Dial Directions is an amazing service that is free (except long distance charges may occur depending on your service plan) You don’t need to give them anything or register. All you need to do is dial the number and give them the directions, then you receive a text message (see the nifty comics above). Pretty cool, huh?
Do you have any other excellent tips for finding your way on the road? If so, jot it down here in the comments box.
This is a continuation of the Wednesday Series: Can [this] sell houses? Read the previous 2 posts here:
I recently spent 2 weeks at home in Taiwan for Taiwanese New Year (Gong Si Fa Tsai to everyone!) and it’s always interesting to go back because the values of both California and Taiwan differ a lot.
There is no staging in Taiwan except for model homes. Agents show homes vacant or cluttered and people are used to it (The houses are tiny there, we all live very cluttered lives). Homes are a lot smaller and storage is always a hot topic in Asian homes. Feng Shui is also big, not only for people who are alive and also with people who are dead. People often jokes that it’s more expensive to live in Taiwan as a dead person than a live one since feng shui is a key ingredient in selecting an appropriate plot for every individual.
Feng Shui, fad or true?
(photo by Room With A View)
Feng Shui has always been sort of trendy. Feng Shui has become a trendy thing to hear about in the staging field. As I progress in the industry, I often encounter people who are on both sides. There are even publications on feng shui for cats, it’s really difficult to take something like so seriously. Some believe in staging with feng shui, some think it’s a sign of desperation.
But does feng shui really sell houses?
Luopan compass used in feng shui
(photo by musicvisionary2000)
Feng Shui expert Carole Provenzale told me that “Feng Shui is literally translated to mean (more…)
This workshop is put on by one of my great friend & client: Anjanette Bixel of Alain Pinel. I will be there as well, so if you come by, please say hello! It’s going to be a great workshop jam packed with information. There are about 9 seats left!
Preparation for Buying a Home, The Process & the Benefits
Special Guest Speakers:
Ed Diaz, Mortgage Consultant
Paul Bartke, CPA/Enrolled Agent
Deborah Boswell, Estate Planning Attorney
Presenting information on
What is the number-one mistake stagers make in their businesses? Not having a staging contract!! This is such a big mistake that it needs to be the subject of my first staging and lawyering post. Stagers, I beg you – invest time, money or whatever it takes to make up a solid staging contract. Not only can a contract solidify your business policies and give you consistency from client to client, but it can also save you from a lot of heartache if something goes wrong.
So, what is a contract? I know, it sounds like a stupid question – as part of modern society we deal with contracts on a daily basis. But so many times we enter into contracts and don’t even think about it – we may not even realize we’re entering into a relationship that falls into the definition of a “contract”!
A contract essentially is an agreement between two parties to do – or not do – something in exchange for something else. Contrary to popular belief, contracts do not always have to be in writing, nor do they have to be signed (but these are two steps that will be essential in your staging contract!).
There are some essential parts of a contract: (more…)
This is the 2nd post of the Wednesday Series: Can [this] sell the house? Today’s “this” is incentives, which is very commonly used by builders and agents.
>>Commission incentives: Many times in order to hold the deal together, agents do compromise on the commissions in order to keep the client’s business and also keep the deal alive.
>>Prize incentives: it is not uncommon, especially in the builder community where they would offer a free flat screen TV, free vacations, free airfares, etc. to encourage buyers to tour the home and make the purchase.
But do they work?
“Back in the ‘80s when I was selling, I did experience that. We had sellers offer a trip for two to Cancun, various things like that,” says Gene Holst, CEO of the Quad City Realtor Association.
Holst says gimmicks usually don’t work. If you want to sell your home, follow three simple rules.
“Pricing it correctly, proper staging, and the third thing is to work with a competent realtor.” (original quote from WQAD)
What do you think?
Feel free to share your thoughts at the Comment area below. I would love to hear about them! Just scroll down and that white blank box is it!
In this issue:
Photo Credit: Cynthia Howe
Phyllis Harb’s Los Angeles Real Estate Blog presents More Home Staging Ideas.
Diane Conccialdi over at Long Beach Home Staging talks about Defining Homes with Color!
Jim Cosgrove dishes out how to Prepare Your Home To Sell posted at Newcastle Square Realty Blog.
Linda Craft speaks the fundamental truth about home staging: it sells faster & for more money: Staging Your Home To Sell It Faster and For More Money posted at Raleigh Real Estate Blog.
Last but not least, frequent carnival contributor Kimberly Wester (welcome back!) speaks an important truth and common misconception about our industry: Why You Cannot Be a Stager For ‘Fun’ posted at The Details of Staging.
To submit to future issues of Carnival of Real Estate Home Staging, do one of the two things here:
1. via blog carnival
2. via email to corehs@staged4more.com. If submit via email, please include:
* Article URL (permalink)
* Article title
* Author name
* E-mail address
* Blog URL
* Brief summary of the post
Can Brad Pitt Sell Houses?
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008Starting today, it’s another Wednesday series! This time is: Can [this] sell the house?
In a crazy market like this, it is not uncommon at all to use every tactics possible to sell the home. But as the inventory rises, do these fantastic incentives work?
>>Star Power: As you may have seen on Donald Trump’s new show Celebrity Apprentice, in the beginning, the women’s team had lost twice in a roll for failing to use their star power to sell.
Similarly, Brad Pitt is leveraging his own star power to help building home in New Orleans, as you can see on the site Make It Right 9. Merchandise ranges from the hat he is wearing to t shirts are selling out quickly.
>>Celebrity Endorsed Homes: In Asia, it is very common to have celebrities to endorse new constructions to help selling the units. But in America, it is more common to mention certain celebrities live here instead.
Does celebrity power work?
My question is, while celebrity power may help certain products, obviously, even with presidential candidates, but couldn’t it deter home buyers from buying as well? Would you want to live next door to Paris Hilton or Britney Spears, which comes with hundreds of camera lenses pointing at your neighborhood at all times?
What do you think?
Feel free to share your thoughts at the Comment area below. I would love to hear about them! Just scroll down and that white blank box is it!
Cheers,
Cindy
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