I just popped on AR to read a few posts and make a comment or two and noticed a new ad in the top right corner for a 'Virtual Staging Solution' to vacant homes (Hey AR guys! You can tell them it works. I clicked on it!). If you're interested in the concept, just click on the ad in the top right corner.
I've thought about this before but have never done it or seen a company offering it. My question is do you think it's a great concept or a bad idea that will ultimately turn off potential buyers?
Most agents will photoshop their photos to make them the best that they can be. You'll lighten or darken, adjust sharpness or contrast. For those with a little bit more photo editing experience, you may even add a bit more color here or there or edit out that errant toy in the middle of the living room, or that phone cable snaking through the picture.
So is adding in a full furniture set to the living room or dining room in your pictures any different? Or is that misleading the client in some way? No, the furniture is rarely included in the purchase price of the home, but we all know, as agents, that a staged home sells better.
But does a VIRTUAL staged home sell better? Sure, it'll look good on the Internet pics, but it's what the home looks like in person that really makes the difference, doesn't it?
What's your thoughts on it, both from an agent perspective and a customer's perspective.
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Roger Johnson is a Realtor with CENTURY 21 American Homes in Hickory, NC.
You can reach me by email at rogerajohnson@century21.com or by phone at 828-568-2121 ext 310.
I enjoy helping the first time home buyer find that perfect place. If you're ready to start your search for your Hickory NC area home, sign up for my free DreamHome Finder service to start your journey to home ownership.
Visit my website to view all Catawba County area real estate
I service the Catawba and surrounding counties, and the Hickory, Newton, Conover, Taylorsville, Claremont, Statesville and Charlotte, NC real estate markets.
Subscribe to My Blog via Email AR Members Subscribe to My Blog
Copyright© 2009 Virtual Staging: Great Concept or Bad Idea? by Roger A. Johnson
I'd like to think that the rise of the Internet and the World Wide Web has helped our society grow. True, it may not make us smarter, but with the amount of data and knowledge available to a user with just a few clicks of the mouse or a few keystrokes should at least make as more informed, right?
And I think it does, or at least did, for the most part, until the advent of streaming media. Add to that the fact that most people that have Internet access now also have some form of high speed service, making getting that media much easier, and you get the dumber side of the Internet.
Just a few minutes on YouTube.com and you'll truly appreciate how dumb some people can be. And for the most part it's in fun (or at least attempting to be so), and the truth is that a lot of it is teens and college kids that are only doing what we "Old Guys" did at that age, too. Of course, we didn't have easy access to a camcorder (unless you were willing to carry one the size of a small suitcase) and we definitely didn't have any way to upload our stupid human tricks for mass public display (I do thank God for that!). I sure as some of these "stars" get older, they're going to regret their decision.
Then you have the really dumb, and it's hit close to home now. If you've not already seen or heard about it, our very own Conover, NC was recently made famous by a couple of real dummies working at Domino's Pizza. The link below is not their YouTube video, though. While it does have the disgusting clips from theirs, it's about how they were ARRESTED for their antics.
Now, if this were teenagers, I'd still think it awful and thoughtless, and all the other thoughts that go through your mind. But these weren't teenagers. Nope. These two wonderful people were in their early thirties! Now, maybe it's just me, but by then, I had developed that one thing that most teenagers don't have...that little voice in your mind that says, "This is stupid! STOP! THINK! DON'T DO IT!" Apparently, for some people, that doesn't develop at all.
Or is it that with the rise of the Internet, easy access and the ability to publish yourself to the masses, that that potential for your very own 15 minutes of fame far outweighs that little voice that begs you to show a little reason with your actions?
If you're in this crowd of people that want, or need this action, be careful what you wish for, as these 2 lucky people are now facing felony food tampering charges, facing some jail time and Domino's hasn't even got started with the possible lawsuits yet.
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Roger Johnson is a Realtor with CENTURY 21 American Homes in Hickory, NC.
You can reach me by email at rogerajohnson@century21.com or by phone at 828-568-2121 ext 310.
I enjoy helping the first time home buyer find that perfect place. If you're ready to start your search for your Hickory NC area home, sign up for my free DreamHome Finder service to start your journey to home ownership.
Visit my website to view all Catawba County area real estate
I service the Catawba and surrounding counties, and the Hickory, Newton, Conover, Taylorsville, Claremont, Statesville and Charlotte, NC real estate markets.
Subscribe to My Blog via Email AR Members Subscribe to My Blog
Copyright© 2009 Has the Internet Made Us Smarter or Dumber? by Roger A. Johnson
Newton, NC always seems to have something going on, but on May 16th, 2009, it's a double whammy special event day!
Starting at 7:00am that morning is the 4th annual City Wide Yard Sale, which is being held at the SouthSide Park, located off of U.S. Hwy. 321 Business South. There should be something for Everybody there, so don't miss out on this event if you're a yard sale junkie or flea market hound!
For those interested in selling off some of their stash, booths for the event will be $5 each, and 10x10 in size. It's highly recommended that you pre-register for the event. Send a completed registration form, along with $5 (cash or check payable to City of Newton), to Festival & Events Committee, c/o Lori Wray, P.O. Box 1053, Newton, NC 28658. Registration forms are available at the Newton Recreation Center, Newton City Hall. If you'd like more information, contact Festival & Events Chairperson Lori Wray at 828-465-2076, or the Newton Recreation Center at 828-695-4317.
The Double Whammy!
Also on that day, Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet is sponsoring MayFest. MayFest will start at 10:00am and run until 7:00pm that night. This is a town party, so if you're not planning on attending, then make sure you re-route your drive because the town and streets will be closed.
There will be food, fun, games, crafts and music galore. Enough fun for the whole family to enjoy.
For more details on the day's events and happenings, you can visit www.newtonmayfest.blogspot.com.
If you'd like to be a vendor at the event, registrations forms for that can be found on the blogsite as well.
So Come out, Visit Newton, NC and meet some really great people. All while having a really GREAT time!
See You There!
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Roger Johnson is a Realtor with CENTURY 21 American Homes in Hickory, NC.
You can reach me by email at rogerajohnson@century21.com or by phone at 828-568-2121 ext 310.
I enjoy helping the first time home buyer find that perfect place. If you're ready to start your search for your Hickory NC area home, sign up for my free DreamHome Finder service to start your journey to home ownership.
Visit my website to view all Catawba County area real estate
I service the Catawba and surrounding counties, and the Hickory, Newton, Conover, Taylorsville, Claremont, Statesville and Charlotte, NC real estate markets.
Subscribe to My Blog via Email AR Members Subscribe to My Blog
Copyright© 2009 Busy Day in Newton, NC on May 16, 2009 by Roger A. Johnson
This is the 1st quarter market report for the Hickory NC and Catawba county real estate market. Before getting into the meat, so to speak, it's always important to know about the data. This report covers all of Catawba county and includes only single-family type homes (that is single family homes, condos and town-homes). No commercial, raw land, or any type of mobile or modular home type is included.
From January to March 2009, 496 homes were listed and 174 have sold. That's a tick over 35%, listed to sold. The average list price for the period was $164,550 with an average sold price of 156,260. That means that most are getting about 95% of the listed price. That's pretty normal. That average days on the market for those that sold were 152, or approximately 5 months. That too, is pretty good.
The Breakdown:
15 properties sold for $16,000 up to $50,000.
38 properties sold between $50,001 and $100,000
47 homes sold between $100,001 and $150,000
33 homes sold between $150,001 and $200,000
21 sold between $200,001 and $250,000
and 20 sold for $250,001 and up with a high of $607,000.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Roger Johnson is a Realtor with CENTURY 21 American Homes in Hickory, NC.
You can reach me by email at rogerajohnson@century21.com or by phone at 828-568-2121 ext 310.
I enjoy helping the first time home buyer find that perfect place. If you're ready to start your search for your Hickory NC area home, sign up for my free DreamHome Finder service to start your journey to home ownership.
Visit my website to view all Catawba County area real estate
I service the Catawba and surrounding counties, and the Hickory, Newton, Conover, Taylorsville, Claremont, Statesville and Charlotte, NC real estate markets.
Subscribe to My Blog via Email AR Members Subscribe to My Blog
Copyright© 2009 Hickory NC Real Estate Area Market Report: 1st Quarter 2009 by Roger A. Johnson
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Realtor for CENTURY 21 American Homes. Specializing in Residential Sales, Investment property and Shortsales.
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