No, not the pictures of themselves--of the houses they are selling! The Internet is where 85% of the buyers are searching. And they eliminate houses based on the photos. So really, the pictures of your house on the Internet are your FIRST SHOWING. Also, great photos make your house look as valuable as it really is.
Make sure your house makes its best possible first impression! When you interview an agent, along with all the other important questions:
-Ask them how their photos of their listings compare to other agents.
-Ask to see examples.
-What kind of camera do they use? (Phone cameras don't count!)
-Do they use a professional photographer?
-is the lighting good? And the exposures correct?
-Are the photos in focus?
-Are they showing off the features?
-Are they using a wide-angle lens to capture all the space?
-Do they have an "eye"?
-How many photos do they typically post for each listing?
-Will they take outside photos, and photos that are relevant to your residential community? (Community pools, parks, etc.)
-Do they recommend having your house staged professionally prior to having photos taken?
-Do their photos evoke an emotional response in you?
Study Photos On The MLS (Check out Realtor.com)
You'll see what works, and what doesn't. And you'll be amazed at what you'll find:
-No photos posted
-One outside photo only
-Toilet seats up (ugh!)
-Underexposed shots, with windows "blown out"
-Photos that make you feel "tippy" (room is slanted strangely) or "unfocused" (blurry)
-Strange pictures of walls, hallways, doorways, etc.
Notice great shots:
-Unique angles (high, low)
-Photos where the outside is visible while the inside is perfectly exposed
Demand That Your "First Showing" Be The Best it Can Be!
Be sure and check your listing online once it is posted. Request that photos be retaken if they don't meet your standards. In fact, insist on it!
When it comes to the MLS, a picture can be worth a thousand dollars...or more!!!
RE:STYLE is the leading home staging company in the Michigan counties of Livingston, Washtenaw, southern Genesee and western Oakland. RE:STYLE has staged over $35 million in SOLD! real estate. Call owner Kathi Presutti at 810-333-5240 for a home staging consultation, vacant house staging, or assistance with redesign or interior decorating. www,RestyleStaging.com
Staging is Big News Around Here--Especially When it's For A Bank-owned Property! VERBAL OFFER RECEIVED!!!
Click here to see the story that aired Saturday evening on ABC Channel 12!
And here are the complete "after" pictures, that didn't get shown on the air:
This is the second bank-owned condo staged by RE:STYLE just this week! Staging with RE:STYLE works--the first condo, staged on Wednesday, already has an offer!
More banks need to speed up the sales process by staging their inventory that is in good condition. We all benefit from the quick sale of foreclosure properties!!!
RE:STYLE is a Michigan home-staging company based in Livingston County. We stage the counties of Livingston, Washtenaw, southern Genesee and western Oakland. Please contact Kathi Presutti at 810-333-5240 for staging consultations for lived-in and vacant properties, and for hands-on staging. Our work is designed to sell!
Vacant Properties Don't Sell Nearly As Well As Those That Are Staged--Even Ones That Are Bank-Owned!
I received a call from a local Realtor who is familiar with RE:STYLE's staging. She had taken the unprecedented step to propose that her asset manager consider staging at least one of her condo listings. She also let me know about more condos in another area, and so I crafted an email designed to sell my staging services to both potential properties. Keeping in mind the amazingly low asking price, I trimmed my own bid, and got the job to stage 2 condos!
Here are some before and after photos of the condo I completed on Wednesday. My proposal was for "soft staging" using accessories only. But I went the extra mile and threw in some smaller pieces of furniture to create an even better first impression.
BEFORE: Bland and Boring!
AFTER: Much more inviting, and now it's actually worth it to post inside photos, which are so important to buyers!
This bank actually had these condos completed, so they are in brand new condition. Talk about savvy individuals!
And then, just to add some more appeal, here are some "environmental" photos that will make the MLS listing memorable and desirable:
If you have a bank-owned property, or any listing, and you'd like it to sell more quickly, give us a call at 810-333-5240!
3rd Annual Fund Raiser for the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, this is put on by the Great Lakes Chapter of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals. What a great way to let the public experience the emotional appeal of a properly staged house. The Chapter established a website, and collected contributions from Realtors, Home Sellers and ASPs for each house listed. There was a criteria established for each staged property, and an ASP must be present at the Open House.
There are 4 houses in 3 counties participating in the Open House, and then 5 more available By Appointment Only.
Visit The Open House from 1PM to 3PM on Sunday, June 14th. Below are the 2 houses RE:STYLE has Open Open Open!
3204 Lakewood Shores Drive, Howell 48843
$274,900
Rhonda Parks—Keller Williams/ 734-634-5277
North Shore Community 4 bed, ranch home with great open floor plan for entertaining, custom designed fireplace, oak cabinets, finished lower level w/daylight windows. Association offers park with beach, gazebo & walking trails to enjoy your time at home.
<!--StartFragment-->
5947 Parent Drive, Brighton 48114
$179,900
Bobby Bidwell—RE/MAX Platinum/810-714-4726
Well-maintained, move-in condition ranch home with lake access on all sports Fonda Lake. Lots of privacy on quiet cul-de-sac. Bring your lake toys and get ready for fun on the water this summer!
Hopefully we'll get a great turnout--and maybe even some offers!
This house was originally listed on 8/4/09, then staged on 5/09/09--9 months later! So, staging works even with houses that have grown "stale"!\
From Pink Linoleum to...
This Ann Arbor house will most likely sell to a younger couple. So, it needed some updating, and staging that reflected the buyer.
This is the before, with pink linoleum throughout the entry, dining room, kitchen and hallway.
Here is how staging by RE:STYLE has showcased this room. We selected new vinyl, which didn't even need to be adhered with mastic (saving installation cost, and the linoleum for the new buyer, in case they prefer it to this stone-look vinyl).
The Living Room has a beautiful hardwood floor:
But it needed the right furniture and accessories to showcase it, and add that all-important emotional appeal:
This house has been on the market for several months. Now, with new flooring and soon, newly painted bath and bedrooms, it is all set for a quick sale! Here are a few more after photos:
For homeowners or Realtors in Michigan's Washtenaw, Livingston, Genesee or western Oakland County, who are looking to give their properties an edge, call 810-333-5240. RE:STYLE Home Staging and Redesign--our work is designed to sell!
BRIGHTON, MICHIGAN, March 30, 2009—Livingston County Accredited Staging Professional, Kathi Presutti, owner of RE:STYLE Home Staging and Redesign, a leading home staging company, announces that Cari Pilon has joined the firm as a Home Staging and Redesign Consultant.
Formerly of Smart Stagers, Inc., Pilon has been a home staging and redesign expert since 2004. “Cari brings years of experience and a great portfolio of work,” says Presutti. “Her specialties include both vacant and occupied staging, as well as interior redesign and color consultations. She will be an excellent addition to the RE:STYLE team.”
The partnership results in a unique company possessing strengths in both Home Staging and Interior Design. “Together, Kathi and I can offer more service, experience, and creativity for home owners, Realtors, custom home builders and commercial clients,” says Pilon, who has also trained individuals to become home stagers.
“Home staging is the best way to sell a house fast, and savvy Realtors understand this,” says Presutti. “Cari is well known in the Brighton area, and together, we will create an even stronger presence in Livingston, Washtenaw, and western Oakland counties.”
About RE:STYLE LLC
Home staging company RE:STYLE LLC is located in Brighton, Michigan, and helps homeowners & realtors sell homes more quickly and more profitably by staging a house for sale using proven staging methods to ensure that listings appeal to a broad range of buyers. For more information, please contact RE:STYLE at 810.333.5240 or visit http://www.restylestaging.com
Nearly 50 art lovers braved a cold Michigan afternoon to come out to 6020 Wyndam Lane and admire the work of 4 local artists, and the staging work of RE:STYLE. Oh yes, they were also taking in all the great features of this gorgeous house!
And The Winner Is...
Another big draw was the chance to win an 8-day, 7-night stay in the winner's choice of resort condominiums from all over the world! The lucky winner is from Brighton!
Buy the Art, Buy the House, or Buy Both!
If you'd like a chance to purchase any of the art, here's who to contact:
RE:STYLE staged this house to appeal to the target--a young professional couple or perhaps a single man or woman. Because winters are long and gray in Michigan, we used bright colors to liven up the look and create a very happy atmosphere! We also made the bay window serve as a functional window seat for more appeal.
We carried the color scheme throughout the house, including the kitchen and breakfast nook. Doesn't it look cheerful?
We even kept the warm colors going in the bath! And now, here are a few more "after" photos of this great house! It's just $199,000, by the way!
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.
But it needed the right furniture and accessories to showcase it, and add that all-important emotional appeal:
;)
;)
