ALEX MARTINI: The Heart of an Eventer. Story in SIDELINES MAGAZINE April, 2022
WOW, this is a must read! Written by Britney Grover, its very inspiring! Grab the tissue box first.
Photos by Pam Jensen Photography.
Alex is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out. Alex was born with hypoplastic right heart with two atrial septal defects and pulmonary atresia: life-threatening heart defects. Alex’s complicated diagnosis meant her heart was one-third the normal size and had two holes. Her pulmonary valve, responsible for ensuring oxygenated blood to the body, wasn’t working, either. By the time she was 2 ½, Alex had had three open-heart surgeries.
You simply must read this story! After you do - leave a comment and share it with a friend. I would like to know if you are as inspired as I am.
LINK TO FULL STORY in Sidelines Magazine
-Pam
(For more information, follow Alex at www.facebook.com/alexmartinieventing or on Instagram @alexm_eventing).
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Leading The U.S. Eventing Team
Sidelines Magazine, April 2023
April, 2023 edition of Sideline's Magazine is all about Robert Costello. Bet you did not know Bobby is the youngest of five, and a passionate pianist. I'm guessing there are a few other things this article will surprise you with too. Read about this fantastic horseman who's farm (ROC) is currently located in Southern Pines, NC. Learn about his vision and goals for eventing as well as his numerous years in the equestrian industry as a rider, trainer, and interim eventing chef d'equipe.
QUICK LINK to article HERE
Photos by PamJensenPhotography.com
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How about the removal of power lines, fix cracks in the foundation, remove a dead tree, fix sagging gutters?
Add a little grass to a sparse yard. Remove the neighbors ugly fence and add some beautiful fake landscaping.
Why not put fake flames into the photo of a fireplace, even tho it doesn't work.
Real estate agents want to make properties pop to get more attention. However, when are “enhancements” crossing the ethical line and mislead viewers and potential buyers?
Enhancing the photo may be the act of an eager photographer to do a good job. However, it is the responsibility of every real estate agent to ensure that listing photos represent the house, as it is, accurately and truthfully. According to the National Association of Realtors, “photo manipulation can cross the line and mislead potential buyers.”
“Covering up significant property imperfections or potential repair issues might violate the REALTORS® Code of Ethics. Article 12 of the Code says, “REALTORS® shall be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and shall present a true picture in their advertising, marketing, and other representations.”
Jayce Riedmann, president of Amoura Production, writes in NAR’s Magazine, which items should never be manipulated or removed from photographs.
- Never ask your photographer to hide holes in walls or cracks in cement.
- Grass or plants should not be added where they do not exist.
- Leave all power and telephone lines as is.
- Don’t change paint colors, paint blemishes, or positions of light fixtures.
Here are some suggestions for improving listing photos without misleading potential buyers:
- To showcase a property the best, make sure it’s clean and ready to go at the time of the shoot.
- Ask your photographer for a readiness checklist, or bring in a real estate stager who is willing to gently coax your sellers into removing extra clutter and family photos ahead of the shoot.
- Make sure lightbulbs are working and are the same color temperature in every room. As a photographer I prefer a white day light.
- Bathroom counters and showers should be clean and cleared, fans dusted, and blinds in working order and opened up.
- Please, always put the toilet seat lid down.
Click slide show below for more examples of beautiful real estate photography.
Whether you are an Agent, Seller or a FSBO contact Pam Jensen Photography for exceptional real estate and architectural photography. You can trust Pam Jensen Photography will capture your property accurately and with exceptional quality photography.
buyers.https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/real-estate-news/technology/when-does-photoshopping-go-too-far
Ethics and Professionalism, MLS & Online Listings, Technology, Digital Cameras & Photography
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Islands are taking the place as the core meeting area and business centre of the home. Buyers might not consider it a deal killer if a kitchen has no island. However, islands have evolved into an aesthetic useful go to place and space. Historically, islands were dedicated to drying dishes, prepping food and unloading groceries. Islands have evolved as the central gathering, serving and hanging out - the place to be. Thus, islands serve as being the most versatile space in the home.
The size of a kitchen island is determined by the room’s dimensions, being proportional to the space overall. The first step in planning your kitchen island is determining the size. The minimum recommended size of an island is 2-by-4 feet. Check out the photos, size and usage of space in this renovated horse farm kitchen. However, the island's total area should be at most 10% of the kitchen area. For example, if the kitchen is 150 square feet, the island should be at most 15 square feet. Visually, there should be enough open space in the room as well. “Open space and flow are more important than having one more cabinet for storage,” says designer JT Norman of Kitchen Magic in Nazareth, Penn.
Please comment and share with us your thoughts on kitchen islands. Are they your gathering area?
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Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Moore County highlights - quick update!
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Moore County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 99,727. Its county seat is Carthage and its largest municipality is the Village of Pinehurst. It is a border county between the Piedmont and the Atlantic Coastal.
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Moore County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 99,727.[1]
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On Sept. 9, 2020, the USGA announced Pinehurst is the first Anchor Site of the U.S. Open, with the championship returning to Pinehurst in 2024, 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047.
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Southern Pines is the west borders to Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations in the world by population, with around 54,000 military personnel.
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CAROLINA HORSE PARK - established in 1998 as a competition venue. The Carolina Horse Park (also referred to as Five Points) is a primary venue for equestrian events, 315 acres hosting about 28 shows each year. Horses of many different colors" will be making the sidewalks of downtown Southern Pines home for the next two months in a fundraiser for the Carolina Horse Park.
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Sponsored by businesses, the Painted Ponies Art Walk will station a group of 10 life-size fiberglass horses around the town. They’ll remain there until they are sold by auction in early April.
Contact Pam below for information on rentals, things to do and photo oportunities.
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ALEX MARTINI: The Heart of an Eventer. Story in SIDELINES MAGAZINE April, 2022
WOW, this is a must read! Written by Britney Grover, its very inspiring! Photos by Pam Jensen Photography.
Alex is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out. Alex was born with hypoplastic right heart with two atrial septal defects and pulmonary atresia: life-threatening heart defects. Alex’s complicated diagnosis meant her heart was one-third the normal size and had two holes. Her pulmonary valve, responsible for ensuring oxygenated blood to the body, wasn’t working, either. By the time she was 2 ½, Alex had had three open-heart surgeries.
You simply must read this story! After you do - leave a comment and share it with a friend. I would like to know if you are as inspired as I am.
-Pam
(For more information, follow Alex at www.facebook.com/alexmartinieventing or on Instagram @alexm_eventing).
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"DOUG and JESS PAYNE: From Olympics to Family, Finding The Perfect Balance. A very impressive and well written story by Kimberly Gotto, with Portraits by Pam Jensen (www.PamJensenPhotography.com) Jess says: "maintaining the right balance seems to be a key to success." A beautiful statement we all can relate to. If you spend anytime with them, you will agree, they are masterful at accomplishing balance. Kimberly states: "They successfully juggle the hectic demands of competitive equestrian life while parenting son Hudson, 4 and daughter Abigail, 2." Their partnership is truly awe-inspiring as they attribute and credit their success to each other. Check it out - LINK TO STORY HERE!
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Are you looking for a simple but effective way to boost a showings and get a higher sales price?
Are you trying to stand out from the competition in the ever growing VRBO or Air-BnB market?
Are you in search of a way to impact your marketing and increase your return?
Improve the quality of your photos! SIMPLE! EFFECTIVE! INEXPENSIVE!
Professional photographers define the best real estate photography as the sum of three main parts:
- the preparation of the property for a photo shoot
- the shoot, angles, equipment, and technique involved with a shoot
- the editing of the images to return them to what the eye sees when it gets to the property (and other forms of editing, like replacing the sky, if the shoot took place on a rainy day)
A study by Inman.com revealed that “the vast majority of real estate listings are not giving consumers what they want when it comes to visual marketing”. Fewer than 30% of listings used best practices in professional photography."
Professional photography is powerful! Check out my gallery of examples: CLICK HERE for Gallery
Agents: Every listing you advertise should be treated as an act of personal branding. If you fail to treat it this way, you are missing out on a huge opportunity to enhance your reputation and grow your business!
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Let's talk about misleading or fraudulent real estate listing photos:
Professional Listing Agents strive to have their property stand out from the rest. Typically the first time a potential potential Buyer finds a home is virtually online. There are numerous sites such as: Zillow, realtor.com, Trulia. The National Association of Realtors claims 90% of home buyers start their real estate search online. A study conducted by Michael Seiler of Old Dominion University stated that buyers spend "60 percent of their time reviewing a listing looking at the photos." A Redfin survey found that homes with professionally taken photographs get an average of “61 percent” more page views and have a 47 percent higher asking price per square foot.
Agents do their best to present each home in its best condition possible. Professional photography, interior staging, professional decorating, neutralized trendy paint colors and enhanced landscaping. These practices will greatly improve the home’s visual appeal. A powerful descriptive and sexy write up can make a difference as well.
It is tempting to enhance details, use powerful verbiage to improve and accentuate the features or the condition of the house. We have all read:
- “Charming” for example really means small. It might mean you possibly can’t turn around in the bathroom.
- “Original features” wonderful for a historic home. However, it may be original asbestos flooring and dated interior wall paper.
- “Potential” means the home needs work, you are going to need to spend money and time to do it.
- "Water View" - "However, the lake is currently dry..." (MLS #202294) taken from an actual listing - I couldn't make this up!)
Ultimately, “The challenge is striking a balance to achieve an accurate depiction with marketing appeal.” Cara Ameer, Inman, 2017.
An Australian real estate company is in “hot water” after the discovery that one of its listing photographs isn’t an accurate depiction of what the property is like. News.com.au reports reported the real estate giant Ray White listed the home shown below: a 3-bedroom brick home in Sydney, Australia. However, when viewed on GOOGLE MAPS this is really what the home looks like: (you can view the actual LINK HERE). The argument can be made that this type of photography enhancing is deceptive and misleading. Possibly to the point of being considered unethical and illegal.
Let's get REAL about this.
When it comes to posting photos of your real estate listing, what and how much editing enhancement is too much of a good thing?
Some feel editing enhancement is “is akin to distortion or even deception.” Rosemary Counter, May 2019, “Real estate photo enhancement is reaching new heights as desperate sellers look to sell imperfect homes.” The market is hot. However, truth in advertising is a murky line, a grey area based upon perception by the consumer and facts by the advertiser. “I can add an ocean view to a country house or put a sailboat in your living room if I want to,” says Rob Moroto, a master commercial photographer and virtual stager in Calgary. Moroto’s philosophy is always to shoot things as they appear, but since he’s selling a service to a client, he’ll photoshop upon a realtor’s request. As a professional photographer and a licensed real estate agent, I agree to shoot things as they appear!
The Real Estate Council of Ontario published “Deceptive or misleading advertising is prohibited by Ontario’s Real Estate and Business Brokers Act from 2002.” Publishing a “Professional Standards Manual” stating: “While editing out such items as a garbage can or an automobile parked in a driveway would be acceptable, removing nearby power lines or changing any physical characteristic of a property such that it results in a misrepresentation would not be acceptable.”
Box Brownie, an industry leader in professional photography editing: posts on their website: “Image editing is essential for effective real estate marketing and is used by everyone. It is important though to not take the editing too far, enhancing images is fine but removing important details can be considered misleading… It is perfectly fine to use image enhancement to replace sky backgrounds whenever the weather is not ideal.” They claim that the removal of occupant clutter with image editing is completely fine. “You are selling the house not the current owner's furniture inside!” In theory this sounds fine and acceptable. However, editing the state or condition of a property changes a Buyer’s perception of the reality of the property. In a market that is moving fast, photos are all some Buyers have to make a decision. That is when it gets REAL!
Turning an overcast sky to blue, retouching a patchy lawn where there is grass during the winter is one thing. However, virtual staging can easily go wrong.
For example:
- a king sized bed or sectional is virtually added into a room that is not actually large enough for this sized bed,
- creating curb appeal where none exists,
- adding a pond that is long dried up to create a “water view”
- adding fire to a non-operative fireplace,
- sunset is added in sky replacement and the sun is placed to be setting North East of the home.
(Disclaimer: It’s always best to consult your Broker In Charge, your local MLS or your local Real Estate Commission as to what is acceptable practice in your market area. Box Brownie is NOT a licensed real estate brokerage company://www.boxbrownie.com/b/avoiding-misleading-advertising-in-real-estate).
Bottom line: keep the REAL in real estate photos.
Enhance to enhance and not to mislead or misrepresent.
Eat a brownie and tell the truth!
- Pam
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Carolina Horse Park - War Horse Event Series
July 2021
Glorious day at the Carolina Horse Park. If you aren't aware of where or what that is let me give you a little info. Founded in 1998 (and yes I was part of it) as a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization by equestrian enthusiasts, the Carolina Horse Park is dedicated to the preservation of open space for equestrian and recreational purposes. It is suitable for championship level equine competitions. The CHP website hosts over 30 weeks of events each year and include a variety of disciplines.
Pictures speak louder than words, so let me show you a little gallery of what just happened there during the War Horse Event Series (WHES) July, 2021.
Please share, post, like and link.
Leave a comment and contact me if you have any questions.
Enjoy and hope to see you in the saddle and thru my lens.
Pam
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The outdoor kitchen adds a cozy element and extends every home's living area. Gatherings are even more precious and appreciated than ever. Nothing is more comforting than an intimate gathering in the kitchen, indoor or out.
This gallery is filled with wonderful kitchens and baths. These are real homes, for real families with real lives. These well designed kitchens and baths are smart, functional, mostly they are beautiful.
I would love your thoughts. Which one would fit your lifestyle perfectly?
910-528-1840
order prints of these wonderful
CARS of CUBA.
View FULL GALLERY
American cars were imported into Cuba for about 50 years, beginning near the early 20th century. After the Cuban Revolution, the U.S. embargo was erected and Castro banned the importation of American cars and mechanical parts. That's why Cuba is the way it is today—essentially a living museum for classic cars.
According to Discover Corps Blog: the first half of the 20th century, Cuba was used as a test track for many American car manufacturers, meaning that cars were often available in Cuba before being available for sale in the US. Companies such as Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Chrysler shipped their latest models to the US’s southern-most ports, and the cargo would arrive in Havana within a few days. By 1956, there were more than 140,000 cars in Cuba with approximately 90,000 on the streets of Havana.
Until 1959, cars as well as spare parts had been imported in Cuba from the US. Then a drastic turn came about with the Cuban revolution in 1959; former business partners became foes and Cuba classic cars were left stranded on one side of the Florida Straits, while the manufacturing plants kept functioning on the other.
President Eisenhower first banned American companies from exporting anything except food and medicine to Cuba, and also placed any foreign ship that traded with the country on a blacklist. The Cold War was an insurmountable wall separating both sides of the Straits, but the American embargo on Cuba ended up setting a higher wall. As of the early 60s, not even a US car part nor a screw would be exported to the island. American market was closed for Cuba and its old cars.
In 1962, President Kennedy extended the embargo further to forbid imports of all goods from Cuba, and also refused to give aid to any country that would provide assistance to the communist-run country. But not before sending his secretary to buy 1,200 Cuban cigars, that was.
Cuba is literally a rolling car museum. Everywhere you look is an old-school American brand vehicle, ranging from Oldsmobile to Chevrolet, Buick to Ford with a nice sampling of Chrysler’s old Plymouth brand. There’s even a few Russian Volgas thrown in the mix. These are all vehicles that the majority of American car lovers would spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on. Handed down from father to son, often these cars are the main source of income for families as taxi's and for tourists.
Vintage Cars of Cuba .... Enjoy the ride!
I did!
Pam
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Let's talk about misleading or fraudulent real estate listing photos:
Professional Listing Agents strive to have their property stand out from the rest. Typically the first time a potential potential Buyer finds a home is virtually online. There are numerous sites such as: Zillow, realtor.com, Trulia. The National Association of Realtors claims 90% of home buyers start their real estate search online. A study conducted by Michael Seiler of Old Dominion University stated that buyers spend "60 percent of their time reviewing a listing looking at the photos." A Redfin survey found that homes with professionally taken photographs get an average of “61 percent” more page views and have a 47 percent higher asking price per square foot.
Agents do their best to present each home in its best condition possible. Professional photography, interior staging, professional decorating, neutralized trendy paint colors and enhanced landscaping. These practices will greatly improve the home’s visual appeal. A powerful descriptive and sexy write up can make a difference as well.
It is tempting to enhance details, use powerful verbiage to improve and accentuate the features or the condition of the house. We have all read:
- “Charming” for example really means small. It might mean you possibly can’t turn around in the bathroom.
- “Original features” wonderful for a historic home. However, it may be original asbestos flooring and dated interior wall paper.
- “Potential” means the home needs work, you are going to need to spend money and time to do it.
- "Water View" - "However, the lake is currently dry..." (MLS #202294) taken from an actual listing - I couldn't make this up!)
Ultimately, “The challenge is striking a balance to achieve an accurate depiction with marketing appeal.” Cara Ameer, Inman, 2017.
An Australian real estate company is in “hot water” after the discovery that one of its listing photographs isn’t an accurate depiction of what the property is like. News.com.au reports reported the real estate giant Ray White listed the home shown below: a 3-bedroom brick home in Sydney, Australia. However, when viewed on GOOGLE MAPS this is really what the home looks like: (you can view the actual LINK HERE). The argument can be made that this type of photography enhancing is deceptive and misleading. Possibly to the point of being considered unethical and illegal.
Let's get REAL about this.
When it comes to posting photos of your real estate listing, what and how much editing enhancement is too much of a good thing?
Some feel editing enhancement is “is akin to distortion or even deception.” Rosemary Counter, May 2019, “Real estate photo enhancement is reaching new heights as desperate sellers look to sell imperfect homes.” Truth in advertising is a murky line, a grey area based upon perception by the consumer and facts by the advertiser. “I can add an ocean view to a country house or put a sailboat in your living room if I want to,” says Rob Moroto, a master commercial photographer and virtual stager in Calgary. Moroto’s philosophy is always to shoot things as they appear, but since he’s selling a service to a client, he’ll photoshop upon a realtor’s request. As a professional photographer and a licensed real estate agent, I agree.
The Real Estate Council of Ontario published “Deceptive or misleading advertising is prohibited by Ontario’s Real Estate and Business Brokers Act from 2002.” Publishing a “Professional Standards Manual” stating: “While editing out such items as a garbage can or an automobile parked in a driveway would be acceptable, removing nearby power lines or changing any physical characteristic of a property such that it results in a misrepresentation would not be acceptable.”
Box Brownie, an industry leader in professional photography editing: posts on their website: “Image editing is essential for effective real estate marketing and is used by everyone. It is important though to not take the editing too far, enhancing images is fine but removing important details can be considered misleading… It is perfectly fine to use image enhancement to replace sky backgrounds whenever the weather is not ideal.” They claim that the removal of occupant clutter with image editing is completely fine. “You are selling the house not the current owner's furniture inside!” In theory this sounds fine and acceptable. However, editing the state or condition of a property changes a Buyer’s perception of the reality of the property.
Turning an overcast sky to blue, retouching a patchy lawn where there is grass during the winter is one thing. However, virtual staging can easily go wrong.
For example:
- a king sized bed or sectional is virtually added into a room that is not actually large enough for one,
- creating curb appeal where non exists,
- adding a pond that is long dried up to create a “water view”
- adding fire to a non-operative fireplace
- sunset is added in sky replacement and setting North East of the home.
(Disclaimer: It’s always best to consult your Broker In Charge, your local MLS or your local Real Estate Commission as to what is acceptable practice in your market area. Box Brownie is NOT a licensed real estate brokerage company://www.boxbrownie.com/b/avoiding-misleading-advertising-in-real-estate).
Bottom line: keep the REAL in real estate photos.
Enhance to enhance and not to mislead or misrepresent.
Eat a brownie and enjoy!
- Pam
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Zillow 3D Home™ is a free mobile app that allows homeowners and real estate professionals to capture 3D tours of homes - with their iPhones. These 3D Homes are published and linked to a properties details page on Zillow. This allows potential buyers and renters to explore and tour the home’s layout virtually. This provides agents, sellers and property managers a powerful tool to market their listings online and at no additional cost.
Andrew Lassiter, Keen Eye Marketing, says: "Love it or hate it, Zillow is here to stay." He adds some important facts to consider as you develop your marketing strategy.
– Zillow is a key platform for Agents to develop brand awareness in their market
– Over 50% of visitors on Zillow and Truly are planning to buy or sell
– Zillow is the largest real estate site with over 188 million monthly visitors
– 30% percent of the Zillow audience reports household incomes over $100K
We need to continue to be smart with our time, safety and finances. Reaching potential clients is a visual and virtual game. Professional photography is powerful and important game changer, not to be underestimated.
Please contact me to assist you with any visual and virtual marketing real estate needs.
We want info., quickly, choices, data, now, immediately, let me see, and let me see it all. We are virtual internet window shoppers. We search for that perfect home that catches our eye because it has something appealing as we scroll quickly. Buyers might look at hundreds, maybe thousands of photos of homes. The entire inventory of any given market area is at our fingertips 24-7. Buyers spend numerous hours on the internet picking out the houses they are attracted to and eventually plan to tour.
I was curious about the types of photos that catch people’s eye. What types of photos exactly are being used to market homes? Mostly, I was curious how many unique and professional photos are being used - on a regular bases - in real estate marketing. I ran a typical search on Zillow and realtor.com: 3-4 bedroom home, Main Street, under $400,000, a random city in a random state.
If professional photos increase the chances of a home selling quicker and for more money, does/do unprofessional photos reduce the chances of a home selling? What do you think? I would love to know.
Let me share some of the photos I found on the public internet sites. I’ve created the attached gallery from my findings. What are your thoughts - can you see yourself wanting to tour any of these homes if you were purchasing a home?
Disclaimer: I make no representation about these homes. These images were located on public sites. These properties are represented by other Realtors, no specific criterion was used and this is not a marketing nor a listing advertising for any of these properties. If you are interested in any of these homes you need to consult the listing agent and firm, as well as a good attorney and it is alway a good idea to get home inspection.
- Pam -
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The virtual exploration of a home is now paramount. Real estate pros are taking their home showings to the virtual realm to address concerns focused on how long the paralysed from the coronavirus outbreak will last. Daily News, March, 2020. Virtual tours are recommended by the National Association of Realtors® as a way to avoid face-to-face contact while marketing homes during the coronavirus crisis. Buyers are touring homes thru various forms of virtual means and as an alternative to in-person showings. More agents are turning to virtual tours to keep showings happening. A REALTOR®
who supplies virtual tours can continue to work, servicing Buyers and Sellers by showing homes, answering questions, creating relationships, providing services and selling homes.
Open houses have been curtailed. The new "Open House" is a virtual explorative and an interactive walk thru. A virtual tour allows a feel for how the home flows, the front door location, the elevations, the front - side - back yard; how you enter and leave each room, the location of the bathrooms in relationship to the bedrooms, and so much more. Real estate professionals who can create virtual tours with rich visual content can continue "to show" listings to anyone, anywhere in the world.
Virtual tours, professional photography, great descriptive narratives and write ups with informative content are keeping my real estate business on track.
360 tours are a must have for every one of my listings. They are not just an upgrade for "luxury listings" anymore. Personally, I use a 360 camera by Ricoh. The 360° images are good. The process is fast. It loads to my cell phone and I edit it with the app that came with the camera. Zillow has done an exceptional job promoting and hosting 3D tours for real estate listings. This is where not all tours are equal. Many tours are exceptional in quality. However, not all are able to be loaded into MLS or onto 3rd party real estate feed sites.
For ideas and inspiration: check out this tour on 201 Muirkirk Lane and 4 Oakmont Circle. Additional examples of Real Estate VIrtual Tours and 3D tours can be found here and on my photography website (www.PamJensenPhotography.com). These actual listings (by Realty World - Properties of the Pines) are getting numerous showings, have gone under contract, have or are about to go to closing. I encourage you to go get your cell phone, a 360 camera, maybe even a Go-Pro and create a video! I don't think any one product is the end all or the perfect virtual game changer. The cameras and apps all have pro's and con's. I suggest shop wisely or hire a professional and test out what/who is the most user friendly and meets your needs.
If you would like some assistance creating a virtual tour - please reach out and contact me here: Pam Jensen Photography; www.PamIsPinehurst.com and Pam Jensen, Realty World - Properties of the Pines, NC REALTOR® and Real Estate Broker; License #226727. Pinehurst - Southern Pines is my market area - so if you are nearby - stop in and we can create a tour together.
Please, comment below on your experience and suggestions with virtual tours.
Re-Source and information:
“Home Selling in the Age of Coronavirus: It’s a Whole Different World,” realtor.com® (March 12, 2020)
https://www.zillow.com/resources/new-construction/what-buyers-want-from-builders-infographic/
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We love our kitchens and our baths. No two are ever the same. When things get kaotic, as they can be, we seek comfort. kitchens are as personal as our baths. We show off our kitchens and we keep our baths to ourselves. The outdoor kitchen adds a cozy element and extends every home's living area. Gatherings are even more precious now and we appreciated them more than ever. Nothing is more comforting than an intimate private gathering in the kitchen, indoor or out.
This gallery is filled with wonderful kitchens and baths. These are homes that people actually live in. These are real homes, for real families with busy lives and budgets. These well designed kitchens and baths are smart, functional and mostly beautiful.
I would love your thoughts. Which one would fit your lifestyle perfectly? Let me know.
]]>Professional Photos are your curb appeal! They substantiate your credibility and create excitement to the prospective client. Professional photos of your projects show off your creativity and style. However, a cell phone snapshot photo that is of low resolution, with slanted stairs and distorted columns, where rooms look small and boxy, granite and marble look flat and grainy, is distracting and uninviting. For example, distorted lines make the viewer ask questions - and not good ones either. Check out this gallery of distortion examples and put yourself in the viewer's position - a picture is worth a 1000 words - Check out these examples, would you hire this person? click here...for examples of distortion photos.
Take a peek into my BEFORE and AFTER GALLERY. This GALLERY is filled with examples and comparisons of BEFORE photos that weren't getting looks - VS - my AFTER professional photos that got clients and contracts. (I am happy to say every home was sold immediately).
Professional Photos aren't just for luxury real estate any more. Professional photos of projects are just as important for Builders, Designers, Decorators, and Contractors as they are for listing homes!
I love, love, love to work with Builders, Designers, Decorators and Contractors. It's a pleasure to watch your businesses grow.
View galleries of award winning homes and renovations on my website: www.PamJensenPhotography.com
Professional photos aren't just for Realtors any more. I'm excited just thinking about it!
Pam
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The virtual exploration of a home is now paramount. "More real estate pros are taking their home showings to the virtual realm as concerns increase over the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S." Daily News, March, 2020. Buyers are touring homes thru various forms of virtual means. As an alternative to in-person showings, more agents are turning to virtual tours. A REALTOR®
who supplies virtual tours can continue to service Buyers and Sellers by showing homes, answering questions, creating a relationships, providing services and selling homes.
Open houses have been curtailed. The new "Open House" is a virtual explorative and an interactive walk thru. A virtual tour allows a more accurate feel for how the home flows, the front door, the elevations, the front - side - back yard; how you enter and leave each room, the location of the bathrooms, and so much more. Real estate professionals who can create virtual tours with rich visual content can continue "to show" listings to anyone, anywhere in the world.
Virtual tours, professional photography, great descriptive narratives and write ups with informative content are keeping my real estate business on track.
360 tours are a must have for every one of my listings. They are not just an upgrade for "luxury listings" anymore. Personally, I use a 360 camera by Ricoh. The 360° images are good. The process fast. It loads to my cell phone and I edit it with the app that came with the camera. Zillow has done an exceptional job with promoting 3D tours for real estate agents and for builders as a new construction resource.
For ideas and inspiration: check out this tour on 201 Muirkirk Lane and other LINKs examples of 3D tours on my photography website (www.PamJensenPhotography.com). These actual listings (by Realty World - Properties of the Pines) are getting numerous showings, have gone under contract, have or are about to go to closing (all during the Pandemic). So I encourage you to go get your cell phone, a 360 camera, maybe even a Go-Pro and create a video! Don't spend a fortune on any one app - just have fun, create content and put it out there!
If you would like some assistance creating one - please reach out and contact me: Pam Jensen Photography; www.PamIsPinehurst.com and Pam Jensen, Realty World - Properties of the Pines, NC REALTOR® and Real Estate Broker; License 226727.
Please, comment below on your experience and suggestions with virtual tours.
Re-Source and information:
“Home Selling in the Age of Coronavirus: It’s a Whole Different World,” realtor.com® (March 12, 2020)
https://www.zillow.com/resources/new-construction/what-buyers-want-from-builders-infographic/
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“Mom, there’s nothing to eat.” How many times have I heard this? Our pantries are full. Our refrigerators are “Over-Sized.” There is a second or third fridge and pantry area in the garage. We buy in bulk, by the caseload, memberships to Costo, Sam’s Club, and Bj’s. However, that is not the case in Cuba. They tell me the average wage in Cuba is 334 regular pesos per month. That equals something less than $20 per month here in the US. The communist Cuban government supplements this by providing their citizens necessary items. That’s the concept. Sounds good..... February, 2020 was my most recent, latest trip to Cuba. At this time there was no soap for Cubans. NOPE - no soap. No laundry soap, no body soap, no dish soap, NADA Jabo'n! NO SOAP.
Let's update this BLOG. We are in a Pandemic. Everyone is hurting - no one is unaffected. "The Communist-run island nation last month closed its borders to travelers, shuttered schools and ordered the use of face masks in a bid to contain the novel virus, sending doctors and medical students to monitor the population."
This is not a political post. I’m not taking sides nor making a political statement; not trying to incite anyone or start a group to make any changes. These are my observations during my recent trip in 2020 to Havana, Trinidad, Vinales, Gibara and a few other cities in Cuba. This is my visual story, photos and what I have learned about the way the Cuban people live and how it varies from the way we live in the U.S.
Cuba is an island, therefore it needs to import the majority of its food (60 to 70 percent according to Wikipedia). They tell me the average wage is 334 regular pesos per month. That is somewhere less than $20 per month. It doesn’t get better and hasn’t for a while. The vast majority of Cuban families rely for their food intake on the Libreta de Abastecimiento ("Supplies booklet") distribution system. The system establishes the rations each person is allowed to buy through the system, and the frequency of supplies.
Despite the Cuban government’s rumors of doing away with the ration systems - which was implemented in 1962 - I assure you the Cuban ration system still exists. Actually, May 2019, Cuba increased rationing of staples such as chicken, eggs, rice, beans, soap and other basics. (Some two-thirds of food in the country is imported.) "Increasing rationing" is not a good thing (it's an oxymoron: a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction). Increased U.S. trade embargo was a catalyst in reducing the amount of imports into Cuba. Bottom line: there just isn’t enough food to go around, therefore everyone gets less. (Am I an economist now?)
How does it work? The “Libreta de Abastecimiento” is the name of the government controlled food distribution system in Cuba. Translated literally: “Supplies Booklet.” Cuba introduced the “libreta” shortly after the late Fidel Castro’s 1959 leftist revolution, to ensure a survival level of heavily subsidized staples like rice, beans, sugar and coffee for everyone in the face of U.S. sanctions. A Cuban takes their supplies coupon booklet (Libreta de Abastecimiento) to a government grocery shop = ration shop. The libreta contains a page for every month, the clerk marks what products were withdrawn, and in which quantities. Cubans are required to present the libreta each time they buy the rations. These “shops” provided the minimums for rice, sugar, eggs, milk for children under 7, and cooking oil. Products included in the libreta vary according to age and sex.
I don’t know for a fact if Cuban’s move around much. I assume not, because the families have lived in the same home for generations. In addition, a person cannot receive their products somewhere else, so each change of address requires returning to the OFICODA to update the booklet's data, and those living away from their registered addresses have to return to the previous area for their supplies. A specific set of laws regulate the functioning of the system, as well as establishing penalties for its misuse.
As WiFi increases (which is rationed as well) Cubans have been flooding social media with photos of the queues they are in, under the hashtag #lacolachallenge (queue challenge) to highlight their problem. My observation and assumption is that this system is not going away anytime soon.…. But people have to eat! So, what is the alternative? THE BLACK MARKET! ...
The Ration System and Book is a welcomed comeback due to Coronavirus Pandemic. Nelson Acosta and Sarah Marsh, World News, April 23, 2020, Cuba’s decades-old rationing system, once slated for elimination, is staging a comeback during the coronavirus pandemic in a bid to prevent Cubans from exposing themselves to the novel virus by going on frantic shopping hunts. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-cuba-rationcard/cubas-ration-book-stages-comeback-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-idUSKCN22538R .
Tourism is more than on hold. It is "RESTRICTED." Who can predict the future of cities that rely on tourism such as Trinidad, Cuba: Trinidad is a town in central Cuba, known for its colonial old town and cobblestone streets. For me travel is for rest and relaxation; total self indulgence and an escape away from obligations. Now experts say Corona has changed the travel industry. “As much as we think about our own health when we travel, we should have compassion through realization that we may inadvertently bring the virus with us,...“this could be devastating" says ERIC ROSEN, April 18, 2020.
Personally, I don't want to feel guilt ridden or responsible for contaminating anyone else because I wanted to take a vacation. Nor do I want to die because I took one. Travel and vacationing might look and feel different once the world begins to reopen. People can count on the transformative and positive impact of travel to change their lives and the destinations they visit , hopefully for the better. We will travel again, maybe with more soap in our luggage and maybe with more conscious thought about where we are going and what we are doing.
What do you think? Where is the first place you are planning on going? I would love to hear your thoughts. Please keep the conversation going.
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During the last few years of the Cold War I lived in Stuttgart, Germany and had dinner with many dignitaries and members of the East German Communist Party. At that time calling someone “Red” was pejorative American slang. Today, I live in North Carolina and referring to someone as being “Red” means something totally different.
Malcom Harris states in the New Republic magazine, “American anti-communism is probably at its historical nadir,” 2016. The word “socialism” doesn’t scare the next generation, they seem to like the idea of it, as does Bernie Sanders. The Berlin Wall is barely a memory now.
At the beginning of 2020 I was in Cuba for a photography tour. While in Santiago de Cuba, on the last night of the tour a special dinner had been arranged for us at a “Casa de Particular.” We would meet the owner, a prominent attorney, author and university professor, so we were told: dress up!
A “Casa Particular” is a private house similar to our AirBnB’s or a Bread and Breakfast. Casas particulares have a small sign on the door, with two blue triangles ("roofs") against a white background. We arrive, it’s a nice neighborhood with no commercial buildings, front yards, fencing and sidewalks but nothing that stood out as to where we were going. I did not see any obvious “Casa de Particular” sign when we pulled up. I was honestly a bit confused. However, nunca juzgues un libro por su portada - OR - never judge a book by its cover, especially in Cuba! We were welcomed into a lovely home with a yard and it was very well cared for. We were escorted thru the home, past a well stocked library/office, past Piccaso style wall hangings and antique collectables, thru a large living area and out to the back courtyard. The back area was stunning with an alfresco style dining area with an outdoor kitchen all draped by vines and lush foliage. It was a bit surreal to be honest.
Senior Reinaldo Sua’rez Sua’rez is a handsome man with lovely tanned skin, a beautiful profile, and appears to be very physically fit. We had an interpreter who was masterful and kept his stoic Mr Spock face the entire time. Our interpreter never raised an eyebrow. Even Spock did that on occasion. The interpreter showed no opinion or if he even if he had an opinion, he just interpreted as best and as politically correct as possible. This was very well orchestrated and well rehearsed. Senior Suarez began his story with his concerns. He was concerned about the embargo. He was concerned that there was a coverup by his government. He was concerned that there was a cover up by our government. He was concerned about Trump as President for another term. He was concerned..... Did Senior Suarez really think this was news to us?
He stood tall and was proud and to say he was a Communist. However, his body language said how he felt about the current state of affairs in in Cuba. He hung his head, his posture became soft and he willingly, calmly, quietly admitted that communism is not working very well for Cubans or for Cuba. Again, did Senior Suarez really think this was news to us?
The story Mr. Sua’rez Sua’rez, the Professor de la faculty de Derecho de la Universidad de Oriente, wanted to shock us with, was that Che' Guevara had shot himself in the mouth. It was an accident. Che’ apparently had been working at his desk. While sitting, his revolver was uncomfortable, he put it on the desk, it fell to the right side and he leaned over to grab it. As it hit the ground it fired and the bullet went thru the right side of his cheek. Then Senior Sua’rez produced the photos! The proof to support his story..... There was a photo - just like in the National Inquirer, was my thought. Reinaldo Sua’rez Sua’rez had photos of Che’ with a black mark on his right cheek. Senior Sua'rez said that was the bullet hole, a gunshot wound. The photos taken at Che’s death do not show the bullet wound to the cheek, said Senior Sua’rez. He was going to do his best to get us to believe that Che’ Guevara did not die the way the news had reported his death on October 9, in 1967 and his photos proved it. The Washington Post reported: "Before his secret burial, Guevera’s body was laid out by Bolivian soldiers and put on display for the press in the village of Vallegrande." November 17, 2014.
This was the first story of many he would tell us. He briefed us for 1 and 1/2 hours. He had a stack of documents, photos, papers, letters, news clippings all supporting his assertions. This was “fake news” cuban style. Noticias Falsas Espanolas! I snapped a few photos of the meeting with my iPhone! The Gallery is attached HERE. Now wishing I had taken more photos. After all, I am a photographer! However, that was the most awkward photography moment ever.
LINK TO GALLERY OF THE PHOTOS
PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
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A good real estate photo keeps the viewer’s attention, first creating a mood and leading the potential buyer into a home comfortably. Buyers want to take a virtual tour when they look at the listing photos online. During online window shopping time, buyers are envisioning themselves and their things in the prospective for sale home. A series of photos should tell a story and help to lead the buyer/viewer from room to room, explaining the flow and layout of the house. Property photos should highlight the special features, represent the property in a realistic factual manner, and not over exaggerate or mislead in any way.
Just as the building foundation of every home is the strength of the structure - the horizontal lines of a real estate photo give viewers a sense of strength. Horizontal lines in a photo give a perception of calm and correctness of the subject. According to Mark Galer, (Blog 21/01/2017), “Vertical lines can express strength and power.” The lack of a good feeling or sense of instability is perceived immediately by the viewer when either horizontal or vertical lines in the photo are askew or distorted. A professional photographer can correct lens distortion during post processing editing techniques in order to correct crooked lines.
This is just one of the many difference between professional listing photos and amateur photos. The most obvious difference is that the professional photos will look outstanding online. “Amazing real estate listing photos actually do have a major effect on your home sale, so don’t you think that blurry iPhone photos will cut it.” Alexa Collins, 2018. Bad real estate photos will do more harm than no photos at all. The attached gallery shows examples of real photos of homes for sale. These are publicly posted photos of random listings from Zillow and realtor.com. * I just couldn't make this up.
I invite you to visit my BEFORE and AFTER GALLERY, for some fun examples of the difference between amature photos and professional ones.
As always, I welcome your comments and would like to hear your thoughts and experiences. I am passionate about this topic, it is well worth chatting about. Please comment here or contact me: [email protected].
Pam
*You can find these homes for sale mostly in the Lancaster and Lititz, PA area, and I refer you to the listing agents directly for specific information on them. None of these photos are of listings for sale or sold by myself or by Realty World. This is not an attempt to represent, sell, solicit or to list any of the properties shown here. This is a random sampling of real estate photos extracted from third party public internet sites with MLS agreements.
]]>The Before and After photos in my Architecture Gallery provide excellent examples of the power of a photo (Click Here for Link). A bright inviting photo can transform a listing and immediately get lookers and Buyers into the home for a tour. A dull, dark and dreary photo can turn a prospective Buyer away. The photo is your internet curb appeal. It is how to invite a Buyer to come and tour the property. Even the most elegant and luxurious of homes can look uninviting with bad photo. The bottom line, and one thing that is always true in every market: terrible real estate photos never help real estate agents sell a house. However, good real estate photos alway help to sell one!
There is alway a balance to consider and sometimes more is not better. A photo can be misleading and build an expectation that can't be met. A photo can make a room look larger, than it is. When the prospective clients shows up to tour the home this creates disappointment and distrust. Virtual enhancing is fine and fun, and definately has its place.
- A corner room that has tricky furniture placement may be a good prospect for virtual staging.
- Virtual staging is cheaper than dragging the real stuff into a room.
- It can get attention on the internet and in marketing brochures.
- Virtual staging can go really bad and give the buyer a perception a room's space that may not be very accurate.
It is imperative, in my view, to always maintain a truthful representation of the property. Post processing to an extreme, beyond exposure and straightening distortion, is arts and crafts. Photographers mean well. Misrepresentation of a property is a Real Estate agents nightmare. Virtual staging, in my opinion, can be considered changing a material fact.
Naturally, by having attractive photography and media content from those photos - it will create a need for people to come and visit the property. Have you ever seen photos that make you think the house is sliding off a mountain? These are not the type of photos you want in the multiple listing service representing your home for sale on the open market. Keep it real - but keep it professional and your home will sell quickly and for more money!
Pam Jensen Photography - alway keeping the REAL in real estate photography!
Please feel free to comment. This is a great topic for conversation. More to follow on this .....
PJ
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#Pinehurst, #Southern Pines, #MooreCounty, #NorthCarolina
Realtors, Interior designers and Moore County builders beef up your websites, renovation or construction advertising, and your personal internet presence. Real estate agents add some WOW to your MLS listing. Find the perfect stock photo in my Stock Photo Gallery. Or, better yet, call me and I will get the photos you need specifically for a neighborhood, subdivision, you name it. Add beautiful and inspiring images to capture attention and to set Your listing and your self apart from the others.
Using any photograph which you find online in your professional business website or portfolio can lead you down a legal messy pathway. Most of the photos on the Internet are subject to photography copyright laws. Even photos that claim to be free can get you into trouble.
The photos in my portfolio in the STOCK PHOTOS gallery are Hi-resolution photos. They are available to you granting limited copyright restrictions for your personal and commercial use. No mass distribution is allowed nor can you resell these photos. However, you can be sure that you are safe in using these to enhance your real estate marketing, listing, and property websites. Add your text or a logo to an image, place them on your website or blog. Even put them on a postcard for a mailing advertising your services, and skills as an expert in Moore County.
The use and benefit of a stock photo is endless. Call me for any specific needs you may have. - Pam
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By Pamela Jensen
We all agree that we are visual and everyone loves a good photo. Professional Photography sells everything from cars, food, shoes, hairstyles, homes and pets. It's an internet calling card and a means of branding yourself as a professional in any field. Builders, Designers, Renovation Contractors - use professional photos in your social media, internet posting and websites. The below is a sample of a stunning custom wine cellar by Wine Cellars of The Carolinas, located in North Carolina
Link: To Wine Cellars of the Carolinas
What does good photography do?
-Gives a sense of your style to your prospect clients.
-Helps buyers make choices.
-Helps buyers and prospective clients communicate their likes and dislikes and expectations.
-Helps you to communicate choices available to clients.
-Builds your credibility!
-Establishes your identity and brand.
-Builds recognition!
Builders:
Professional photos aren't just for Real Estate Agents!
Other than walking a prospective client thru multiple model homes - there is no better way to show off your your talents. If done properly, great imagery will reach many more people, in many more locations, and show them many more options than without. A good website is nice - but without good photography of your construction you will be at a disadvantage against your competitors.
Contact Pam Jensen Photography and let us help you grow your business.
Contact Us Here
Pam Jensen Photography
@PamJPhotography
The Before and After photos in my Architecture Gallery provide excellent examples of the power of a photo (Click Here for Link). A bright inviting photo can transform a listing and immediately get lookers and Buyers into the home for a tour. A dull, dark and dreary photo can turn a prospective Buyer away. The photo is your internet curb appeal. It is how to invite a Buyer to come and tour the property. Even the most elegant and luxurious of homes can look uninviting with bad photo. The bottom line is terrible real estate photos will never help real estate agents sell a house.
However, there is alway a balance to consider and sometimes more is not better. A photo can be misleading and build an expectation that can't be met. A photo can make a room look larger than it is and create disappointment when toured. It is imperative, in my view, to always maintain a truthful representation of the property. Virtual enhancing is fine and fun, and definately has its place. However, dramatic post processing techniques that overly promise space, color or remove material facts is a huge No-No!
Please feel free to comment. This is a great topic for conversation. More to follow on this .....
PJ
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Libreta de Abastecimiento: #lacolachallenge