Hakrjak-
I looked at your site, and had a few questions/thoughts:
1. Is this a SFR? Looks like an attached house/townhome by the video. Are there CC&Rs?
2. Attached part (not the one you're selling) looks a bit overgrown/grass not as nice.
3. Does the REO on the corner look really bad?
4. You're right when you say "minimalist staging". No offense, but staging is designed to make people feel like they live there-- your place just looks empty, and cold-- to me. Some comfy chairs arranged in the living area (so people can sit and talk about things), a few well-placed pieces of artwork (nicely framed nature photos always work well), fluffy towels in the baths, and some fresh fruit in a bowl in the kitchen area would work wonders. A full sized bed (most folks think its' a queen) totally made up, with awesome comforters and loads of pillows-- so any girl just wants to fall back into it, and dream of what it's like to live there (they won't-- but it's a very powerful motivator-- believe me). Get your new wife to pick out the bedding at a discount store that has those "all in one" kits-- just make sure it's classy (should cost around $100). Add another $50 for a used mattress, a bed frame, and some pillows (get 'em all at a moving sale). That, a bedside table w/glasses and a book, and a few scented candles turns any master bedroom into something special-- for pennies.
You could get all of the other stuff at a local home store for less than a grand (or from a place like overstock.com). Cost Plus is a great place for little stuff--- like wire bowls for fruit. Granny smith apples are my fruit of choice-- they look good, and last for weeks.
5. If the landscaping on the foreclosures (or your attached neighbor's property) could use a little spiffing up, what prevents you from trimming the suckers off their trees? Or watering their lawns? We did this on our block, and everyone loved us. We called the owners first, and told them we were just cleaning up a bit, and if they did not want us to do it, to call us at ___-_______ (they never called).
6. Assuming you list this on the MLS. What kind of numbers do you have right now? How many places are in escrow? How many listings? Comps?
7. Purely an esthetic critique (from a guy who did video post production for part of his life): Your video is very jerky and not easy to watch. I'd take some snaps, make a slideshow, set it to music, and LABEL things (w/subtitles) instead of narrate. Makes a big difference, and really doesn't take very long (once you have the photos, one long evening's work does it). Only video I'd include is a couple of slow pans (wide angle) and a nice evening static shot of seating around the fireplace (with the fire going). I'd also sugggest you lost terms like "faux wood" and "simulated granite". Change to "brand new countertops" and "custom window treatments". But that's just me.
Clearly, what you've done before is not working. It might be time to ask yourself "what changes can I make that might sell this place?"
Sorry if any of this seems to harsh--no insults intended. I tried to look at it w/a hairy eyeball, so by necessity, my comments are going to be critical.
-Russ H.
I looked at your site, and had a few questions/thoughts:
1. Is this a SFR? Looks like an attached house/townhome by the video. Are there CC&Rs?
2. Attached part (not the one you're selling) looks a bit overgrown/grass not as nice.
3. Does the REO on the corner look really bad?
4. You're right when you say "minimalist staging". No offense, but staging is designed to make people feel like they live there-- your place just looks empty, and cold-- to me. Some comfy chairs arranged in the living area (so people can sit and talk about things), a few well-placed pieces of artwork (nicely framed nature photos always work well), fluffy towels in the baths, and some fresh fruit in a bowl in the kitchen area would work wonders. A full sized bed (most folks think its' a queen) totally made up, with awesome comforters and loads of pillows-- so any girl just wants to fall back into it, and dream of what it's like to live there (they won't-- but it's a very powerful motivator-- believe me). Get your new wife to pick out the bedding at a discount store that has those "all in one" kits-- just make sure it's classy (should cost around $100). Add another $50 for a used mattress, a bed frame, and some pillows (get 'em all at a moving sale). That, a bedside table w/glasses and a book, and a few scented candles turns any master bedroom into something special-- for pennies.
You could get all of the other stuff at a local home store for less than a grand (or from a place like overstock.com). Cost Plus is a great place for little stuff--- like wire bowls for fruit. Granny smith apples are my fruit of choice-- they look good, and last for weeks.
5. If the landscaping on the foreclosures (or your attached neighbor's property) could use a little spiffing up, what prevents you from trimming the suckers off their trees? Or watering their lawns? We did this on our block, and everyone loved us. We called the owners first, and told them we were just cleaning up a bit, and if they did not want us to do it, to call us at ___-_______ (they never called).
6. Assuming you list this on the MLS. What kind of numbers do you have right now? How many places are in escrow? How many listings? Comps?
7. Purely an esthetic critique (from a guy who did video post production for part of his life): Your video is very jerky and not easy to watch. I'd take some snaps, make a slideshow, set it to music, and LABEL things (w/subtitles) instead of narrate. Makes a big difference, and really doesn't take very long (once you have the photos, one long evening's work does it). Only video I'd include is a couple of slow pans (wide angle) and a nice evening static shot of seating around the fireplace (with the fire going). I'd also sugggest you lost terms like "faux wood" and "simulated granite". Change to "brand new countertops" and "custom window treatments". But that's just me.
Clearly, what you've done before is not working. It might be time to ask yourself "what changes can I make that might sell this place?"
Sorry if any of this seems to harsh--no insults intended. I tried to look at it w/a hairy eyeball, so by necessity, my comments are going to be critical.
-Russ H.