CATFISH HOUSES

Are you familiar with the MTV show “Catfish”? You know the show where people get in relationships online and then the host of Catfish brings them together to meet in person for the first time. If you have ever watched an episode you can probably 

predict how the majority of the first-encounters turn out, one person is honest and has posted real life pictures and the other....well doesn't show up the way they portrayed themselves. The relationship may have had a chance if both sides were 

honest but unfortunately, false advertising signals dishonesty therefore the relationship often ends on the spot. 

As Realtors, we are all too familiar with our clients falling in love with pictures of their dream homes online only to find that when they actually step foot inside the thresholds, their dreams unveil themselves to reveal the nightmares they really are. The real estate market is flooded with skewed pictures of houses with poor lighting, overshot angles that double kitchen sizes, pictures that conceal flaws or blot out blemishes just to name a few. The moral of the story is that while pictures often give a good idea of what to expect, you should not rely on them to show the whole truth. The same goes for the other side of the story. Some houses are skipped over and never given a chance due to bad pictures. 

The Regal Homes team uses professional cameras to ensure our listings have quality photos of the important features that clients want to see. We also prep our clients on how to stage their homes such as decluttering, professional cleaning or keeping the yard landscaped. Internet shopping is popular these days so it's important that we give the best representation possible. Recent studies have actually shown that buyers spend over 60% of their time looking at houses online but only 20% take tours in person. Unfortunately, there is no way to know if you are getting “Catfished” until you go preview the home for yourself. On the flip side, keep in mind that if your Realtor sends you a listing to look at that may look like a nightmare in the pictures that it just may be the home of your dreams! 

Here are some examples of great pictures and some that are less desirable: 

 

This picture is too blurry to even get a concept of the space.

 

The bad curb appeal distracts from the house and is an immediate deterrent.

 

Can you see the house? This picture is too dark. 

 

This is not only bad curb appeal, but the cars in yard are overly distracting.

There is actually a dog in this picture, you just can't see it behind the clutter (...not really).

 

Not as much clutter here, but still needs to be cleared for the best picture possible. 

 

This kitchen is organized and de-cluttered.

This family room is bright and staged well. 

 

The landscaping and lighting make for great curb appeal.

This picture gives a good representation of what the house looks like, bright and beautiful. 

Renovation is the New Afforadable

Renovation projects have captured the eyes of many American homebuyers with shows like HGTV and TLC, glamorizing the whole process.  Buyers who undertake the noble pursuit of purchasing a home that doesn't dazzle at first glance and turning it into the home of their dreams often go through much more than reality TV shows will reveal, but they almost always end up proud of the
final result.

Purchasing a home in need of renovation can help buyers who can not afford to buy a more pricey new or updated home achieve the American Dream.  It can also help to build your net worth. According to a new Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finance, homeowners build their net worth 4 times faster that renters.  Real Estate Brokerages such as Regal Homes, LLC are great assets to have for buyers and investors whether they have been through the renovation process 100 times or if they are buying their very first home.

The team at Regal Homes, LLC has not only helped countless clients have beautiful and shocking
before and after pictures of their Renovation Project Homes but one of their own, Rennai Kelly has
actually undergone this process with her most recent real estate investment.

"There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the glory in something that you just restored."
         Rennai Kelly

“It was worth the work!!”
        Carrie Dhanarajan

If you are interested in learning more about the process of renovating a home to turn it into everything you believe it can be, please contact a Realtor from the Regal Homes team.  They can connect you with the right people from Renovation Specialist Loan Officers, skilled builders, contractors and anyone else you would need for guaranteed excellence every step of the way!  We put together some pictures of Rennai’s renovation and some of our other brave clients who want to show off their before, during and after shots!

Front of Home Before

Front of Home During After Will Be Later

Mater Bathroom Before

Master Bathroom After

                                                    Master Bathroom Vanity Before

Master Bathroom Vanity During

Master Bathroom Vanity After

Guest Bathroom Before

Guest Bathroom During

Guest Bathroom After

Exterior Before

Exterior After

Garage Before

Garage After

Panther Spotted In Real Estate Jungle

Florida Panthers are known for their uncanny ability to blend in with their surroundings, and that is just what twice-over Stanley Cup champion, Dave Bolland, has done with his new $3.3 million dollar “den” in Boca Raton, Florida.

Aided by the all star match up of SportsRelocation.com and the Real Estate Experts at Regal Homes, LLC, Bolland and his family are now able to spread out in the South Florida lifestyle reflected in their 6,100 sq ft, 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom home. Their new home boasts many stunning features including a gourmet kitchen complete with butler's pantry, a sprawling entertainer's patio with barbecue station, a fantastic club/game room and trademark Florida pool and spa, just to name a few.

The dynamic teamwork of Regal Homes, LLC and SportsRelocaion.com has landed the newest Florida Panther in the perfect habitat for Bolland and his family to truly acclimate from their previous Toronto and Chicago environments. This is not the first time these real estate forces have come together to make a big score. Their efforts have been responsible for assisting in big plays nationwide not only in the world of sports but also the entertainment industry and other VIP clientele.

Keep a sharp eye out, you never know when another winning highlight by this awesome team may be taking place in your own backyard!