Random acts of Kindness during Covid-19!
#RAOKCOVID19
If you are like me right now, you feel helpless, you are staying at home, but wish you could do more! Well you can and I am going to help you with some ideas on what you can do right with a list, because let’s be honest we all LOVE listicles!
Then use the hashtag #RAOKCOVID19 to share what you are doing to help, I will then feature you to show what we have all been up to!
Help out the small businesses you love by writing reviews on Google, Yelp, Facebook and other similar websites.
Consider buying gift cards from your favorite small businesses, this could be from your hairstylist, nail techs, salon, restaurants, aestheticians, photographers, dog groomers, florists, boutiques, etc. This can help them with cash flow while many are unable to work.
If you can sew, check out the many groups being formed to help sew our frontline workers’ masks! Check out the facebook group Masks for Chicago Area Healthcare Workers if you are local to Chicago, many communities have their own groups as well.
If you have a lot of children in your neighborhood, consider checking out Heart Hunters , It is a fun way to help bring some joy to people as they go out for walks, giving kids and adults something to look for!
Head to your sidewalk and write encouraging messages with chalk so people can see it as they walk around.
Help your elderly or Immune compromised neighbors with groceries or other essentials. I am in my cities facebook group and saw someone needed help with getting some items. I picked up what she needed since I already had to go to the store. I dropped off the items on her porch for her.
Write cards and donate crosswords to local nursing homes. I just got in contact with Sydney Parrish who works at The Fountains at Crystal Lake. She is trying to gather something for each of the 200 residents that live there who can no longer have visitors. You can send her.
Letters
Notes or Drawings from kids
Crossword Puzzles
Books
Mail to:
Dining Services Sydney Parish
965 Brighton Cir, Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Virtual Staging and Illinois Real Estate
Virtual Staging
So I have been doing real estate photography for a little over 2 years now and have always been curious about virtual staging and who it would benefit. This can be a really cost-effective way of staging a home if you don't want to spend as much as traditional staging might cost.
Redfin reached out to me to share this wonderful article to show just what staging can do and it is below
As more home-sellers turn to virtual staging, we have to ask: Is it really worth it, and does it compare to traditional staging?
According to the National Association of Realtors®, 77 percent of buyers’ agents say that staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize themselves living in a home. As many as 38 percent of sellers’ agents say that they stage all their clients’ homes before listing. Since the benefits of staging have a direct impact on listing performance, virtual staging was developed to give the same benefits that are looking for an alternative to traditional staging.
To determine whether virtual staging is a viable alternative for you, you have to know what it is and how it compares to traditional home staging.
What is Virtual Staging?
Virtual staging, like traditional staging, is decorating a property to showcase its best features and qualities in an effort to make it more attractive to buyers.
“I have always explained to my sellers that buyers will imprint on the first photos they see of a home and will develop their first positive feelings and attraction to a property at that time” describes Jen Williams, Redfin Market Manager in California.
But like the name implies, virtual staging is done with a computer. There’s exactly zero real furniture, area rugs, potted plants or other décor involved. Professional virtual stagers digitally insert decorative elements in high-resolution photos to show empty rooms’ full potential.
What Homes is Virtual Staging Best Suited For?
Virtual staging won’t work for all homes – in many cases, traditional staging is a superior choice. However, it can be a huge benefit if it’s done properly in:
• Vacant homes
• Homes with outdated furniture
• Properties with tenants in them, which leave the homeowner little control over the space’s appearance
If you still occupy your home and you can stage it to make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers, whole-house virtual staging isn’t for you. (You can still virtually stage some rooms if you and your agent think it’s appropriate, though.)
Virtual Staging vs. Traditional Staging
Virtual staging is usually a lot cheaper than traditional staging is. Here’s a quick glimpse at what you’re looking at:
• Virtual staging costs somewhere between $39 and $199 per room, depending on the contractor you use, your location and the amount of space you need staged.
• Traditional staging can cost several hundred dollars per month, depending on the stager you use, how much furniture you need to rent, your location and the number of rooms you need staged.
Price isn’t the only sticking point, though. Each method has its own pros and cons that you’ll have to consider, particularly if you’re trying to sell an empty house.
Pros and Cons of Virtual Staging
Virtual staging can help sell a home faster and for more money – but only if it’s done right. You still need to hire a professional who knows how to take good photos for virtual staging, and you need to work with a reputable company with a great portfolio of completed work.
Check out these side-by-side lists of the pros and cons of virtual staging to help you make the right choice:
Pros of Virtual Staging
Can help you showcase an empty home’s best features
Is cost-effective when compared to traditional staging
Attracts prospective buyers’ attention online
Offers you the opportunity to stage any number of rooms
Allows you to stage flex rooms in multiple ways
Cons of Virtual Staging
Becomes more expensive when you need to remove furniture or items from photos
Can be difficult to use when the house is occupied, unless you have previous listing photos
Furniture and décor only exist in the virtual space – buyers will never see it in person
Pros and Cons of Traditional Staging
Traditional staging, which successful real estate agents have been using for decades, doesn’t always require a professional stager. However, it does require an eye for detail and the ability to create a space that appeals to the widest possible range of buyers.
Check out these side-by-side lists of the pros and cons of traditional staging to help you decide whether it’s a better choice for selling your home:
Pros of Traditional Staging
Gives buyers real-life perspective when they tour the home
Prevents buyers from having to tour a completely empty, vacant home
Appeals to buyers’ sense of imagination
Makes spaces appear larger and enables prospective buyers to gauge size
Helps your home stand out in buyers’ memories after they leave
Cons of Traditional Staging
Can be expensive, and you’ll keep incurring costs until the home sells
Requires stagers to bring in furnishings, décor and other items
May be unnecessary, depending on how quickly homes are selling in your market
Common Virtual Staging Mistakes
The biggest mistake a seller can make is hiring a virtual staging company that’s not good enough. Virtually staged photos should be exceptionally realistic – so real, in fact, that buyers won’t know they’re computer-generated unless someone tells them.
Other mistakes many people make with virtual staging is:
• Failing to provide prospective buyers with photos of empty rooms as well as staged rooms. Buyers may expect the home to look the same as it does in its listing photos, so provide both.
• Choosing virtual staging that makes the home look worse, not better. You have to be careful not to overdo furniture and decorative elements in staged photos.
• Using virtual staging when it’s unnecessary. Replacing furnishings and decorative elements in photos when they’re perfectly fine to begin with can be a significant waste of time (and money).
Could Virtual Staging Help You Sell Your Home?
Virtual staging can be a tremendous asset when you’re selling a vacant home, or one that has wild-card tenants or outdated décor. It allows prospective buyers to view the right vision of the home – not an empty, cavernous space, but one that’s comfortable and easy to live in.
Have you used virtual staging to sell a home? We’d love to hear your story and how it worked out for you, so please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Written byAngie Bersin on July 27, 2018 for Redfin
Best Chicagoland Engagement Photo Ideas
If you want your pictures to really showcase your story, I have some ideas to help you plan the perfect engagement session. Let me help you prepare for your session, Think of the answers to the following questions:
Where did you first meet?
If you want to add some sentimental value to your session, tell me about how you first met. If it was at a local place, we can stop by during your session and recreate the scene. Did you meet in Chicago? I love being able to incorporate the Chicago Skyline and other iconic Chicago landmarks in your session.
What do you like to do together?
What kinds of activities do you enjoy doing together? This will help us to create memorable photos for you. Do you love riding your bikes together or racing model airplanes? Do you go to the park and push each other on the swings or playing laser tag together? What about riding around Chicago on your Vespa together. What are your hobbies and we will try to incorporate them.
What are your common interests?
By informing us of your interests, we can add a more personal touch to your photos. Are you both fans of the same sports team? Are you really into comic books or video games? Do you work in the same profession? This couple below had bonded over one of my favorite shows "How I Met You Mother" at St.James Farm in Warrenville.
This couple bonded over "How I Met Your Mother" So we incorporated the iconic yellow umbrella
Do you have any pets together?
If so, they make a perfect addition to your session. I welcome your pets in your e-session. We will just need to plan for someone to come along to help wrangle them, such as a friend or family member. Here we had went to one of my favorite spots, South Pond which is in Lincoln Park in Chicago.
Do you have ‘a spot’?
You know that place where you always wind up going on date night? Where was your first kiss? What is your favorite hang out spot? Tell me your favorite go-to locations and we can check them out to see if they would be good spots for a photo shoot. The image below we had went to Downtown Oak Park which is just 15 minutes outside of Chicago since that is where they both had lived and under that is one of the most beautiful suburban locations Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva.
There are just endless engagement session ideas that we could incorporate when we work together. Please contact me for booking and chatting about your engagement or couples session. We can talk about tons of different Chicagoland location and the Chicago suburbs alike!
Business Spotlight: Penny Manning, Lisle Therapist
Penny reached out to me not too long ago wanting to update her website with some new images for her mental health therapy business. I came to her beautiful home office in Lisle where she treats her patients and we captured some wonderful portraits. Penny had such a warm and inviting demeanor. I can see why she is so good at what she does by even the short amount of time we spent together.
How long have you been in your field and what lead you there?
I’ve been a mental health therapist for over 20 years and was drawn to this field because I've always felt an intuitive connection to those in need and also have a passion for problem-solving. I work primarily with women and specialize in issues with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and chronic health issues.
What is your favorite part about what you do?
The best part of my job is collaborating with my clients in a motivational way, and cheering them on as they begin to transform their lives.
What do you wish more people knew about therapy and any common misconceptions?
Because there is still sometimes a stigma of secrecy about counseling, I wish people knew that it is simply something to be proud of. It takes strength and courage to lay out the details of your life, examine your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and be willing to consider the possibilities of trying new approaches to your life. It’s a brave thing, but the pay off is huge, and it humbles me to be part of that process!
What is your website, email, phone number and/or the best way to reach you?
You can find me at www.pennymanning.com, my email is info@pennymanning.com and my phone number is (640) 499-0440. You can reach me through any of these channels.
Top tips on how to be ready for your real estate photography session!
Over the past year, I have been diving into the world of real estate photography. I have been blessed to work with some wonderful agents from Keller Williams, Associates Realty, Realty Executives Legacy, TW Chicago, Berkshire Hathaway, and D'Aprile. Here are a few tips to get your home photo ready. Staging is great for real estate photos, but if you are still living in the home, you can stage it with items you might already have around the house.
Curb Appeal
Remove the cars from the driveway
Have the grass freshly cut and hedges trimmed and freshly weeded
Make sure planter boxes either have flowers or remove them
Family Room
Turn off all the ceiling fans
Open up all the window blinds and curtains so we can let the beautiful natural light in
Clear any personal photos, and everyday objects like remotes, phones, and tissues
Turn on any lights that are in the room and make sure none are burnt out, Also be sure they are the same color
Dining Room
Make sure all the floors, especially hardwood are cleaned and carpet is freshly vacuumed
Set the table and have a centerpiece, fresh flowers are always a great choice for this
Have all chairs even and pushed in neatly
Open Floor Plans
If you have an open floor plan be sure to have all the rooms tidy since we will want to photograph the whole space showcasing how open it is
Make sure you have all the lights on in all the different rooms
Don't forget to clear any clutter from all the rooms
Kitchen
Clean off countertops
Remove any food from sitting on the counters
Remove any magnets on the fridge
Make sure there are no dishes in the sink
Plants can help add a pop of color
Remove appliances from the counter
Office
Make sure the area is not bare and decorate with some accessories
Make sure the computer screen is off
Eliminate any unnecessary cords and hide them
Make sure there is no personal clutter or papers showing
Master Bedroom
Make the bed and use those throw pillows
Remove any personal items or photos
Make sure you don't see anything stored under the bed
Clear the nightstands
Kids Rooms
Remove the Diaper Genie and trash cans from the room
Clear the diaper changing area to remove clutter
Make crib, just like you would a bed
Remove any stick on wall decals
Clear out all the toys that are on the ground and put away the foam play matts
Pets
We all love our pets but sometimes buyers will be turned off if they see that the current owner has a dog or a cat
Remove all water bowls, liter boxes, animal beds, toys, etc.
Make sure to have air fresheners in home to help combat any pet smells for showings
Please contact me to photograph your real estate listings if you are in the north west suburbs of Algonquin, Barrington Hills, Barrington, Bull Valley, Cary, Carpentersville, Dundee Township, Elgin, Fox Lake, Fox River Grove, Gilberts, Greenwood, Hebron, Holiday Hills, Hoffman Estates, Huntley, Island Lake, Johnsburg, Lake in the Hills, Lakemoor, Lakewood, McCullom Lake, Oakwood Hills, Port Barrington, Prairie Grove, Richmond, Ringwood, Sleepy Hollow, Spring Grove, South Elgin, Trout Valley, Union, West Dundee, and Wonder Lake. When you have your properties professionally photographed they will show more and sell faster and for a higher price. That is a win-win for you and your clients!
Top 3 tips for businesses looking to market themselves with photography
Do you have your own business? Do you know how much of an impact the photography you use to represent yourself and your businesses make? Here is a quick rundown on my top 3 tips!
1. 60% of consumers are more likely to consider or contact a business that has an image show up in local search results.
How many times have you been in the market for a new hair stylist, dentist, chiropractor, doctor, lawyer, restaurant and etc, tried to see what the person or space looked like only to find nothing at all or really low quality images? People need to put a face to your buisness, especially when you are in the buisness of working directly with clients. This will help put your clients at ease and feel more comfortable picking up the phone knowing who is on the other line and making that appointment or heading to your store. In order to run a profitable buisness you need customers and images will drive your marketing in all facets. (Source of information MDG)
2. Establish your brand identity and stick to it in all areas, including photography.
Every business should have cohesive brand and marketing scheme style and this also includes the photography. If you are a lawyer representing important clients, perhaps a more corporate and conservative look is what you are after. If you are a wedding planner, a more lifestyle session with light and airy photography might be the best look. Whatever you decide on stick with it and make sure to have the right photography. Photography for businesses is not only a head shot but also images of you in your retail space, your products, and details and lifestyle images of you and your team, engaged in doing work. These images can then be used for email marketing, facebook, instagram, websites, brochures, etc.
3. Go beyond the head shot and avoid using stock images.
In order to really connect with your audience and clients, go beyond just head shots for your buisness and include images of you working and details to fit your brand identity. Stock images will always be lacking since they don't include you, your staff, or your space. Stock images also have a certain quality to them that scream "I AM A STOCK IMAGE" and quality stock images can cost more then having custom work done at times.
A dental office with smiling friendly faces and a comfortable looking space
Click for Hope Branding session, the owner sells t-shirts, jewelry, and other handmade goods to go along with her charitable photo sessions