Virtual Staging to the rescue!!

KENNEDY Real Estate is proud to introduce virtual staging to the Edmonton Marketplace! Virtual staging is more common place south of the border and in other centres such as Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto. And now KENNEDY Real Estate is bringing this most awesome miracle for selling vacant homes to Edmonton!

What is Virtual Staging?

Virtual staging uses 3D rendering technologies to take a photo of an empty room and then fill it with up to date designer inspired furniture and accessories. We can add couches, lamps, rugs, T.V.’s, drapes and a whole host of other items to enhance the space.

With Virtual Staging you will save hundreds (or thousands) over traditional staging methods. In addition you avoid the hassle of moving furniture in and out of the home. Virtual Staging allows interested buyers to see the potential of your home using digital imagery.

How does Virtual Staging help sell my vacant property?

It creates the lived in look for the buyer. The designer options for furniture style and arrangements. Creates interest, retains interest and it gives the buyer something to remember your property by – other than blank walls and rooms.

Who should use Virtual Staging?

PROPERTY OWNERS with little or no furniture. Or it can be used for outside patio shots – to fill a  deck/yard/patio with awesome eye catching patio furniture and outside  entertaining arrangements. Great for BUILDERS with multiple floor plans and only one showsuite! Condos, single family homes, spec homes, vacation homes, cottages etc.

How much does Virtual Staging cost?

Virtual Staging – up to three rooms comes FREE with our Golden Delicious Listing Package!

See it in action! Have a look at one of our most recent interactive listings that we have virtually staged (four rooms).

BONUS:

KENNEDY Real Estate also offers: Styledesigner option for all of our listings!

What is Styledesigner?

Styledesigner is an interactive model that allows buyers to actually change the way your property looks on line to meet their personal taste with the click of a mouse. Allowing the buyer to take “psychological ownership’.

This in an innovative approach to marketing online, buyers are sure to make your property their ‘dream home’.

Who should use Styledesigner?

Style Designer is very adaptable to just about any property that could use a few different updates: flooring, paint, paint on walls , trim and kitchen cabinets. SO – instead of deliberating on actually doing those reno’s – Styledesigner does it for you – and the buyer alike. NOW the buyer can pick their own wall, trim and kitchen cabinet colour as well as choose from many different carpet, hardwood flooring options.

How does Styledesigner help sell my house?

This interactive design option allows the buyer to ACTUALLY see the reno’d potential in your home right at their finger tips. It helps retain the listing value in your home. In addition it keeps the buyer engaged with your property longer – and that gives you a better chance of more showings which lead to OFFERS.

How much does it cost?

Styledesigner comes FREE with our Royal Gala Listing Package!

See it in action! One of our latest listings that we used Style Designer on (2 rooms) SOLD in less than a week. Well, it also had stellar photography too!

Additional “Edmonton Home Stager” Articles…

 Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

The reality is that in a slow real estate market, buyers have waaaaay less motivation to make an offer today because they know that increased inventory means that asking prices may go down even further tomorrow.

In addition buyers feel absolutely no pressure to make a quick decision because they know there are plenty of homes to choose from. This makes it less likely that a property they’re interested in will disappear too quickly— again making them less likely to take action and make an offer.

As a result, there’s a vicious cycle with home sellers trapped in their non-selling houses for longer and increased pressure from their REALTORS®  to continue lowering their price.

HOWEVER  home staging offers a way to end this costly inconvenience, because staged homes have been proven to sell faster.

When you compare the cost of staging vs. the average price reduction of $5000-$10,000 – home staging is waaaay more cost effective! Plus you are spending money to make money! I always get home sellers to think about their home as their own ‘fix and flip’. Now wouldn’t you normally think about putting money into your ‘flip’ to get it sold? For some reason home sellers have a hard time thinking in this manner. Until now.

Getting an offer is not such an easy thing these days. You really have to work at it. I have seen some houses that have been on the market for several years now (Edmonton region). They have gone through several REALTORS®, discount brokerages, for sale by owner etc. And the crazy thing is the condition of the house is STILL THE SAME and the price keeps dropping and dropping. At what point do you say…hmmm I don’ think anyone LIKES our house. I wonder why? Could it be the crayola box of paint colours throughout? The wallpaper that just never ends? My sparse prison cell decor? Or my floral Golden Girls furniture arrangement? hmmmm…

I have said this before…real estate is NOT rocket science. There is a reason for everything. And a reason for every house NOT selling. It was not priced or prepared properly. Done. Period. Finito.

Home staging puts you in the right direction for a sale. It doesn’t always guarantee you more money – but it does get you to where you need to be …SOLD. It allows you the piece of mind knowing that you have done your very best at putting your best most ‘shiniest’ foot forward when presenting your property to the market.

Happy home selling!

Megan Wagner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

Looking to sell this year?

Here is a go-to reference for anyone ‘jumping’ into the market.

Game Plan: when where why who

When: you need to figure out a time line for a sale. When you would you like to be moved in by – is it summertime to coincide with the kids off school, a job transfer date, new home construction completion date.

Where: hhmm SEEMS obvious enough – but some just really don’t have a clue of where or what to move to. This may in part depend on what your home is worth – see REALTOR® section below.

Why: motivation needs to be clear – as it will play into your timing/scheduling a sale/move.

Who: will sell your home: choosing a REALTOR®. Top 10 MUST ASK questions when interviewing for a REALTOR®.

Get Ready Get Set….

Declutter, garage sale, give aways (churches and other charities would be more than happy to help you out).

Order a bin if you need to – we have a great promo for that ( of course 🙂 )

Clean clean clean – oh and we have another great promo for that too! The best smell of a home is  freshly cleaned one …so ditch all the plug in’s…no no’s

On the note above – pls oh pls don’t forget the windows!! So so important that the buyer can look clearly through sparkling clean windows. Shows that the home is well maintained in more ways than one…clean windows say so much about a home.

Luv the critters- just not the smell from their kibble or cat box = out of sight out of mind for both.

Same goes for fireplaces – luv the fires just not the leftover soot smell – clean away any old burned debris in the fireplace

Old plants too – bye bye…

Get the treadmill or the P90x accessories out of the bedroom and into the basement or garage. Buyers only need to know that you sleep not sweat in the bedroom …well …

And finally all chachkis off the fridge and close those toilet lids.

This will help set the stage for an easier sale.

Be sure to get a home staging evaluation done – to see if we can increase your chances of an even BETTER sale!

Show Time:

Make like  Bob and Doug  Mackenzie and ‘take off’ for all showings. I don’t know why it is that some sellers feel that lurking behind a buyer through their home is a good thing. Can you say creepy??

Do make your home available for all showings – if you don’t that is a potential sale down the drain. Yup – just because there is some much to choose from – the Buyer and REALTOR®  will not ‘wait’ until you are available again…sorry but true 🙁  On to the next they go…

Make sure your locks work! (Access door for REALTORs®) And make sure you have a porch light on timer for the evening showings – we can’t sell what we do not have access to – or cannot see…

Done Deal:

Congrats on a great sale..wait no – you feel you could of gotten more? yup most all sellers feel that way – until about 3 weeks post sale – when all of your former competition are still unsold on the market – you will feel gratitude pouring in…and its a wonderful thing.

Back to the list!

Sale papers to mortgage broker and lawyer (of which normally your REALTOR® can do this for you).

Notify all utilities/schools/doctors/gov’t/subscriptions/clubs  of the sale date – keep insurance for a week post sale – in case you have late closing (insurance companies will tell you to keep insurance for a month lap).’

Pack pack pack… did we mention that we had a great promo for that :)..moving solutions

See our moving checklists part one and part two 

Megan Wagner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

Hiring the right REALTOR® does not have to be daunting task when you have the right questions to ask!

Consider these a MUST ask list:

1. Why should someone list with you over other REALTOR®’S  in the area?

2. How are you going to get my house sold other than a for sale sign and a posting on mls?

3. Are you social media saavy? Are you connected? How are you connected?

4. Do you have any closing strategies?

5. What do you offer the buyer’s agent compensation?

6. Do you work solo or part of a team?

7. How do you keep your seller informed of all the goings on during the listing? Do you have a system in place for this?

8. How accessable are you? How accessable are you to other REALTOR®’s who call for information on the listing? Office (trunk)  number or direct cell? (and there is a BIG difference).

9. Do you offer any other professional services to help prepare the home for sale/listing?

10. If a client is unhappy with your service, can he terminate your contract and the listing? (this one is sooo important to ask!!)

And BONUS question:

Do you have a list of references for potential clients?

The answers to these questions should make your choice that much easier to make!

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

There are a gazillion reasons and articles written on this topic of which I am sure you have read a few…

HOWEVER – this article is written from a REALTOR® perspective.  After ten years of real estate buying and selling here are a few things I appreciate about having a REALTOR® involved in the process:

1. Market and Demographic Knowledge: “is this a good deal?” or “what’s the demographic like in this neighborhood/condo complex?” If you are new to either the market or the city having a REALTOR® at your disposal to navigate the unknown waters of value and demographics is a HUGE benefit and saves time to – as they are able to direct you in the right direction. Demographic knowledge plays a big role when advising on an area/community/condo for downsizers – or for those looking to buy their first condo/home and want to make sure they are buying into the ‘right’ neighborhood/complex.

2. Representation: when the deal is signed that’s when a REALTOR®’s work begins. If they want to get paid, they better make sure that they not only get any conditions/subject to’s satisfied, but  also ensure that the buyer closes on possession day. When you sell on your own – who ‘takes care’ of your buyer to ensure that they close and on time or at all?? I would gladly pay a REALTOR® to ensure my investment gets sold and closes on possession day.

3. Qualifying Buyers: if I were selling my house – I would only want qualified buyers to walk through the door – otherwise it’s a waste of my time and prep time for the showing. REALTOR®s qualify their buyers ahead of time. SO the folks coming through your door are the ones that can actually AFFORD your property. REALTOR®s also have access to awesome Mortgage Brokers that aid in the process of qualifying clients. When you sell on your own – how do you know if your buyer can qualify or afford your home when signing up the papers…oooh this is a recipe for despair…see the tidbit below 🙁

4. As a BUYER’S agent they are free to use! So why wouldn’t you use a REALTOR® when buying a home – in addition to the above – its FREE…and I’ll take anything that’s FREE 🙂

5. Assurance that the deal will get done. REALTOR®s have the knowledge and tools to get the job done. They are also only paid for results. So I know they are motivated to get the job done. They are the ones getting their clients into the homes/condos and making that happen. When you sell on your own – who is working on your behalf to get the buyers in the door? We have 3000 REALTOR®s in town that are all hungry for a pay cheque. They all have access to sell your property. Wow – do I need to go on? That one is a biggie – for sellers anyway. When you FISBO it (for sale by owner) you loose the ability to access a 3000 REALTOR network. Now why would you want to do that?

One other tidbit …

Did you know that if your buyer removes conditions and gives you an additional deposit cheque that does not clear (NSF) – and subsequently leaves for Timbuktu – YOU are hooped! You will be unable to sell it until after said possession day. Yeesh…another GOOD reason to have a REALTOR® on your side AND the buyers side too!

Did you learn something new in this post? Insightful from a REALTOR®  perspective? I hope so 🙂

Find out more about our  fanTABulous bunch of REALTOR®’s

Learn more about how the KENNEDY ADVANTAGE can get the job done for you!

Additional “AGENT 101” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

How To Prepare Your Home For The Market…

“Move-in Ready”… “Turn-Key Condition”… This is what a home Seller and their REALTOR® want to “hear” from potential Buyers when they first list their home for sale.  A home in which no project needs to be completed.

You want to begin to impress the potential Buyer from the “Outside – In”… in other words it starts with curb-appeal.  Having your home attractive from the outside will not only entice the home Buyer, searching on the internet, to want to see more, you are also captivating those who are walking or driving by your property.

The outside of your home is what draws the Buyer in…, once they are inside, its time to really impress…

Below is a list of 10 projects that can and WILL serve to impress any potential home Buyer and their REALTOR®…

1. The Exterior Shell:  A new coat of paint, or replacing the vinyl siding may be needed.  Make sure you choose a neutral color that will appeal to the majority of home buyers.  For a little  jazz,  you could add  a splash of color by re-painting the front door.

2. Energy Efficient:  In order to receive top dollar for your home and to avoid a failed inspection report, now is the time to get these areas of your home in order.  Replace the old furnace and hot water tank, install new energy efficient windows, and have the roof and foundation inspected.

3. Landscape:  Get out there and trim your hedges, maybe you need to hire an arborist for your trees.  “Greenify” your lawn,  If you have a perennial garden, replace the old mulch with new.  Draw attention to your home at night by adding outdoor lighting.  If a new home, have the fence finished and deck completed with privacy panels.

4. Flooring:  Your home’s floors need to sparkle…  Now’s the time to install hardwood or laminate.  If your unsure of what type of flooring to choose visit a few Show homes for ideas.

5. The Kitchen:  Always an important room in the home…you can give your kitchen a “face lift” by re-finishing or replacing the cupbards, replace the counter tops and plumbing fixtures and last but certainly not the least…replace your appliances.

6. The Bathroom:  Start with the smaller projects like re-caulking, replacing tile grout, repainting the walls and add new plumbing & lighting fixtures all this can make your bathroom look brand new.  For a little more, installing a new vanity with a vessel sink (above counter sink) always adds inspiring designer “vibes”.

7. Lighting & Interior Paint:  A well lit home can accent the best features of each room, however, if there are swag lamps still hanging it’s time for an update.  Play with a little color, paint a couple accent walls in your home.   Canned lighting can be used to highlight any décor and design element (such as your new accent walls).

8. Basement Development:  Having your basement professionally finished adds to the home’s useable square footage.  Finished basement homes sell faster, and will continue to do so.

9. Deep Clean:  Nothing you have done to improve your home will matter if your home is not clean.  This means a THOROUGH clean, this includes the areas in the home that are not normally cleaned on a regular basis…yes, you will have to pull out your appliances.

10. HOME STAGING:  Lastly, its time to allow the Buyer to envision their new life in your home.  Home Staging is about “enhancing what’s already there”.  Using this tool is a great cost-effective way to prepare your home for the market.  For more information on Home Staging visit this link:  www.edmontonhomestager.ca

Additional “Carrie’s Corner” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles… 

Carrie Wood
Business Development & REALTOR®
Edmonton’s Buyer Agent 

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton Realtor® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

Here are just a few of our ‘fun and fabulous’ listing videos…we like what we do and have FUN doing to!!

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

At KENNEDY Real Estate we understand the importance of having an online presence – to direct traffic and leads to our site. To that end we have over 30 domain names that all lead to various spots on our main website www.kennedyrealestate.ca

This drives both buyer and seller leads to our site – great for our REALTORS® and Sellers alike.

In addition to our single website addresses for all of our listings we have multiple domain names working on your behalf 24/7.

These are a few of our domain names:

www.EdmontonWestendRealestate.ca

www.EdmontonSouthsideRealestate.ca

www.EdmontonNorthsideRealestate.ca

www.SherwoodPark-Homes.ca

www.StAlbert-Homes.ca

as well as:

www.EdmontonBungalows.ca

www.EdmontonWalkouts.ca

www.EdmontonLuxuryEstates.ca

www.EdmontonNewListings.ca

and Our NEW one – soon to be a blog of its own:

www.EdmontonHomestager.ca

www.DesignerRealEstate.ca

as well as these fine options to locate a FAB agent:

www.TopEdmontonRealtor.com

www.YourAreaSpecialists.ca

Additional “AGENT 101” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles… 

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing


REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

Home Marketing: The Kennedy Advantage

• Lifestyle Marketing

• Setting the Price

• Getting the Word Out

• The Kennedy Advantage

Lifestyle Marketing: what does it mean?

Staging

• Checklist: we provide and review our checklist how to prepare your home for sale

• Before & After’s : Staging Case Studies… or our Work in action – video presentation

• **NEW FEATURE ** Virtual Staging / Design Center/ Home Style Designer : allows potential buyers to actually change the way your listing looks online to meet their personal taste with the click of a mouse. Our new Style Designer will captivate interested buyers and allow them to dream the potential of your property – all from the comfort of their computer. There’s something magical about clicking a button and instantly painting an entire room. While painting walls and laying down carpet have traditionally been a laborious event, potential buyers can now bring your property to life and explore what’s possible in a matter of seconds. It’s simply brilliant!!

Professional Photography & Video

We use professional grade photography for all of our listings – a picture not only can say a thousand words – it also has the power to engage and hold the interest of the viewer – “the hook”. At KENNEDY Real Estate we like to ‘hook’ the buyer with our photos… Here are some of our memorable “hook’s” and some awesome custom print work!!

Lifestyle Searches

At KENNEDY Real Estate we are also concerned with driving buyer traffic to our sight – to that end we have created custom LIFESTYLE SEARCHES … Search By Lifestyle

Promo’s for Our Clients

We take good care of our clients! See here for a list of client closing gifts. Whether you buy or sell with KENNEDY Real Estate, you are entitled to a list of ‘thank you’s’. These promotions can also be used to help sell your property. At KENNEDY Real Estate we are able to advertise any of these promotions with the sale of your property. A first of its kind in Edmonton and exclusive to KENENDY Real Estate …our move in or move our cleaning is our #1 choice of our buyers and sellers!

Setting the Price

Why you need to sell your house twice : it’s not what you think!

Selling vs. Timing: setting the price right the first time

Current Market Value: how market value is determined

Who Controls price? Pricing to meet your goals

What happens when your home is not priced right: a chain reaction begins

Getting the Word Out

We are connected and SO is your property! At KENNEDY Real Estate we work the SOCIAL circuit:

• Zoocasa, You Tube, Linked In, FACEBOOK FAN PAGE , Twitter, Kijiji, Google+

• 33 domain names that direct traffic to our site

• QR codes for all of our Listings

• mobile friendly website and property viewer

• Single Property websites: your home will have its own website – how cool is that!! Driving traffic directly to YOU!

• In House Lead and Listing Coordinator: no leads left unturned for follow up to all listing inquiries

• FABULOUS print work – best in the bidnazz…dare to compare

• Our latest Ad campaign

Other Helpful Resources for Sellers:

• FAQ for sellers

• Moving Checklist

• Moving Tips

• Feng Shui and Real Estate

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

 Adding Value Without Breaking the Bank

You may be planning to list your house in the Spring or you just want a few ideas on how to “spruce” up your home.   Below is a list of 5 ways you can give your home a fresh start to the new year without it costing too much.

1. Clean and Declutter: Spending a little extra time in each room will go a long way to adding value to your home.  While you’re scrubbing, dusting and vacuuming go through your possessions and donate anything you haven’t used in the last year (clothes, books, old toys).  If your selling your home, after you have cleaned and decluttered, make sure you also put away your favorite knick-nacks, or family heirlooms.  Buyers want to be able to envision their own belongings in their future home.  Plus it gives the illusion of more space.

2. Patch and Paint: The kitchen, living room and master bedroom are 3 of the most important rooms in your home.  Why not consider giving these rooms a little “face-lift”.    Painting your walls, is the quickest and easiest way to freshen up your home.  If your planning on selling, make sure you stick with neutral colors like taupe, light browns or off-white.

3. Make Over the Kitchen Cabinets: You don’t have to replace your cabinets or reface them to make a difference.  If they are outdated or scratched, you could simply re-paint them.  Most importantly, add new hardware, something simple and modern, brushed nickel, or a pewter finish is nice.

4. Maximize Storage Space: Most Real Estate professionals agree that storage space is on the top of most buyers wish lists.  If your home lacks in this area, consider installing organizers.  Closet organizers are made up of strategically placed shelving, drawers and bars to maximize your closet space.  Most organizers can be fitted to any size closet and they are usually something you can install yourself.

5. Refresh Fixtures in your Bathroom: Like your kitchen, little changes can go a long way to sprucing up the bathroom.  Simply replacing the shower curtain and making sure the toothbrush and soap accessories match can go a long way.  If you want to take it one step further, changing the lighting  fixture,  cabinet hardware and vanity mirror will make a huge difference in updating your bathroom.

Additional “Carrie’s Corner” Articles…

Additional “AGENT 101” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles… 

Carrie Wood
Business Development & REALTOR®
Edmonton’s Buyer Agent 

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton Realtor® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!