Why there’s a lack of homes for sale

n many once-distressed housing markets, home sale prices are rising by double-digit percentages, and homes are selling much faster than in recent years, often with multiple offers. Mortgage rates are extremely cheap. But before we strike up the band, you guessed it, there's a catch.
There aren't enough homes available to satisfy demand.
In these now-thriving markets, severe inventory constraints are causing consternation for buyers, Realtors and the mortgage industry. Why are so many potential sellers sitting on the sidelines?
In November, Redfin, a real-estate brokerage, predicted that sellers would gain confidence leading to “an easing of the big inventory squeeze that has made headlines throughout 2012.” To Redfin's credit, this month, it concedes that this hasn't happened. According to Redfin data, in cities such as Atlanta, Ga., there were 42% fewer new listings on the market in the first two weeks of 2013 than there were in 2012. Seattle saw a 23% dip; Los Angeles dropped by 36% and Denver fell by 35%.
In many markets, a substantial number of homeowners remain underwater and are waiting to break even before getting out. According to CoreLogic, 1 in 5 homeowners with a mortgage owe more on their home than it is worth, which would obviously encourage them to wait for home prices to recover. And of course many homeowners have taken advantage of low interest rates to refinance their mortgage, which may give them pause about selling.
A Wall Street Journal blog post on this topic points out that many homeowners lack the equity to buy a bigger home than the one they currently own. The Journal also points out that builders are developing fewer homes because of what had been saturation in markets such as Phoenix, Arizona.
But Jed Kolko, Trulia's chief economist, dismisses the underwater homeowner theory. "If people are choosing not to sell their home because they're underwater, we should have seen an increase in inventory, because with rising prices fewer people are underwater than there were a year ago," he says.
Instead, Kolko posits three reasons why housing inventory is lower now:
• Fewer distressed or foreclosed properties are on the market, particularly in states with a "faster, nonjudicial foreclosure process."
• While housing starts are rising, "construction is still at a very low level, and many of those starts haven't been completed yet."
• Patience may be rewarded. "Many people who would want to sell would rather wait until prices are higher than they are today so they can get more from their home."
Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman says that while there are many reasons to hold off on listing a home for sale, there are advantages to diving in now. "As long as your home is reasonably priced, you'll sell it quickly, and that's the allure of listing it now," he says, adding that 1 in 4 sell in less than two weeks.

13 Hot Home Trends for 2013

view this link
http://realtormag.realtor.org/home-and-design/architecture-coach/article/2012/12/13-hot-home-trends-for-2013

Whether you’re staging homes or giving past clients advice, here are several design trends to keep in mind next year.
| BY BARBARA BALLINGER

The design choices of 2013 will be shaped by uncertainty over how long current home owners will stay and what future buyers’ tastes may be. So, home owners’ needs and style preferences are more influential in today’s designs than what buyers want.

Here is a baker’s dozen of changes that design pros and manufacturers say are emerging and will make greater inroads:

1. Smarter, Less Costly Automated Controls: With lives continuing to be busy and automation costs coming down, it’s become more affordable to control a home’s systems—temperature, security, electronics, lighting, and more—through a single device, even from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod. Doing so can eliminate multiple controls and make it easy for home owners to manage things around their home, even when they aren’t there, says Jim Carroll, a founder of Savant Systems in Cape Cod, Mass., which designs and develops integrated automation solutions. “The average family has more than 80 different devices that can be controlled with one system,” he says. Anna Lowder and husband Harvi Sahota are incorporating more of these systems in homes they build for their Mercer Home residential building company in Montgomery, Ala. One example is the Nest Intelligent Thermostat, which can be controlled remotely, react intuitively to home owners’ habits, and adjust to conserve energy costs.

2. Outdoor Living Rooms and Screened Porches: A trend that began a few years ago continues to inspire home owners to think beyond terraces and decks. These spaces have more of the feeling and function of an indoor room—better furnishings, fire pits, curtains, and even televisions and audio systems. Some spaces are designed as courtyards for greater privacy, yet with high-efficiency glass windows and doors to make them energy-smart and seamless with indoor rooms, says Lowder of Mercer Home. Further helping to blur lines between outdoor and indoor spaces is the rise of screened porches, which have gained more indoor accoutrements such as fireplaces, making them livable nearly year-round.

3. Outdoor Kitchens, Vegetable Gardens, and More: Interest continues in outdoor food preparation of all kinds—as simple as a grill and as elaborate as a built-in cook’s station with sink, storage, beer tap, pizza oven, refrigerator, and countertops. Newer amenities include a hybrid grill that permits cooking with both gas and wood or charcoal and prefabricated kitchens that save funds, says landscape designer Michael Glassman in Sacramento, Calif. With a kitchen in place, many home owners move on to plant a vegetable garden, preferably including raised beds to avoid bending too much, Glassman says. He suggests starting with what home owners want to eat and cook—tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and herbs for gazpacho or spaghetti sauce—and learning through practice what thrives in an area’s soil and climate. Essentials are healthy soil, drainage, and readily available water. The next new food trend is a backyard pond with organically-raised fish that home owners can consume without trekking to a market, says Erik Coffin, CEO and owner of Gotham Capital Management in West Hollywood, Calif.

4. Themed Designs: After years of stark contemporary design, themed decorating is making a comeback, according to Montclair, N.J.-based designer Blanche Garcia. “There are more home owners asking for a European flair, perhaps antique sconces and velvet pillows,” she says. And partly due to excitement from the recent royal wedding, British-style motifs continue to proliferate, including Union Jack flags, red phone booths, and hounds tooth, floral, and crown patterns, says Paul Berberian, creative director of Brewster Home Fashions, a wallpaper company in Randolph, Mass.

5. Media Frenzy: With more families remaining home for “staycations” rather than traveling, rooms are being devoted to TV and other multimedia entertainment with comfortable seating, tables, and good lighting. They’re designed to have a more “home-y” feel than media rooms of the past, Garcia says.

6. New Neutrals and Color Pops: With the country still in the financial doldrums, neutrals remain more popular than vibrant hues, says Erika Woelfel, director of color marketing at Behr Paint in Santa Anna, Calif. Nevertheless, neutrals aren’t the same whites, creams, and beiges, she says. “A blue-gray that works well with the range of popular blues and the purples they’ve replaced are making inroads; they offer a fresh background,” she says. In contrast, bright new accents such as such as raspberry-pink may attract greater attention than a straightforward red. There’s also a range of yellows, which complement blue-grays. And designer Ron Marvin of Ron Marvin Design in New York also sees a trend toward orange and purple accents. How long will these colors last? “Paint colors tend to move in cycles of five to 10 years and follow other home-décor categories, which in turn follow fashion,” Woelfel says.

7. More Double-Duty Furnishings: With homes continuing to be scaled back and many baby boomers moving into condos, more furniture and furnishings need to do double duty in smaller spaces. Expect to see ottomans used for seating and storage, couches that convert to beds, and coffee tables that can rise for dining. This trend means that the one “room” in a house that’s not shrinking is the garage, which is often still big enough for two cars and storage.

8. Lighter Looks: Smaller homes and spaces call for scaled-back pieces and better illumination that makes rooms look larger. “I don’t like overwhelming rooms,” says Courtney Fohrman of Fohrman Interiors in Chicago. To achieve this, she suggests swapping out large bookshelves for wall-mounted shelves, opting for tailored furniture over clunky items, and welcoming natural light.

9. Green Merchandise: Interest in sustainable products and materials keeps attracting attention—particularly when it comes to choosing paints, adhesives, countertops, and flooring. “Most furniture companies and paint manufacturers have at least one item or line that fits the green movement,” Garcia says. Large paint companies such as Benjamin Moore, Glidden, Kelly Moore, and Sherwin Williams offer zero-VOC or odor-free paints, according to Healthy Homes Plans, founded by Linda Mason Hunter, author of The Healthy Home: An Attic to Basement Guide to Toxin-Free Living.

10. Energy and Water Efficiency: Efforts to conserve energy and water throughout the home continue to be popular, including low-water toilets and sinks, better functioning furnaces, and improved insulation. Solar panels are more integrated into roofs so they’re less of an eyesore. Gray recycled water can be used in toilets and to water gardens, while more drought-tolerant plants and replacements for impermeable hardscape allow greater water retention, Coffin says.

11. Panelized Homes: More factory-built homes help to cut building costs at the site by reducing the amount of labor time needed in the field. Besides cost savings, there’s the ability to improve quality control, says Eric VanDerHeyden, executive vice president of RSI Development in Newport, Calif., which uses a variety of plans ranging from 1,232 square feet to 2,500 square feet. “It can cut the cost in half and construction time from a year to eight weeks,” he says.

12. Handcrafted Elements: Many home owners desire hand-crafted artisanal pieces for a greater personalized look. Some are made from reclaimed rustic wood, which adds a homey, inviting feeling, says Brad Ford of Brad Ford ID in New York.

13. Stylish Kitchens and Bathrooms: These remain at the top of many home owners’ wish lists, as they reflect the trend of remodeling rather than adding on, says Bill Millrolland, executive vice president of Case Design Remodeling in Bethesda, Md. The transitional look—a middle ground between traditional and contemporary—has become more popular. This is evidenced by choices such as cove rather than crown molding, dark-stained or painted finishes rather than natural maple or cherry, and larger format 24” by 24” tiles rather than smaller 12” by 12” and 6” by 6” ones, he says. Designer Wendy Johnson in Manchester Village, Vt., also sees continued interest in kitchens, particularly when they become even more open “live-in” spaces for cooking, eating, socializing, doing homework, or paying bills. Likewise, master suites serve multiple functions, including unwinding, sleeping, and bathing. Millrolland reports more requests for Universal Design features that permit home owners to age in place but don’t convey an institutional look: Grab bars masquerading as towel bars, kitchen counters of different heights for wheelchair access, and wider hallways and doors to permit walkers and wheelchairs through.

No matter what the market’s doing though, the best advice you can give to home owners is to make design decisions based on their hearts and wallets rather than media predictions and hype.

Thanks for Reading.
The Inman Team
Your Expert Realtors of the South Bay

Five ways homeowners can cut costs in 2013

If you want to cut expenses in 2013, there may be no better place to start than right at home.
By Terence Loose | Yahoo! Homes
View this link for more...


"I will save money on monthly expenses."
"I will not eat ice cream."
"I will do yoga."
What do these sentences have in common? That's right - they're all New Year's resolutions that have little chance at being fulfilled.
Hold on - "I will save money on monthly expenses" actually has a chance, thanks to the many ways you could save on everything from your mortgage payments to your cable bill.
In fact, you might be surprised at how much you could save. So eat the ice cream, forget the yoga, but read on to see how you might be able to finally fulfill that New Year's resolution of saving money.

Cost Cutter #1: Refinance Your Mortgage
We're guessing that if you're like most homeowners, your biggest monthly expense is your mortgage payment. So wouldn't it be nice if you could reduce it by tens, or even hundreds of dollars?
But how is that possible, you ask? The answer lies in the low interest rates, which can be as low as 3.34 percent for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. This rate is as of December 6, 2012, according to government lender, Freddie Mac.
And even if you bought your home as recently as 2008 or 2011, refinancing to that rate could make a significant difference. And yes, we know what's in your head right now: "How much could I save?"
So let's look at an example of two homeowners. Homeowner A, who bought their home in January 2008, and Homeowner B, who bought their home in January 2011. Both have 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. 'We'll also use the historical interest rate data for January 2008 and January 2011 from the Federal Reserve, which oversees national monetary policy. Just keep in mind that everybody's situation is unique, so your savings may vary. Ready?

Homeowner A Homeowner B Refinanced Mortgage
Mortgage Amount $300,000 $300,000 $300,000
Interest Rate 5.76 percent 4.76 percent 3.34 percent
Monthly Payment $1,752.62 $1,566.75 $1,320.48
Total Interest Paid
(over life of loan) $330,944.94 $264,030.28 $175,374.01

Savings: By refinancing, Homeowner A saved $432 per month and $155,570 over the life of the mortgage. And Homeowner B didn't do so badly either, saving $246 per month and $88,656 over the life of their loan.*
[Think refinancing is right for you? Click to compare rates from multiple lenders now.]

Cost Cutter #2: Bundle Your Cable, Internet, and Phone
Everyone knows buying in bulk saves money. So why are you still getting your home digital services, namely cable, Internet, and home phone, from separate companies? That could be causing you to lose money every month.
In fact, bundling two or three of those digital services could save you a significant amount, says Consumer Reports senior editor, Jeff Blyskal. "Depending on the competition in your area, we found that it could save you 40 or even 60 percent," he says.
And he adds that the low rate is usually locked in for anywhere from six months to two years. Then your rate might go up.
However - and this is a big however - that doesn't mean you have to sit there and take the rate hike. In fact, Blyskal strongly suggests you do exactly the opposite. He says cable companies are being hit hard by the same economic challenges that likely led you to look for savings - so they'll do a lot to keep customers.
For instance, the results from the Annual Telecom Survey conducted by the Consumer Reports Research Center in April 2011 revealed some promising potential savings for customers. Out of the surveyed Consumer Reports readers who said they bundled services, one-third said they negotiated for a better price or package before signing up. Of that one-third, more than 90 percent were successful.
So just how big can the savings be? For more than 40 percent of hagglers, the reward was a discount of up to $50 a month - not too shabby.
The bottom line, he says, is that bundling and bargaining is in the consumer's favor.


Cost Cutter #3: Re-shop Homeowners Insurance
If you own a home, you likely have homeowners insurance to protect you against loss from natural disasters, fire, theft, and vandalism.
But if you thought all policies were the same, here's some good news: shopping around can often make a big difference in your homeowners insurance premium, says Loretta Worters, vice president of communications for the Insurance Information Institute (III).
In fact, "Prices vary from company to company, so it pays to shop around. Get at least three price quotes," notes a home insurance article published by the III. However, III warns that you don't want to simply go with the lowest price either.
"Don't shop price alone. You want a company that answers your questions and handles claims fairly and efficiently," notes III. "Ask friends and relatives for their recommendations."
On top of shopping around, another way to save is to "buy your homeowners and auto insurance from the same insurer, says Worters. "Some insurance companies will reduce your premium by five to 15 percent if you buy two or more insurance policies from them," she says.

Cost Cutter #4: Make Your Home Safer
Have you been thinking about installing an alarm system, putting on a new roof, or investing in storm shutters for your home? If that's a yes, in addition to making your home safer, these updates could also save you money on your homeowners insurance.
Just how much can you save? According to Worters, typically, you can get discounts of at least five percent for installing things such as a burglar alarm, smoke detectors, and dead-bolt locks.
"In addition, some companies may cut your premiums by as much as 15 or 20 percent if you install a sophisticated sprinkler system and a fire and burglar alarm that rings at the police, fire, or other monitoring stations," says Worters.
Finally, she says, "Adding storm shutters and shatter-proof glass, reinforcing your roof, or buying stronger roofing materials can all help make your home not only safer, but insurance more affordable."
But before you start making these additions, she advises checking with your insurance company about discounts first, since all alarm systems and other upgrades don't qualify with all companies.

Cost Cutter #5: Make Your Home Greener
No, we're not talking about donning overalls and painting your home the color of moss. We're thinking more environmentally, as in doing things such as installing low-flow toilets or a programmable thermostat for your heating and air-conditioner.
"Toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of residential indoor water consumption," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They go on to say that "switching to high-efficiency toilets can save a family of four, on average, $2,000 in water bills over the lifetime of the toilets."
And besides the toilet, another thing that can add up to savings and a more comfortable home is installing an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat, says the EPA. These thermostats allow you to program your heating and cooling system to specific settings for six or more times during the day, notes the U.S. Department of Energy's website.
How much you save can vary, but, as an example, the U.S. Department of Energy says that you can expect to save 5 to 15 percent per year by turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day. That might merely mean using an extra blanket at night. So maybe it's time to snuggle up and save.

Thank you for reading.
The Inman Team
Your Expert Realtors for the Southbay

Must-have kitchen trends for 2013

Need a recipe to spice up your boring kitchen? Design experts dish up the seven most popular kitchen remodeling trends for 2013.

By Sarita Harbour | Yahoo! Homes
Is your kitchen begging for an update? Does that green and purple tile make you cringe on every trip to the fridge? If so, now might be the time to explore the latest trends in kitchen remodeling.
According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry's website, planning out exactly what you want out of your kitchen remodel will help you set realistic budgets.
And if you're still not sure what you want or even where to begin, don't panic. Here are some ideas from our country-wide panel of design and contracting experts who agree these are the six hot kitchen remodel trends for 2013.

Trend #1: Refacing Kitchen Cabinets
Do you want a fresh look for your kitchen cabinets, but don't want to go through the hassle of actually replacing them?
Good news: Kathleen Donohue, an award-winning designer with Neil Kelly Designs, says that refacing cabinets - not replacing - is in. Donohue says this trend is in because people are watching how they spend their money. And since refacing is the process of just changing cabinet doors while maintaining the original cabinet structure, it's a much less expensive option.
[Get help with your cabinet refacing project. Click to find the right contractor.]
And when it comes to cabinet refacing, think simple and sleek, says Donohue.
"When refacing cabinets, a clean, simple contemporary look is winning out, both from an updating standpoint, and a trend to eliminate unnecessary clutter and fussy details that equate to high maintenance and complicated living - both unpopular trends," says Donohue.

Trend #2: Stone and Solid Countertops
Are you dreaming about a gleaming new countertop to spruce up your kitchen? Consider quartz countertops, which experts say will be the material of choice in 2013 due to its durability.
"Stone countertops are losing ground to quartz composite countertops that are no-maintenance and the closest thing to bullet-proof countertop materials available today," says Donohue.
[Want help installing those new counter tops? Click to find contractors now.]
Florida-based kitchen and bath designer, Patricia Davis Brown, says another reason for quartz's popularity is that it has less fussy patterning than granite.
But quartz isn't the only trendy material for counters in 2013, according to Mark Fies, board of directors member for the Metro D.C. chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
Fies says more homeowners are asking for concrete countertops to create a custom and eye catching look. "With concrete you have endless colors to choose from, the ability to shape the surface as you see fit, and you can even embed materials and/or designs right into the surface," he says.

Trend #3: Hardwood Floors
Are you thinking about replacing your worn and ripped kitchen linoleum with gleaming hardwood floors?
Good, because our kitchen experts agree that hardwood floors remain a hot kitchen remodeling trend for 2013, with a few new developments.
For example, "I am starting to see lighter shades of wood floors again - something that hasn't been seen in a while," says Chappaqua New York interior designer, Cami Weinstein.
And Brown sees the same trend in Florida. "The washed wood floors are back but, with a twist - wider planks and hand scraping, giving a beachy feel," she says.
[Need help installing those new floors? Click to find the right contractor now.]
But hardwood floors can be a lot of work in terms of both installation and maintenance. Luckily, there are some options to give you that classic wood floor look - without the hassle.
For example, Goldberg and Donohue are seeing a trend in hardwood-looking floors made from durable and easier-to-install materials, such as engineered wood flooring, which is made from a plywood base with a real hardwood veneer.
"Engineered wood continues to be popular, but so is porcelain tile that looks like wood, with less maintenance and better water tolerance," says Goldberg.

Trend #4: Stylish Sink
Adding a stylish sink can drastically change the look of your kitchen. So what will be trending in 2013? Fies says the answer is deep bowl sinks.
"Deep bowls are still the rage," he says. "Although there are endless possibilities with today's sinks, our homeowners want large, deep sinks to accommodate their larger pots and pans. The debate between single or double bowl is still in full effect, but we tend to see homeowners choosing the one bowl option."
[Planning to remodel your kitchen? Click to find the right contractor now.]
After you've decided on the style, the next thing to consider is the material of the sink. And in terms of what will be trending for 2013, Weinstein believes stainless steel sinks will be hot due to their durability and flexibility.
"They just look great for a very long time and work with both modern and traditional cabinetry," he says.

Trend #5: Appliances
If you've been thinking about investing in new appliances, this could be the year to justify buying that commercial stove. According to Weinstein, incorporating commercial-style stoves and other useful built-in appliances in kitchen remodeling projects is a hot trend for 2013.
"Commercial stoves and stainless steel appliances continue to be used and enjoyed," she says. In addition, features that save homeowners time and space are becoming increasingly popular. "One of her favorites is a hot water dispenser. "They are great for a quick cup of tea, hot cocoa, or mixing with boullion cube for a stock," she says.
Adding to that concept, Goldberg says kitchen features that do double-duty and save valuable kitchen space are also must-haves for 2013.
This includes microwaves that double as second ovens and warming drawers, and refrigerators with convertible drawers that can act as the fridge, freezer, or wine fridge.
"Multi-taskers that serve more than one need are hot," says Goldberg.

Trend #6: Mixing Cabinet Colors
Is dark brown too bland, but red too vibrant? Will white cabinets turn a dull shade of gray after the kids put their hands on them? If you can't decide on a color for your kitchen cabinets, never fear - our experts say it isn't just one color that will be trending in 2013, but rather a combination of colors.
"Homeowners no longer need to choose between white, medium, or dark tone cabinetry," says Fies. He adds that a variety of colors will provide visual interest, and can immediately give your kitchen an updated, modern look.
So what are some ways you could incorporate a combination of colors into your own kitchen?
"I am starting to see kitchen cabinetry painted in shades of cream, taupe and gray, often mixing in a darker wood for an island or the lower cabinets," says Fies.

Thanks for Reading.
The Inman Team

New Listing: 5262 Willow Wood

5262 Willow Wood Road, Rolling Hills Estates CA 90274

Website: http://www.5262willowwood.com/

For more information contact:
Keith Kelley
The Inman Team
DRE # 01810798

310.944.5554 (cell)
310.707.2124 (direct)
310.707.2170 (fax)
Keith.A.Kelley@gmail.com

All promises fulfilled on this gorgeous 3 bed 2 full bath home. All new kitchen with designer cabinets and marble counters. All new stainless steel appliances including stove, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator, a sunny dining room and breakfast bar. The charming living room offers a fireplace both delightful and warm. Two full bathrooms with new tubs, vanities and marble tops. Dark hardwood floors throughout, perfect accent to the light and bright rooms. Beautifully landscaped yards, surrounded with mature trees and velvet lawns.

Preparing Real Estate Listings for Photographs: What to Do and What to Avoid

The Inman Team Tip:
Pictures are everything!!When people look at your advertisements,the first thing they look at is the picture, and if it is horrible picture they will skip right over your Ad. We suggest for luxury homes, to always hire a professional photographer. For smaller houses and apartments, it is okay to take them yourself as long as they are clear and you follow the tips below!

by ConnectTimes
In today’s competitive real estate market, real estate agents constantly have to explore ways to highlight their listings to make them stand out. With 80% of homebuyers using the internet to search for homes, proper online pictures of listings are essential. After all, the listing pictures are the “first impression” the potential homebuyers receive and it is imperative to make a good first impression. In fact, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, homebuyers rated photos as the feature they use the most when searching for a home on the web. Photos are powerful tools for marketing, and they can have a positive effect on the price of the home and selling time as better photos command higher listing prices and get more online attention. Both real estate agents and sellers should follow these do’s and do not’s to attain flattering pictures that will expose the home in its best possible light.

Do:

Invest in a decent camera or hire a professional real estate photographer. For those not using a professional, always use a tri pod to keep the camera steady.

Shoot exterior shots in the middle of the day to create the best lighting, but make sure the sun is behind you. If tall trees create shadows in the picture, shoot on an overcast day.

For exterior shots, use a wide angle lens and stand on top of a ladder or car to create the best possible angle of the home.

Stage the outside of your home for the photo by mowing the lawn, planting some mulch, or placing potted plants by the front door.

Remove cars, trash cans, dead tree limbs, and outside holiday decorations out of view from the photo. Remember to take pictures of the back of the house and yard, as well.

Stage the interior of your home. The idea is to show off the home’s space, not distract potential buyers from what’s in it. Remove clutter from the area before photographing it, clear counter space, remove fridge magnets, hide children’s toys, make beds in the bedrooms, hide trash cans and trash, close toilets in bathrooms, move appliances around, and put away the dirty dishes.

Be sure to photograph the entire house. Buyers want to see pictures of the front of the house, back of the house, living room, kitchen, dining room, family room, master bedroom, other bedrooms, bathrooms, and the best features of the house, like an exercise room or a home theater.

Use as much natural lighting as possible, turn on all of the interior lights, and use the flash on your camera to make the colors and the room look brighter. Face away from open windows to avoid back lighting, and let the flash create even light. Close the drapes or blinds if the camera’s light meter is being fooled by the bright exterior light, or turn off the flash if it turns out making the room look dark.

Choose the best angles and compositions for the photographs. For instance, shoot rooms from a corner doorway to include as much of the room as possible, provide context, and make the home appear more spacious.

Keep a few personal items in the images. Buyers should see that someone actually lives there. Add color with vases of flowers or bowls of fruit and set the breakfast or dining tables.

Move furniture around when necessary so that they don’t block architectural features, like a fireplace.

Make sure to capture special features of the home, like new floors, fresh paint, or spectacular views of a golf course, beach, lake, or mountains.

For empty houses, use a prop like a chair to give an empty room a sense of scale. Photograph rooms that are together, such as the master bedroom/bathroom to add interest to the image.

Take lots of photos! Experiment with a variety of angles and camera settings for every shot, and post the picture that presents each area of the house in its best possible light.

Improve photos by using basic photo-editing software. Crop out ceilings or unnecessary backgrounds and adjust the brightness or contrast.

For condos and apartments, take shots of the amenities offered, like the pool, gym, tennis courts, and more.

Do Not:

Make the home look like something it’s not. Ensure you don’t mislead buyers. For instance, a wide-angle lens can make a room look deceptively large. Buyers will be disappointed and irritated to learn the actual size of the room is much smaller.

Avoid including animals and people in images. This includes both live animals and taxidermy, like deer heads on the walls, as well as anything else that can distract homebuyers from the point of the photo.

Don’t get too personal with staging. The purpose of staging a home is to create a neutral canvas on which a wide range of buyers can visualize themselves and their lives.

Don’t use wide-angle lenses in interior shots. It will distort rooms to make them look much smaller or larger.

Don’t use a camera phone!
Refrain from tilting the camera up or down. It will cause objects to have odd, unnatural shapes.

Avoid taking shots of the back of a chair, book cases and other furniture. Position yourself in angles that show the front of the room, or rearrange the furniture if the best angle to photograph the room will expose the back of furniture.

Most importantly, don’t omit a photo of the property altogether. Take plenty of photos from every room at every angle, and use the best shots.

Listing photos are both the seller and the real estate agent’s main way of advertising the property. In order to generate interest in the home and sell it quickly for the highest possible price, it is crucial that listings include as many images as possible that illustrate the attributes that would make a home desirable to live in. Listings that portray an untidy home, or worse, listings that have no picture at all, turn off many prospective buyers. Although this might seem like extra work and time, the payoff in the long run will be worth it!

Here are a few humorous examples...of bad listing photos

Tip of the Week: Pricing A Home To Sell

Psychologically which price looks and feels better to you - $299 or $300? People generally feel like it’s more of a bargain with $299, although the difference is a mere dollar.

There’s a fair amount of psychology and strategy that goes into determining a home’s asking price and while you may have a price in mind, that doesn’t mean your home is priced to sell. It’s all about tapping into the mind of potential buyers and how they identify with your price.

The biggest hurdle is to determine a fair price for your home, sans any emotions. Ask any homeowner what their home is worth and the price will include all the memories that have gone into making a piece of property a home. Emotions have no place in this business practice.

It’s understood that sellers don’t want to simply give their homes away and everyone wants to sell for the maximum price, but buyers are seeking bargains and with an abundant inventory, sellers must be flexible.

The real estate agent will identify the approximate value of a property based on comparisons of similar properties sold in a neighborhood, the market conditions, competing surrounding properties, and the time of year. Once all of these elements are considered, the real estate agent will have a price range in mind.

Here are a few strategies for the seller to consider;

• Listen carefully to your agent’s pricing strategy – they are the experts. It’s their job to know what works and what doesn’t. And as with any strategy, be prepared to have an ongoing discussion about pricing with your real estate agent. If potential buyers are not biting, it may be time to re-think the asking price.

• By pricing your property on the average to the lower end of the price range, you will stimulate more interest among more than one buyer. Also, for those homeowners in a position to sell quickly, this would be a good option to get more offers. Sellers who list their homes too high miss out on a segment of buyers.

• Forget the creative pricing strategy - $488,888? Odd priced homes call attention to the price for no good reason. The goal is to showcase the property, and to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. Getting eccentric with your asking price counteracts the tried-and-true strategy of psychological pricing. Well thought out rounded figures work best - $299,000

A lot of factors can come into play when selling or buying a home, and not all of them can be anticipated. If you can be flexible and react quickly to changing market conditions you’re more likely to get the best price with the least aggravation.

Thanks for Reading,
The Inman Team

Listing of the Week: 45 Eastfield

45 Eastfield, Rolling Hills CA 90274
$10,900,000
4 Bdrm 7 Bath
Luxury without compare! Enjoy the panoramic view from harbor to massive city light view plus the queen’s necklace all the way to Malibu. Boasting 4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, sitting room family room with wet bar. Gourmet kitchen with honed granite and spectacular back splash. The basement has a full gymnasium and a 23 x 20 game room with refrigerated wine room. The masterly crafted “nana wall” leads to a dramatic infinity edge pool, a fabulous bbq area with pizza oven. The entry to the property has a circular drive with water fountain, a covered porte cochere and a 3 car garage, all sitting on 2.7 acres. Sophisticated and luxurious certain to enhance your lifestyle.
http://www.45eastfield.com/

What To Do When Your Home Isn't Selling

The Inman Team Tip:
When your home is not selling, the first thing our team would do is look at the market. What are other homes selling for around you. Maybe it is time to look at the number you are putting out there and consider making a reduction in your price. Although your house may be worth a certain number to you, that number may not work with the current market. Before you make a reduction consider making a few changes in your selling strategy; try staging your home, or find new innovative marketing strategies. Have you posted your home on Facebook? Is your Realtor going above and beyond to get your home out there in the public eye.


Thanks for Reading.
The Inman Team

10 Tips for Buying & Selling Homes in 2013

As 2012 wound down, the national vacancy rate for owned homes had dropped to 1.9% from a downturn high of 2.9%. That's still above the 1.5% norm but nevertheless encouraging. The ever-optimistic National Association of Realtors predicts a 5% rise in median existing home prices through 2013, though most forecasters see a more modest 3% upswing in real estate prices.

Tip 1: Get off the sidelines
For good-credit buyers waiting for the bottom of the market, it has passed, but the good news is that home prices and interest rates are still quite low. For sellers waiting for market improvements, they're here. Stretch, take a deep breath and jump back in the game if your budget allows. The rules have changed a bit, however, and lenders want buyers to put a little more skin in the game. So expect to make higher down payments than in those pre-bust years. Another caution: Sellers will likely find that buyers have a harder time qualifying for mortgages.
Tip 2: Screen your buyers
Save your time, and weed out the tire-kickers. Make sure potential buyers are preapproved, which means they've already had their credit and employment checked thoroughly to determine how much they can borrow. Have your agent call their loan officers. Serious borrowers will find this acceptable because it shows they are ready to act.
Tip 3: Create a good impression
Most folks start their home searches online these days, so the number of murky, drab photos posted on website listings is baffling. Consider hiring professional photographers or videographers to create an optimal presentation, particularly for high-dollar spreads. Winter exteriors might show sun shining off the snow, spring shots could sport blossoms, summer shots ought to spotlight that shimmering pool or well-coifed lawn, and fall photos might show vibrant leaves. Think vividly, but not deceptively. Shots should accurately reflect the depth of rooms. Interiors should show bright, uncluttered spaces and highlight the best outdoor views. Remove a few furnishings for your photo session and brighten up (or even repaint) dark rooms.
Tip 4: Renovate wisely
A thorough remodeling can help seal a deal, but it rarely pays for itself. In fact, the average remodeling payback in the past 10 years has dropped from 82% in 2003 to about 57%, according to Remodeling magazine. Bringing up the rear are added back-up power generators (47.5% return) and sunroom additions (45.9%). Topping the list are steel entry-door replacements (73% return) followed by garage door replacements (71.9%). Unless the place is a wreck, focus on the small stuff: Sellers routinely underestimate the positive impact of simple home improvements such as repainting and minor fix-ups, say 3 out of 4 Realtors.
Tip 5: Build your team wisely
Vet the help. This goes for such crucial players as your agent (interview at least three), your inspector, appraiser, title company and if applicable, your attorney, surveyor or even energy auditor (a good idea if you're buying a large home). Look them up at the Better Business Bureau, Angie's List and any of a number of websites where service reviews can be found.
Tip 6: Don't let the heart lead the head
No clinging to false hopes, please. Win the game of "the price is right" by pricing your house correctly from day one. Find a proven, seasoned agent and follow his or her lead on listing-price suggestions. Pricing should be based on comparable sales, specific neighborhood time-on-the-market trends, an up-to-date appraisal and the home's inherent pros and cons. No amount of marketing hocus-pocus or staging can overcome a bloated price tag. Cut your price if no serious offers emerge in the first 30 to 45 days. It's not 2006 again.
Tip 7: Open your marketing options
Give your agent (or yourself) the green light to creatively market your home in varied venues, be they virtual or terra firma. Sellers are tapping into Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn and any number of sites to tickle buying bones. Agents and owners are customizing websites and blogs as well. But be tactful and imaginative. For example, a blog called "What you'd like about living in my town," might cover culture, education and other quality-of-life niceties -- followed by a playful pitch for your home, of course. Social media, unlike listings on the Multiple Listing Service or newspaper ads, allow for quick feedback and Q-and-A. You might also suggest your agent market your home to foreigners via overseas property sites or local partners abroad and to corporate relocatees.
Tip 8: Run the numbers
Are you really poised to buy? The housing market is improving, but that doesn't mean exuberant buyers should write a check and empty their savings accounts. Back up a bit and first get a free copy of your credit report, then fix any blips to save on higher mortgage interest rates. Break down your essential monthly bills and reconcile them against your family income, then use an online mortgage calculator to see how much wiggle room you'll have once you buy. Remember to factor in closing costs, inspection fees, loan fees, legal fees and emergencies.
Tip 9: Work your ground game
You're not just buying brick and mortar, you're buying a neighborhood. Consider this short checklist before making your buying decision.
Do a criminal search, including the ZIP code's crime statistics and the National Sex Offender Public Website at NSOPW.gov.
Chat up residents about pros and cons of the neighborhoods.
Visit at different hours; be wary of poorly kept homes and yards, unsavory visitors, traffic and pet noise, industrial or landfill odors, blaring train horns, too-bright lighting, and vacant-but-developable commercial lots.
Practice your work commute and find mass transit options.
Research school performance and student-teacher ratios.
Tip 10: Leave nothing to chance
Switch on that stove, run the faucets (including the baths), check the water pressure, activate the sprinklers, turn on all the lights, flush the toilets, turn on the air conditioning and heat, test the remotes and venture into the closets and look for signs of brown splotches or fresh paint for evidence of roof leaks. Granted, you might not feel comfortable doing all these at the open house, but you certainly can at the final walk-through. Sometimes agents and inspectors miss things.
Copyright 2013, Bankrate Inc.


Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/01/02/10-tips-for-buying-and-selling-homes-in-2013/#ixzz2HVmyHGUO