Listen first

How to listen

Listening is part of my genetic makeup. Sure there are times my family will say that I am not listening to them but that is not who I am. According to the Myers-Briggs test, http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp I am introvert, introverts are listeners. Of the 4 metrics on the MB gauge my strongest trait is the Introverted trait. It does not necessarily mean I am shy; most people would not say that about me. However, it does imply that I get energy from within and am a good listener and like to listen.

I see this manifest itself in my daily relationships and communication. In meetings and class rooms I am the one taking notes and listening intently and soaking up all the information I can. Letting my mind understand and listen to what the speaker is trying to say. Once I have all the data then I respond, many times with another question or re-statement of what I heard.

lis·ten

Lis (a) n /

take notice of and act on what someone says; respond to advice or a request

Why does this matter? In our business we need to understand the wants and needs of our clients. We need to spend the time to get to know someone at a personal level and not assume anything. At Sell or Dwell? we take the time upfront to get to what is important and why. We don’t just jump in the car and see a bunch of houses right away. We want to know your goals, location, financial situation, style preference and timeline. By listening we can understand.

We care about you and where you will make your home. We want to think through the whole process and get to the best result. Because if we do, you will refer us to others and we are NEVER too busy to listen to one of your referrals.

What are your real estate goals? Do you need to Stage to Sell or Style to Dwell in your home? Give us a call, you might do a lot of talking because we are listening. 

Staging to Live (or Sell!)

“Make the change while you are still in the home”

As a Real Estate professional and a “Chief Picture Hanger” at Sell or Dwell?  -  I see more and more often people making changes to their homes when they are trying to sell the home. My thought is, “Why not make the change while you are still in the home and enjoy the changes?”

There is a lot of discussion about the benefits of staging a home for sale. Some realtors say it is not worth the money, others do quasi-staging with a few basic instructions to the seller and others are “all-in” with a complete home make over. Something to think about is:  to look at your home with an eye to marketing your home for sale every day. Let’s face it, unless we’re bequeathing it to our children, most of us at some point, are going to sell. So, why not enjoy the benefits of having your home look its best -  while you’re living in it - don’t just make the house look it’s best for someone else!

Enjoy the benefits of having your home look its best

Take a look at your kitchen, bathroom and floors. Are there things that you can do that would make the home a better place to live today and at the same time make it more marketable to the next person to purchase your home? Can you do a basic bath update and update the current counter top and replace it with granite, marble or quartz? Are the light fixtures and mirrors still the builder grade that were installed a decade ago? What about the cabinets – are they “builder oak?”

Some of the things people are looking for in a bathroom today:

·         91% of people are looking for high-efficiency toilets

·         91% of homeowners replace their master bathroom sink

·         58% of homeowners aged 45+ install two sinks

·         61% of people who remodel the bathroom start from scratch

·         79% of people prefer a glass shower door over a shower curtain

Live those pictures everyday instead of letting the next occupant of your home enjoy the makeover

Many of these things seem like common sense but why do we wait to do them until your realtor walks in with fresh eyes and asks you to make the changes? It is your house to live in and enjoy today! You should be the one to benefit from those upgraded fixtures and beautiful granite counters. Why can’t your home be the envy of the neighborhood instead of the envy of the home buyer?

At Sell or Dwell? we do home styling and staging as part of our real estate service. We get to see homes in all stages and ages and we truly believe that the impression your home makes in pictures on the internet matter. Live those pictures everyday instead of letting the next occupant of your home enjoy the makeover.

Thanks for reading and as always,

Happy Staging!

Help

“it is better to give than receive”

One thing I truly like to do is help people. It is just part of my DNA. It can be simple things like opening a door, participating in volunteer work or helping someone in need. Like we’ve all heard: “it is better to give than receive.”

 working directly with people to make their lives better

I am blessed to be able to directly help people on a daily basis in my career. Real Estate Sales and Styling is a career that allows my wife and me to do many things that we really love – including, working directly with people to make their lives better. We can make their homes beautiful to “Sell or to Dwell!”

Recently my wife and I have been blessed to meet the Kain family who are moving to California. They are an inspiration for all of us by the way they've been able to live their lives and overcome challenges. There is so much to say but it might be easier to read for yourself! Please take time to read the story via the link below.

I hope you can see why I am proud to know the Kains and hopefully make their home sale go smoothly and take a little bit of stress out of their lives!

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/12/17/florida-dad-vows-to-take-disabled-daughter-to-all-50-us-states-by-age-18.html?intcmp=hphz02

Happy Staging!

Kevin

Pilgrims and Pies!

Pilgrims and Pies...these words don’t always go together but last week we put them together.

Adrienne and I, the Sell or Dwell?, team worked with the Geneva Presbyterian Church to make apple, pumpkin and pecan pies to benefit local family charities in St. Johns county. Our church does this every year to raise money but this year we used it as an opportunity to promote our business as well. After spending 8 hours cutting apples and rolling dough (some sampling was involved as well!) we donned our Pilgrim outfits and delivered 25 pies to friends and family across Jacksonville.

“horseless carriage” pulled up at a stop light

What an interesting experience! It seemed a little crazy at first but after I warmed up to the idea it was fun. There were a few double takes as a pilgrim and his mate, driving a large white “horseless carriage” pulled up at a stop light. Even more when the pilgrims were welcomed at Moe’s in full regalia. I asked for a turkey burrito but was shocked to hear that was not on the menu. I did notice the quick camera photos being snapped as I refilled my cup of mead at the cornucopia of flavorful drinks.

This is a great time to sell a home and at Sell or Dwell? we can help you do that.

Having a little fun while staying in touch with customers is an important part of our business. Real estate sales, staging and styling is a people business. We hope we can start top of mind with those close to use and those we have served over the years as their needs for real estate services arise. This is a great time to sell a home and at Sell or Dwell? we can help you do that.

We are blessed to live in such a great city and have so many wonderful friends. 

In the end it was a great day to spread some thanks for business referrals and just show some friendship. We are blessed to live in such a great city and have so many wonderful friends. Thanks Geneva for doing the pie baking. Wonder what we can dress as next year? Turkeys? That would turn heads at the stoplight.

Until next time...

Kevin

Serving our long time friends Lee and Rose