Localism: Collin County, TX

Top 5 Tips to Better Photographs: Tip Numero Uno

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:56:17 -0600

Hi again everyone!

This is Kay's assistant, Joseph, with the #1 of my top 5 Tips to Better Photographs. But before I get to that, I just wanted to tell you a little bit about my background:

I am not a professional photographer, and have taken no formal photography courses (actually when I first started college I was going to major in Painting and Drawing with a minor in Philosophy...eventually got my B.A. in Psychology with Philosophy minor. I did grow up with photography, as my mother's father, Wyman Parr, opened a chain of camera stores in Dallas starting in the 1950's (Parr's Cameras). By the time he died, both my father (Martin Bros. Cameras) and mother (The Camera Store, Inc.) owned one of his stores. Times change and now the stores are all gone. But what I learned lives on in my photography......and a lot of what I have learned has been trial and error, and reading.

So don't think that what I know is the result of some specialized education. If I can improve my photography, so can you.

Ok, so without further adieu, here's my #1 Tip, and just like in retail they say success is all about "Location, Location, Location", my Number One Tip is....

Composition, Composition, Composition

Nothing makes your photos come alive more than a good composition. Composition directs our eyes and tells them what to look at. Bad composition leaves your pictures uninteresting to the eye. When I was taking art coursework many years ago, we were taught The Principles of Design. I won't explain every one of them, but they are:

Balance

Unity

Gradation

Repetition

Contrast

Harmony

Dominance

When I go to photograph a house, I first think of the lighting conditions and camera settings I'm likely to use. After that everything is about mentally noting how do I want to compose the shots., before I even look through the viewfinder. I look for angles and views that will create interest. I think too manny realtors I have known confuse staging with composition, but the truth is that a well staged house with poorly composed shots will look worse than a badly staged house well-composed.

I pride myself on the ability to work around almost anything people have in a house without having to move things around.....kid's toys, dog cages, cluttered desks. In this picture:

Just to the right of the picture were two huge dog cages. I'd always much rather move myself than objects, if at all possible. Call me lazy.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind in Composing Shots

1. Whether horizontally or vertically, do not divide the picture in exactly two equal halves...leave just a little more above or below the midpoint line. It may seem counter-intuitive, but putting the horizon above or below the midpoint will "feel" visually more solid and stable:

2. Look for unusual angles or views to create interest and make people look longer. We look longer at images that look less familiar:

3. Use perspective to create sense of space and height. I often shoot pictures with the camera about 2-3 feet off the ground, looking upward. Often for Master Baths, I shoot them at the level of the vanity:

4. Interest is often created in compositions by putting the main subject just slightly off-center, rather than perfectly centered, as long as you keep balance in the composition:

I could have shot this from directly in front of the mirror above the mantle, with the mantle in the center, and the chairs symmetrical on either side of the mantle; or with the huge window dead centered

I thought it would be more interesting to shoot with the small table just right of center, with the left side of the window acting as a counter-balance. The open space and low bar to the far left balances the high mirror to the right. Also notice the line of the floor is below the midline, and the horizon line is slightly above the midpoint.

Hopefully these Top 5 Tips have been helpful. I'll leave you with a couple of my personal photos from around McKinney, Texas:

WHY USE A REALTOR TO SELL MY HOME??

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:19:42 -0600

Why Use a REALTOR®?

All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

But if you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are a dozen more reasons to use one:

1. Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power -- that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders -- banks and mortgage companies -- offer limited choices.

2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.

3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.

6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.

7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.

8. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

9. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.

10. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells realreal estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

11. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

12. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

INFORMATION ON FRISCO TEXAS.

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:12:44 -0600

Frisco TX Real Estate

Frisco, Texas is on the rise as one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. There are many reasons for this influx of new residents, the biggest of which can be summed up in three words: "Location! Location! Location!" The town is just minutes north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in a booming area dubbed the "Golden Corridor." The extension of the North Dallas Tollway into the center of Frisco has helped to further the city's explosive growth.

About Frisco, Texas

Located in Collin and Denton counties, this family-oriented community offers excellent schools, a pro-business government, modern health care facilities and an abundance of recreational opportunities at 19 local parks. The Frisco Independent School District is accomplished in academics, athletics and fine arts. The district offers the best in a well-rounded education for students in Frisco and some surrounding communities.

Frisco Texas Job Market

While Frisco Texas has expanded tremendously in recent years growing from just over 6,000 residents in 1990 to more than 66,000 today the city has done an excellent job of managing growth and assuring quality of life for its residents.

Frisco Texas Real Estate

Like the rest of the town, the Frisco real estate market is booming. From charming condos and townhouses to scenic lots and land for custom home building, you're sure to find the real estate property you seek. Frisco has a wide variety of real estate options, including single-family detached homes, condominiums and townhouses. Many residences are located on tree-filled lots or are close to wooded areas and golf courses.

Frisco Texas Homes

Houses with such features as fireplaces and swimming pools are available in subdivisions such as Stonebriar Creek, Starwood, and Villages of Stonebriar Park. Although the majority of housing options are single-family homes, there are some condos and townhouses available starting in the mid-$100,000s. Because of the explosive growth in Frisco, land and lots for custom home building are available, but they are going fast. Frisco is loaded with New Home Communities and local home builders such as Mercedes Homes, Pulte, David Weekley, Lennar Homes and myriad reputable Custom Home Builders.

CELINA BOBCATS TAKE THEIR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SERIOUSLY!!!

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:09:20 -0600

Celina, Texas

These guys are serious about their football!

WHERE IS PROSPER TEXAS ANYWAY???

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:02:50 -0600

Prosper, Texas

Population - 2,097

Land Area - 1.4 square miles

The median age for residents in Prosper, TX is 32.5 (this is younger than average age in the U.S.).

Families (non-single residences) represent 87% of the population, giving Prosper a higher than average concentration of families.

Some of the Beautiful Subdivisions Within Prosper