staged4more.com Blog

I know, I know, I haven’t written blogs for awhile (you will see why in 2009! I have books and courses for training companies being written & published right now, so all the writing juice went that way… You will definitely be the first to know when the first book hit the market in mid-spring next year)

I have always wanted to do podcasts for awhile, so here was my first try today! I interviewed TerryLynn Fisher, who not only gave me lots of words of wisdom when I was a newbie stager, who is also a wealth of sources for both real estate industry and staging industry. She has been incredibly active in real estate circles with her green initiatives, she also co-founded Stager’s List, which is a community dedicated for stagers to buy, sell their inventory.

The topics were very broad. I have decided for the podcasts, we are not going to do any formal Q&A, but more of a chatting format. I personally think it is also easier to listen to. Our topics included are:

*Top producers’ secrets even in down economy
*Staging industry
*Stager’s trainings
*Realtors who stage properties themselves vs. Realtors who work with stagers as a team together -> what are the differences and how that has changed Realtor’s business (TerryLynn has done both)
*Green initiatives in our industry
*Economic benefits of staging
*Being realtor/stager is a small business
*Profitable & sustainable business models
*Return on investment of staging & stats
*First LEED-H house in Northern California (Margarido House)

To listen, go to TalkShoe to either join stagingbabe’s community or just to listen.

Here is TerryLynn’s Bio

In January, 2008, Terrylynn was voted 2007 Staging Realtor of the YEAR through RESA (Real Estate Staging Association). She was awarded the Staging Spirit Award at the Staging Convention in 2006. In Real Estate since 1977, Terrylynn has been in the top of Production since joining Diablo Realty and has obtained various real estate awards and designations to improve her client services. She has published articles about real estate and staging in Staging magazines, newspapers and various blog sites. She has appeared on ABC 20/20 program on staging and locally on CBS.

These include the
CRS – Certified Residential Specialist
SRES – Senior Real Estate Specialist
GRI – Graduate Realtors Institute
CSP – Certified Staging Professional
And the recent Institute for Luxury Homes
course on Luxury Real Estate Specialist

Per Terrylynn, “I BELIEVE that staging enhances my client’s bottom line. Of all of the activities I do on behalf of my clients, staging is the one thing that the client can see, feel and experience as enhancing their return on investment. They KNOW their home is transformed into a product to market and sell. They KNOW staging is a marketing tool and they KNOW I will use it as one of the tools in the arsenal to sell their home at it’s maximum sale price in any market. Who am I to decide the client shouldn’t have every opportunity to maximize their investment? It is my job to tell them what I know that can enhance their sale. It is then their decision as to what they do with that information. To me, not telling them about staging and its benefits is NOT an option. Staging, expert negotiating and the truth in all dealings, I owe them no less. ”

www.Terrylynn-n-Team.com 925 876-0966

Real Estate Article and Blog written and published
by Terrylynn Fisher February, 2008

SELL NOW AND SAVE MONEY??!! YES it’s true.
In our local area, prices have been depressed for a while. California and Florida are the top two states for foreclosures and short sales, REO’s etc. This had caused a pretty negative affect on our markets. But actually in the early 2000’s boom years, most of our areas were up about 35% in value appreciation. So, it’s all relative isn’t it? IF we are now down about 15% to 20%, we are still ahead. And, if you subscribe to the real estate concept of buying and holding until the time is right to sell, well you might want to think about this too.

But wait, is there a reason to sell in a down market rather than wait for that 15% to 20% in price appreciation to regain in your area? You might think I am crazy, but just look at this analysis… (I am using round numbers for ease of illustration.)

Say your home was worth $300,000 three years ago. Say you lost 20% in value in the last year and a half. That’s $60,000, so your home is now worth $240,000.

Say the home you wanted to purchase was $500,000 three years ago.
Say they lost 20% in value in the last year and a half. That’s $100,000, so their home is now worth $400,000.

The GAP between your home and the new home is closer than it would have been two to three years ago.
Sell 3 years ago $300,000 Buy 3 years ago $500,000
Difference $200,000
Sell now $240,000 Buy now $400,000
Difference $160,000

What does this mean to you? It means $40,000 less in down payment or mortgage. IF it is $40,000 less in mortgage at 6% interest, that’s $240 per month less in monthly mortgage payment you are paying for 30 years!!! Compound that for a nice savings.

Then in California our property taxes are approximately 1.25% of the sales price.
3 years ago $521 per month in property taxes
Buy now $417 per month in property taxes
Savings $104 per month savings

Add on the fact that our interest rates are almost at the lowest of low that it has ever been and you will save more on your monthly payment than almost any time in history. The bonus for most areas will be that the conforming loan rates are about to rise, when President Bush signs the bill. This is huge for us in California where it could rise from $417,000 to $729,000!!! This would make a huge difference for people wanting to refinance or purchase. IF you don’t own real estate, now may just be the time to look at buying with prices at a low point. And, it may be time to look at selling and moving up?
What do you think?