Click And Listen. 19 Hardwick Avenue, Piedmont, CA
Click And Listen. 19 Hardwick Avenue, Piedmont, CA
For every home we bring to market there is work to be done. It might simply be painting and staging, or it could be a number of things including painting and staging…… from replacing counter tops, refinishing hardwood floors, changing out hardware, updating lighting and landscaping the front, side and back garden. In this case I updated a home for our clients to stay with the intention that one day they would sell and wanted it to be ready for market but in the meantime they could enjoy. At the time our clients were living abroad in the Middle East, and knowing they would soon return to live in their home, I was very nervous they wouldn’t like it. But thankfully it all worked out and they loved it.
Designed to Stay
It was back in 2016 when I first started using gold fixtures. Choosing the counters and back splash was harder than it looks. My intern Max went to a number of stores all around the Bay Area to bring back samples in various sizes and color variations while I was in Mexico. Every day while I was away we had Facetime meetings. A self proclaimed control freak I had to see what was going on. When I am in town I go 3x a day to check on the workers and the progress. Thank you MAX!
Details Make the Difference.
Long check lists and punch lists, a google share doc, costs and expenses, a timeline and options, so many options. This remodel took about 2 months, full time. We updated 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, refinished the hardwood floors, painted every room, cleaned out the basement ( painted the garage and basement ) and changed out every light fixture. In a single bathroom there are so many choices and sizing has to be just right. From choosing a single toilet… there are many to choose from.. I usually opt for TOTO. Light fixtures, mirrors, cabinet pulls, faucets, tile and flooring all have to be chosen. And what size and shape of the tile are you going to use. And is the floor tile in the bathroom going to be the same as the shower tile? Choices choices. My suggestion is to start with a very long list. Keep it in a Google Sheets, then start sourcing and saving on Pinterest. You can see my many ideas at www.pinterest.com/debbidimaggio — Happy Pinning!
Sources: Lighting Sources: West Elm, Lamps Plus, Home Depot. For other recommendations reach out DebbiDiMaggio@gmail.com 510.414.6777
Real Estate Is Sexy
We’ve heard the saying time and again … Sex Sells.
From the beautiful woman draped on a luxurious sofa between the glossy pages of Architectural Design or Elle Decor to that strong, handsome man showering beneath a luxury faucet shower head.
Sex sells, and people crave beauty.
Take Note: Pinterest is just one popular site both men, woman and young people go to find beauty. Pinterest Statistics (by Omnicore)
93% of active pinners said they use Pinterest to plan for purchases and 87% said they’ve purchased something because of Pinterest.
Total # of Monthly Active Pinterest Users: 250 million (source) (Last updated 17/9/18)
# of Pinterest Users from the US: 125 million (Last updated: 17/9/18)
# of Pinterest Users around the World: 50%+ (Last updated: 17/9/18)
Total # of Pinterest Pins: 175 billion+ (Last updated: 17/9/18)
Total # of Pinterest Boards: 3 billion+ (Last updated: 17/9/18)
Total # of Pinterest Users who save Shopping Pins on Boards Daily: 2 million
Pinterest Market Value: $15 Billion+ (source)
Pinterest Demographics
Buyers and Sellers want that too. (Even if they’re not totally aware of it, they do. That’s why we stage homes and have professional photographs taken.)
Marketing, like Sex, Sells.
Beautiful photographs displayed in a glossy brochure and online where Buyers scan the Internet in search of their dream home, attracted to, and lured in by the attractive photographs.
Professional photographs are key. As is staging. It is a fact Staging attracts more Buyers. A home is oftentimes the largest asset in a person’s life, thus investing in a home to make it appeal to the masses is crucial for the best return.
3 Things All Real Estate companies do in order to Sell a clients home.
All companies provide similar services.
But it’s the demeanor, passion, attitude and work ethic that sets each company and real estate agent apart.
1. MLS. All companies enter listings into the MLS. Some agencies will hold off. Be sure to ask why, if you are a Seller.
2. Open Houses.
3. Market & Advertise.
Home Buyers, oftentimes, begin their search online. They also seek out local agents rather than use an out of area Realtor. Buyers have busy lifestyles, thus Open House’s are key to selling a home.
•Buyers SEEK out local agents.
•Buyers ATTEND Open Houses.
•Buyers SCAN the Internet.
Top 3 Places Agents Generate Leads for themselves and their Seller Clients = ROI
•R Referrals.
•O Open Houses.
•I Internet.
How do we define Real Estate Agents & Real Estate Companies?
First off, who we are not.
We are not machines. We are not robots or technology. We are not Siri, or Alexa.
We are human. We are human beings.
We create an experience for our clients. We answer questions. We provide answers. We are a sounding board. Oftentimes a therapist, babysitter and psychologist. We offer advice and a place to vent and discuss. We are not one sided. We communicate and offer a human experience, a human connection. We embody skills and knowledge, expertise, and a wide network to assist each one of our clients.
Real Estate Companies like Real Estate agents emote a feeling. People experience different things when they walk into your home, a Real Estate Firm or a doctors office. Successful Agents like Companies should create a friendly, happy and positive environment that leads to a positive experience, and in turn creates more business and referrals.
Just a reminder
Real Estate is personal.
Real Estate is you. Real Estate is us.
* Go to Omnicore to read more Fun Facts on Pinterest
* For Sale signs and Open Houses are crucial marketing tools when selling a home. We have sold a few high high homes because of the For Sale, and from holding Open Houses. People who were not looking to buy ending up buying just because they happened to come upon an Open House, and others saw our For Sale sign and called. Moral of this story: No stone unturned.