Archive for the 'Marketing Your Home' Category

Neutral and nice:  The Pottery Barn “revolution”

This week I saw two properties, newly listed, described as “pottery barn style”–and I’ve seen this description often in MLS listings.. I scrolled down to see the photos.  What did they mean by “pottery barn style”?  I didn’t see the white-washed, farmhouse pieces with coordinating, neutral upholstery.  Or–this year anyway– the vibrant, colorful pillows. Indeed, in one of the houses, the living room was filled with oversized brown leather couches and chairs!  This is not what I usually think of as “pottery barn style”.  I get the catalogs and I know they often feature leather sofas, etc. But this wasn’t it. You may have your own sense of what those words mean and I’d love to hear your comments.   But, again, this is an example of a description meant to attract buyers.  In the end it’s likely to disappoint when the buyer actually visits the home. I suspect the words were meant to suggest a neutral decor.  So say that!

Sensible Staging

Last month I had a request from a real estate colleague to help stage one of her listings.  The home was listed for over $1 million and, in our increasingly hot market, was not selling.  She thought that the homeowner’s furnishings (eclectic, some travel mementos) and wall color choices were negatively impacting the sale.  I took a look at the property photos online.  First of all, it never ceases to amaze me that images included in a presentation are  often poorly photographed (I’m including the wide-angle stuff that distorts the size of the room) or poorly chosen.  I wasn’t impressed with the photos. But I wasn’t turned off by the interiors shown either. And I doubt that the typical buyer would be. I didn’t think new pieces of furniture should be added or more contemporary art hung.  I didn’t think the owner should repaint the walls in various rooms–although one more red dining room will be one too many!!  Yes, some of the decor was not to everyone’s taste. Perhaps a couple of pieces of furniture could be stored.  But this home was essentially okay as is. It was okay to show. Because although some buyers can’t picture their own furniture in someone else’s home,  more can.  And besides, you can paint the walls!

Good Design

There is no question that Pottery Barn has delivered up a simple, sophisticated design statement that has really changed the American aesthetic.  In her Slate article, Karen Lehrman points to the influence of Crate and Barrel, Ikea and Pottery Barn in defining contemporary American style and in making home furnishings interesting and available to a lot of people. Much as I hate all the catalogs, I really do enjoy paging through them. They are, in fact, full of ideas that can be utilized in most room design– a color, a shape, a texture. Still, when marketing your home, you don’t have to undertake a Pottery Barn transformation of your space.  I have been in countless homes that look great, reflect the owner’s tastes and sell well without too many dramatic alterations.

NOT POTTERY BARN STYLE!

You’re selling your house.  You’d like to make money.  Be careful what you spend in the process. An experienced Realtor® understands the kinds of changes that make sense without breaking the bank.  And an experienced stager/designer can make those changes happen.  RG-Homes provides both under one roof.  And we can maximize what happens under yours!  Contact us.

NEW KITCHEN: DOES YOUR ASSESSMENT FACTOR IT IN?

We are living in interesting times especially in regards to marketing your home.  And property valuation—how do you know what to price a home, how do you know what to pay—is another of those interesting realities that deserves a good look. Even sophisticated sellers and buyers are bewildered by the relationship between assessed value and fair market value.  Many colleagues have shared anecdotes indicating that buyers expect to pay the assessed value.  But is the assessed value the same as fair market value?

Important facts as you get ready to buy or sell your home.

Towns and cities in Massachusetts are charged with determining the value of all taxable land and the improvements to it. Revaluations must take place every three years, though some towns and cities re-assess in two-year intervals.  The last revaluation doesn’t necessarily reflect what the present market value really is.

Every parcel of property must receive a physical visit—be viewed in person—every six years.  And this is done on a rolling basis.  If the property has not been viewed, assumptions are made—assumptions that could affect the assessed valuation.

When assessors assign value, they will be using an antiquated Department of Revenue system.  They will be using comparable sales that could be as old as 12-18 months.  Appraisers will use comparable sales that are 6 months old; realtors will give an opinion of value based on more recent comparables as well.

Looking At Real Market Value

And what that means is that the assessed value has to be looked at very carefully before you put your property on the market or before you buy.  What is unique about the property?  Has it been upgraded? How does it show?  What does recent sales data tell us?  Remember, the market is organic and change happens within and around the 3-year requirement for revaluation, the 6-year requirement for a physical visit and the 12-18 month window of past sales.

When you look at assessed value….all of this has to be factored in.  Even in a depreciating, slow or stable market, does assessed value really tell us everything we need to know about pricing?  About fair market value?  Let real estate professional guide and advise you.  Or you could lose money.  Or pay too much. Contact Roz at RG-Homes or call 617.763.4902 for more information on how to get the best value for your home.