January 2018

January 2018

7 Things you need to know

before investing in real estate

Key questions

to ask your agent Fresh start — Winter home staging

MICHELLE GORDON also featured:

David Arustamian Caroline Collins Hunter Potter

contents

professionals 7

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3 Easy ways to convert internet leads into real-world sales

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Consider the down payment — Secrets, myths and misconceptions

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Initial investment — 7 Things you need to know before investing in real estate

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Key questions to ask your agent

Fresh start — Winter home staging

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David Arustamian

Michelle Gordon 11

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q featured agent

Caroline Collins

Hunter Potter

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Consider the down payment —

Secrets, myths and misconceptions Agents and mortgage brokers alike understand that one of the biggest hurdles facing their clients is the financial burden of a down payment. Though navigating the house hunt and sourcing an affordable mortgage are key, affording a down payment looms large in the minds of first-time homebuyers. The fact is, there are decades of misinformation and confusion out there when it comes to how much is enough for a down payment. Plenty of would-be homeowners write themselves off, assuming they’re not qualified or don’t have the capital to afford a home. While some mortgage brokers and agents understand that 4

there are alternatives available for all kinds of homebuyers, here are a few facts and options to keep in mind to rewrite what you think you know about down payments.

The Myth of 20% Down — 40% of American homebuyers believe that a down payment unequivocally means forking over 20% of the home’s purchase price, up-front. What’s more, even homebuyers with a healthy amount in savings may balk at trading in their nest egg for a home they then won’t be able to afford. All that withstanding, it’s completely possible Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

The right down payment isn’t one size fits all, so homebuyers would be wise to explore the options that work best for their wallets and overall plans.

to afford a home with as little as 3.5% down. How about 0% down? The truth is, it can happen.

There are a variety of loan products and programs available to entice skeptical homebuyers. For instance, conventional loans that adhere to the federal government’s standards — as outlined by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — require just 5% down for loans up to $417,000. For loans larger than $417,000, down payments remain as low as 10%. This empowers first-time homebuyers to make that leap and buy into the market at a down payment rate that won’t break the bank.

Other worthwhile programs that cut the costs of down payments include: Fannie Mae’s 3% program, FHA loans, and VA/USDA loans. FHA loans are sponsored by the federal government’s Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency and call for just 3.5% down for qualified buyers. Similarly, VA and USDA loans are cost-effective choices for most military veterans and active-duty military servicemembers. VA and USDA loans require 0% down and focus on homes for sale in rural and outermost suburbs. Altogether, the tides have turned when it comes to the myth of 20% down. The loan offerings out there are diverse and speak to would-be buyers from most all walks of life.

The Benefits of Mortgage Insurance — Here’s another question to consider: why do banks and mortgage institutions allow homeowners to utilize low down payment loans in the first place? While low down payments benefit buyers, what about the institutions Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

that back mortgages? Here’s where mortgage insurance comes into play.

When securing a low down payment, lenders pair these loan options with mortgage insurance. For those who didn’t pay that notorious 20% up front, mortgage insurance is a vehicle that protects lenders, while allowing buyers to build equity in their home over time.

The basic idea is for buyers to steadily pay into their mortgage insurance policy until they’ve accumulated that 20% they might have put towards a sizable down payment. This allows the initial investment of buying a home to cost less, while giving lenders some peace of mind, too.

What else do you need to know about mortgage insurance and how it relates to the right down payment?

It does increase buyers’ monthly home payments.

However, the monthly cost of mortgage insurance isn’t astronomical, though it certainly should factor into a buyers budget when determining a property’s affordability. The bright side is this: once a buyer has paid off a portion of their loan (typically that 20% equity rate) then they can cancel mortgage insurance and save themselves the monthly cost.

At the end of the day, finding the right down payment when purchasing a home is all about examining financial wherewithal and homeownership goals. The right down payment isn’t one size fits all, so homebuyers would be wise to explore the options that work best for their wallets and overall plans.

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featuredagent

David Arustamian

David Arustamian grew up in a family of self-made successes. Originally born in Azerbaijan, David and his family immigrated to the United States as refugees, doing just about anything and everything to make ends meet and build their own version of the American Dream. After years of hardscrabble efforts, David’s father — his role model — began building his own business, and David found his inspiration in launching a successful eBay enterprise at the young age of 14. Soon enough, he’d paired up with a local car dealership to expand their reach, selling used cars online across the country. Already a practiced salesman, David set his sights on the next big challenge: real estate. He earned his license in Massachusetts in 2009, and after a relocation to Arizona a few years ago, he’s since carved out a reputation for thorough, communicative, and trustworthy service as a budding real estate aficionado.

To ensure that listings move off the market with speed and at a desirable price point, David takes an active approach to marketing. He stages calling campaigns, goes door-knocking, and leverages Sotheby’s global imprint.

Likewise, his involvement in two professional coaching networks ensures that access to the top agents around the world will add visibility to properties headed to market.

Targeted campaigns across social media and the leading digital listing platforms also promote prime exposure for properties making their debut. “My clients know and understand the goals I’ve set for their properties, and it’s my job to help as many people as possible transform their home sale or purchase into the smoothest transaction they’ve ever experienced,” he says. “I want to knock people’s socks off with the level of service I provide.

When my clients are happy and I know I’ve surpassed their expectations — that’s what gives me the drive to continue doing what I’m doing.”

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While much of his work is focused in Phoenix’s Southeast Valley and Scottsdale, David goes where clients lead. He works primarily in listing properties that have had little success thus far — those that have expired, were canceled, or are for sale by owner. “These are the sellers who most need us and our expertise,” David explains. “They’ve likely had a bad experience in the past, and they’re looking for someone to turn it around for them. That’s where we come in.” To transform the sales of his clients’ homes, David prioritizes steadfast communication, innovative techniques, and utmost professionalism. Beyond those attributes, David cites his unflagging work ethic as one of the main drivers of his success to date. “The number one reason clients work with me is because I outwork any other agent in every part of the sales process,” he says. “I earn my clients top dollar, and get them moved where they want and in the timeframe they want.” His track record thus far is a testament to David’s upbeat, proactive attitude. In his first year in the business, he spearheaded 14 transactions.

By his second year, he more than doubled that figure. Even after the adjustment period inherent in relocating to a new region, he’s made the Phoenix area his cherished home, offering clients masterfully in-depth knowledge of the local inventory and market. “I’d never go anywhere else,” he says of his adopted hometown.

Beyond the office, David is always making moves to better himself and sharpen his professional acumen. As a big believer in continued education and mentorship, he arms himself with coaching programs that develop his skills for tomorrow’s market. “No matter how good you are, there’s always someone who’s better that you can learn from,” he says. “I surround myself with people who are aligned with the goals I have set and who can help me grow.” In his rare free hours, David most enjoys spending time with loved ones, devoting every Saturday morning to breakfast with his family in Scottsdale. He’s also a major car enthusiast and likes traveling to Cars & Coffee events around the Phoenix area and beyond.

As for the future of his business, David has plans to continue developing his imprint in the area, with hopes to assemble a comprehensive real estate team — The Agent DA Team — which will include two buyers’ agents, a transaction coordinator, a listing coordinator, and a full-time in-house assistant, all by the end of 2018. “Our team’s mission is to provide unparalleled service and outwork our competition daily, and to have our clients become repeat clients — along with their friends, family, and neighbors,” he says. “We want to set a new real estate standard for the Phoenix area.” With a thriving career already in bloom and an incisive game plan in place for the years ahead, the best is assuredly still to come for David Arustamian.

David Arustamian Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty | Gilbert, AZ 480.331.0707 | david.arustamian@russlyon.com | www.DavidSellsAZ.com 6

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3 Easy ways to convert

internet leads into real-world sales

Any agent or lender worth his or her salt understands that today’s buyers start their home search online.

While plenty of attention is paid to crafting a quality website or commanding social media, how do you close the divide between casual online engagement and an actual sale? Consider some of the tips below when it comes to reaching through that computer or smart phone screen and turning a virtual lead into a real-world client.

Be responsive — Immediate results and responses are the norm in this digital era. Though this may not be your cup of tea, it’s essential to be swift in reacting to online engagement, like contact forms, newsletter e-mail signs-ups, or requested quotes. Online leads want answers and attention fast — that’s why they’ve turned to the internet. Do your best to be prompt in your follow-up. Even if the potential client isn’t quite Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

ready to commit, you’ve already demonstrated your readiness to hit the grounding running to earn their business. Don’t let e-mail inquiries languish in your inbox, either. Of course, schedules can get hectic, but the longer you let a lead go untouched, the greater the chance that he or she has already moved on to greener pastures.

Ask open-ended questions — If your digital communication with a potential client has begun to go stale, it can signal a change of heart or mounting disinterest in your lead. To keep your conversation flowing, focus on the client’s perspective and ask open-ended questions. Whether you’re reaching out through social media or e-mail, this approach to agent-client communication can inspire a sense of ease in your lead. Meanwhile, cementing a connection on the personal level, by engaging in a client’s 7

While online leads can feel abstract, or too distant and anonymous to cultivate into real-world sales, don’t be discouraged. The internet is a powerful tool and there are no ends to the possibilities in attracting potential clientele. interests and passions, can forge a bond that goes beyond the computer screen. This will make you far more memorable than those who are only focused on one thing: the sale. Be curious, engage genuinely, remember that the lead on the other side of the screen is a person just like you. Authentic interest and personalized care can showcase a personality that any client would love to work with.

Follow up, then follow up again — It’s easy for messages to get lost in the endless corridors of the internet. Emails get overlooked in inboxes, social media messages are read and forgotten. Don’t consider a follow-up e-mail, text, call, or message a nuisance. It takes a few tries to establish a line of communication with a potential online lead. The caveat is this: don’t 8

flood your would-be client with endless, automated messages, or communication that reeks of the unprofessional — think messages sent at odd hours, filled with typos, missing your professional signature. As always, be mindful in your communication and end messages on a positive note, while putting the ball in his or her court. Demonstrate that you’re committed to their business. Odds are, they’ll be reminded why they were interested in your services in the first place.

While online leads can feel abstract, or too distant and anonymous to cultivate into real-world sales, don’t be discouraged. The internet is a powerful tool and there are no ends to the possibilities in attracting potential clientele. All you need is the right approach when it comes to virtual communication.

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Initial investment —

7 Things you need to know before investing in real estate If you’re considering investing in real estate, rest assured you’re in good company. Millions of Americans have successfully done so in the past, and countless others continue to do so each year. However, that’s not to say that being successful with real estate investments is guaranteed. Like all investments, real estate comes with its own set of risks, so it’s not a decision to be made without careful consideration and planning. Here are seven essential factors you need to consider before purchasing your first investment property.

You’ll Need to Do Your Homework — Before you decide to take the plunge into real estate investing, Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

spend time talking with other investors, with your financial advisor, asset manager, or CPA. Seek out advice from those who have experience, and learn as much as you can through research. When it comes to investing in real estate, knowledge is power.

Running the Numbers is Necessary — Investing in real estate will require that you have an incredibly solid grasp on your financial status. If you intend to become a landlord, know roughly what rental rates the market will bear. Keep in mind that an investment is only lucrative if you earn money from it, either in the short term or long term. Basing your decision solely on an expectation of rapid appreciation can backfire.

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Investing in real estate is not a decision that is best made spurof-the-moment. Take time to explore your options, research the markets where you are hoping to invest, and ask for help from experts. You’ll find that the time you put into planning a smart investment strategy will prove invaluable over time.

Be Sure You’re Ready to be a Landlord — Being a landlord comes with its own unique set of challenges. Anyone who has been a landlord for at least a few years will confirm that things can and will go awry. Your property may be damaged, or your tenants may be difficult. They may pay rent late, or they may be noisy and disturb neighbors. Consider that these possibilities are very real, and determine whether you want the responsibility of handling these issues if and when they arise. Even if a property management company assumes the bulk of the responsibility for your property, at the end of the day, you are ultimately the owner, which means that you’ll be obligated to make tough decisions from time to time.

Weigh the Pros and Cons of a Live-In Property — For your first investment, it is more than worth considering the possibility of living in the property. You may find a home with apartment units attached, for example. Or you may invest in a duplex or triplex, and choose to live onsite in one of the units.

First-time homebuyers often find this option to make a great deal of financial sense.

Lead with Your Head, Not Your Heart — Unlike buying a first home to live in, or upgrading to your dream home, purchasing investment properties should not be an emotionally driven decision. On the contrary, falling in love with the way a property looks doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right property to 10

purchase as an investment. Remember that real estate investing is by and large a business decision, rather than an emotional decision, and you’ll be more likely to save yourself time and money.

Take an Honest Look at Your Liquidity — As a real estate investor, you need liquid capital on hand.

Appliances break, roofs leak, carpets need replacing, and rooms need to be repainted. You’ll need to make sure you have a reasonable cushion of cash on hand to be able to cover the costs of repairs, maintenance and cleaning of an investment property.

Have Realistic Expectations — Very few people get rich quick from real estate investments, and those who do are typically investors with years of experience.

Furthermore, if you’re hoping to make a lot of money from a real estate investment, but opt for a low downpayment loan, chances are that you won’t see that dream through to fruition for quite some time.

Becoming a real estate investor has proven to be a dream come true for millions of Americans, and there is no reason why it can’t be the same incredible experience for you. However, it is not a decision that is best made spur-of-the-moment. Take time to explore your options, research the markets where you are hoping to invest, and ask for help from experts. You’ll find that the time you put into planning a smart investment strategy will prove invaluable over time.

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MICHELLE GORDON

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MICHELLE GORDON Early in her career, Michelle Gordon loved using her background in interior design to make model homes beautiful and inviting. What she didn’t love was not being the one to sell the homes. “I knew I wanted to have closure and bring it full circle and have the chance to sell the homes, too,” she recalls. “It was always my dream to be in real estate, but I was nervous about it due to the inconsistent income.” She got her chance to pursue that dream when her husband’s job relocated the family from Pennsylvania to Michigan. “We no longer required my income, so it was my chance to finally try real estate,” she says.

“I laugh about it now because initially I thought it was something I could do part-time while my daughter was in school.” Like so many agents before her, she soon realized that success in real estate comes as a result of making it a full-time career.

Licensed since 2002, Michelle manages her own team — The Gordon Group GR — and assists clients throughout West Michigan with residential and commercial real estate services. Though the term “concierge service” has recently gained popularity 12

in real estate circles, Michelle and her team have been practicing that philosophy for years. “First and foremost, we are relationship-based,” she says. “I still communicate with the very first client I ever worked with in 2002.” She explains that while the team has systems in place to ensure productivity and efficiency, there’s always room for flexibility based on a client’s individual needs.

“No two people are the same, so our systems can be adjusted to each person’s lifestyle,” she says. “I learned a long time ago that if you have solid relationships with your clients, business will never be slow, because they’ll always be there for you.”

Given how much she focuses on giving her clients personal attention, it’s not surprising that more than 65% of Michelle’s business comes from repeat clients and referrals. “Another thing we focus on is developing and maintaining strong relationships in the community, because we want to be our clients’ resource for everything even semi-related to their home,” she says. “That can be a contractor, a dentist, Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

or where to go for a great dinner out. Because I’ve personally had to relocate so many times, I know what it’s like trying to find good people. I had a bad experience with a contractor once and I never want that to happen to my clients.”

Michelle acknowledges the “fast and furious” pace of real estate today, and makes it a point to instill in her team that there’s more to it than making a quick deal. “It’s very easy to fall into that and forget your core values. We never want that to happen,” she says. “People trust us, and that’s because we’ve shown ourselves to have values and proven we are trustworthy.” Another thing Michelle stresses to her team is the importance of continuing education. “I wish I had understood in the beginning of my career how important education and designations are,” she says. “I’m working on them now, but that can sometimes mean working 12- or 14-hour days.” That extra work is paying off. Michelle currently holds her CRS, ABR, and SSR designations. She is also a certified Short Sale Specialist. And there’s one more thing she makes sure her team does regularly. “We Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

have fun! Real estate doesn’t have to be stressful.

It can be a good time when you are working with someone you like and care about.”

Community involvement has been a cornerstone of Michelle’s career since her early days in the business. One of the first things she did was start a foundation called F.L.O.W. — Friends Landscaping Our World. They landscaped up to 10 homes a year in challenging neighborhoods to increase the area’s curb appeal. The program was so successful that Michelle received the Good Neighbor Award from the Grand Rapids Board of REALTORS®. “I drive by those homes to this day and they are all still very well-tended,” Michelle says. And that’s really what it all comes down to for her — changing her clients’ lives for the better. “I enjoy watching people’s lives change,” she says. “Usually someone is buying or selling a home because they’re getting ready to do something different in their lives. I feel very proud to be part of that; I take it seriously and find it very gratifying. Real estate is not just about an income to me. I go about it more personally.”

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“PEOPLE TRUST US, AND THAT’S BECAUSE WE’VE SHOWN OURSELVES TO HAVE VALUES AND PROVEN WE ARE TRUSTWORTHY.” With her team’s two divisions — The Gordon Group GR and Distinctive Homes GR — they are able to help a wide range of clients who are at varying stages of their real estate journeys. With plans in place to expand into commercial real estate, there’s no doubt the future looks bright for Michelle and her team. “My daughter, Amanda, who has been licensed for a year, recently joined my team. She’s been working with me in one way or another since she was 13.” From the sound of it, Amanda is ready to take things to the next level. “She has plans to expand the group to Chicago and Traverse City, because a lot of people own homes in both places,” Michelle explains. “That will allow me to stay focused on being hyper-local.” In fact,

she recently took a big step transferring from Keller Williams to a local boutique brokerage, JH Realty Partners, so she could do just that. “I’m very big on ‘local first’ and keeping money from these transactions within our community,” she explains. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen with my business when I made that move, but it has actually doubled!”

When she’s not working or studying for a new designation, Michelle loves spending time with her husband, family and friends. “I have a beautiful home that’s designed for outdoor living. If I can take an afternoon off and sit by the pool with my friends and be silly, that’s my favorite thing.”

MICHELLE GORDON THE GORDON GROUP GR | DISTINCTIVE HOMES GR | ADA, MICHIGAN

616.259.8211 | MICHELLEGORDON@GORDONGROUPGR.COM WWW.GORDONGROUPGR.COM 14

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Key questions

to ask your agent

Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant financial transactions most people will ever be involved in. So it follows that choosing a real estate agent to help reach those goals is one of the most important decisions anyone can make. Surprisingly, though, many people don’t spend the time they should or ask the right questions of their buyer’s or listing agent.

They might say that they prefer to ‘go with their gut’ or just ‘have a good feeling’ about someone. While it’s certainly important to feel a connection and develop a rapport with your agent, there are several pertinent questions you should also ask. This isn’t necessarily the complete list, but will give you a good start and generate some revealing information.

Questions to ask a listing agent

Have you worked with homes in this price range? A competent agent should be able to sell a home regardless of listing price. But it’s ideal to have an agent who regularly works with homes in the same range as your home. They will have unique insights into the market and the buyers who are looking for homes just like yours.

How will you market this listing? Your home won’t sell if no one knows about it. Agents today have more marketing options than ever and should be able to answer this question quickly and thoroughly. If they don’t seem to have a concrete plan in place, keep looking.

How do you communicate with clients? This isn’t necessarily a trick question, per se. But the best answer is for the agent to ask back, “How would you like me to communicate with you?” An agent should tailor their communication style and frequency to your preferences.

What is your average days on market? Simply put, days on market means the length of time a listing appears on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) before it sells. While a number of factors affect this, agents with a lower than average number of days are pricing and marketing their listings effectively.

Questions to ask a buyer’s agent

How often do you work with people like me? Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, starting over after divorce or widowhood, upsizing, downsizing or relocating to a new city, every buyer has unique needs. Find a buyer’s agent who has plenty of experience working with people in your situation.

May I speak with some of your past clients? Reading online reviews can shed a lot of light on how an agent’s past clients feel about them, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Even if you don’t actually plan to speak with past clients directly, an agent’s enthusiastic or reluctant answer to this question can tell you a lot.

How many homes have you found in this neighborhood? The more familiar an agent is with the area you want to live, the better chance you have of finding a home you’re going to love. There’s a good chance they’ll know about homes that are about to come on the market but aren’t yet listed.

Do you work with a network of professionals? Connected agents should have a network of professionals ready and waiting — from lenders and title agents to contractors and painters. If they can’t offer solid referrals, keep looking for an agent who can.

How do you win a bidding war? There isn’t a single correct answer to this question; it’s more about how prepared the agent is with an answer and whether or not they have a plan in place to handle this inevitable situation.

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featuredagent Caroline Collins magazine

The route to real estate was an unconventional one for Caroline Collins, and each experience along the way would one day contribute to her distinct brand of expertise. A native of England, she moved to Canada to pursue the wide-open spaces, while cultivating her career in the field of medicine. While practicing in hematology, Caroline applied a detailoriented eye and incisive problem-solving skills to develop important industry advances. When she and her then husband moved to Southern California, she turned her attention to her love of horses, studying at Colorado State to learn the intricacies of breeding and equine health.

Ultimately, Caroline made the transition to real estate 31 years ago in her adoptive hometown of Temecula. Her early experience included work alongside leading builders as a land acquisitions broker, a specialty she was drawn to for its complexity and unpredictability. Since the start of her career, Caroline has honed her skills in a variety of offices and settings, and she now serves as the Broker and Owner of Temecula Homes and Land.

Primarily serving the greater Temecula region, Caroline leads a team of six and fields her own clients, as well. With more than half of her business generated by repeat and referral clientele, Caroline has carved out a reputation for forthrightness, personal service, and thorough attention to detail. Considering her professional philosophy, Caroline cites integrity as the foremost driver of her success to date, emphasizing that clients value honest, even-handed counsel when it comes to the investment of a lifetime. “I get to know my clients quite well. I always disclose, disclose, disclose.

Being fair and honest with people can’t be beat,” she says.

“If there’s a problem with a transaction, whatever it may be, I find out everything I can, do the work, and am upfront from the beginning.” What’s more, Caroline relishes the time spent getting to know clients and learning their stories — all the better to serve them in a more personalized capacity. “What I enjoy most about what I do is getting involved and taking care of people’s needs,” she reflects.

“It’s just so much fun when people are happy with their real estate transaction, and we celebrate by having them up to our ranch for a barbecue. Real estate is a people service business, and REALTORS® should never forget that.”

In fact, Caroline’s ranch is the ultimate evidence of her professional ethos and love of the Temecula area. In addition to offering an arena, training facility, and a big deck for celebrations, Caroline often invites clientele up for an afternoon of barbecuing and hospitality. Of course, there’s a tremendous amount of diligence, responsibility, and know-how required to manage a ranch, but Caroline is always up for a challenge — an attitude that applies to her role as Broker and Owner, as well. “What sets me apart is being real and doing the work,” she says. “At the end of the day, clients are happy with me because they know they can trust me to take care of their best interests.”

To market her listings, Caroline applies the same proactive approach. She ensures that premium photography accompanies each listing, including drone photography where appropriate — especially for land and ranch photos. She has also cultivated the highly visible and valuable domain www.TemeculaRealEstate.com for years. Accordingly, Caroline understands that marketing in this modern age occurs online, and takes care to ensure that each property or parcel of land receives ultimate digital exposure.

To extend her spirit of service both locally and globally, Caroline makes it a point to give back through her church, Rancho Community Church in Temecula. Years ago, she and her husband Marty — her partner in everything she does — ventured on a life-changing mission trip to the island of Nias in Indonesia, following a devastating tsunami and earthquake, an experience she describes as humbling in the extreme. Though she’s happiest when working, Caroline devotes her free hours to managing and caring for her horse boarding ranch, loving and caring for all the animals — including two dogs, three cats, nine hens and a duck named “Jemimah Puddleduck.”

As for the future of Temecula Homes and Land, Caroline plans to continue her enterprise’s steady growth. She hopes to add additional agents to her talent roster, and continue on in her mission to share the beauty of the lovely city of Temecula and the surrounding valleys with new homeowners. With more than three decades of seasoned experience behind her, as well as an abiding commitment to people-first service, the best is assuredly still to come for Caroline Collins and her team at Temecula Homes and Land.

Caroline Collins

Temecula Homes and Land | Temecula, CA 951.767.4545 | Caroline@iinet.com | www.TemeculaRealEstate.com 16

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Fresh start —

Winter home staging Listing a home for sale during the winter months comes with its own unique set of challenges, not the least of which is how to stage a home for the season once the holidays have passed. It’s easy to make a home look beautiful and inviting when everything is merry and bright, but more challenging when all the decorations have been put away and the weather is still gloomy and gray. But with some creativity and the right tools, it’s possible to make winter home staging look easy. Here’s how:

Clear the Clutter — Just like we tend to lighten up our eating habits after the holidays, our visual diet can use a break, too. The holidays are all about sparkle, shine, glitter and glam. And while all those things are beautiful, they can become overwhelming over time.

That’s why January is the perfect time to stage homes to look clean, soothing and clutter free. It’s a welcome break after the visual feast of the holidays. And because Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

people tend to be spending most of their time indoors during the winter, clutter or anything overdone can contribute to feelings of claustrophobic cabin fever.

Shift the Color Palette — After a season of bright red, kelly green, and shiny metallics, a more muted color palette feels right this time of year. Try adding accents in rich, classic shades like slate blue, burgundy, ivory and sage green. You definitely want to incorporate color inside to counter the gray skies outside, but it should be muted and subtle, rather than bright and bold.

Add Layers and Texture — Potential homeowners want to walk into a home that looks and feels like a place conducive to snuggling in and relaxing. Adding texture and layers with decorative rugs, warm throws and extra pillows will create those feelings. Focus on cozy, touchable fabrics such as flannel, faux fur and 17

chunky cable knits that look like a favorite sweater.

Make sure bedroom comforters and bedspreads have the same seasonally appropriate look and feel.

Bring the Outdoors In — Rooms always feel more authentic when you bring a bit of the outside in.

Place seasonal citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit or pomegranates in a wooden or heavy ceramic bowl on the kitchen or dining room table. Pine cones offer the same earthy, organic ambiance. Even a small, indoor herb or succulent garden placed on a windowsill brings a dash of much-needed green life to a space and serves as a reminder that spring will eventually arrive.

Go Into the Light — When it’s dark and gloomy outside, it’s important for the home’s interior to look bright. Consider upping the wattage of the bulbs in lamps throughout the house and adding sleek torchiere lamps in dark corners to cast a warm glow throughout the room. Don’t forget to leave the porch 18

light and other exterior lights on so the home’s exterior appears inviting.

Show Other Seasons — Ask the homeowners for photos of the property during the spring and summer. Put them together in a photo album or in picture frames placed strategically throughout the house.

Those viewing the house will appreciate seeing the flowers blooming in the spring or the garden overflowing with vegetables during the summer.

Add Thoughtful Details — Little details can make a big difference to prospective homeowners who are viewing the house. Make sure there are clean doormats by all exterior doors so they can wipe their feet before coming in. No one wants to walk around inside all bundled up, so bring in a coat rack or place some removable hooks in the entry way so they can shed coats, scarves and hats and walk around unencumbered.

Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

featuredagent Hunter Potter magazine

give my clients an update of what to expect that day,” he says. “I believe that communication is incredibly important, particularly with first-time homebuyers.”

Additionally, Hunter’s local market knowledge is incredibly beneficial to his clients. Born and raised in Port Huron, he’s proud to have returned to his Michigan roots after having been stationed in various locations while serving in the military. “I’m a hometown REALTOR,®” Hunter says.

Today, he uses his lifelong familiarity and knowledge of the local markets to not only work with buyers and sellers, but to encourage others to build their lives in the local community as well.

There are plenty of reasons why Hunter Potter, with

Realty Executives in Port Huron, Michigan has become such a highly sought-after real estate agent. After all, Hunter’s dedication to helping others achieve their goals of homeownership is frankly, palpable. “I get to help people buy not just a house, but their home — where they are going to make memories,” he says. Hunter knows just how much that means to others, and says that purchasing his own home not long ago was a huge milestone. “I’m going to watch my son take his first steps in my home,” he says with pride.

His passion for helping others to experience the American Dream of homeownership is supported by incredible discipline, which is the result of his years spent in the United States Marine Corps. “I’m up every day at 5am on the dot.

The Marine Corps taught me to be very aggressive and hungry,” says Hunter. “I incorporate this into my work. One of the biggest assets I bring to my clients is my commitment.”

To that end, his daily routine includes ongoing educational efforts, through listening to various real estate podcasts in effort to continue learning something new each day. He also reaches out to clients with a daily text update every morning.

“I know what it’s like to wonder ‘how did the inspection go?’ When you’re buying a home, you don’t want to sit around and stress or worry about what is happening. So, I

“I’m active with many nonprofit organizations and am dedicated to giving back, and encouraging others to stay in Port Huron, open businesses, and support the local community,” he says. Incidentally, in addition to his thriving real estate career, Hunter and his wife also own a women’s clothing boutique in their hometown.

Although fiercely disciplined and professional, Hunter also insists upon having fun with his clients, and with his career.

“Buying a home can be stressful. I try to help people set aside the stress, by making it a fun experience,” he says. As such, his marketing efforts reveal his lighthearted nature, as he takes time to express himself creatively, often on social media. “I create a lot of videos. I try to make them fun,” says Hunter. “I’ve used cool drone footage of the Blue Water Bridge, and I’ve even made some marketing videos with my 5-month-old son. I put something fun out every day.”

Continuing he says, “Buying a home is a big deal. It’s your biggest investment, so it’s not something I take lightly, but I suggest that everyone find a REALTOR® who can help them focus on how cool this experience is, even if it feels stressful. A REALTOR® should add value, because it is an exciting experience.” Laughing he adds, “No one should work with someone they dread calling.”

If his accomplishments in real estate so far are any indication of the success on the horizon, Hunter is poised to have a long, thriving career ahead. Already, word-of-mouth referrals are fueling his career to the point that he’s beginning to grow a team by adding an assistant. “I make it a point to grow my business every day. Each day is an opportunity to be able to help someone achieve their goals, to guide them through the process of being a homeowner. I just love it.”

Hunter Potter

Realty Executives | Port Huron, MI 810.488.9099 | hunterpotterusmc@gmail.com Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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