Sgt. Randy Nosall, a Connecticut National Guardsman, has just returned from Afghanistan. He is an American soldier. His selfless actions say, "Sleep well tonight...I'm on duty".
Sgt. Nosall returned from active duty, in need of surgery, for a broken wrist. While out of work, he fell behind on his bills. His credit suffered.
To get back on his financial feet, Sgt. Nosall needed a loan. He searched the internet. The company that he decided to use? The one that promised a substantial loan with a great rate...
City Lending Group
1919 Commerce Drive
Hampton, VA
City Lending Group guaranteed Sgt. Nosall a $30,000 loan at 6%. BUT...he needed to send $9,000 as collateral for the loan!
Everything looked legitimate... But, really...how was Sgt. Nosall to know what constitutes as legitimate? And, the reality is...Sgt. Nosall needed the loan.
He sent his money... They rejected his loan... They kept his money... They don't exist...
Sgt. Nosall will NOT sleep well tonight...
When I ran a search on this company, I found only 2 things:
Please, do not confuse them with their fraudulent doppelganger...they are NOT the same company! They had this very interesting disclaimer on their home page:
City Lending Group LLC has offices in Seattle, Washington and Williamsburg, VA. We ARE NOT associated in any way with a certain Company also called City Lending Group out of Hampton, VA allegedly located at 1919 Commerce Dr., Hampton, VA. This Company has a similar name and apparently is based out of Canada. They use a Northern Virginia phone number. Apparently, they specialize in "collateralized loans" and are asking for large sums up front to procure the loans. According to some of their clients, they are asking for sums from $900 to $2,000 upfront.
Our Company, City Lending Group LLC does not offer "collateralized loans". We offer typical home loans for purchase and refinance and only require the appraisal fee up front and paid directly to the appraiser.
If you feel you have been defrauded by the Company out of Hampton, VA, call the PHONE BUSTER hotline number 888-495-8501 or the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357. They are currently working on this situation. Our Company, City Lending Group LLC is cooperating with Phonebusters to help find these people.
Our phone number in Williamsburg, VA is 757-220-0065 and the Seattle office if 206-696-7028 if you have any questions.
Mary Andes City Lending Group L.L.C. 1769 Jamestown Rd., STE #111 Williamsburg, VA 23188 Phone: 757-220-0065 Fax: 757-220-0067 Cell: 757-291-1430 Email: mailto://mary.clg@verizon.net
* The second item I found was a forum... You can view the thread here in which a commenter is asking advice on City Lending Group. He, too, was offered a "collateralized loan" from City Lending Group of Hampton, VA...
CT Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal, is warning CT residents about this lending scam that has numerous victims spread across the country.
This warning needs to go out NATIONWIDE. Spread the word...
Ever been flocked? No? Don't know what you're missing...
Yesterday was my first time... No, my first time was not gentle...I was not eased into the idea of getting flocked... My first time was an all-out, wham-bam, in your face flocking... And, well, I must admit it put a smile on my face...it's still there... ;o)
Who knew that getting flocked could be so much fun? I now realize how naïve I was... A delicate flocking virgin, if you will...
Now that I know what I was missing, I believe that everyone should get flocked...at least once...
I imagine that flocking can be done in a number of ways. There may even be books available on the subject...who knows? But, the fact is...if you're not flocking...others are being affected by it...not just you!
If no one is flocking in your neighborhood, you should do something about it. I mean, heck, flock your neighbors! They'll thank you for it...trust me. Every community should be flocking...
I guess there comes a time in every blogger's life when they should be as open and honest with their readers, as possible...even when it comes to some very personal stuff. So, in case some of you have never flocked or been flocked, I am going to share with you some of the details of my flocking... I hope it helps you...
My neighbors did it to me... And, yes, it was very personal...
Here I was, minding my own business...just coming home from the grocery store, as a matter of fact. And, what happens the very minute I get home?
A very personal flocking given to me by my neighbors and an invitation to flock anyone I want... To say that I was surprised is a bit of an understatement but, I was quick to warm to the idea.
It is for a good cause, after all...
Every year, our high school's Project Graduation Committee holds fundraisers for the "Class Night" celebration. The funds raised provide for an all night, chaperoned, substance-free celebration for the graduating seniors. Communities all over the country are saving lives, every year, by having these safe parties.
The goal of the night is simple: to help ensure that the futures of our children are not cut short by a few careless hours of celebrating and risky behavior during what should be a time of joy in their young lives.
This latest fundraiser (2008 Class) is called, "Flamingo Flocking". When you are flocked, 12 to 15 delightfully tacky pink, plastic flamingoes will reside on your lawn for about 48 hours.
You are provided an envelope that instructs you on "Flamingo Etiquette". Flamingo Etiquette provides you with the options available to you, the Flockee...
Flockees can:
Flock A Friend - $15
Remove The Flock - $15
Remove AND Flock - $25
Pre-Flocking Insurance (avoid being flocked) - $10
Post-Flocking Insurance (protection from being re-flocked) - $5
Or "Thank You, No Thank You" (no donation) - $0
It's fun...it's creative...it's for a great cause. I repeat...everyone should be flocking.
If your neighbors aren't flocking, they're probably engaged in some other activity that benefits a similar cause... I urge you to find out what it is they're doing...and support them!
This weekend I had the opportunity to spend some time playing in the RAIN...
While working my way through a veritable smorgasbord of literary delights, I came across an interesting post from Judy Kincaid . She had correctly identified an important aspect of home staging: highlighting the best features that stay with the home.
Judy‘s post provides us with her opinion regarding some staging that was performed on an episode of Get It Sold! , a series on HGTV. Judy remarks upon the importance of highlighting the features that stay with the home, not the props that will be leaving with the sale. Particularly, she disagrees with the show's Stager on the placement of a sofa in front of a picture window and the use of a rented fireplace (gel fueled). She felt that the Stager did not appropriately emphasize the "focal point" in the room.
I admit, her post got me to thinking! (love that about the posts in AR!) And, while I agreed with much of what she had to say, I couldn't agree completely.
I felt that perhaps a bit more could be said on this...a different perspective, if you will...
Yes. A Stager should highlight the best features of a home...those that will stay with the home. However, the Stager must be knowledgeable... able to determine if a particular feature really is a best feature or something that should be highlighted.
Just because a home has, for example, a picture window...that does not necessarily mean that it is actually one of the home's best features. I mean... What, exactly, is on the other side of that picture window?
A neighbor with a penchant for going without his shirt or mowing the lawn in his boxers?
A neighbor with an eclectic taste in lawn art?
A neighbor who is a bit behind in the lawn maintenance department?
Oh...and what about those darn nosy neighbors?
Heck... It might not have anything to do with the neighbors...
That picture window may just have a crappy view...
An unfortunate view should not be highlighted...
Maybe the home is located in a lollipop community with neighbors right on top of each other. Yes...the buyer already knows this, but the buyer really wants to know that there is a space inside the home that is just for them. That this home can provide that space...
Let's face it... There are some windows that buyers do not love.
Sure. Go ahead...let in the light! But, a Stager should avoid highlighting a feature that is less than flattering, just because it stays with the home. You're not hiding it...you're just not flaunting it. The potential buyer (I assure you) will be able to spot any less than flattering features...right away. You, the Stager, do not want the negative features to smack potential buyers upside the head so that they are blinded to those positive things that balance out or obscure the negative in their mind.
A cozy room...an oasis...a haven. That is what staging helps the buyer to visualize. What are the possibilities? What could this room be like? Hmmm...yes...who cares about the view outside that window...when this is what I could come home to...
With that said... if you've got windows and views like these (hehe)? By all means...flaunt ‘em!
As for some of the other points in the post, again, I would agree in most situations.
A bed in front of a window? More often than not...a no-no...
Once again, one hopes that the Stager has the experience and/or skill to properly evaluate the space and determine the best placement of the furniture. There are times when the bed just has to go in front of the window (i.e., room dimensions/layout, traffic flow, etc). You wouldn't put the bed on a side wall that would interfere with flow and you wouldn't do so at the expense of showcasing the room's capacity for furnishings either. Ideally you don't want a buyer to enter the bedroom by walking into the side of the bed. Nor do you want them to feel as if there's no room for a dresser. Just to open up the window?
Rented fireplaces? Hmmm... Having been born and raised in Miami (South Florida), there was a time when I might have had some difficulty seeing the benefit in this. However, my past 17 years in New England have broadened my perspective a bit.
A home that is located in a region that experiences the fullest of the seasons could potentially benefit from the use of a rented fireplace in staging. [Picturing a blustery, winter day on Cape Cod]
Also, these really do make excellent focal points...especially in rooms that desperately need a focal point!
These are NOT fixtures...these are not attached to the property. The agents will (should) know that. Why? Because, if they aren't sure, they should ASK...a good agent never assumes. Let's see...first clues... No chimney, no vent, no source of fuel... NOT in the MLS.
FIXTURE - An item which is attached to and forms part of the buildings or land itself and are, therefore, included in the sale or property unless specifically excluded in the contract.
Finally... Staging is all about helping buyers visualize the positives and the potential of a property. To get it sold! It's that simple.
There are many styles, many techniques, and many opinions. Not to mention all the experts and their rules.
By this point, you are probably asking... "Well, gee, Lisa...is there such a thing as ‘bad staging'?" Sure. But, rules don't always apply. Throw them out the window...along with that view of the neighbor's jockeys.
Each property is unique...and a skilled, talented Stager will know exactly what that property needs.
As I've said before... Knowledge, Communication and Realism...those are the keys. There is far more to it than a love of decorating and a 2 day seminar.
For those brave souls who have entered and endured this lengthy, desperate attempt to hold my own with my exceptionally talented peers (bloggers)... And, for the inspiration provided by those same exceptionally talented peers (you know who you are)...
THANK YOU!
Lisa Rapose,Realtor®, Property Enhancement Specialist TM
Recently, at a networking event, I became engrossed in a conversation about home staging. As a Realtor® who is also a home stager, it seems I was "ripe for the picking". I was subjected to some "complaints" from a builder and a couple of Realtors® who had hired stagers (not me) for some of their properties. Their complaints? The cost to themselves and/or their clients (i.e., inflated charges and "overdone decorating") and the amount of time the properties were languishing on the market.
I was soon able to determine that they all had a very unrealistic perception of the benefits of staging. Why, you ask? Because they all had either been led to or chose to believe that staging was the end-all and be-all to selling their listings. I know...I'm still working this one out for myself! You, simply, can't get some Realtors® to even come close to acknowledging or even understanding the need for home staging and, yet I am now speaking with a builder and 2 Realtors® who put all their eggs in that basket??? Boggles the mind.
After some time of listening to what they had to share with me, I felt that I needed to share with them my thoughts. Believe me, at this point, I had begun to feel like the proverbial fox in the hen house and felt the most compelling need to identify myself as a "friendly".
Whether or not the stager(s) were "certified", "accredited", or "staging in the nude" ( http://activerain.com/groups/SIN ) was not an issue...as the stager(s) had not been confined to just one of these categories. So, I didn't have to get into THAT discussion.
I started off with... Home staging IS extremely beneficial to the buying and selling of real estate...period. But (and here's the "but"), as with anything, there are factors to be considered.
First, is Knowledge...everyone must have it - the client, the Realtor®, and the stager. Hopefully, with a knowledgeable Realtor® and stager involved, the client will be more informed, more knowledgeable.
Second, Communication - the client, the Realtor®, and the stager MUST communicate and work together. Far too often, this one slips through the cracks. I can't tell you how many times where I have come across a situation in which the Realtor® and stager haven't even spoken to one another.
And, last but certainly not least, Realism - understand the ultimate objective of the client! (Hey, it's usually to "sell their home") What is the objective? Net profit? Quick Sale? Be realistic in anticipating an outcome and execute a staging plan that makes sense.
With knowledge, communication, and realism, achieving the client's objective is greatly increased.
We, then, agreed that the 3 main ingredients to a successful transaction (selling the property) are price, location, and condition (not necessarily in that order)... Even in a "down" market, a property that meets all 3 are the most likely to sell.
So, what did this all mean? What kernels of wisdom did I have to share with them? (hffttt...well...ummm)
Simply this...
The builder and the Realtors all know whether their properties are priced appropriately (or they should), they are all aware of the condition of the properties, and they know whether or not the locations are desirable (and by whom)... Again, or they should.
Let's face it...some sellers "want what they want" and they are always going to find an agent who will take the listing. Some agents will take the risk of an OPL in hopes of getting the coveted price reduction. Sometimes works...sometimes doesn't. More often than not, the listing expires and the dissatisfied seller moves on to a new agent AND REDUCES THE PRICE. Personally, I don't waste time on OPLs (mine or the sellers). It's simply not part of my business and marketing plan.
With that said, agents and sellers need to be realistic in their objective of selling such properties. A listing that is over-priced by $20K is not going to fly off the market...not in this market! So, be realistic when it comes to preparing the property for sale. Staging is NOT a miracle pill for an OPL!
In the wake of this "conversation" and the current real estate market, I became curious about how my fellow stagers are doing out there. So, I headed over to the RAIN... I've read quite a few posts/blogs in which stagers have been lamenting the "down" market and staged houses that are not selling...even though they have been beautifully staged.
So, I decided to share some of my thoughts on the RAIN with my fellow stagers (my first blog here - thanks for your patience):
• The housing market has changed - This is not new...it has happened before, it will happen again. Know your market! Forget the hype! Stick to the facts.
• Make sure you are knowledgeable in your market. Understand ROI (return on investment) when it comes to improvements. Pay attention to price, location, AND condition. Most home buyers will begin their search with either price or location. It's the condition that will often "seal the deal". No, you may not be a Realtor® but, understanding these 3 things is the most important aspect of selling a property. If you are clued in to your market, you will have a good working knowledge of price, location, and condition, and exactly what type of listing you are dealing with...
• Check out the competition! Attend open houses (when possible). If you don't have access to MLS (most stagers don't), ask the realtor to share some of the comps for the listing so that you, too, know what your client's listing is up against.
• The OPL (Over-Priced Listing) - We all know...they're out there. How are YOU handling the dreaded OPL? Are you going in and "shooting the moon" for staging? Or are you being realistic in your recommendations to the client? Are you adjusting your presentations? An OPL with the "staging works" does NO ONE ANY GOOD - not your client and certainly not you (your business). Just because your client says, "I've got X amount of $$$ to work with", doesn't necessarily mean that YOU should spend the X.
• Know your client - Make sure that you understand how your client (and his/her budget) will play out in the sale of the property. If you know your market and you have a fair working knowledge of the ADOM (average days on market) then you will know how to make the budget stretch and give the biggest bang for your client's buck. YOU may not realize the biggest return (money) in the short term but, your client will and this is what you need to focus on. The long term means a happy client and hopefully, REFERRALS and more business. For example, if your client desperately needs to replace flooring but, doesn't have the budget for a house full of furniture to go with it? What recommendation are you making? A bigger paycheck NOW on a listing that is not selling? Good for business? Good for referrals? What do you think?
I know that this may seem like a lot but, it really isn't and I believe it will go far in helping you and your staging business. Remember, knowledge makes you VALUABLE.
Well...hmmm...it seems I've "blogged" what my Papa would have called "10 pounds of sugar in a 5 pound sack". Perhaps that's why this is my first blog on the RAIN? It seems that I always have MORE that I want to say. Hopefully, I will get better at condensing my blogs in the future or at the very least, learn to do sequels (Part I, Part II, etc).
Again, thanks for your patience and I hope this has proved to be a decent read (for those who chose to stick it out) and helpful to some.
I welcome responses from those of you who have been in the biz for some time, newcomers, and fellow Realtors®.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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