Teri B. Clark's Real Estate Books Including Home Staging and Private Mortgage Investing

Teri B. Clark's Interview With First 30 Days

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:30:20 -0500

Hi all! Iwas interviewed by First Thirty Days at first30days.com after the editor read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought. In my interview, I discussed using a home stager so that the first 30 days as a home seller would go more smoothly. The First Thirty Days mission is to inspire others to find the positive in any change . They want to be the first place you think of in times of change, a place full of optimism and a place where you feel informed and inspired.

Luke Kozikowski, the interviewer, had this to say:

When it comes to getting your home ready to sell, you want the advice of Teri B. Clark. The writer has become quite a specialist on the home selling front—her book, 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought has helped many sellers through a tough market, and the book was recently awarded the Eric Hoffer Award, given to excellent titles from independent publishers. Here, Clark tells us the common pitfalls home sellers encounter, and how you can come out on top.

You can view my interview here.

Teri B. Clark's Book on Home Staging Awarded "First Runner Up" in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards 2008

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:58:43 -0500

301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought by Teri B Clark is a First Runner Up in the 2008 Eric Hoffer Award.

“We are very excited about using our international award program to honor the memory one of America’s greatest freethinkers,” said Christopher Klim, the managing editor of Best New Writing, which publishes the results of the Eric Hoffer Award for books and
prose. “This year’s Hoffer winners bring us to a new height.”

The Eric Hoffer Award for short prose and books was established at the start of the 21st century as a means of opening a door to writing of significant merit. It honors the memory of the great American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting salient writing.

The Hoffer Award exists as a platform to honor independent books of exceptional merit. Since its inception as the Writers' Notes Award, the Hoffer Award has grown in prominence each year. Multiple books in many categories and various press types are given prizes, "Hoffer" honors, and worldwide media exposure.

Category distinctions were awarded on three levels in descending order: Winner, First Runner-Up, and Notables. The Eric Hoffer Book Award grants a $1,500 annual grand prize and separate distinctions for the best academic, small, and micro press, the best self-published book, and various winners in 14 categories that cover the entire publishing spectrum. Also, the Montaigne Medal is awarded to the most though-provoking books.

Canadian Yellow Pages Pick Up on Home Staging Trend

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:29:15 -0500

Have you looked in the yellow pages lately and noticed some of the headings? So many are now obsolete or totally behind the times. How many people do you know look up film anymore? In NC, we can't find organic foods using listing headers or carpooling despite the need for them. Canada has changed all of that and has updated their headings. The one I found most pleasing was the new heading "Home Staging." Anyone in Canada seen this yet? Does this listing exist in the US anywhere? Certainly not here!

A New Twist to Home Staging

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:11:25 -0500

I read about a real estate firm that sells new homes. They have them staged and sell them faster. The new twist, however, is that if the new buyer has a home to sell before they can buy, the agent of the new home will pay to have their home staged with the company they use! This helps them move people into their new homes faster. I like the idea. What do you think stagers and agents?

My book, Private Mortgage Investing, won an award!

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 11:05:37 -0500

My book, Private Mortgage Investing, won runner-up in the finance category of Foreword Magazines Book of the Year Awards. This is quite prestigious and I'm really excited. If you want to invest in real estate or help those that do, private mortgage investing is worth checking out. Of course, my book is worth it too! Can you tell I am jazzed?

Additional Information (June 24th): Some of you have stated you'd like to buy the book and I really appreciate that! If you would please buy it by clicking the link above, that would be great. If I don't sell it through my affiliate link, I do not make a commission. I've learned a lot writing my first 2 books - mainly that I need a better publisher! Thanks again for all your support!

Luxury Home Webcast

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 10:48:09 -0500

I've been working with Eric Carlsen and his company is offering the following. If you sell luxury homes, you ought to check it out!

"In their continuing quest to offer top luxury agents the best marketing opportunities, video production firm Online WalkThru is introducing a weekly video webcast entitled Vox One. The show will be the centerpiece of their blog site devoted exclusively to luxury real estate.

Top producers in the luxury real estate market will offer a firsthand look at what has made them successful. Vox One will debut on June 27th and can be seen at http://www.voxurypopuli.com."

What's Your Background?

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Thu, 31 May 2007 08:06:02 -0500

I'm curious to know what you did before you got started in the staging business.

1. Interior Designer

2. Artist

3. Real Estate Agent

4. Home Remodeler

5. Professional Cleaner/Organizer

6. Mom

7. Other (If other, tell me what other, ok?)

And what made you decide to stage instead of what you had been doing before? Inquiring minds want to know.

Try Your Hand at Writing

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Tue, 29 May 2007 09:06:41 -0500

Article writing is great marketing tool that can establish you as an expert in your field. An article written by you is more meaningful and holds more credence than placing an advertisement.

Deciding what to write about is as easy as thinking about your last job. What questions did your client ask you? Whatever they asked is something they were thinking about right then. It is a timely topic.

Check with your local papers and free magazines. They look for content. There are also online sources that are constantly seeking new material.

Here are article sites your can check out.

www.goarticles.com

www.articledashboard.com

www.ideamarketers.com

www.reprintarticles.com

www.ezinearticles.com

www.easyarticles.com

www.articleblast.com

Minneapolis Real Estate Stats

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Mon, 28 May 2007 10:13:09 -0500

I love research and finding the best place for stats for my area. As I look, I always find great stat sources for other locations. Here is a good one for Minneapolis:

http://www.mplsrealtor.com/Segments/Realtors/Research.htm

This has weekly and monthly stats, consumer research, market reports, and yearly outlook. It also allows you to compare 100 different communities within the Minneapolis market.

Use the Internet To Your Advantage

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Mon, 28 May 2007 10:07:50 -0500

With over 80% of buyers looking on the Internet to determine what house they want to see in person, using the Internet is a MUST! In addition to having a listed home on your company's site, you might also list the home on:

A listing specific site (www.123anystreet.com)
On Trulia Real Estate Search
Realtor.com if you are a member
MLS
Zillow.com

Anybody use these or others? Please share your experiences! Oh, and remember: If you are going to list a home online, have it staged first! Great photos are the number one reason an Internet home buyer continues to look at the rest of the information concerning the home.

Great stats if you are an agent in the DC areas

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Mon, 28 May 2007 09:52:20 -0500

If you are trying to keep up with real estate statistics in DC and the surrounding VA, MD, and PA, you will love this site. They have monthly stats that come out the 10th of each month. For instance, in Arlington Co, VA, for the time of April 10 to May 9, you will find that 52% are on the market from 1 to 30 days and 25% take over 120 days to sell. You can find out the number of homes on the market in different price ranges according to 2 or less bedrooms, 3 bedrooms, or 4 or more bedrooms. Also according to residential or condos. Finally, 84% get conventional loans. There is a lot to learn on this site! Take a look:

http://www.mris.com/reports/stats/monthly_reti.cfm

Using an Email Signature

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Mon, 28 May 2007 09:38:42 -0500

According to a survey, 44% of REALTORS® communicate with their clients by e-mail more than 50% of the time. To me, this is not surprising. I am in contact with my clients by email at even a higher rate. Of course, I always check to be sure that they use their email frequently - at least once per day - and ask if contacting them through email is ok with them.

This brought to mind the idea of having a signature on your email. It is really important to have a standard signature that gives not only your name, but your company's name, and all the contact information. Be sure to have your website there as well. And if you have a tagline, use it!

If you don't use a signature, here are two examples to give you an idea.

My friend Mary Larsen, a redesigner, uses this one:

-Mary Larsen

Mary Larsen Designs, Inc.

Because every home has a story to tell™

www.MaryLarsenDesigns.com

Designing Your Business, Designing Your Life™

www.GrowYourDesignBiz.com

3340 Langston Circle

Apex, NC 27539

919-773-1445

Mary@MaryLarsenDesigns.com

When I am working as an author, I use this one:

Teri B. Clark
teribclark@gmail.com
919-776-9311

www.teribclark.com

Author of
301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now
http://staging-your-home.blogspot.com/
+
Private Mortgage Investing
http://private-mortgage-investing.blogspot.com/

What Repeat Home Buyers Want From Agents

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Mon, 28 May 2007 09:27:54 -0500

These are stats reported from the NAR:

What Repeat Buyers Want Most From Real Estate Professionals

Help you find the right house to purchase -53%
Help with price negotiations - 13%
Help with paperwork - 8%
Tell you what comparable homes are selling for - 11%
Help determining how much buyer can afford - 11%
Help find and arrange financing - 2%

A shariah-approved mortgage

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Sat, 26 May 2007 10:09:43 -0500

I read an article about a shariah-approved mortgage for Muslims. I had never heard that charging interest was against their religion, though I do know that the Bible has rules against it - to my knowledge there is no Bible based religion following that particular counsel.

This article was based in Canada. Is there such a program or concern here in the US?

Lead Paint Bill in New Hampshire

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Sat, 26 May 2007 10:05:24 -0500

SB 176 would give New Hampshire one of the most stringent lead paint poisoning laws in the country for property owners, despite the fact that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a strong downward trend in lead poisoning cases in children in New Hampshire.

Lead paint abatement costs $30,000 to $40,000 per apartment. Insurance companies are raising rates to cover potential lawsuits.

Rents will have to go up to cover this rising cost. If you are an investor of rental homes in NH, you will want to factor this new cost.

SC oceanfront taking a hit

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Sat, 26 May 2007 10:02:06 -0500

The Myrtle Beach area posted the biggest decline at 22 percent. That region also showed a 68 percent spike in the number of days homes are staying on the market — up to 251 days from 149 in April 2006.

Hilton Head in April saw a relatively mild 8.7 percent decline in home sales, but a 28 percent decrease in median home price to $270,000.

The rest of SC is going gangbusters with the Pee Dee area posting the biggest increase in home sales at 34 percent and the Rock Hill area showing the biggest off-coast decline at 11.5 percent.

The reason for the SC oceanfront being so slow is the cost of insurance which skyrocketed after Hurrican Katrina.

My question - are there any other coastal markets being affected in this way?

Interesting Vacant Staged Home Burglary Story

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Sat, 26 May 2007 09:57:11 -0500

I had never considered that staged vacant homes could be the target of a burglary. According to an article from a San Francisco area, it can be a problem. Burglars know that a house is for sale and vacant. There is beautiful furniture inside. They back up a truck and haul it all out. I suspect that even the neighbors might just assume that this is all part of the moving process.

Anybody here ever had this happen?

Redesigners - The Toddler Niche

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Sat, 26 May 2007 09:46:01 -0500

Finding a niche is a great idea. Redesigning niches might include:

transitioning from larger to smaller or vice versa
transitioning to an assisted living facility
professional couples too busy to decorate
holiday decorating
moving in to a new home
children's rooms

Another that I just saw in a news article today was what I'll call the "toddler niche." The first child comes along and begins to crawl and walk. Now what? The room is decorate without the safety of a toddler in mind. It is decorate without a floorplan appropriate - for instance the play space is too far away from the kitchen so the mom cannot cook supper and let the child play at the same time. There is not enough storage for toys. etc etc etc

Finding a niche is always a good idea. If you like working with stay-at-home moms or moms of any sort, this could be one for you.

Latest Real Estate Internet Stats

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Tue, 22 May 2007 08:55:04 -0500

More than 80 percent of U.S. buyers went online while house hunting, and they rated pictures as the most helpful tool in their search, according to a National Association of Realtors survey of buyers and sellers. The survey also found that 24 percent of homebuyers got their first look at their home online last year, up from only 2 percent in 1997.

Good photos, made better with home staging, are becoming more and more crucial. Surveys have shown that listings with inside and outside photos or video go to the top of the list. Minimal photos next. Poor photos next. Exterior only photo next. No photos last.

Firsthometours.com - anyone tried it?

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Sat, 19 May 2007 13:42:57 -0500

I found this press release - thought I'd share:

First Home Tour is proud to announce the launch of a new virtual tour platform, http://www.firsthometour.com. This site offers Realtors® a simplified and cost effective way to create, upload, and showcase available properties in the most economical and flexible virtual tour package available. Cross market your listings instantly with the First Home Tour Marketing Engine. Each virtual tour can be instantly uploaded to your local MLS, Realtor.com*, Google.com, and Trulia.com, and many other sites at no additional cost.

The many attractive features incorporated in the First Home Tour packages will benefit Realtors® with the potential for quicker turnaround time through creative showcasing and marketing of their listings. First Home Tour provides you with the power of web marketing with no internet experience needed.

James Goodale, President - "Our goal is to put the power of creating virtual tours in the hands of Realtors® for an affordable price. With First Home Tour we hope to give them the advantage they need to sell their listings quickly in a very competitive market.

"The Jonville Team, Keller Williams Reality-Mega Team Platinum Award Winners- "First Home Tour has changed the way we sell homes. We save money on our marketing and create beautiful tours in minutes. The feedback from our clients has been amazing. I would highly recommend First Home Tour to all agents looking for a great way to showcase their properties.

"First Home Tour also provides discounted corporate account options for Real Estate Companies and in many cases an attractive incentive program. Please contact Ryan Braun for more tour information and pricing options."

For additional information please contact:
Ryan Braun / P.R. and Business Development
Direct:(760) 809-4264
Or go to: www.firsthometour.com

*Realtor.com upload is free for Realtor.com "Showcase Account" members

Luxury Homes and Rennovations

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Fri, 18 May 2007 07:53:56 -0500

I have a list of "don'ts" when discussing home upgrades for moderately priced homes:

1. Adding high-end appliances to a modest home.

2. Adding hand painted tiles in the bath or kitchen.

3. Adding a central vacuum.

4. Replacing windows with newer models.

5. Adding a swimming pool.

However, when you are dealing with luxury homes, people expect and are willing to pay for luxury. A swimming pool or a hot tub may be in order!

The moral of the story? Keep the buyer in mind when you get a house ready for sale.

If You Flip, You Might Want To Stage

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Fri, 18 May 2007 07:37:43 -0500

If you are an investors purchasing foreclosures and other types of fixer upper homes, you often want to flip these homes on the retail market for a quick profit. As the real estate market has slowed it has become more difficult to flip these houses quickly. Since staged homes sell for 6.9% more than a non-staged home and sell 50% faster, you should consider having your investment homes staged. This could mean increased profits for you!

How the Federal Reserve Affects Your Business

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Fri, 18 May 2007 07:34:09 -0500

The already slow real estate market situation was compounded when the Federal Reserve announced that interest rates will not be going down, which has negatively impacted the stock market, and may continue to impact home sales for some time. This doesn't mean that a house will not sell when put on the market; it simply means that homeowners need to work hard to have their home stand out from the competition. Staging a house is one relatively simple way to have a home get noticed by potential home buyers.

Others Use This Marketing Idea - So Should You!

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Wed, 16 May 2007 08:12:49 -0500

You are driving down the road and see a sign in the yard. Not a for sale sign, but a sign that says Roofing by XYZ Co, Landscaping by XYZ company or Siding by XYZ company. Why not have a sign in front of the yard that says Home Staging by your company or Redesign by your company?

Signs are inexpensive. They capture attention. They get your name known in the community.

Don't forget to put your name, phone number, and web address (in big letters so that it can be seen from the road) on your sign!

Press Release Examples

Teri B. Clark (http://www.teribclark.com) — Mon, 14 May 2007 12:15:38 -0500

I wrote a post the other day on press releases. I promised to show some examples, so here they are.

Large kind:

For_Immediate_Release:

Teri B. Clark has written 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought. This book's hints and tips from professionals is sure to help anyone sell their home!

Numerous studies show that a house that is well polished on the surface and staged properly will appeal to more buyers, sell faster, and most importantly for more money. You may not be able to improve the market value of your house, but you can improve its marketability. Remember: first impressions count the most.

In this groundbreaking new book you will learn how small color changes will increase your home’s value, minor repairs and de-cluttering tricks, how to rearrange your furniture and art work, decorating tips and ideas, how to look at your house from the buyer's viewpoint, how to add minor accessories, which items stay and what must go, which minor changes will bring you the greatest return, how to bring out a home's best features, table settings, candles, what photos must go and which ones stay, how to minimize problem areas, how to position your house for the marketplace, what music to play, what scents to spray, how to use design psychology techniques, lighting techniques, landscaping secrets, what to do with garages, basements and attics, what color you should never use, how to ensure a positive traffic flow through rooms, how to use mirrors and natural light, and much more.

This brand new exhaustively researched book is the ultimate resource for novices and pros alike; it will guide you through every step of the process with hundreds of innovative ideas that you can put to use right away. This book gives you the proven strategies and innovative ideas used by the expert’s everyday that you can easily do your self.

This book, written by Teri B. Clark will be out by mid March. You can purchase this book by going to http://staging-your-home.blogspot.com or learn more about the author at http://teribclark.blogspot.com

Price: $24.95

ISBN 10: 0-910627-06-1

ISBN 13: 978-0-910627-06-1

Small kind:

Apex-based designer Mary Larsen, who was recently featured on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, will be offering advice on Spring accessorizing at Stein Mart in Cary. Three sessions, entitled “9 Minutes with Mary,” are scheduled for Wednesday, March 28, at 11:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. at 240 Crossroads Blvd. in Cary.