This Week’s Lockbox Activity Increases Slightly for Oregon and Washington

For the week ending on 8/12/12, these charts show the number of times RMLS™ subscribers opened Supra lockboxes in Washington and Oregon. Compared to the previous week, activity held steady in both Oregon and Washington.

To see larger versions of these charts visit our photostream on flickr.

If you want to get a home sold quickly and inexpensively, you should review these sales and design tips.

Written by By Barbara Ballinger reprinted from Realtor® Magazine

Even with rising values and reduced inventory in certain markets, selling a home remains challenging. Buyers expect not just a shiny new stainless sink but pruned hedges, freshly painted walls, glistening hardwood floors, and more. Making everything look great can cost a pretty penny, and many sellers won’t be able to afford all the suggestions you might make.

You can help them prioritize based on the condition of what’s needed most, what buyers in the area typically request, what competing houses offer, and — of course — cost. Here’s a list of 25 affordable, easy-to-make changes from top design and real-estate pros:

1. Add power outlets with USB ports in rooms that lack them, especially in the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms where they’re most needed. “Younger, more tech-savvy couples and individuals love them,” says Tyler Drew, broker and property investor with Anubis Properties Inc. in Los Angeles.
2. Eliminate acoustic popcorn-style ceilings since they look dated and tacky.
3. Remove exposed posts and half walls. Today’s buyers want more space, and partial walls and posts gobble up room. The only walls that should remain are those that offer privacy or conceal electrical wires or plumbing stacks.
4. Update wiring for the Internet and flat-screen TVs. You don’t have to run CAT-5 through walls, which can be costly and require opening and closing and repainting walls. Instead, find a place to put a wireless router, Drew says.
5. Clean carpets and wood floors since they’re often the first part of a room that buyers check out; you don’t need to replace them unless they’re in terrible shape. A good carpet steam cleaning or wood floor waxing can be relatively inexpensive, sometimes less than $200.
6. Expand a small kitchen to make it work better and look larger. Two quick fixes: Change the backsplash by adding mirrors, stainless steel, or paint, which will introduce light and views; and add an island, which requires only 30” between counters and the island to pass through comfortably. If there’s not enough room for an island, bring in a rolling cart with pull-out shelves underneath and a wood top, says Libby Langdon, an interior designer, author, and expert with Liebherr Refrigeration..
7. Clear out and clean a garage, a big selling feature.Power wash the floor or paint it if it’s in bad shape, remove dated cabinets, and remove all junk that’s been stored there, so prospects can see how much space they would have for their stuff.
8. Change out corroded or dented door knobs and levers. The replacements don’t have to be expensive but they should look new and clean, Chicago architect Allan J. Grant suggests.
9. Pay attention to landscaping, which can add 7 to 15 percent to a home’s value, according to HabitatDesign.com principals Jessy Berg and Bonnie Gemmell. Focus on mowing grass, removing crab grass, and eliminating dead plants and tree branches. “I’d rather have dirt and the potential to paint a picture for the buyers’ mind than a backyard full of dead plants,” Drew says. But if you have extra funds, consider Sacramento, Calif.-based landscape designer Michael Glassman’s ideas: Add lots of seasonal color through blooming annuals and perennial plants and remove problems like too much noise from traffic or neighbors by installing an inexpensive fountain with trickling water.
10. Paint exterior windows, doors, gutters, downspouts, and trim, then go inside and paint the home’s trim, doorways, and walls that are in need of freshening. Don’t worry about the colors but consider those that veer toward quiet and comfort such as Benjamin Moore’s Yosemite Sand, Edgecomb Gray, or Carrington Beige. “Gray is a hot interior color now,” says Manchester, Vt.-based designer Amy Thebault. Painting rooms other, lighter colors such as white, yellow, and beige help to bounce and reflect sunlight and use more natural and less artificial light, according to Chris Ring, vice president at ProTect Painters, a professional painting source. But in cooler months, Ring says, dark colors such as deep brown and blue absorb sunlight, thereby reducing heating costs. And don’t forget ceilings, which can be a “fifth wall.” You can improve them with paint or old-style metal or faux-metal tiles, says Beverley Kruskol, a general contractor and owner of MY Pacific Building Inc. in Los Angeles.
11. Remove outdated wallpaper, replacing it with paint and preferably a neutral color, says Shelley Beckes, ASID, CID, a designer with Beckes Interior Design in Los Angeles.
12. Remove, store, or discard excessive accessories on tabletops and walls and in cabinets. “Less is more, and you want the house to be seen by prospective buyers without the distraction of too many personal items,” Grant says. Some suggest following the rule of three: Leave out only three things on any surface.
13. Get the house inspected before it’s listed to know its condition and identify any structural issues that could derail sales. Many problems can’t be detected by an untrained eye, including those in a basement, crawl space, or attic, says BillJacques, president-elect of the American Society of Home Inspectors. “There might be roof damage or a plumbing leak. Many inspectors take photos and provide a detailed report,” he says. “And if home owners have repairs made, they should be handled by a qualified licensed contractor, so the home owner can get problems corrected.”
14. Outfit closets for extra storage to make rooms look larger and less cluttered, but don’t redo all closets and elaborately. Top contenders for redos are an entry closet for a good first impression, kitchen pantries where storage is key, and a linen closet to keep sheets, towels, and other stuff neat, says Ginny Snook Scott, chief design officer at California Closets Co. “The costs needn’t be excessive. A linen closet can be fitted with baskets and cubbies for between $500 and $600, an entry closet for between $400 and $700, each dependent on closet size and features,” she says.
15. Tighten a home’s “envelope” to improve energy efficiency and savings. Put money and effort into well-insulated double-paned windows, sealed furnace ducts, energy-efficient appliances, the newest programmable thermostats, LED and compact fluorescent lights, and a smart irrigation box on a sprinkler to cut water usage, says Kate Latham, energy consultant withWattzON, a service based in Mountain View, Calif., which analyzes home energy use to pare costs. “After a few months, sellers can show buyers how costs have dropped. They also should put together a green manual to show which features they added,” she explains.
16. Improve a home’s healthfulness by using paints and adhesives with low or no VOCs. Point out these changes to prospective buyers in another list or manual, Latham says.
17. Use what you have, and arrange each room in a conversational way if possible. Don’t set all furnishings in a family room so they face a TV, since most potential buyers like the idea of an open-room milieu for socializing.
18. Remove and replaced faded draperies, fabrics, and rugs, or leave windows and floors bare to avoid showing lack of attention, Thebault says. Slipcovers, which can cover worn furniture can also provide an affordable decorative feature, changed for each season, says Hugh Rovit, CEO of Sure Fit, a manufacturer and distributor of ready-made slipcovers and other accessories. The company’s slipcovers range from $49.99 to $149.99, based on fabric and treatment.
19. Replace old, dated, or worn bedding. Before any showing, fluff up pillows and covers, and make all beds neatly. Affordable choices can be found at stores like Target and Web sites likeOverstock.com.
20. Toss out old magazines. “You don’t want a People magazine from a year ago; it looks like nobody lives in the house or cares,” Thebault says.
21. Check smells regularly. Besides getting rid of bad odors from pets and mildew, introduce nice fresh fragrances, but don’t go heavy on scents from candles. A light lavender or citrus spray is smart and inoffensive. Open windows before showings to bring in fresh air.
22. Make rooms lighter and larger for showings with good lighting. Thebault prefers warm, cool colors rather than fluorescents. Additionally, 60-watt bulbs are a good choice, even though they’re not as energy-efficient.
23. Go with plants rather than flowers indoors since they last longer, but either choice can add vivacity to a room.
24. Pay attention to your bathrooms. Specifically, make sure you have freshly laundered towels, new soap in soap dishes, spotless mirrors, and no mildew in view.
25. Be sure your house is priced competitively with the current market and homes in your area. In most regions, it’s still the No. 1 “fix” to sell quickly. Go a bit under the market price, and you may even bring forth multiple offers that are higher than expected, says Jill Epstein, a REALTOR® with Nourmand & Associates in the Los Angeles area.

This Week’s Lockbox Activity Decreases Slightly for Oregon and Washington

For the week ending on 8/5/12, these charts show the number of times RMLS™ subscribers opened Supra lockboxes in Washington and Oregon. Compared to the previous week, activity decreased in both Oregon and Washington.

To see larger versions of these charts visit our photostream on flickr.

Written by Ekaterina Walter, Social Media Strategist at Intel

While large corporations have locked on to the power of content to generate leads and exposure, small businesses are still struggling to understand why and how content can help their business succeed. Many owner-operators produce their own content, and if you’re not an experienced writer or videographer, you may find yourself floundering.

In a recent Inbound Now podcast, Ricardo Bueno of Diverse Solutions explains his content generation strategy for small businesses. “You need to create content that not only engages with your audience, but shows them you know what you’re talking about—that you’re the local expert.”

Ricardo specializes in niche blogging and lead generation for businesses based in a specific location. He works with real estate agents, restaurants, consultants and retail spaces to put in place content generation strategies any small business owner can follow.

Content as Customer Education
Ricardo advises clients to make two lists. “On the first list, write everything you know about your industry. So if you’re a real estate agent, brainstorm everything you know about real estate—from how to price your home for sale to all that technical jargon.” These ideas provide the basis for blogs, articles, videos and social media updates that inform and educate your audience.

Lisa Horn, Founder and Chief Content Officer of Why Content Matters, stresses the importance of creating content that helps people. “When blogging, resist the temptation to sell. While blogs are useful marketing tools, they shouldn’t be filled with marketing copy. That’s a huge turnoff for readers. Instead, posts should be informative, educational, even inspirational. And again, they must be written with what your audience needs to know, not what you want to say or sell.”

Lisa suggests profiles of case histories that demonstrate how your company solves customer problems. This is a great way for readers to understand the application of your products and services—and is much more persuasive than any marketing copy.

Personal Content to Engage, Entertain and Build Community
On the second list, Ricardo suggests business owners write down some of their hobbies and interests—the things that you’re passionate about. “You don’t just want to be a press release—you want to share things you might have in common with your readers.”

“For example, a real estate agent in the Vancouver area created a unique idea—for 365 days he shared something different to do in his local area. Instead of sell sell sell, he videoed himself giving café reviews and went to local events and blogged about them. At Christmas time he drove down one of the streets and pointed out the unique Christmas lights on display. He was selling the community before he sold the houses. By the end of that year he had tens of thousands of followers.”

Ricardo’s real estate agent is a great example of a content strategy that’s highly engaging without getting too personal. “You’ve got to create a balance between personal and professional content. Before you begin writing content, ask yourself ‘what sorts of things am I willing to write about? What do I not want to write about? To what extent do I want to divulge my personal life?'”

You have to maintain some of that professional posture, and since anything you say on the Internet will remain there forever, it’s good business practice to ensure you’re not alienating or offending potential leads.

Content generation isn’t something you can just dive into without a plan. You need to devise a strategy that not only gives customers and clients valuable information, but engages them on a personal level. By using your own interests and experiences as the basis for content, you build likeability and trust with you audience. And in business, that trust is vital for success.

Do you have a content strategy in place for your business?

Reprinted with permission from Ekaterina Walter
Photo credit: Mr. Moss

Time for another infographic! We’re taking a look at new construction in this one. Pictured below is the Portland Metro New Construction Infographic but you can also check out: All Areas, Clark County, Douglas County and Lane County.

We’ve been receiving wonderful feedback from you on our previous “Actives” infographic — thank you!

Have you been itching to set-up a digital portfolio to give your clients a more holistic view of. . .well, you? If you’ve been looking for a way to display all your achievements digitally—both professionally and personally—you might want to check out Pathbrite.

Pathbrite is a new company that lets users create digital portfolios that go way beyond the usual flat resume and timeline display. The company originally targeted students applying to college or first-time job seekers. However, Pathbrite is really for anyone, of any age, who wants to create a digital portfolio.

Check out how some of the Pathbrite staff use it to display their own experience.

What do you think? Would you find this technology useful?

After posting the distressed property charts, we thought it might be fun to put together some stats on active listings. The Portland Metro area is pictured here but you can also check out: All Areas, Clark County, Douglas County and Lane County.

Did you know RMLS™ offers a class about. . .

RMLSweb CMA and Statistics
Want to be the expert in your market area? Want to better explain pricing to your clients? In this class we’ll show you how to get the statistical and comparable data you need to do just that. We’ll use the RMLSweb Statistical module to examine MLS Areas for trends and the CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) module to search for comps to create a customized report which stands apart from the rest. 1.5 hours – Prerequisite: None

Our trainers are available for onsite training at your office!

If you are an RMLS™ subscriber, we have lots of FREE educational opportunities at a location near you including RMLSweb CMA and Statistics. View the August Training Calendar in your area:

-Coos County
-Eastern Oregon
-Eugene
-Gresham
-Hood River
-Portland
-Roseburg
-Salem
-Vancouver

You can also find ongoing education and training classes through a number of different associations in the Portland Metro area and beyond. To search for August education classes check out the following association’s current events:

Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors® (PMAR)
East Metro Association of Realtors® (EMAR)
Clark County Association of Realtors® (CCAR)

This Week’s Lockbox Activity Increases for Oregon and Decreases for Washington

For the week ending on 7/22/12, these charts show the number of times RMLS™ subscribers opened Supra lockboxes in Washington and Oregon. Compared to the previous week, activity increased slightly in Oregon and dropped in Washington.

To see larger versions of these charts visit our photostream on flickr.

Is a full tank of gas a Realtors® best friend? Maybe not, but with all the driving they do getting a good deal on gas prices probably does make life a little easier. And you guessed it—there’s an app for that. Find gas stations close to wherever you happen to be with the best prices by trying one of these free apps for either iPhone or Android.

GasBuddy
Perhaps the most popular of gas apps, GasBuddy helps you locate gas stations near you and see their current gas prices with one click. The app creates a community of real time gas price “reporters” by awarding points toward prize giveaways to users. The app breaks gas prices down by gas types—regular, mid-grade, premium and diesel. You can search for gas stations based on either price or distance from where you’re located. It also provides a link to get directions to the station you choose.

GasGuru
Developed by Yellowpages.com GasGuru is only a month old so the jury is still out about the accuracy of its gas prices. However, in addition to gas prices this app also lets you search for nearby restaurants, coffee, auto repair, ATMs and roadside assistance—all of which can come in handy. This app rates gas prices  as either “Best” meaning it’s in the top 20 percent of the cheapest gas available, or “Good” meaning it’s in the top 50 percent, or other, which is any price not falling in the first two categories.

Do you have a favorite gas app, please comment and let us know what works for you!