Terrylynn's Blog

When you can't do everything, a little paint goes a LONG way!!!  Why do I make that statement, well Realtors and Stagers would prefer that clients do everything on the "list", wouldn't we?  Of course we would!  BUT in the real world, some clients just don't have the ability or funds to do so.  So when THEY choose what to do (with your guidance of course), make sure they are choosing the most impactful thing to bring them the return on investment.  Does your staging partner give your clients choices based on a priority?  Of course your staging team can do the work if sellers have the budget, but easing them into it gets more accomplished.  These are two examples of sellers that couldn't complete the whole list...but paint is always in the top 5 on my "staging list"... and top of the list for impact on a drive by, on the internet and in person are of course, CURB APPEAL, because if you can't get them inside they won't buy; and KITCHENS...The cook usually has the final vote on which home to buy a larger percentage of the time, and kitchens matter alot to the cook.

YES, we'd have loved to have a SS refrigerator and new light fixture in this condo...but the budget was tapped out with paint, appliances and countertops and flooring.  SO, now the refrigerator just blends in and the rest is such a wow, it had almost as good an impact, certainly on internet photos and open houses.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED-CLIENT GOT THE BIGGEST BANG FOR THE BUCK AND THE CONDO SOLD QUICKER THAN THE COMPETITION IN THEIR COMPLEX AND FOR MORE MONEY THAN THE CONDO ON THE LEFT WOULD HAVE SOLD?  Sadly, this client was moving to assisted living.  However, he received enough more to keep him there for many more months.  He was grateful and we got him the money more quickly so he didn't have to worry while fighting his health battles.  This is what staging is about...making the tipping point difference.  I LOVE THIS JOB.

There is an end in sight, and we can see it from here...

There is a lot of speculation about the real estate market and when we'll see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Walking today in Santa Cruz along the ocean I took this photo.  It reminded me of the real estate market and gives a good illustration of where the light is. 

It IS out there, not within reach tomorrow perhaps, but within reach.  If we make changes that we need to make, stay the course and work at getting there we can.  When, you say?  Well I prefer to think sooner rather than later.  I believe thinking positively sets solutions in motion.  What do we have to lose by thinking the best?  A little "out there"  for some maybe. The alternative is putting the negative thoughts out there and heaven knows we have enough negative to keep us stuck for a very long time.  I prefer to think and give positive thoughts to the solution of these problems.  With a new president at the helm and many people who want solutions, I can put my energy of positive thoughts behind their efforts.  And my own efforts, which sends me on the path of preparing for the healing of our economy and our real estate market.

So, this photo is a constant reminder that I need to prepare for the journey as well as arriving at the destination.  Get ready all, the market is calling us.  Our expertise is sorely needed for the buyers of today and tomorrow to help them through the "new" real estate marketplace that will come out of this experience.  Are you with me? 

Terrylynn Fisher, Realtor, Green Real Estate Trainer,

Staging consultant and optimist.

Condos
Active
Concord Boulevard, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 882 sq. ft., listed for $169,000
Concord Boulevard, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 794 sq. ft., listed for $135,000
Concord Boulevard, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 794 sq. ft., listed for $129,500

Sold
Closed 7/8/08 for $205,000, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,272 sq. ft., 5450 Kirkwood Drive
Closed 7/17/08 for $177,000, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 891 sq. ft., 5455 Kirkwood Drive
Closed 10/27/08 for $189,000, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 902 sq. ft., 5460 Concord Boulevard
Closed 10/30/08 for $194,670, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 82 sq. ft., 5425 Concord Bouvevard

We have lived in Kirkwood since 1979. We love our neighborhood, so if you have any questions at all please call! Terrylynn Fisher 925.876.0966. www.KirkwoodNeighbors.com

Single Family Homes
Active
Las Ramblas Drive, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,420 sq. ft., listed at $365,900
Packard Court 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2,049 sq. ft., listed at $454,900
Los Gatos Court, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,588 sq. ft., listed at $395,900

Pending
Pamplona Court, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,657 sq. ft., listed at $389,000

Sold
5517 Langford Court, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,548 sq. ft., closed on 3/19/08 for $568,420
5461 Agostino Court, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,420 sq. ft., closed 5/16/08 for $430,000
5526 Sepulveda Court, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2,041 sq. ft., closed 5/22/08 for $441,400
5454 Preston Court, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2,603 sq. ft., closed 5/30/08 for $649,000
1806 Alicante Court, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2,041 sq. ft., closed 6/6/08 for $462,500
5589 Gonzalez Court, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,420 sq. ft., closed 6/26/08 for $309,000
5544 Guadalupe Court, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,657 sq. ft., closed 6/27/08 for $378,000
5453 Dodge Court, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,926 sq. ft., closed 7/22/08 for $565,000
5596 Gonzales Court, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrs, 1,657 sq. ft., closed 8/15/08 for $310,000
5598 Gonzalez Court, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2,041 sq. ft., closed 9/26/08 for $375,000
1873 Las Ramblas Drive, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,866 sq. ft., closed 12/5/08 for $375,000

We have lived in Kirkwood since 1979. We love our neighborhood, so if you have any questions at all please call! Terrylynn Fisher 925.876.0966. www.KirkwoodNeighbors.com