 | Priced to Sell
 It has long been a motto of real estate, and the saying goes, "location, location, location." It's what sells a property, they say. But recent times have brought to light that the real deciding factor on how fast, or even if, your home sells all comes down to price.
It's not that buyers are attracted by shiny, new things, but in a sense they are. When a home is newly listed it gathers a lot of interest. The listing agent may send out emails, webcasts, and virtual tours. They launch their entire marketing program. Even the MLS indicates the home as "newly listed." After a few weeks, however, if no momentum has been built, the home will then face a must steeper challenge on
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the road to selling.
First, homes that have been on the market a considerable time lose their competitive advantage. A buyer may see a home hasn't moved, and may come in with a low offer price. Depending on how
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Most Homebuyers
Have No Regrets
 An overwhelming 90 percent of homeowners say they don't regret buying their current home, according to a new study by Bankrate, Inc.
That's even in the face of stagnant - or sliding - home prices they've suffered and rock-bottom mortgage rates they may have missed out on.
Only 9 percent of respondents expressed second thoughts about taking the plunge. Why? Most often because they couldn't sell their home and move on, or because they were unable to afford the monthly mortgage payment.
"It's surprising and reassuring to hear 90 percent of homeowners say they don't regret the purchase of their current homes," says Greg McBride, CFA, senior financial analyst for Bankrate.com. "And all the nasty headlines in the past two years have really moved the needle in terms of mortgage awareness, with a significant drop in the percentage of borrowers who don't know what type of mortgage they have," McBride said.
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Staging a Photo Ready Home
 Your home's first impression may not be one that is face to face with a prospective buyer. In today's world, 84 percent (National Association of Realtors) of home buyers start their search online. That's an impressive figure, and one that means your home needs to make a strong virtual impression.
Part of this impression is made through online photos. And as you begin the listing process, your agent will want to set up a time to come and photograph your home.
How can you stage your home to be photo ready?
Showing your home is about creating a story line. A home buyer is looking for certain amenities and specifications during their buying process, but in addition, they are looking for a home that will give them the lifestyle they seek. To answer this need, you must make sure your home has an ambiance that is appealing.
A properly staged home can tell this story in pictures.
To create a virtual experience and ambiance, one must develop a plan. What is the demographic of your buyers? Is this a home that will interest empty-nesters, large families, or vacationers?
Once you have distinguished this, then consider what story each room
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View All Listings by visiting my website at www.TheWheatonTeam.com
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Bathroom Remodels
Becoming More Popular
 While kitchens are still high on the interest list for buyers and homeowners, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is reporting that remodeler survey respondents say that a bathroom remodel was one of their most common projects during the first six months of 2010--as much as 61 percent of their remodels were done on bathrooms.
"In previous years, kitchen remodeling was reported as the most common activity by more than 70 percent of remodeler respondents," according to the NAHB news release.
NAHB reported that its Remodeling Market Index sunk to 40.7 from 47.9 in the first quarter. The survey also showed a decline in larger remodeling projects
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