Real or Staged- Fake or Famous?

Last night I watched the new HBO MAX movie titled "Fake Famous".  The premise of the movie was to highlight the role of influencers on our social media and the steps taken to achieve this status.  Those who desire to become influencers generally want to grandularize their own fame and recognition.  This is achieved by getting an increased number of likes and followers.  

As I watched the development of the documentary it became clearly apparent how significant image is in adding value to what we perceive as superiority. Many of the influencers highlighted were selected to represent the face of a physical product or tangible idea.  These individuals were shown in carefully procured photos to convey the actual location or setting mode when in fact, often this is a total snow job. 

(spoiler alert- watch the film to see what a coach seat on an airplane and a toilet seat have in common)

As a Realtor we are taught the importance of Curb Appeal when we prepare a new property listing.  The ideal photos will portray a home that looks picture perfect both when seen online and in person to potential buyers in the marketplace.  Increasingly there are Real Estate sights that promote no-show online listing abilities.  In addition there are companies that do virtual staging.  Virtual staging allows a buyer to visualize how a space may look but should not be allowed to create a false reality of the in-person viewing.  How would a consumer know if the property actually has the same physical presence as the online image?  Although the convenience of doing the entire process virtually may sound appealing I encourage all buyers to find the proper professionals including a Realtor and Legal Counsel to guide one through the process.  

As I watched the documentary I became more skeptical about what I see online in media posts. I believe we can observe images online but if one is a serious consumer it is important to make an informed decision based on true due diligence.  Don't just look at the pretty pictures.  Do your research.  

As a Realtor part of my job is to help and educate my clients.  I have been working virtually since the start of the pandemic.  During this time I recently earned the NAR e-Pro Designation. I took courses to develop my skills for the latest technologies and security tools. I have learned that what you see isn't always what you get.  In real estate, in particular one cannot rely on online images alone. I am always encouraging my clients to learn as much as they can about their intended purchase.   

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys coffee, walking her dog, theater/arts, reading, writing, travel and meeting new people.  She always welcomes the opportunity to have a virtual coffee now that we are amidst the “new normal”.  Check out her website at www.wendybcb.com or her FB page @wendybcb as she posts up to date content to meet the ever changing marketplace.  

Home Inspections and How to Avoid Becoming an Bad IG Rap

I read a great article in last Friday's Boston Globe about Home Inspector, James Brock who captures and shares the absurd oddities he uncovers during the home inspection process.  If you are somewhat socially aware or have family members who may be, chances are you may not feel proud to have your home featured on his Instagram "IG" posts.  

To avoid such public shaming you may be asking what can one do to prepare their home prior to photos, a sale and an eventual home inspection?

First let me share a bit about the Home Inspection process.  

A home inspection is a visual exam of the structure and systems of a house. It details problems with the property and if serious enough may prevent the sale. The three main points of an inspection are physical condition, items in need of repair or replacement, and the remaining useful life of major systems.

James Brock, of Boston Home Inspections had been known to take photos of unique items he uncovers during this process.  He does this for fun and not to point out defects.  I just learned of his services and reached out to connect with him.  We had a Zoom chat last Friday night to meet and learn about each others business.  My MO is to be able to provide my clients with the best resources to make their transactions in the buying and selling process as seamless as possible.  We are hoping to join in some fun informative Home Buying conversation on Club House in the near future so look my room up @wendybcb.

Typically an inspection is a part of the due diligence of purchasing a property. It is used a negotiation tool for the buyer for any visible defects.  The inspection typically takes  2-5 hours (old homes may take longer), and prices vary depending on size and scope of the inspection (ie: radon). The information disclosed during the inspection is for the buyers purposes and is not typically shared with anyone other than the parties involved in the transaction. 

The point of the Globe article was to highlight visible unusual items that may be discovered outside the box.  The article and this blogpost were written to introduce one to the inspection process in the vien of purposeful awareness.

If you are easily embarrassed or want to have your inspection go as smoothly and minimally intrusive as possible I recommend assessing your property and repairing any potential defects ahead of time.  In addition, if you have any items such as a hanging TRX you may want to store it away.  Likewise if an IG legacy moment of your sold property is your thing, here is a link to Boston Home Inspectors.  Perhaps you have an oddity that will be a featured as Jame's daily post.

To hire an inspector, get recommendations from a trusted Realtor or from others who have used a particular referral. I also suggest looking at the Mass.Gov website for reputable licensed professional home inspectors.  I once had a buyer of my own home, pick ABC Inspectors, the first one in the phone.  They were awful and their report basically said they were unable to examine any of the items per the report because they were obstructed.  First of all this wasn't true and they basically charged the buyer $300 not to do anything but get them out of the sale.  It appeared the buyer wanted an excuse to get out of the sale and buy another property.  We reported them to the BBB and there had been other similar complaints.  Lastly, you may also check online reviews on Angies List or Yelp.  Be sure to ask about references, memberships in professional associations, professional training, and experience.

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys coffee, walking her dog, theater/arts, reading, writing, travel and meeting new people.  She always welcomes the opportunity to have a virtual coffee now that we are amidst the “new normal”.  Check out her website at www.wendybcb.com or her FB page @wendybcb as she posts up to date content to meet the ever changing marketplace.