For those currently in the midst of dealing with water damage, it might not seem like time to worry about real estate values but the fact is…the decisions you make now regarding water damage repair and restoration can dramatically impact your future. Learn how to preserve the value of your home during this critical time period with these important considerations:
1. Protect the value of your home! When faced with major water damage restoration it can be tempting to save money by doing some of the work yourself or trying to take a few short-cuts. It could be one of the most costly mistakes you ever make. Remember, the largest single investment most people make is in their home. Cutting corners might save a little money today but could hurt the resale values of your home for years to come.
2. Set the record straight. In the past, major work performed on a home was rarely reported but with modern technology, insurance companies, building departments and other agencies and institutions responsible for the safety and security of a home keep track of everything done to a home…or not done to a home. For example, the C.L.U.E Report stays with a house forever – so anyone selling a flood damaged home in the future will need to demonstrate that all work was performed to the highest standards. Working with a reputable water restoration company is also a good way to help keep insurance rates low after a major loss; insurance companies want to know the work was done right – without the risk of mold or mildew claims arising at a later date.
3. Remember the write-offs. This is one tax deduction that most people never want to qualify for but keep track of receipts and water damage repair documentation just the same. It might help with annual taxes as well as keeping track of the cost basis for the property when it comes time to calculate Capital Gains taxes on the sale of the home in the future.
4. Go with quality. Without a doubt, the most important decision you can make when it comes to Galveston water damage services is going with a company like Kiwi Services known for quality. Not only will it make submission (and payment) of insurance claims much easier but working with a vendor who is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration is vital to protecting the value of your real estate in the future.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Real Estate Shutterbugs
The majority of today's home buyers are starting their search for real estate on the internet. They are able to look at the available inventory from the comfort of their home, 24 hours a day. And with so many properties on the market right now, buyers can be exceedingly selective with which properties they choose to view in person. They're able to save a great deal of time by shopping online for desirable houses rather than relying on their agents to find ones that may or may not be what they're looking for. With this is mind, it's imperative that you grab the attention of buyers, and make them interested enough in a property to make the trek to view the estate in person. To do this you not only need a well-written description of the property, but you also need quality listing photographs.
Photographs enable buyers to instantly decide whether a property is worth considering or not. Photographs reveal so much more about the character of a home than words can, and they provoke an immediate emotional response from viewers. People know right away whether a property is a hit or miss when they see a photograph.
While you can't influence everything, you can control your listing photographs, and what kind of first impression they make. Real estate agents have two choices: to take all photos themselves, or to hire a professional photographer. Certainly it costs more on the outset to hire someone, but in the end a photographer's skills can directly impact how quickly a property is sold, and for how much.
Studies have shown that well composed listing photographs can make potential buyers think that the property is worth more than if the photos are mediocre. In addition, if the photos are of poor quality, then no one will be interested in calling the agent and touring the home. If no one sees the property, no one will buy the property.
The importance of quality photos seems to be lost on some agents, as there is still a prevalence of poorly lit, out-of-focus shots displayed on the Multiple Listing Service. Here are a few things to keep in mind when taking your listing photos:
1.) Prepare the house before you start snapping pictures. Have the homeowners clean the house as thoroughly as possible, and remove personal items such as cereal boxes, shampoo bottles, and the like. Personal effects remind potential buyers that the house is currently being lived in by someone else, which can make it hard for them to visualize themselves in that space.
2.) Think about the picture before you take it. You want to be able to capture as many architectural features as possible, while keeping the photo well composed. Make sure that there is adequate lighting when taking inside shots. If there is too much light outside the windows, the room can appear dark, but if your shot is cluttered with house lamps, you may give the impression that the room doesn't get any natural light.
3.) Update your listing photos regularly to avoid suggesting that the property is difficult to sell. If your shots were taken in the winter and the property hasn't sold by July, it's time to update your listing to reflect the current season. In a similar vein, try to take your pictures on nice sunny days, as weather can have a huge effect on first impressions. If, for example, your shots are taken on a rainy day, the house will appear gloomy and uninviting.
4.) The debate about wide angle lenses. Wide angle lenses allow you to get much more inside a photo than a regular lens, which can make a place look more spacious than it actually is. This can lead to disappointment if the buyer visits the house in person and sees that the pictures were deceiving. You want your listing photographs to show the property in its best light, but also in an accurate light. Don't use too much Photoshop and other technologies to make the house seem like something that it's really not.
Be thoughtful and plan ahead when getting ready to take your photos, and if possible, hire a professional photographer so you can concentrate your efforts on other marketing strategies.
Photographs enable buyers to instantly decide whether a property is worth considering or not. Photographs reveal so much more about the character of a home than words can, and they provoke an immediate emotional response from viewers. People know right away whether a property is a hit or miss when they see a photograph.
While you can't influence everything, you can control your listing photographs, and what kind of first impression they make. Real estate agents have two choices: to take all photos themselves, or to hire a professional photographer. Certainly it costs more on the outset to hire someone, but in the end a photographer's skills can directly impact how quickly a property is sold, and for how much.
Studies have shown that well composed listing photographs can make potential buyers think that the property is worth more than if the photos are mediocre. In addition, if the photos are of poor quality, then no one will be interested in calling the agent and touring the home. If no one sees the property, no one will buy the property.
The importance of quality photos seems to be lost on some agents, as there is still a prevalence of poorly lit, out-of-focus shots displayed on the Multiple Listing Service. Here are a few things to keep in mind when taking your listing photos:
1.) Prepare the house before you start snapping pictures. Have the homeowners clean the house as thoroughly as possible, and remove personal items such as cereal boxes, shampoo bottles, and the like. Personal effects remind potential buyers that the house is currently being lived in by someone else, which can make it hard for them to visualize themselves in that space.
2.) Think about the picture before you take it. You want to be able to capture as many architectural features as possible, while keeping the photo well composed. Make sure that there is adequate lighting when taking inside shots. If there is too much light outside the windows, the room can appear dark, but if your shot is cluttered with house lamps, you may give the impression that the room doesn't get any natural light.
3.) Update your listing photos regularly to avoid suggesting that the property is difficult to sell. If your shots were taken in the winter and the property hasn't sold by July, it's time to update your listing to reflect the current season. In a similar vein, try to take your pictures on nice sunny days, as weather can have a huge effect on first impressions. If, for example, your shots are taken on a rainy day, the house will appear gloomy and uninviting.
4.) The debate about wide angle lenses. Wide angle lenses allow you to get much more inside a photo than a regular lens, which can make a place look more spacious than it actually is. This can lead to disappointment if the buyer visits the house in person and sees that the pictures were deceiving. You want your listing photographs to show the property in its best light, but also in an accurate light. Don't use too much Photoshop and other technologies to make the house seem like something that it's really not.
Be thoughtful and plan ahead when getting ready to take your photos, and if possible, hire a professional photographer so you can concentrate your efforts on other marketing strategies.
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