Busy, Busy!

We've been working on multiple projects this week! Machaira.com has a new look as well as an online store. Visit www.Machaira.com to view more. We've finished Teresa Prock's new Realtor site. Visit www.RealEstateInNevadaCounty.com to view it. We've also been photographing new listings like crazy as well! The one we shot yesterday can be viewed at http://www.nevadacountyvirtualtours.com/bjohns/freeman/index.html This one is a beauty and is listed by Barbara Johnson. We'll be posting more projects as we finish them. As always, thanks for reading!

Urge Congress to extend unemployment benefits!

In February of 2010, over half a MILLION workers will be left with no further unemployment checks. What does this mean to us? More foreclosures on homes, more defaulted car loans, and less money spent in our communities. More importantly, half a million families could be living on the streets if unemployment isn't extended. Please visit the National Employment Law Project web site to speak out and urge congress to extend benefits. This is very easy to do and will take you less than one minute. Isn't 1 minute of your time worth helping more than 500,000 stay fed and in their homes?

De-clutter for the photos!

If you are booked for a Virtual Tour, how do you know you are ready? Here is a tip to help.

Make sure all surfaces are clutter free. Collections are wonderful and mean something different to each of us. I personally collect frogs and have them everywhere! The problem is when a photo is taken of a room, it transforms the room from a huge and wonderfully open space, into a small 4x6 photo. Any collectibles, photos or knickknacks just look like stuff, no matter how nice they are. The cleaner and more empty the surface, the less there is to stop the eye when someone is viewing a photograph. Today, nearly everyone looks online for their next home. Don't let your collectables get in the way of someone appreciating what a fine home you have. Keep it simple and it will appear elegant!

Rolf Kleinhans runs for Nevada County Assessor position

"Nevada County needs an Assessor with ‘real world’ private sector experience in finance and property valuation. We need a person with extensive management, operations and development experience, who possesses the education and leadership skills to oversee the operations of the Office of Assessor.

That person is Rolf Kleinhans." (Taken from Rolf's Web Site)

I've worked with Rolf and he is a wonderful person to associate with! As I wrote in an earlier review on his Facebook Page, "I've worked with Rolf and am pleased to report that in my experience, no one is as professional or detail oriented as he. He also brings a human side to business which is often lacking these days. I believe he will make an excellent Nevada County Assessor!" he truly is a wonderful candidate. If you haven't had the opportunity to learn more about Rolf, please visit his web site. He has the knowledge and experience to be a wonderful Assessor for Nevada County!

The nose has it!

Think back to when you were a child and the feelings you experienced when smelling a fresh baked cake, or freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. The scent was amazing and you looked forward to the first rich bite with the anticipation and excitement only childhood joys could bring! Now you are older and are getting ready to sell your home. What better way to evoke those same feelings of happiness and love than by greeting your potential buyers with that very same smell we all enjoyed as children (and enjoy today!) Sweet food smells are a powerful way to attract people and when selling your home, this should be a priority! Next time you have a showing, how about baking some cookies or a cake before hand? Not only will the house smell divine, but you'll have a fabulous treat for later!

An Updated site!

We've relaunched our web development and design site. You can view the updated content by clicking here. Let me know what you think!

We have relaunched our site!

Hi everyone! We've officially relaunched our Nevada County Virtual Tours / Emerald Forest Design web site! Check it out at http://www.nevadacountyvirtualtours.com. There is new information as well as local Grass Valley, Nevada City and surrounding Nevada County news and events posted. Remember, if you need a web site in Grass Valley or Nevada City, we offer that service in addition to the Nevada County Vitual Tours!

Selling your home? Here's a tip!

Having your home photographed for sale? Make sure all of your light bulbs are the same wattage (if in the same fixture) and in working order. It's important to pay attention to these small details because even something as tiny as this can turn off a potential buyer. Even though they can replace light bulbs, buyers sometimes subconsciously equate details like this to “This home needs work!”.

We've finally made it!

Hi everyone! We've begun to blog! It's difficult to tell our clients how important it is when we don't do it ourselves :)

We'll periodically post tips, tricks and hints for preparing for a real estate photo shoot as well as posting notes on some of our recent and pending projects. I look foward to blogging with you!