Bad MLS Photography (Part Two)

Are you ready for another  bad MLS photo post?

You know... the kind of photos that DON'T sell a house? Here are three photos that were taken from actual listings... and how they could have been done better.

This photo doesn't show off that this could be a good space... at all. This photo immediately makes the house look like a fixer upper.

Ways the photo could be done better to {hopefully} get more people through the doors:

1. Move the car so you see more of the property.

2. Clean the junk out of the yard... do you really need a table and chairs that have fallen over sitting in the front yard? Or something blocking the front door? Nothing says "welcome!" like that.

3. Have the home owners take 15 minutes to mow their gorgeous green grass!

Just in time for a summer swim...

Nothing says "Buy Me" like turning your pool into a trash and compost bin.

Ways this photo could have been better:

1. Take it from an angle where you only get the yellow part of the house. NO POOL.

2. Move the ladder off the house. You don't want future buyers wondering what you were fixing. (Although chances are there is a lot of work to be done to the house if the backyard looks like this.)

We still see you... 

Ways this photo could be better:

1. Move all the towels and robes out of the photo.

2. Take the photo from inside the shower... if you shoot from an angle there is a better chance you won't be in the photo...

OR 

Kneel on the floor where the photographer is standing. You'll get the same shot if you position yourself correctly.

What are some of the worst MLS photos you've seen?

Staged to Sell

I love hosting open houses. Especially well staged open houses that really give a potential buyer a feel for how a particularly tricky spot can be laid out... like this little desk right in the entryway. 

I visited some open houses a few weekends ago with some real estate clients and came across this little ranch. It was a flip and because no one was living there after the work was completed they had it staged. The photos of a vacant home are typically not interesting and not interesting leads to less showings. Staged homes generally sell for more than unstaged homes.

I want to show off this particular home because I think the stager (unfortunately I have no idea who they were) did a great job finding tasteful furnishings that accurately showed off the size of the house. You'll probably notice that every room has a neutral paint color... which could look very blah to potential buyers if it wasn't paired with great pops of color. When repainting to sell your home you can't go wrong with a neutral wall color... buyers will have a much easier time envisioning their own belongings in the space if they aren't imagining how much work it'll take to paint over a bold or bright color.

I find staging to be especially helpful when you have small bedrooms. A typical home buyer has no idea what size bed would fit into a small space but it's must easier to envision your things in that house if you see that a full sized bed is able to fit with two end tables, for example. Simply staging the bedrooms could protect a buyer from just walking away believing the rooms / house to be too small for them.

The person who staged this home did a great job making the bathrooms feel spa-like with white towels, zero clutter and calming accessories. If you are selling your house, or intending to, take the lead from this home and have zero clutter out (ie: buyers don't need to see any of your toiletries)... it's amazing how much more restful it makes the home feel.

Every home buyer wants a workable kitchen and if staged take the lead from this kitchen and use plants, food that wont spoil and white or neutral dishes.

What are some great home staging tips you've seen?

Lyon Real Estate Dinner

Recently I went to an incredible event put on by Lyon Real Estate for their 900 agents. The night was designed to honor the hard work that went into making of 2013 a successful year in real estate. 

In addition to the fantastic dinner and dancing I was very honored to come home with some new "bling" for my desk. I’m so appreciative of my wonderful clients that made it possible!

I’m looking forward to another strong year in 2014!

CA Water Crisis

If you are from California you are well aware of the water crisis that we are facing. This graphic below outlines exactly where the water is going in a typical three bedroom home in California. Don’t discount this though if you live in another state… it’s probably very similar if you are in another climate that is generally warm year round.

So what can you do to save money and water?

There are a few simple fixes that you can do inside your house:

1. Invest in a low flow toilet (like this one) for under $200.

2. Install a faucet aerator (they are only $2!)
3. Install a low flow shower head. 

1. 
   

I found it surprising that so much water was used on landscaping. Instead of annually spending almost 60% of your water on your yard consider investing in drought resistant landscaping like these homes. Read some really helpful tips from  Better Homes and Gardens on creating this type of landscaping.

 

Photos via Better Homes and Gardens

First Quarter Market Update

Changes for Mortgages in 2014

Recently I had a chance to ask Jennifer Barth from Vitek Mortgage about the many changes to 2014 mortgage rules. I wanted her to fill you in on the most important things to keep in mind.  I'm so appreciative of her time and expertise. I definitely suggest visiting Jen's website to learn more about her!  

So how will the new mortgage rules affect you?

FHA loan limit decrease: Buyers who need to borrow more than $474,950 (loan limits are county specific) will be unable to use FHA financing and must apply for a jumbo loan. Typically, this means that instead of making a down payment of 3.5%, borrowers will be required to make a more significant down payment.

Ability-to-Repay/qualified-mortgage rule: Borrowers without a lot of debt won’t be affected by this new rule, but those who have a debt-to-income ratio above 43% will find it harder to qualify for a loan unless they can reduce their debt or boost their income. Self-employed borrowers will need to provide more documentation of their income, and all borrowers will be required to provide extensive paperwork to prove their income and assets.

Caps on loan origination fees: Lender fees will be limited to 3% of the loan amount, which means borrowers won’t be overpaying for their loans. However, the cap on fees may make lenders less likely to offer smaller loans.  Another area that could be problematic is if a buyer wants to buy down the interest rate.  Given that fees are limited to 3%, buying down an interest rate may not be possible.

Rising guarantee fees: Lenders are likely to pass on higher fees that they pay to consumers, which will add to the cost of borrowing. That is on top of rising interest rates, which many experts are forecasting will reach at least 5%  next year. While that’s not high in historical terms, rising borrowing costs mean that many people won’t be able to get as much house as they had hoped. Still, some experts see an upside: Higher rates may mean fewer loan applications in 2014. Tight competition between mortgage companies for a smaller pool of applicants could mean that lenders will loosen their standards a little and make it easier for some borrowers to qualify for a loan.

New mortgage servicing rules: Mortgage servicers will be required to provide each borrower with a monthly statement that clearly shows their interest rate, loan balance and escrow account balance and an explanation of how their payment is being credited. Lenders will be required to credit mortgage payments on the day they are received. “Dual tracking” will no longer be allowed, which means that no foreclosure proceedings can be started until a borrower is at least 120 days late and until borrowers have completed a loss mitigation application and it has been addressed by the lender.

Appraisal delivery rules under Reg B and Z:  This rule requires that all appraisals and valuations be provided to the applicant.  Delivery to the loan applicant must occur at least 3 days before closing escrow; this can potentially delay the closing date.  This rule does allow for waivers in certain circumstances.

Pottery Barn Giveaway

I'm excited to announce this giveaway to Pottery Barn. I've partnered with some great blogs to sponsor this, you'll have to visit them and get some inspiration for your home! Enter here via Rafflecopter (it will take you literally 30 seconds to sign up!).

  a Rafflecopter giveaway