Historically, spring is the high season for U.S. home shopping. In recent years, online real estate search activity begins to ramp up in March and April, leading to a peak in sales in June and July. However, the strict stay-at-home measures implemented in March and April put a strain on the real estate industry. So far, studies have shown a decrease in home listings by more than 30%, according to realtor.com®, an uncharacteristically high drop for this time of year. This anomaly is the result of a market affected by COVID-19. Asking prices have also recently reached the slowest year-over-year growth rate since 2013.

But the drop in mortgage rates to an all-time low of 3.13% in June has been a win for buyers. As a result, the real estate industry is not at a complete standstill. Yet because the pandemic is still very much with us, real estate professionals who are able to do showings have to take precautions. Here are four suggestions for steps brokers and agents can take to keep themselves and their buyers and sellers safe in the new normal.

1. Postpone in-person showings in highly affected areas.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends limiting unnecessary contact as much as possible. In many areas, this means pressing pause on open houses and home showings, especially in markets with high local rates of infection. In places where brokers and agents offer face-to-face, in-person showings, they should wear masks and remain 6 feet away from their clients while in a location.

2. Use technology as an alternative.

Video is a great option for showing properties to clients. Use 3D home tours, aerial footage, and virtual neighborhood tours to give clients a comprehensive understanding of the property from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Real estate pros who are not equipped to take video footage of a property themselves should consider hiring a company to do so. Agents should also consider scheduling virtual showing appointments using Zoom or FaceTime to present the listing to clients.

Alternatively, agents can host a livestream showing event on social media. Since this is an activity that does not require other people, agents will be safely alone in the listing while generating buzz around the property.

Implementing a smart lock system is another option to allow clients to see a property in person, but without an agent present. With a smart lock system, sellers or agents can control entry to the property remotely using a smartphone or provide visitors with a one-time access code. This technology can also track entries and exits, limit access to certain time periods, and add value to the house. This option has been growing in popularity with agents since before the pandemic because it helps increase the number of possible house viewings. In this time, it has become an even more worthwhile investment.

3. Take extra safety precautions.

Despite all the virtual options available, many buyers still want to see a property before they purchase it. For agents who are permitted and choose to continue offering in-person walk-throughs, it is important to take safety precautions. Instead of holding an open house and allowing people to show up at any time, offer time slots for walk-throughs, so people can come and check out the property without additional exposure to strangers. Advise anyone who arrives early that they must wait in their car or outside of the property, maintaining 6 feet of distance from other viewers.

Keep doors, drawers, and cabinets open to prevent guests from touching things as they move around the property, and asking them to wear booties to limit external contaminants. Wiping down all surfaces with disinfectant will help prevent cross-contamination among visitors.

4. Stay current on news and changes.

With the rate at which the situation is changing, it is difficult to predict the long-term effect that COVID-19 will have on the real estate industry. If mortgage lending isn’t overly affected, real estate will continue to be a good option for people looking for less volatile investments in a financially tumultuous time.

For the time being, it is essential that every real estate company makes a conscious effort to keep their agents, staff, and clients safe in the hopes of flattening the curve and helping business return to normal as soon as possible.

The post 4 Tips for Navigating Property Showings During the Pandemic first appeared on Housing Market Marketing by Housing Market Group.

So, what are some of the things one needs to consider when hiring a Real Estate Agent? Do you need a real estate agent that works in your area? Do you want one that charges affordable fees? These are some of the questions you may need to ask yourself before you decide to hire one agent and not the other.

Here are 5 tips you can consider when searching for a real estate agent:

1. Choose a specialist real estate agent

There are many real estate related problems that you do not want to experience. For this reason, you need to hire a specialist real estate agent who knows all there is about real estate. Choose a real estate agent who knows the place where you want to buy or sell a property. A well-informed realtor knows this niche very well and can guide you on finding or selling the property for your best interest. You may also want to ask the realtor about their experience and how fast they can close the deal for you.

2. Consider what drives the agent

We all know that some real estate agents are driven by commissions. However, this should not be the only thing that drives an agent and when you come across such an agent, you should not engage them. You can tell if an agent is driven by money if all their property is described as being amazing or great. Hire a real estate agent who is honest and ready to be open about their real estate properties.

3. Interview Your Realtor

One of the best ways to know your realtor better is to interview them before you decide to hire. You should narrow down the questions you will ask them such as their fees, how long it will take them to deliver, their registration status, certifications, and so on. This way, you can be sure to find the right agent.

4. Does the realtor offer any incentives?

You should find a real estate agent who offers some incentives such as discounted commissions and even free listing. All the same, pay close attention to the contract. You do not want huge savings that do not seem real in the long run.

5. Ask for references or read reviews

When you come across a potential realtor, ask them about their reviews. Ask if they have some references that you can call and learn more about the agent. A realtor may have very good reviews on their website but still not meet the qualities that you want. As such, it is important to ask around so that you can be assured of their ability to handle your real estate needs.

The post 5 Tips for Hiring a Real Estate Agent first appeared on Housing Market Marketing by Housing Market Group.

The great thing about real estate is that even in a bad economy, it will usually fare better than stocks. Land, after all, is a finite resource. People need a place to live, work, shop and play — so real estate is really just a matter of supply and demand. 

What’s more, real estate will continue to appreciate despite occasional slow-downs in the economy. In fact, it’s proven to be the best way to create wealth, and an investor need not be a genius or a millionaire to succeed. Here are some tips, then, for entrepreneurs on getting started and succeeding in real estate investing:

1. Do — plan your financial goals.

Before you buy that first property, or do your first analysis, determine what you expect from your investments. What are your financial goals?  We often discuss the “time vs. money” concept: The more you have of one, the less you need of the other to reach your financial goals. This means that you shouldn’t shy away from taking the time to understand your goals and make sure each investment is a step toward achieving them.  If you are unsure exactly how to create financial goals, meeting with a financial advisor is an excellent first step. 

2. Don’t — spend a fortune on books, tapes and seminars, then just put all that information on a shelf. 

You absolutely do need to learn some basics before venturing into investing. So, be sure to do some studying, but don’t let “buying and collecting” information become your endgame. Again, having goals in mind will make the process much more straightforward. It’s easy to get so tied up in the “research” phase that you never actually take action. Instead, write down specific questions you want answered or goals you want to meet before delving into the latest book/seminar/etc. 

3. Do — look at plenty of properties. 

Don’t just grab the first property you look at. Too many investors buy properties because they “look nice,” or the investors don’t want to put the work in to look at what’s really out there. Remember, you won’t be living there, so don’t make your investment decision based on your personal preferences. While you shouldn’t fall into the trap of analysis paralysis, make sure you are thorough in looking through properties. Give yourself a wide range of options, then narrow them down based on the criteria (goals) you have set for yourself.

4. Don’t — postpone starting your investment program because you’re waiting for that perfect “unicorn” deal.

That’s the flip side to number 3, of course. Plenty of beginning investors suffer from “a-better-deal-may-be-just-around-the-corner” syndrome. This can backfire in a big way, and you could potentially let a great deal slip just because you’re holding out for something better. Your task may feel difficult if this is your first property, but you must realize that the “perfect deal” rarely (if ever) exists. Better to execute on a deal that meets most of your criteria than wait for another that may never come. 

5. Do — a thorough financial analysis.

Be realistic. Look at different alternatives to determine which makes the most financial sense. And never buy property at a higher price or on less attractive terms than your analysis says made sense. Be wary of sellers that try to over-estimate the value of the property through pro-forma (estimated) data. While you can certainly use a pro-forma to start the conversation, make sure you know the real numbers before closing. Look at previous years’ tax returns, property-tax bills, maintenance records, etc. to get a good idea of the real income and expenses.

The most important figures you should know are: 

• Net income (income/expenses) 
• Cash flow (net income/debt financing payments) 
• Return on investment (cash flow/investment)
• Cap rate (net income/property price)
• Cash-on-cash return (cash flow/investment)
• Total ROI (total return/investment)

In each case, “investment” refers to how much you invest in the property. „Debt financing“ refers to any loans you may have to take out to buy the property. And „total return“ refers to cash flow, equity accrual (i.e., equity gained from your tenants paying their rents), appreciation and taxes.

Once you have understood these figures, you should have enough information to determine whether or not acquiring the property fits with your financial goals.

6. Don’t — try to buy property that the seller is not motivated to sell.

If the seller is motivated to sell, you’re not likely to get the price best aligned with your financial goals. So, how do you know if a seller is motivated? Look at the asking price. For example, If the property has been on the market for a year for, say, $200,000, with little-to-no price reduction, the seller is clearly not very motivated to move the property. However, if that same property has been on the market for a year and has had its price moved down considerably, the seller most likely wants to do whatever it takes to get the property off his or her hands. Of course, this raises the question of how to find motivated sellers. There are many approaches, and not all of these will work for you, depending on what property you want. But a few trusted methods include: 

• Attending open houses 
• Looking for vacant/unattractive properties that are for sale 
• Spreading the word about yourself and what properties you are looking for — truly 
• Going the old-fashioned route and looking in the classifieds of your local paper 

These are just a few ways to find sellers, but there are potentially dozens of other methods, depending on what type of property you’re looking for.

7. Do — know the difference between real estate investing and the business of real estate.

As an entrepreneur, you already have a business, and real estate investing is best used to support that business, not replace it — unless that’s your intention. In other words, don’t get so caught up in executing transactions that your core business falters. If that happens, you’ll be facing a bumpy road to get back to stability. Unless your business is itself real estate, or you’re looking to get into the business full-time, always remember that pursuing these deals is a means to an end, not an end unto itself. 

So, if you’re interested in staying ahead of taxes and inflation while building security for the future, real estate investing may be for you. What are you waiting for?

The post The 7 Tips Entrepreneurs Need to Know Before Investing in Real Estate first appeared on Housing Market Marketing by Housing Market Group.

Of course, you can’t simply make a low-ball offer and expect to get the property you’re after. Here are four tips to help you buy property right now.

Buy property right now with these tips

1) Get the seller to pay all fees

The first thing you should do is find out what fees the seller is willing to pay. Many developers have agreed to pay all fees for off-plan homes, but this may not be the case for resale properties. If a seller isn’t willing to cover all these, think about walking away from negotiations to see if they change their mind.

2) Understand real value

Property sellers will try to justify asking prices by telling you about all kinds of value a property has. In theory, this is true. But there is a difference between a project having a nice swimming pool and being in a location where home values will increase.

Separate the real value of a property with those superficial ones when it comes time to negotiate. If the development you’re interested in is being built close to a public transportation hub, that’s a real value. So too are unique amenities such as golf simulators or onsen spas. On the flipside, common items, such as a workout room, are not real values.

3) Know why you’re buying and how its impacted by the current situation

Chances are, you know the answer to the first question, but are less certain regarding the latter. And that’s okay. We know the real estate market is historically resilient, so recovery is a matter of if, not when. However, some real estate developers are actively finding ways to support buyers at the moment.

For example, some developers selling resort properties with guaranteed rental returns are reworking those programs in light of tourism restrictions. In some cities, developers are offering to make mortgage payments for two years in order to entice buyers. Offers like these provide you with more confidence knowing the short-term situation won’t impact your long-term property buying decision.

The post 4 tips to help you buy property right now first appeared on Housing Market Marketing by Housing Market Group.

9 Tips to Prevent Fire In Your Home: Hazards To Look Out For

• Never leave food unattended while cooking. Cooking is one of the top causes of home fires. Burning food can also cause smoke damage. If you aren’t in the kitchen, turn off the elements and be cautious when cooking with grease or oils.
• Make sure to keep your dryer filter clean and do an annual or regular maintenance of the vents that the dryer exhaust uses. Blockages in the vents or build up in the filter can cause a fire.

Note: There are approximately 172,100 fires related to cooking equipment per year, 13,000 fires related to washer/dryer on average per year, and 8,200 fires related to candles in the home per year.

• Beware of leaving lights on in your home when you are not there or be sure not to use the wrong wattage light bulb. Certain lamps or light fixtures may catch fire if they become too hot. People often assume leaving lights on is safer to make a home look lived in, but lighting can cause fires if the materials around the light bulb are flammable and the light bulb gets too hot.
• Fireplace safety: If you have a chimney, be sure and have it cleaned frequently. When a chimney isn’t cleaned, it can start to accumulate creosote. The creosote is extremely flammable and can cause a chimney fire. Chimneys may also attract birds or other small creatures who can try and build nests with flammable materials. A chimney cleaning and regular inspection will help prevent fires caused by these two hazards.

Important: When cleaning out the ash in the chimney, always remember to put it in a fireproof container. Embers can burn unnoticed for long periods of time, and may cause fires for days after the original fire burned.

• If you are buying a new house, or have been in your house for a while and haven’t updated your wiring, be sure to have it checked by an electrician. Older homes are at risk of fire when the electrical wiring is not up to date. Some home insurance companies may even require that electrical wiring be updated if they find old wiring during a home inspection. Knob and tube wiring, aluminum wiring, old fuse boxes or damaged wires and outlets can all lead to sudden and devastating house fires. Some insurance companies may even cancel your insurance for not updating or doing repairs if they suspect a potential wiring risk. Always use a certified professional or electrician to do electrical work, it may be tempting to DIY, but it is not worth the risk.
• Be careful with your electrical and extension cords. Plugging too many items in one outlet can overload the circuitry. Using damaged cords can also cause fires. We have all been in a situation where we don’t have enough plugs, or need to use an extension cord to plug something in. Make sure your extension cords are not overloading your system, and that they are carrying the electrical load they are designed to carry. Purchase the right kind of cords depending on the use, such as indoors or outdoors.
• Candles cause thousands of home fires a year, consider using battery operated candles to avoid fire risk. When using candles with real flames, be sure and always keep them in rooms where there are people present to keep an eye out if something goes wrong. Clear the immediate surroundings from any flammable materials, including curtains, table decorations, walls, and shelves. Make sure that the candles are on (or in) fireproof candleholders and not on a flammable surface.
• Beware of the placement of space heaters and heaters that use coils to create warmth. Having a cozy home can be challenging when the weather gets too cold. Don’t use these types of heating unsupervised, and make sure they are not near anything that can catch fire. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to keep your home safe.
• Make sure your home is equipped with smoke alarms, and check the batteries regularly. 40% of fire fatalities are in homes with no smoke alarms

Top 3 Causes of Home Fires

These are the leading causes of home fires:

1. Cooking Related 48%
2. Heating Related 15%
3. Electrical Distribution and Lighting 10%

When Do Home Fires Occur?

Most fires occur between November and March, with the highest percentage incidents in January. Fire alarm times studied over time show that most fire alarms are between noon and 10 pm, so the statistics on leading causes of home fires, aren’t surprising and often happen when people are home. By using good fire prevention and maintaining your home with our 9 tips to prevent fire above, many of these fires can be avoided.

The post Preventing Fire in Your Home: Fire Hazards to Look Out For first appeared on Housing Market Marketing by Housing Market Group.

Maybe you’re currently living in a condo in Chicago, but have to relocate and move to Dallas, Texas for work. Or, maybe your family is growing and you’re in a time-crunch to move into a bigger house with a yard. Whatever the reason may be, you’re likely going to be buying a home in the near future without seeing it first in person. And while it may seem risky, don’t worry. A completely remote homebuying process can still go just as smooth as it would in person, as long as you avoid these common mistakes made when buying a house sight unseen.

1. Using the first real estate agent you meet

While you might be in a time-crunch or just want to make a quick, competitive offer, you should still take the time to find the right real estate agent for you. Since you won’t be seeing the home in person, it’s important you find an agent that you trust, and knows the market and the area you’re buying in like the back of their hand. 

Start by reading online reviews of real estate agents in the city you’re looking to buy, and then interview your top picks. Ask a variety of questions to determine if they’ll be a good fit for you, such as asking how many sales they’ve handled in your target neighborhoods. 

2. Skipping out on a virtual tour

Seeing is believing, especially when it comes to buying a home. That’s why you shouldn’t make an offer on a home based on just those wonderful listing photos that initially caught your eye. Even if you love what you see, don’t make the mistake of not taking a virtual tour of the listing — photos can only show you so much. 

If the listing has a 3D virtual walkthrough tour, you can easily see every nook and cranny of the home as if you were touring it in person. This is a great tool to use as you’re house hunting to help narrow down your top choices. However, to make sure you’re not submitting an offer unaware of the creaky floors or the lingering pet odor, it’s important to schedule a live video-chat tour with your agent. Even though you can’t be there in person, they can. And they’ll be able to answer those questions that listing photos alone cannot.

3. Forgetting to ask things that you’d normally see for yourself

When you’re house hunting in person, you’re able to use all of your senses. You can see the wonderful natural light coming into the living room, you can hear the noisy garage door, and you can smell the pet odors that are still lingering throughout the home. But when you’re buying a house without seeing it, you’re limited to only what is shown digitally. 

Before you virtually tour the home with your agent, write out a list of as many questions or concerns you’d normally be able to see or check out for yourself. Be sure to include some of these questions during the video tour: 

• What can you smell in and outside the house? Maybe there’s a paper mill nearby. 
• What can you hear from the house? There could be a hospital close by or train tracks behind the home.
• Do any appliances or features look outdated? The cabinets might’ve looked brand new because of a fresh coat of paint, but need to be replaced in the near future.
• What is the internet and cell-phone service like? There could be a few carriers that don’t offer good coverage in that neighborhood. 
• Is there anything that stands out to you as a concern that wasn’t shown in the listing photos or 3D walkthrough?

If you’re moving to a home further out from the city and suburbs, consider asking what the wildlife situation is like or if the nearby river has ever caused flooding. Or, if you’re moving into a bustling downtown area, ask how the traffic is or what the public transportation options are like.

4. Not researching the neighborhood and surrounding area

Whether it’s because they’re excited for the house they’ve found, or they need to relocate as soon as possible, people often forget to look into the neighborhood and its surroundings. For example, the last thing you want is to move your family across Dallas for a great school, and then discover later on that your new house isn’t actually in the school district’s boundaries; or move into a new-construction home without realizing it’s a 5 minute walk from a high-crime area. If you’re moving to a neighborhood you’re already familiar with then this isn’t a big concern. However, for most people buying a house sight unseen, it’s likely that you’re not as familiar with the area.

Do your due diligence and use Google Maps to virtually walk through the neighborhood to see what the surrounding homes look like and what’s nearby. If your agent is up for it, see if they can take you on a video tour around the block. There could be new construction underway or other potential concerns that you aren’t able to see for yourself on Google Maps. Also consider joining online community groups, such as those on Facebook or Nextdoor, to gain local insights into the specific neighborhoods and communities from those actually living there.

5. Not vetting a high-quality home inspector

Whether you’re buying a house sight unseen or not, a home inspection is a crucial step in the homebuying process. It’s even more important to have this extra set of eyes from a professional when you aren’t able to see the home in person. Just as it was important to vet out your real estate agent, the same goes for choosing a home inspector. Don’t make the mistake of just hiring the first one you stumble across online. Be sure you do your research to find a reputable, qualified home inspector in the area of your new home.

6. Forgoing additional inspections

You’ll want to have a general home inspection to cover your grounds and make sure you’re aware of any problems with the home. For most, a general inspection is sufficient. However, depending on the age of the home or if there’s outside structures and features, like a pool, there’s some additional inspections you shouldn’t forgo. For example, if the home was built before 1980 (and in some cases, after that) you should consider having it checked for asbestos. Rather than showing up to your new home with unexpected surprises and issues, take the time to have it thoroughly inspected.

7. Waiving contingencies 

If you’re thinking of waiving contingencies in hopes to beat out other buyers and score the home, you should think twice about that decision. If it’s a seller’s market and you want the offer to be competitive and enticing, maybe you can get by with waiving some less risky contingencies like an early move in. However, it can be a huge gamble and mistake to waive higher-risk contingencies, like a home inspection contingency or financing contingency. To protect yourself in an already tricky situation, be wary of waiving certain contingencies. 

8. Expecting the process to go according to plan

A common mistake in any homebuying process is expecting it to go exactly as planned. Add in buying a house sight unseen and you’ll likely find yourself navigating the process differently. It’s important to set a realistic timeline with a buffer in case there are any hiccups along the way. For example, there’s a chance that the loan-approval process could take longer than expected or that the needed repairs to the home you made an offer on are going to take a few weeks longer. 

Having a realistic expectation and planning for a few bumps along the way will help you feel at ease in case anything does stray away from the plan. Prepare all of your documents well in advance so you have all the needed information for the loan approval process. Confirm if you’re able to have a fully digital closing rather than needing to be there in person, and periodically check in with your agent to see if there’s anything needed on your end to keep the process going smoothly.

The post Buying a House Sight Unseen? Avoid These 8 Mistakes first appeared on Housing Market Marketing by Housing Market Group.

On the positive side, it seems that property owners are taking it more seriously to market their properties. And with property prices dropping, it is now a lucrative opportunity to buy and invest in a property.

At times like this, we come in to offer tips to help property agents close deals successfully.

1. Increase Your Online Presence

There are a few ways to increase your presence online and be exposed to as many property seekers.

One way is through video marketing. It is a game changer to help agents stand out from the competition and attract property seekers. The way a property is presented sets the first impression, since people are generally attracted to well-composed, professional-looking photos and videos.

Also, do ensure you provide detailed and accurate description of your listing so it reflects the current condition of the property. It will also increase the chances of property seekers calling upon you.

Lastly, always make your customers feel that you’re available for them. Respond promptly to each enquiry wherever you are, and whenever you can.

With Housing Market Group you can make use of premium features such as Boost and Exclusive Listing to make your listings stand out and have them displayed above regular listings.

2. Know Your Customers

From responding to property seekers’ enquiries, you should be able to identify specific concerns that arise from a property or area. Get as much information about your customers, such as their reason for a new property, no. of people living in the household, preferred amenities or neighborhood and note them down.

Then, focus on segmenting your customers by geography and demographics, such as budget and family size. Select your target audience from within this segmentation, such as first-time home buyers or existing homeowners looking to sell, and create a list of hot prospects, against those who have little or no intention to be your customer, so you can prioritize your time and attention.

If a hot prospect is hesitant in making decisions, be their problem solver. Understand their concerns and clarify them as much as possible. You can also propose a few similar properties that would serve their needs.

Knowing your customers would enable you to invest time and effort to seek out and represent properties that are in demand.

3. Categorize Your Listings

Sorting out your listings would enable you to match suitable properties to potential buyers more effectively. You can classify your listings into 3 broad categories:

Properties that are in High Demand but Low in Supply

This refers to properties which are highly sought after but are usually limited in supply. Owner has very strong intention to sell/rent out the property. The property is in an excellent condition, situated in a prime location and reasonably priced within or below market rate.

Properties that are Easy to Sell/Rent

In this category, owner has keen intention to sell/rent out the property. The property is in a good condition, although location may be less ideal. The price is also reasonable within market rate.

Properties that are Difficult to Sell/Rent

This is the most unattractive category. Owner lacks the intention to sell/rent out the property. Its location may be inaccessible, and the condition of the property may be old and requires improvements.

Always make sure all your listings are posted online. If you have too many properties under your belt and find it difficult to put them all up, you can consider hiring an office administrator to help you with it.

4. Change the Way We Think and Operate

COVID-19 is indeed a global challenge for all businesses, and this requires us to change the way we think and operate. It is easy to fall into panic mode and succumb to the pressure of the pandemic or leverage on the opportunity to adapt and improvise your business operations. With every crisis, comes opportunities. Agents can now leverage on technology to engage customers, such as conducting virtual tours or showing a pre-recorded/live video of the property.

The post Helpful Tips to Close Deals during Emergency Decree first appeared on Housing Market Marketing by Housing Market Group.

With the majority of Americans following stay-at-home orders to prevent the spread of coronavirus, our homes are now working overtime to fulfill the roles of offices, classrooms, gyms and community centers — and it’s easy to feel uninspired by your surroundings after occupying the same space day in, day out. But all hope is not lost: There are simple and inexpensive ways to transform your home into a fresh and stimulating environment. 

Give your home some TLC with these seven tips from interior decorators, feng shui experts and design enthusiasts. 

Break it up

If you’re working at home, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by conflicting responsibilities. To help stay on track, designate different areas for specific activities. “It’s important to ‘compartmentalize’ your living space,” says Harry Heissmann, an interior designer based in Brooklyn, NY. Now working remotely from his apartment with his partner and their pup, Heissmann has assigned specific areas for fitness, work and leisure: “We dug out a yoga mat from under the bed and dedicated an area to working out. The desk in the living room was cleaned and organized and serves as a ‘command station’ for going online and making phone calls. The bedroom doubles as another workspace and is perfect for napping or watching movies in bed.” If you live in a studio, you can simulate separate “rooms” by splitting up the space with curtains, bookshelves or other furniture. 

Experiment with color

Painting the walls is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to immediately invigorate any home. For a classic look that will hold up against almost any decor, opt for cool neutrals; if you prefer something more dramatic, consider adding a pop of color to a feature wall. Reiko Gomez, a feng shui expert and interior designer in the Hamptons, NY, recommends greens and blues: “They are most associated with health, calm and well being.” If you’re not ready to commit to paint, Gomez suggests using accessories like throw pillows, an area rug, curtains or artwork to bring color into your space. 

Streamline and declutter

With millions of us now living and working alongside family members, significant others and roommates, our homes may suddenly seem more cramped than ever before. According to Gomez, there’s no better way to create spatial harmony than decluttering: “It works a powerful magic in that it gets your entire space up to speed with you.” She recommends starting small with a contained space like a bathroom, which “will give you a quick feeling of accomplishment and encourage you to do the next space.” The benefits of a tidy space extend beyond aesthetics — research has found that clearing clutter can lower stress levels. 

Do a digital detox

The digital detox movement is not new, but it’s worth revisiting in this climate of constant COVID-19 news and social media chatter. Though it’s important to stay informed about the health crisis, it’s easy to slip from a healthy level of engagement to compulsive checking. To reduce screen dependence, set up manageable boundaries based on time or place. For example, designate dinnertime as phone-free, or remove mobile tech devices from your bedroom for a daily reset.  

Invigorate with scents

Scent is a powerful vehicle for uplifting your mood. According to Mindy Yang, the owner of Perfumarie, a fragrance lab in SoHo, NY, “Every room should have a different scent track to score your moment.” Yang uses woody scents like cedar, palo santo, oud, copal and frankincense to feel grounded; rosemary for invigoration; and incense to focus and meditate. There are many ways to suffuse a room with scent — candles, oil diffusers, air mists and fresh flowers, to name a few. For a more subtle effect, crack open a window to balance out your chosen fragrance with fresh air. 

Greenify and purify

While you’re staying put, there’s no better time to bring the outside world in. Summer Rayne Oakes, host of Plant One On Me, says, “If there’s one thing that makes a space feel livable, it’s some elements of green.” Not only do plants bring light and color, they also add oxygen to your home — something that many of us could use more of as we hunker down indoors. Consider the level of care you want to give: “Some folks may find something less fussy to be easier to deal with, whereas others may want a more ‘high-maintenance’ plant that requires attention every day.” Whichever plant you choose, she says that the ritual of maintaining it can be deeply healing. To find a plant shop near you that’s delivering during coronavirus closures, you can visit Oakes’s database, Plant One Forward. 

Lighten up

Natural light is the top office perk, according to a study of workplace benefits published in the Harvard Business Review. If your home is now your office, you have more control than ever over the light conditions of your workday. To maximize your exposure to natural light, position your desk near a window and keep drapes and shades open during the daytime. If you don’t have much natural light coming in, Heissmann recommends affixing aluminum mini-blinds to your windows: “You can direct or cut out light (and inquisitive neighbors across the street) as needed, and when the sun hits them just right, you can use them to throw light into the room without getting blinded.” He also recommends adding reflective surfaces — like a mirror, lacquered table, or chrome lamp — to enhance the light in dark rooms.

The post Does Your Home Make You Happy? first appeared on Housing Market Marketing by Housing Market Group.

With social distancing mandates in effect across much of the country, many people working in industries deemed “non-essential” are doing their work from home. And while the constant stream of COVID-19 news, in addition to caretaking or homeschooling responsibilities, can make it hard to stay focused on work, modifying your space can help. An organized and visually appealing work area can help you feel more productive — and more relaxed. 

Here are five tips for elevating your home workspace.  

Commit to your space

For those of us who don’t have a home office — which is a lot of people — work-from-home routines can easily get derailed. Designating an area for work, even if that place is the bill-paying area in your kitchen, is a way to stay in your routine and get yourself in the work mindset. Whatever spot you choose, just make sure it feels like a dedicated and functional work area. That means adequate lighting, a comfortable chair — the right height for typing without strain — a seamless tech setup that allows you to take and make video calls without having to fiddle with plugs or wires, and an overall lack of clutter on your desk and the surrounding area.

Declutter

This seems obvious, but let’s level with ourselves. When do we really get around to cleaning our desks? Well, now’s the time. Toss anything that needs to be thrown out, pair like items with like, contain those stray pens in one nice decorative cup, and make sure you have all your workday essentials close at hand and non-essential items moved elsewhere. 

Curate an inspiration board

Now that you’ve set the stage, it’s time to look ahead. And that wall you’re looking at beyond your laptop should inspire you. This is as good a time as ever to put together an inspiration board and fill it with what makes you happy, from images of your favorite people and pets, to pics of your goals (like that fabulous vacation you are going to take once we’ve all gotten through this tough time!). And yes, you can put your to-dos and important reminders up there too — but keep the focus on the positive and uplifting, and keep it right in your line of sight.

Do a background check

If video calls are part of your new day-to-day, think about what your colleagues are seeing behind you — like that pile of laundry or those mostly empty wine glasses. Keep things clean and uncluttered. And if you have the space, show off your style. Some good background options might be your favorite art piece, interesting souvenirs or a not-overly-stuffed bookcase. Lastly, remember lighting: Your space should be adequately lit, or it’ll look like you’re dialing in from a submarine.

Set the mood

Never got your dream office? This is your moment. We bet scented candles aren’t allowed in your regular workspace, but you get to make the rules at home. Aromatherapy diffusers are another option if you’re worried about curious kids or pets. And now your playlist can softly waft overhead rather than through earphones. Similarly, set out some healthy snacks to avoid refrigerator trips, and nosh away. It’s OK for your home office to feel like your home, and especially now, it’s important to take time to indulge yourself with some creature comforts that feed your soul and make you feel calm and inspired.

The post 5 Ways to Make Your Home Office Work (Even if It’s Your Kitchen) first appeared on Housing Market Marketing by Housing Market Group.

These allow clients to see inside properties without needing to leave the comfort of their own home. You have probably heard about virtual viewings in the past. Many real estate agents believe it is too costly or complicated to successfully conduct virtual property viewings. However, that is not the case.

In fact, you may be surprised at just how easy it is. Here are five tips to successfully conduct virtual property viewings.

1) Use the tools at your disposal

Firstly, don’t fret about needing to invest in a top of the line camera and microphone. Most agents use their smartphone and a common messaging app. Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Skype are just a few that work for virtual property viewings.

The quality of these is pretty good and the technology is already familiar. That means you don’t need to spend a bunch of time trying to figure out how something works or dealing with technical difficulties. Your clients will appreciate that.

2) Practice before you start

If you are going to successfully conduct virtual property viewings, you better make sure you practice. The technology is familiar and you’re skilled at hosting traditional viewings, but combining them both can lead to mixed results.

The solution here is to practice by conducting virtual property viewings with partners, friends or family. Not only will this help you feel comfortable, but practice client can offer valuable feedback on what you could do better.

3) Treat it like a traditional viewing

Just because you aren’t meeting with the client face-to-face doesn’t mean you should treat virtual property viewings any differently. Start with the basics such as getting to the property early and dressing like you would for any other meeting. Apart from that, just be yourself. There is no need to change the way you act just because the format used has changed.

4) Be sure to explain the lifestyle aspects of the property

To successfully conduct virtual property viewings, you need to give the client a sense of the lifestyle aspects the property offers. This can be a challenge since video doesn’t always do a good job of conveying the vibe and ambiance of a residence. That’s why you must be there setting the scene.

Don’t focus solely on the facts and figures of a residence, especially ones that will be used as a vacation property or second home. Make sure your client can feel what makes it special through the phone.

5) Allow the client to come prepared

Virtual property viewings aren’t perfect. One of the major shortcomings is that a camera can’t capture every square meter. However, by providing the client with information about the property a day or two before the scheduled virtual meeting, they will have a better understanding of what areas they want to see more of.

Photos are good for this, but having a short video tour of the property is better. Your client will be able to take a look around and come up with some questions. This is actually good for you as well since the viewing can focus on what the client wants to see, not what you think they may like.

The post Tips to successfully conduct virtual property viewings first appeared on Housing Market Marketing by Housing Market Group.