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When it isn't Good to be Green in Grand Rapids....

By
Real Estate Agent with Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner

If you live almost anywhere except a tropical climate, your seasons change

In fall and winter, the trees lose their leaves or they change color.  The grass

isn't that brilliant shade of green that shows it is in growth mode.  Fall and winter

are times of rest for the plant world but not for Grand Rapids MI real estate agents. 

 

 With mulitple listings to advertise, one needs to keep on top of seasonal changes. 

Many times I have seen home photos listed in our local MLS with snow in the yard

in the middle of the summer.  Or now, when we have 1 foot of snow on the ground,

 lots of listings have summer photos with trees in leaf and flowers blooming. 

1927 Talamore Ct Grand Rapids MI condo for sale

Would you make an assumption that the home with the green grass and flowers in the

listing photo today is not being represented by an agent who is on top of his/her game? 

We would.  That is not what your listing looks like or what the neighborhood looks like today.

1927 Talamore Ct GR MI condo home for sale

It is important to represent the home you have listed appropriately.  And buyers

want to know what the yard and landscape looks like in the fall and winter.

1698 Watermark Dr GR MI home for sale

This home was listed at the end of October when the trees had lost their leaves

and flowers and shrubs are dormant.

1698 Watermark Dr GR MI home for sale

It looks very different in this photo coated in snow with the Christmas wreaths up

taken about 6 weeks later.

1407 Alexander SE GR MI home for sale

This home was listed on October 21st, 2009. 

1407 Alexander SE GR MI home for sale

It looks very different today with snow as a major component of the landscape.

 

Keep your listing photos up to date. Winter in Grand Rapids Michigan is one of those

times when being green isn't a good thing.

 

 

Posted by

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in

West Michigan.  We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

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Comments(12)

Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

I agree, that we must stay on top of the seasonal changes with our listing photos!  Great reminder!

Dec 07, 2009 05:27 AM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Tony and Darcy,  We try to keep current photos on all our listings.

Dec 07, 2009 09:00 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Great advice!  As wonderful as spring green looks, snow on the ground and roof is beautiful too!  Each season has its beauty.

Dec 07, 2009 10:50 AM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Your snow photos are great - good advice to keep the photos current.

Debi

Dec 07, 2009 12:46 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Great contrast of pics Terry.  It is often a rarity that agents here go back and take new pics when the seasons change.

Dec 07, 2009 03:39 PM
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed

Nice photos Terry and Bonnie. I agree about keeping the photos current - especially if it's now summer, and the lawn is still showing snow. ;-)

Dec 08, 2009 12:26 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Myrl, We just think that the seasonal photos are more appropriate.

Dec 08, 2009 02:40 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Debi, We thinks we need to but not everyone agrees.

Dec 08, 2009 02:41 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Melinda, Everyone need to do what makes the client happy.

Dec 08, 2009 02:42 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Teri, with today's market it just reinforces the fact it has been on the market for a long time.

Dec 08, 2009 02:43 PM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Terry and Bonnie,

People like to look at homes the way they are today, and the wrong pictures can show a lack of enthusiasm in my I for a real estate agent not keeping up on things.

Dec 09, 2009 01:23 AM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Tom, It is so easy with today's technology I can't find a reason not to do it.

Dec 09, 2009 01:28 AM