I’d like to know which AI virtual staging tools professional real estate agents prefer to use. I'm interested in both paid and free options. I recently discovered Paintit.ai, REimagineHome, and Virtual Staging AI, but I’d love to learn about other modern solutions you use in your practice to create high-quality virtual staging. In your opinion, which of them offer the best value for money? Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

Gemini Nano Banana - it keeps the original aspect of the home/room intact while adding furnishings. I've used ChatGPT but it will often add or exclude a window or change a lighting feature. I'm sure to watermark any AI assisted photos when uploading.When you start your prompt - be sure to instruct it to make a real estate quality photo and to preserve the integrity of the room/fixtures. I also recently used it to assist a seller in what color to paint their kitchen cabinets (the color they were going to go with did not look good) My prompt was "create a real estate quality photo while keeping fixtures, backsplash and appliances the same. Clear clutter. Paint all upper cabinets Alabaster White. Paint walls Alabaster white and paint lower cabinets charcoal gray". It not only cleared the clutter on the cabinets but it gave a VERY helpful visual to my clients.

I'm a member of HAR, but located in Austin. My Brother In Law's place needs an inspection. the place (transparently) was occupied by a squatter for 2 years. we evicted her on Thursday. Hazmat/Hoarder cleaning is this week. When safe, asking for a inspector recommendation. thanks in advance.

I second Bryan & Bryan! They are a wonderful and thorough team. You can reach their team at 866.484.8318

I can post virtual open house but not open house

When you go to edit your listing in Matrix, Add/Edit Open House will be the second selection under the "Select Form" section. You may be looking under the "Other Options" section, which only has the Virtual Open House option!

I can post virtual open house but not open house

When you go in to edit your listing in Matrix, you should have the option to Add/Edit Open House. It's the second option under "select form". You may be looking under the "other options" section that only offers the virtual option.

There are many ways to lead generate, but what has worked the best for you? Specific details are appreciated.

Consistent source of referrals is by referral. I keep in contact with my clients before, during and after closing. I send a monthly enewsletter and also a mailed letter with an item of value (I belong to the Buffini Network that provides). I make phone calls, text when I happen to think of them, send notes etc. I have also received referrals via my online presence and reviews. I have tried Zillow, Realtor.com, Homes.com etc in the past to pay for leads - but I felt like I was flushing money down the toilet. At that time, most of the leads did not translate into sales (often they already had an agent!). Have a presence on social media - business FaceBook and Instagram, so you stay top of mind to those who may have forgotten you sell real estate.

Is HAR going to recommend not having open houses due to Covid19 shut down?

It is hard to say if HAR will issue a directive. Most likely it will be brokerage to brokerage. Our brokerage for instance has ceased all Open Houses. Since the CDC is asking for no more than 10 people to gather, on a good day for an Open House that might cause an issue. I have heard of a few agents still holding Open Houses with the precaution of having hand sanitizer required for all who come in, all lights on, doors opened etc and the caution to not touch. I\'ve also heard of a few model homes that are now closing, so I think it may be prudent in the near future to cease as a precaution. Possibly offer a virtual Open House and post on FaceBook etc. We\'ll all have to get creative in the short term.

How do you find out a home is in a flooded area?

In addition to the above answers with the links to flood maps (great resource), any property for sale will have a Sellers Disclosure that will state if the property is in a flood zone and, most importantly, if it has flooded in the past. Some properties may be in a flood zone but have a high enough elevation that the home itself did not flood. Gathering information from multiple sources will give you the best answer.

Are you doing your buyer client a disservice when you agree to not send the seller\'s agent an inspection report at the seller\'s agent\'s request?

As stated above, you act on the direction of your client (the buyer) not the seller\'s agent. I will always share snippets of the inspection report specific to the repair requests being made for clarification and the benefit of the seller and listing agent. I find it is better to send something that is more focused in most instances. HOWEVER, if my client asks for the entire report to be sent, I send it. The seller\'s agent cannot refuse to receive it (see link to recent article in Texas Realtors Magazine). I will say that in regards to my listings I will ask an agent upfront to do the same and not send the entire report - but that is more from past experiences where an agent attaches the report with an amendment that states \"see attached\" which is vague and doesn\'t reflect what needs to be done. If I receive the entire report as a listing agent, I acknowledge receipt and then address any items on the report (either to repair or disclose) with my seller should the transaction in hand fall thru.

In order for a home to appear on HAR it must be listed with a Realtor. Once your Realtor lists your home, the MLS feed will then appear on a variety of housing platforms as well.