Featured Friday

Rector Hayden REALTORS^® would not be the #1 Real Estate Firm in Central Kentucky without our team of ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC Agents.  Each and every one of them strives to go above and beyond the typical responsibilities of a real estate agent – and that passion shows in the raving reviews we receive everyday from satisfied home buyers and sellers.

 David Hill

I appreciated David being flexible with me as I struggled to decide exactly what kind of home I wanted in Lexington.  I will be happy to recommend David.

 David has been with Rector Hayden for nearly a year now.  As a practicing attorney with more than eight years experience, David brings a uniquie skill set and perspective to assisting you negotiate and navigate your real estate transactions. As a resident of Lexington since 1997, he is familiar with every corner of Lexington, as well as the surrounding counties. So whether it’s a townhouse downtown, upsizing for a growing family, or your dream house and hobby farm on several acres, David can help you with whatever your real estate needs may be.

Contact David through his website: http://www.davidhill.rhr.com/

Donna Moore

Our agent – Donna Moore – was a complete professional.  She handled all the little details of selling our rental property.  She even helped find a local handyman for minor repairs needed.  Donna was always available by phone or text to answer any questions.  Donna has years of valuable experience in our community and was able to provide valuable and realistic insight into our real estate market.  We plan to use Donna for all future real estate needs.

As a Winchester and Clark County native, I enjoy helping folks find homes where I have lived and worked all my life. As a licensed real estate agent since 1986, I have been fortunate to experience many professional accomplishments and hold several professional designations. Rector-Hayden, Realtors opened their Winchester office in November 2002. I served as branch manager until January 2010. Now working as an associate Broker here with Central Kentucky’s #1 real estate firm has proven to be very positive. As a strong believer in the American dream of Homeownership, please allow me to use my experience and knowledge to make that dream come true for you, your family, and friends.

The Patterson Team

John and Ann were the best! – working “with” us and “for” us. John & Ann went above and beyond with their ABILITY, KNOWLEDGE and “hands on” approach to every aspect of our transfer to the Kentucky area. After many unusual problems, we are finally settling in to our new home and meeting our new neighbors. We have and will continue to recommend John & Ann to our friends that will be moving into the area soon.

Clients of Rector Hayden agents sometimes submit feedback to the main office.  That feedback is then supplied to the agent through our Daily Update message – and we showcase our amazing agents through various media outlets.  Agent feedback displayed on #rhrfeaturedfridayfeedback is chosen at random from a database file and we do our best not to repeat agents or teams that have been previously featured.

We tell our agents all. the. time…

Don’t use your phone to take your listing photos.

Do they all listen to us? No.

First Tip: HIRE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER!

There are a number of recommended professional photographers that work with Rector Hayden agents.  Feel free to ask around!

If you can’t follow that tip, then Dan Smigrod’s got 21 Tips for how to create decent photos using your smartphone (hint: I said smartphone – this only includes newer models of smartphones, not all camera phones). These tips are great even if you are using an actual digital camera! Check out the list below or see the original post here: Dan’s 21 MLS Photo Tips

21. Shoot from the corners of a room to get the widest angle view.

20. Turn on lights. (just because your eyes have adjusted doesn’t mean your camera will)

19. Do “frame” (compose) your shots. Have you images in order of the flow of the home – like you are taking a tour.  Compose your shots to focus on the features that you would point out to prospective clients when they walk through.

18. Do turn on HDR setting when shooting towards windows (helps reduce “blown out” outside lighting).  If you’re an iphone user, that HDR setting is at the top next to the flash.

17. Do turn on HDR setting when shooting the exterior of the house (both the house and sky will look better).

16. When shooting towards bright windows, do close curtains and set blinds to half closed.

15. Do add drama from high above (shoot from a loft or open stair case).

14. Do add drama from below (shoot from the curb, or an open staircase).

13. Do add drama by shooting from angles (adds perspective).

12. Do “tap” to focus (when the camera is confused). Focus will likely improve lighting, too. On your smartphone you can tap where you want the focus to be – whether its foreground or background.

11. Do get closer (do not use the digital zoom feature on your smartphone).  Digital Zoom is a lie.  It’s just cropping the photo before you take it.

10. Do use mirrors to your advantage by shooting from an angle into mirrors to “see” the mirror and room.

9. Do experiment with panorama mode for outside landscaping.

8. Do shoot outdoors at the “Golden Hour,” when possible; that makes for a nice glow (but turn the home’s lights on, too!).

7. Do get closer when a wide-angle is not the answer.

6. Do keep an inspirational scrapbook of great photos! When you’re looking at other listings and you see great photos, save them to remind yourself of angles or ideas for shots.

5. Do have the sun to your back if at all possible.

4. Do use a wide-angle lens accessory, along with a mini-tripod and camera timer for tight spaces with mirrors.

3. Do use a “selfie pole” and timer to shoot aerials.

2. Do flood dark spaces with extra lighting that you bring with you.

1. Do think what’s special about this house, and how to shoot it.

Do you have your own Real Estate Tips & Tricks that you’d like to share?  June L. would love to schedule an interview with you for upcoming #RHRTipTuesday articles!

Around this time last year, Bluegrass citizens were experiencing sub-zero temperatures, blistering winds, ice, and nearly a foot of snow in some places.  This week just looks to be pathetic, soggy, and brrrrrrr…..

Realtor.com & The Boston Globe have curated a wonderful list of ideas to help keep your properties active during the chilly months – so check ’em out!  Maybe a few of these are just what your listing needs!

TIPS TO SELLING IN WINTER

First Impressions are Very Important – especially during depressing gray winter months.  Don’t let your home blend into the dreary surroundings.  These are great tips for you and your seller to help maximize the property’s first impression.

❄ TIP 1: Rake up leaves and debris, keep walkways clear of ice and snow – safe and accessible homes are welcoming and leave great impressions.

❄ TIP 2: Have trees trimmed so that unexpected winds don’t knock down branches

❄ TIP 3:Keep the house cozy – entering a cold house could chill potential buyers’ enthusiasm – turn on the heat before showing a home.

❄ FIRES  We warn AGAINST lighting a fire in the fireplace.  Fires could be accidentally left unattended and be disastrous.  DO, however, emphasize the perks of a functional fireplace in your property.

❄ TIP 4:Keep holiday decorations on the conservative side – you want them to notice the house not the decoration.

❄ TIP 5:Have the windows cleaned of grime from the fall, clean windows make a home seem new and bright

❄ TIP 6:Let in lots of natural light and use warm interior light bulbs to reduce the overwhelming dreariness of winter. Use higher wattage bulbs and make sure fixtures are clean (get those dead bugs and cobwebs outta there!)

❄ TIP 7:Use the aromas of warm cookies or pumpkin pie to set the cozy warm atmosphere – even give some to your guests as they tour!  Connect their senses to the home, making it more memorable when they’re deciding later.

❄ TIP 8:Adding warm textures to a home can make it seem cozy rather than unkempt in the winter – like a nice afghan on the sofa or a large plush blanket folded at the foot of a bed.

❄ TIP 9:Emphasize the home’s winter conveniences – is it on a street that’s plowed fairly often?  Can you see to the street so kids can wait inside for a school bus?  Is the driveway flat and allows for traction?  These are little things that a potential buyer may not think of – but could greatly influence their opinion of a home.

❄ TIP 10:Be a bit meticulous – ask guests/potential buyers to remove their shoes or place covers on so that they do not track salt, snow, dirt from outside into the home.  This can be seen as courteous and reflect well on the state of the house.

#RHRFeaturedFridayFeedback – January 2, 2015

Rector Hayden REALTORS®’s The Mateyok Group

 Heather Herald and The Mateyoke Group was such a good fit for us.  She listened to what we wanted and needed and she helped us to find exactly that!  I appreciate the fact that she was not pushy… Heather was informative and therefore we were able to make good decisions.  We will DEFINITELY recommend Heather Herald & Jenny Mateyoke to others.

The Mateyoke Group at Rector Hayden REALTORS® is comprised of Jenny Mateyoke & Heather Herald.  Visit http://www.mateyokegroup.com/ for more information regarding their team.

Clients of Rector Hayden agents sometimes submit feedback to the main office.  That feedback is then supplied to the agent through our Daily Update message – and we showcase our amazing agents through various media outlets.  Agent feedback displayed on #rhrfeaturedfridayfeedback is chosen at random from a database file and we do our best not to repeat agents or teams that have been previously featured.