About Mike Carney 

The definition of a transaction is an agreement, communication, or movement carried out between separate entities or objects, often involving the exchange of items of value, such as information, goods, services and money. 

There is one important factor that many Real Estate Agents often overlook. That is a transaction involves PEOPLE caring out these activities. Each transaction is as unique as the people involved.  

The first step for me is to have my clients informed about the process of buying or selling a home. Most of my clients have told me that the information that I have provided was more detailed and complete than they expected or had received form other Realtors in the past. 

I have a compressive package of services that I offer to my clients, from an extensive Marketing Plan of Action for sellers to negotiation strategies for buyers that most other agents “don’t have the time for”. 

“Every Step of the Way” begins where the printed and prepared list of services ends. 

Putting clients in contact with quality Service Providers such as: Painters, Handymen, Contractors, Movers, Landscapers,
helping clients and entire neighborhoods organize yard sales, sometimes filling my car with boxes when the moving truck is too full,
meeting with clients who are actively engaged in a transaction at every hour of the day to discuss any and all aspects of the process, and
making clients feel comfortable through the entire process.  

Your concerns are my concerns. All my clients know that we are “In It Together”.

Many times I receive a call from a client who will be concerned about part of the process. I have the patience and ability to explore the clients concerns and resolve “That nagging voice that was keeping them awake at night”.

“With you every step of the way” is much more than phrase for me, it is how I operate my Real Estate business every day!! 

Suzanne Simon Home Staging Extrodinare
The art of Real Estate Staging has become increasingly more important due to the current competitive real estate market making buyers much more savvy. Today’s home buyers have a high expectation level when they are shopping for a new home. When putting your home on the market, you must ensure that you have the right tools to have your house show to it’s highest potential.  

The National Association of Realtors has published studies concluding that a staged home is on the market an average of 13.9 days as opposed to an average of 31 days for homes that are not staged. Further statistics from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development state that homes that are staged sell for an average 17 percent more than homes that are not staged.  

The Mike Carney team utilizes my services for their clients to ensure that each property is presented to it’s best potential. Every staging appointment begins with a brief discussion with the home owner about the process, concerns and goals. Then, as a team, the home owner, myself and Mike walk through the house as if we were a potential buyer. I give a room by room analysis while engaging in a open discussion with the home owner. My analysis consists of a list of recommendations that if implemented may increase the sales price and/or reduce the amount of time a home is on the real estate market. It is then up to the home owner to determine how many or few of my recommendations are implemented . My opinions are based on my years of decorating and staging experience. Finally, I prepare a detailed report which shall be furnished to the client within 24-48 hours. This detailed report is presented in bullet form to be used as a checklist. Each checklist is organized by room. 

Main areas addressed during a typical staging appointment: 

Lighting
Lighting is your friend when you are selling your home. The objective is to make each space seem as large as possible. Proper lighting will help to achieve this goal by creating an inviting space people will want to visit.

Furniture Placement
As with lighting, our objective is to make each room seem as large as possible. When we live in our homes, we need them to function a certain way to fit our lifestyles. However, when we are selling our homes, proper furniture placement is necessary to make each room seem larger and to increase the flow of the room. 

Neutrality
We all want to be surrounded by the things that we love. Items such as artwork, collectibles, and personal photographs are all things that are unique to each one of our homes. However, if these personal objects are not to someone’s liking, they may let it affect their opinion of the home. Therefore, the goal is to create a neutral decor. 

Clutter
Perhaps the area that is the largest topic of conversation during a staging appointment is clutter. We all have it. Some have more than others but we all have it. “Clutter eats equity.” It weighs down a room and distracts the eyes. When too many items are placed in a room, it is difficult to appreciate positive selling features such as a fireplace or a bay window. Therefore, it is vital to determine those nonessential items and pack them away, leaving just a few key, generic decorative pieces.