Spring is approaching and I think everyone is ready! Showings have picked up and now is the time to get your listings ready for the Spring and Summer buyers. Hopefully we will all get touched with that Irish luck and see our businesses grow this Spring!

 

"I have been very successfully selling luxury new homes at the beach for almost 20 years without ever staging a home. However, as the market has slowed recently, one my Seller approached me about staging his home, I told him I felt it was an unnecessary expense and that I didn't think he should spend the added money. However, against my "better" judgement my Seller decided to proceed with staging.

 

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Vacant homes on the MLS can often confuse buyers. They appear small and unappealing, and do not make buyers want to see the home in person. Can you tell what room this is?

 

Having the best photographs on the MLS is paramount in today's real estate market. With the majority of home buyers previewing properties online first, then deciding to take the next step and view the home in person, you may be loosing more potential buyers than you realize. If a buyer does not like what they see in the MLS photo, they will simply move on to the next house with more enticing photos.

 

To make your listing look its absolute best to these savvy internet shoppers, there are several things you can do:

 

1) Hire a professional photographer to take your photos

2) Invest in a wide-angle lens camera for your business, & take the photos yourself

3) Make sure the home is clean, organized, and inviting before taking the photos - this may mean getting rid of last night's dirty dishes, moving the kitty litter to the garage for the photos, or simply making a bed

4) Hire a professional stager to do all of the above!

 

 

We are not professional photographers, but we do realize the importance of good photography in the real estate market. Therefore, below are some questions to consider when investing in a camera for your real estate needs.

 

How do you plan to use the camera? Will it be solely for work purposes? Do you plan to print your photos, or use them only on the internet or emailing to prospects and clients? If you do not plan to print them, then a high resolution is not as important for online photos. Also, if you will be taking mostly still photos, a fast burst mode or continuous shooting may not be a priority either.

 

How much storage does your camera have? With digital cameras we have the capability of taking hundreds of shots of any one room in a home. Once you have the photos uploaded on your computer, you can then determine if the photo is good enough. A large storage capacity is crucial for digital photography. You will most likely need to purchase additional memory, so make sure your camera is compatible for removable storage and purchase one that is large enough for your needs.

 

How close to your subject will you be shooting? Do you plan to take photos of bigger items and places? You will want to consider the zoom and lens components of the digital camera. A wide angle lens is best for shooting interior shots and capturing architectural details. Some cameras have these capabilities built in, and others are compatible with wide-angle, telephoto, and other attachments.

 

These are just a few of the things to consider when deciding to purchase a camera for your business needs. A salesperson at your local camera specialty store, or camera department, should be able to better assist with your final decision.

Here are the numbers on our most recent staged home that sold in less than 90 days!

 

2613 Seabrook Island Road, Seabrook Island

MLS #2740891 - list price $729,000

 

Staged and Listed - 12/09/2007

 

                           Under Contract - 2/8/2008 - less than 60 days later!

 

Our own Bevin Googer made it as a Top Ten Stager Idol Finalist! Bevin was one of thirty contestants in The Real Estate Staging Association's Stager Idol competition.  Please visit www.StagerIdol.com for more information about this amazing competition and the wonderful prizes the winner will receive.

 

Thank you as always for your business and continued support. We are looking forward to another great year serving all of you, and plan to continue to grow in South Carolina to further meet your needs. See you next month!

 

Sincerely,

 

Bevin Googer, Melissa Marro & The Entire First Impressions Team

www.StagingAndRedesign.com

www.RedesigningCharleston.com