzz0WMeYEhKw

     
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    Grayson Hodge
    Raleigh
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    Via Sara Homan, Realtor, Ocala Fla The Horse Capital of the World (Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty Inc):

    Democrats have always been known for their tax & spend stance while they rape the American people into oblivion with their invasive, excessive, intrusive mandates and exempt themselves.  NICE OF THEM HUH?  You did know that our politicians including the commander in chief have exempted themselves right?  Well they have!

    Health care has its flaws but this bill is NO CURE, It's a CANCER TO AMERICA!  The actual rates of unemployment are stated to be 10.2% however the actual rates are over 17% when considering the folks who no longer receive benefits and still have not found a sustainable job.

    What is the ripple effect of the current economy?  The current real estate market has touted an increase in sales and yes that is true but what sales are really taking place?  Speaking from my own market, houses that are selling are either foreclosures at 50% off regular residential prices or seasonal 55+ sales who bought for cash or died trying to sell and now it is in estate status.  That really and truly is not a rebound, it is a liquidation which will then leave the regular residential market in worse shape than before.

    This Christmas season should be a telltale time of what is actually going on and how the American people have been affected.  Currently in our area there have been many restaurants that have closed, a magnificent mall which has struggled to get tenants and the kicker to the local economy is the FBI came in and closed down the 3rd largest lender whose home base was right here in Ocala leaving 1200 folks instantly unemployed.  I wonder, is Taylor Bean & Whitaker the only Mortgage Company who had fraudulent transactions?  I doubt it!  I wonder what the truth of the matter is.  Is this just another form of government control & manipulation with no regard to the effect of American people?

    Is it no wonder that there is an increasing atmosphere of civil unrest and disorder?  Any animal will go about its business relatively peacefully but corner that animal and it will attack, does the government expect anything less from the American people?

    A Chicago thug who strong arms and bullies Congress & now attempting to do the same with the Senate is NOT change we can live with, it is a recipe for disaster with civil revolt and economic collapse.   I'm grateful for those who will stand up against the oppressive nonsense of this current administration and filibuster this wretched bill.  

    Where are the true American leaders who will stand up for the American people who live and breathe & pay taxes without giving away all we've worked for to those who have no legal right to it.  I am all for immigration, but do it legally and pay taxes like the rest of us...and not 45% as Pelosi wants!

     
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    Dana Devine
    Apollo Beach
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