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Homes - Valley Real Estate Guide - August 2018
The Northern Virginia Daily
Five things your agent must do before listing By Ashley Miller For The Northern Virginia Daily WINCHESTER - Nate Crandell, agent with Compass West Realty in Winchester, believes there are five important things every agent must do to streamline the selling process. • Professional Photos Crandell said professional, high-quality professional images make a huge difference when it comes to selling a home. “For most buyers, it’s their first impression of your home and should reflect the best light possible,” Crandell said. “Most agents, like myself aren’t professional photographers. And no matter how expensive or high-tech our equipment may be, we can’t achieve or compete really with the quality of trained professional.” Professional photography is a service provided by most real estate agents. Crandell said that agents have a mere two seconds to grab a buyer’s attention without a photo and 20 seconds with a photo. “Listings with professional photos also typically receive more online views than listings without,” he said. “Those photos generate into leads, which generate into sales. High-quality images really are so important.” • Professional flyers, postcards and brochures Crandell is a big fan of supplying interested clients with print marketing. Whether they’re mailed, passed out or available for open houses and showings, professionally designed and laid out print material is very important for the selling process. “Prices can change based on the market but how your agent represents you should be solid and consistent,” Crandell said.
me, they can see how I will market their property for the best return.”
• Broker's Open
“Social media advertising is a vital tool in getting eyes on your listing,” Crandell said. “Because it increases the number of people that your home will reach. While the first person that views it might not be the buyer, their friends and family might be, so they’re more than likely going to share it.”
Open houses allow agents to sell and A broker’s open is an open house for bropresent the home, showcase its key feakers and other agents that allow for them tures, all while answering immediate to preview the home before it comes open questions a potential buyer might have. to the public. “Agents who partner with lenders to host Crandell said while most agents and broan open house are able to easily provide kers would rather sell the home through interested individuals details about fitheir own office, most buyers are reprenancing, mortgage costs and programs sented by agents from other firms. that fit their various needs,” Crandell said. “They give valuable feedback that allows Crandell said at the end of the day, while us to tweak the home, the price or prothe market continues to change as does mote other features of the home they no- the way people do business, more homes ticed that maybe we missed.” are being seen online.
present the home to the public and have Something many buyers and sellers aren’t an open house. • Social Media Marketing aware of is the benefits of broker's opens. “After the photographer has taken the photos, the marketing materials have been Social media marketing has taken the real “Broker opens bring buyers,” Crandell estate world by storm allowing agents the said. “While allowing other agents to give designed and the broker’s open was a sucopportunity to reach prospective clients valuable insight on how other agents view cess, the open house lets the public know it's ready for them.” like never before. your listing.”
Color schemes, inappropriate fonts, confusing details and poorly cropped images can deter buyers interest, so Crandall said Popular social media sites include Facealways using a professional is beneficial in book, Instagram, Twitter and most recreating the perfect marketing campaign. cently, Snapchat. “When I met with a potential client I bring with me past marketing material from previous listings that help me stand out among the rest,” he said. “That way when a prospective client sits down with
While many listings are broadcast to sites like Zillow, Trulia and realtor.com, Crandell said taking the time to share a listing on several social media sites will increase traffic flow.
• Open House Even in today’s busy market, bringing everything full-circle allows the agent to
“The way your home is represented is vital to the success of it selling quickly,” he said.
The Northern Virginia Daily
Homes - Valley Real Estate Guide - August 2018
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BEASLEY REALTY 146 South Main Street, Woodstock, VA 22664 540-459-2123 • www.ERABeasley.com
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B-18 Great townhouse in Woodstock! 3 bed 2.5 bath w/tons of upgrades! Master on main w/fireplace & upper level with possible 4th bedroom/ office. 2nd living room & master bed on upper level w/fireplace! W/d on both levels & great Mountain Views to the South! 1-car garage with front patio. Hardwoods & tile on main w/ back deck & Screened in Porch. Nice landscaping and convenient to Everything! $210,000
C-21 Traditional valley architecture with modern updates combine to make this in town location a gem. Enjoy your privacy fenced yard, walk to downtown amenities or stay and cook in a gorgeous kitchen with stainless and concrete countertops. Tile and hardwood floors, 3 beds, 2.5 baths. Huge lot with off street parking. Priced right, this home won’t last. Home warranty. Owner/agent related. $199,000
B-20 Spacious town home located in the Historic core area of Woodstock, convenient to Restaurants, Brew Pub and much more. Having 3 levels of finished living space with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, Master Bedroom with Large Master Bath and walk-in closet, large eat-in kitchen, dining area, living rm, large deck, and 2 car garage. $229,000
M-06 Great location in town on a quiet cul-de-sac. 3 BR, 2 BA home with hardwood floors, mountain views, and handcrafted cabinets in an open kitchen. Features a full finished lower level with a full kitchen/ laundry, bedroom & bath with steam shower and separate entrance. Great for an in law suite. $310,000
W-08 Great Unrestricted property to hunt, camp or build your dream home on 23.393 acres. State road frontage on Crooked Run Rd & over 1700 ft bordering GW Nat Forest on 2 sides. 3BR recorded cert Ltr from SCHD on file. Driveway installed, perked and ready to go! Property is wooded w/ mature trees & nice views to the East. No HOA & 10 min to Bryce Resort! Come take a look before this one gets away! $105,000
D-06 13.26 acres in Toms Brook Zoned R-3. Great investment for townhouses, apartments or condos. Many possibilities for development. Public water and sewer is available. $400,000
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Homes - Valley Real Estate Guide - August 2018
The Northern Virginia Daily
How to employ staging to impress buyers Homeowners must consider a variety of factors when putting their homes on the market. One of the more important things to remember is the benefits of making a strong first impression on prospective buyers. That’s why many homeowners rely on staging when selling their homes. Staging requires more than just clearing out clutter or baking a batch of cookies to create a welcoming aroma. Staging helps potential buyers visualize the potential of a home and see themselves owning and living in the property. While homeowners can effectively stage their own homes, sometimes it is well worth the investment to call in a professional designer or stager. Stagers often
work their magic on vacant properties or those that have been sitting on the market awhile. A stager conducts careful research into the market of a particular area and learns about the neighborhood before deciding how to appeal to likely buyers. For example, when staging a coastal home, a stager may go with nautical themes and create the impression of a relaxing and laid-back property for entertaining by the beach.
tional staging suggestions.
Certain rules should be followed when staging a home. Furniture, decor and other amenities in the home should not detract from the house itself. Instead, such items should complement the architecture and feel of the space. Here are some addi-
• Put away nonessential items. Staging helps homeowners create dream spaces. Coffeemakers, backpacks hanging on the wall and dishes in the drainboard may be part of daily living, but they can make it hard for buyers to see a home’s potential.
• Remove personal effects. Homeowners are urged to replace personal photographs with neutral artwork and remove other decorative items that reflect their personalities. As an example, an avid outdoorsman probably will want to remove hunting trophies. The goal is to help buyers see themselves in the home, and that can be difficult if existing residents’ personal effects are everywhere.
Store such items before holding an open house. • Maximize lighting. Whenever possible, take down or open window treatments to display architectural moldings and let in as much natural light as possible. • Opt for neutral colors and furnishings. Use neutral taupe and gray paint to keep homes prime for buyers. Homeowners who have more eclectic or colorful tastes can put their items in storage and rent neutral furnishings until the home sells. Staging can improve the chances that a house sells quickly. Staging helps potential buyers see themselves in the space without distractions from the previous owners’ decorating or belongings.
The Northern Virginia Daily
Homes - Valley Real Estate Guide - August 2018
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The Northern Virginia Daily
Homes - Valley Real Estate Guide - August 2018
Photography by Shaun Galang • Cedarmeade Studios
Drones are changing the real estate market for the better By Ashley Miller For The Northern Virginia Daily WINCHESTER - For Shaun Galang, owner of Cedarmeade Studios, the sky's the limit- literally. Galang is a local drone operator who uses his talents to boost real estate agents' profiles and bring muchneeded excitement to a new or existing listing on the market. “Drone photography is a unique way to really market a piece of real estate because it gives it an entirely new and different perspective- one that we might not see otherwise from the ground,” Galang said. “When a listing has acreage, say like 95
acres, from the sky I can show all the desired angles, tell the properties story through photography and then some.” Stacey Hartley Mullins, agent with ERA Oakcrest in Winchester, first began working with Galang over three years ago when she sold her first home. She said it was the best marketing decision she's made since becoming an agent four years ago. “Drones really allow us as real estate agents to hype up a property that we’re marketing,” Mullins said. “As an agent, it’s really allowed me to stand out among the crowd and catch buyer or sellers atten-
tion because it's something exciting and different.”
Despite the changes, Galang said he’s never looked back.
Drone photography is not new to the northern Shenandoah Valley. Galang recalled purchasing his first drone “because it seemed like fun at the time” in 2014 before drones were popular or before the Federal Aviation Administration became sticklers over the laws.
Drone photography is not the only talent in Galang’s creative toolbox. First and foremost, Galang said he’s a photographer and videographer.
“I’m always trying to find the latest and greatest technology craze,” he said. “When I first found drones, no one knew what they were. We didn’t have FAA -Federal Aviation Administration simulations or rules like we do today.”
“I noticed a shift in the industry around 2015 when more real estate agents began realizing the added benefits of drone photography,” he said. “It really does help the home sell faster. One of the first agents I worked with, their client told me directly that it was because of the aerial shots that the home sold. That’s a good feeling.”
The Northern Virginia Daily
Mullins said she had no idea drones would become such a game changer in the real estate industry. She recalled when they first hit the market and that no one was really talking about them. "Shaun is able to take a home from good to great with his photography," she said. "In today's day and age, a picture really is worth a thousand words. If the property has say an interesting roofline, I know I can't photograph it myself with my cellphone because I won't do it justice. But with his drone, Shaun is able to capture that and more."
Homes - Valley Real Estate Guide - August 2018
lows me to further educate the buyer or seller on the property. Which really is a win-win for everyone involved." Galang recalled a listing that had been active for awhile when he first started his drone photography. The seller's agent contacted him because they wanted to "change things up, be different, unique and stand out with new photos." The house immediately sold. Galang said he still likes to think it was because of his work.
"Drones are great and all but I still have to make it very clear to agents I work with Mullins said most homebuyers begin their what the stipulations and regulations are," search online, so good photography is a he said. "It all comes down to education. must. Knowing where or how high, for example." "With a drone, you can see the horizon line, what the neighborhood looks like, The general education on the use of where the property line starts and ends," drones is still a sticking point with Galang she said. "Plus drone photography saves as he said more and more people are purtime in the long run. It displays property chasing drones to "simply have them." details that may not be noticeable until the "Drones are quite common now," he said. buyer visits the site." "But from my perspective, agents aren't Mullins added: "I think drones really streamline the entire process. They provide more visual information, which al-
just selling a home- they're selling a lifestyle. Through drones, I can provide an emotion and pull the buyer in."
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The Northern Virginia Daily
Homes - Valley Real Estate Guide - August 2018
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Green options in home siding If new siding is on the list of must-do home projects this year, there are many factors to consider. Though it’s a transformative renovation, replacement siding is a significant and potentially expensive undertaking. Therefore, careful consideration must be given to the materials used and their maintenance, longevity, insulation factor, and cost. Many homeowners also want siding that is eco-friendly.
Reclaimed timber
Sustainability is an important consideration for many homeowners. Data from the National Association of Home Builders’ “Green Multifamily and Single Family Homes 2017 SmartMarket Brief ” indicates that at least one-third of single-family and multifamily home builders who were surveyed said that green building is a significant portion of their overall activity (more than 60 percent of their portfolio). By 2022, this number should increase to nearly one-half in both the single-family
A house sided with clapboard, or a log cabin-inspired look, is iconic. These types of siding are typically made from insectrepellant pine, cedar, cypress, or redwood. While lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council is environmentally friendly, homeowners may want to seek out reclaimed lumber. This wood has history and causes very little environmental impact. Plus, timber salvaged from old buildings or fallen trees may be superior to new wood because it likely came from
and multifamily sectors. Green building has become an important and established part of the residental construction sector. Where siding is sourced, the materials that go into its fabrication and how well that siding insulates a home are key aspects of its “green factor.” The following are some of the more sustainable options in home siding.
slow-growing, old trees with dense grain.
Fiber-cement
Brick
Fiber-cement is similar to stucco in that it is made from sand, Portland cement, clay, and wood pulp fibers. It can be fire-resistant and insect-proof and will not rot. It’s a stable material that can recover almost 80 percent of the initial cost, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
Avoid any negative environmental impact by choosing locally produced or reclaimed bricks — or those made from post-consumer content. The longevity of bricks can often offset the energy expenditure in their manufacture. Plus, many bricks are made from natural clay, which can be an excellent insulator.
Stone
This nonrenewable resource can be beautiful on a home and durable, but mining it Stucco can impact the environment. If homeownHouseLogic says traditional stucco is ers can use reclaimed or displaced stone, made from sand and Portland cement those are more sustainable options. Manumixed with water to make a usable plasfactured stone, which is cement and other ter. It’s tough and durable — often lasting materials molded to look like stone, is the life of the house. Eco-friendly variants also aesthetically appealing and more ecofriendly. include stucco made with an earth-andlime mixture, offsetting the CO2 emisReplacing siding is a significant undersions associated with cement production. taking. Homeowners can consider sustainStucco can reduce air infiltration that ability when selecting replacement siding causes drafts in a home. materials.
The Northern Virginia Daily
Homes - Valley Real Estate Guide - August 2018
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Homes - Valley Real Estate Guide - August 2018
The Northern Virginia Daily
Transparency remains, while client expectations and demands rise By Ashley Miller For The Northern Virginia Daily
possible. After all, most millennials know exactly what they want before they even realize it.”
FRONT ROYAL - Holly Goode, associate broker and agent with Coldwell Banker in Front Royal, has discovered that while real estate continues to place a high priority on transparency, client expectations and demands continue to rise.
“Homebuyers want to feel like they are the only person you’re serving when in reality they’re not,” Goode said. “Communication is tailored to each client differently, but in general I reach out to clients based on where they are in the buying process. Some want to speak multiple times in a day while others only weekly. It really comes down to their buying and selling needs.”
“Transparency is the key to any strong relationship,” Goode said. “But in real estate, being transparent is important for many reasons. It establishes expectations, which limits the potential for misunderstandings, it establishes a relationship but most importantly it lets the client know that you truly care.”
Goode said she recently noticed a shift with her clients who are millennials. They want instant gratification, can be needy at times but are far more knowledgeable than ever before. They want to nurture and foster what they’ve learned over the years. After all, they’ve never known a world without the world at their fingertips.
“It’s funny but I think life experiences can really shape the way you look for a home,” Goode said.
Goode is a firm believer in communication frequency. She wants her clients to ask questions upfront, and understands their wants and needs while knowing what they realistically can afford. Prequalification is key. Now more than ever.
“For many of them it's their first big purchase, so they want to know that they can trust you and that you can provide them with the home they want and expect,” Goode said. “They also want someone who is knowledgeable and can get the answers they need as quickly as
“In the real estate process, whether buying or selling a home, trust is a huge foundational component because it's built through communication,” Goode said. “For a relationship to be success, I think communication is key. And far more beneficial than we ever realized.”
As for her older clients, Goode said the tables have turned. They’re less needy. Perhaps that’s because they’ve experienced all their firsts. First home, first child and even first marriage. They’re onto the next chapter in their lives. Simple and less complicated.
Goode said that transparency is the utmost priority for her clients. Even though at times it can be difficult, she said continuing to educate not only herself but her clients is a big help in today's market.
The Northern Virginia Daily
Homes - Valley Real Estate Guide - August 2018
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Homes - Valley Real Estate Guide - August 2018
The Northern Virginia Daily