In this case it should be “How NOT to Stage Your Home”. Matt Pellerin in Phoenix, AZ has a post on his blog about the virtual tour of the year. It seem that another agent in the Phoenix area actually listed a property, took pictures, made a video and uploaded it all to the internet. So what do you think about this.
Over the last several days I have had the priviledge of meeting Bill Brown and examining first hand a project he is working on utilizing Insulated Concrete Forms. The first time I ever saw this type product in use was on HGTV with a room addition project and that has several years ago. Looking at the product you see the best of both construction worlds with concrete and rebar for rigidity and strength and expanded polystyrene for energy efficiency and sound attenuation. These are just some of the key benefits of Isulated Concrete Forms.
With all emphasis being put on ecologically and enviornmentally friendly construction practices in today’s building industry, it seems to make perfect sense for builders and homeowners alike to examine using this technology. While it may be slightly more expensive than traditional methods, the cost could easliy be amortized and recovered via the energy savings.
The real estate market in Atlanta has, like many areas of the country, experienced changes in the last year. Prior to 2007 it seemed as though all a seller need to do in order to sell their home was put a sign in the yard, have the home reasonably priced and make an effort to have it in somewhat show ready condition. Times have certainly changed!
Properly marketing a home for sale is the top priority. Last week I attended a seminar on home sales and marketing and found out some interesting facts. 500% more buyers are likely to find their new home on the internet than in the newspaper and 2400% are more likely to find their new home on the internet than in the free home books. What are these numbers telling us? I think the main thing to be learned from them is that buyers want to look at pictures to see if a prosective home may meet their criteria. Not just one picture but multiple pictures.
This is not to say that homes don’t need to be properly priced and in show ready condition, in addition they must be marketed in innovative ways on the internet with as many pictures as possible. One way to accomplish this is by using an interactive floor plan with “mouse over” icons that show photos of individual rooms as well as a front and rear view of a home. We all remember the old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words”, in today’s Atlanta real estate market multiple pictures are worth thousands of words. Without having the right pictures and the right avenues to display them sellers will no doubt experience frustrations with extended time on the market as well as expired listings and then be faced with what some determine as their main marketing advantage, a price reduction.
Here is a home that is truely priced to sell. At $250,000 this 5 bedroom 3-1/2 bath 2 story traditional home in The Falls at North Cliff is below market value. The homeowners have said "Get It Sold". New carpet and stainless appliances have already been installed. The home features separate living room and den as well as a kitchen with an eating area and a formal dining room. The oversized master suite and 4 additional bedrooms are upstairs. To view this home and all of Mack’s Properties For Sale just click here.
Congratulations go out to Bill and Pam Hodgson on the birth of their son Ethan Andrew. We were on vacation when Ethan came into this world so forgive me for getting this up after the fact. I guess Thanksgiving this year will be interesting with both Linc and Ethan celebrating with us for the first time.
Thanks to Bill for getting the Ethan’s Pictures up for all to see.
Well vacation at the beach is over for 2007. It was great seeing all our old friends and even having time to play a little golf. Congratulation to Catalina Beach Club for getting the remodeling done. That certainly was a monumental task.
There are several resturants that stand out from the rest in the Daytona Beach Area. Byron’s on A1A is fantastic. Try the “Flaming Cheese” you won’t be disappointed. Billy’s Tap Room and Mario’s both in Ormond Beach were great. In New Smyrna Beach Norwoods Seafood has always stood out.
We have always enjoyed our timeshare in Daytona Beach but realize that some people may not want to go to the same destination year after year. I have found a really nice site that specializes in vacation rentals for the Daytona Beach area should you need it.
Well it’s back to work for now and good to be home!
For my wife and myself this time of the year is always welcome as we recharge our batteries with vacationing. Instead of taking a trip during the springtime as usual, we rescheduled that trip so that we could take a cruise with our good friends Lee and Sandra Muse. For those who are not aware Lee and Sandra are the cruise king and queen of everyone we know and are the ones who actually got us excited about cruising. Sandra had pretty much decided that they would not cruise this year due to their son getting married. That suddenly took an abrupt change when Millie and Sandra just mentioned cruising. One thing lead to another and the next thing I knew we were on a Carnival Cruise leaving out of New Orleans. Thanks Carnival for a great time.
By the way Jeff and Amanda, CONGRATULATIONS. The hopes and wishes of many are with you as you begin your life together.
Now that we have returned from the cruise it is time for our almost annual trip to Daytona Beach, Florida. The reason I say almost annual trip is because the complex where our timeshare is located is finally able to reopen after being severly damaged by Hurricane Charlie almost 3 years ago. So look out Catalina Beach Club, we have several years of partying with our friends to make up for. Larry, Joanie, Phyllis, Kyle, Betty, Joe and even that crazy Alabama Gang it’s time to play. We look forward to seeing everyone this weekend. By the way Kyle, remember to check for any toe fungus!
If you have been watching the news lately you know that there is a wildfire in southeast Georgia. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the residents of Waycross GA and Ware County. The fire has been fueled by the fact that Georgia has experienced an abnormally dry spring. Some areas of southeast Georgia are as much as 10 inches behind on rainfall and the rest of the state has not faired much better.
Due to the lack of rainfall, Watering Restictions have been imposed statewide. Even numbered addresses can water between Midnight and 10:00AM on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. No outdoor watering is allowed on Fridays or between 10:00AM and Midnight anyday. These restictions not only apply to watering your lawn but also include washing your car.
For everyone with automatic sprinkler systems it is time to reprogram your system to comply with these restictions. Let’s all do our part to help. Last weekend I heard one of the speakers on a local gardening talkshow discussing how our lawns in the metro Atlanta area actually look better and withstand the summers heat due to deeper root growth if they are watered thoroughly once a week. His advice was to water the lawn early in the morning and only more than once a week during the extreme heat of the summer.
Talk about Loving Atlanta Living, last night was one of the most rewarding nights any person could hope for. At 9:25 PM EST William Lincoln “Linc” Perry came into this world. He weighed in at 6lbs. 5oz. and was 18 in. tall. While this is not big by some standards, he is huge in our eyes. Mother, father and baby are all doing well. All 4 grandparents on the other hand are way too excited and may require medical attention.
Please join us in welcoming “Linc”!!! 
With this mornings weather conditions it seems logical to include information about road conditions and closures. We are fortunate in Georgia to have a Department of Transportation that keeps us informed. About 10 years ago the Georgia DOT instituted a website called Georgia Navigator. This site provides visitors with current construction project information, state and federal highway information and road conditions.
One of the services provided on the site is the ability for visitors to view actual real time traffic and road conditions via traffic cameras. To view an area that interest you just click on the link at the top of the page, and then scroll down to the actual camera you would like to view.
Of course using the site can be valuable during adverse weather conditions; however you can also obtain useful information when planning a trip on Georgia roads.