FLORIDA 8-16-21

FLORIDA EDITION

ADDING VALUE TO LISTINGS 6 Things You Need to Do to BE A GREAT MENTOR FEATURED AGENTS

KIM GRIFFIN GWYN ICE COVER STORY

JENNIFER & LONNIE ORNS

FLORIDA EDITION

KIM GRIFFIN All of us at some point have driven 7 through a neighborhood and admired the houses—this one for its bay windows, that one for its wraparound porch, another one for its multi-gables. But when Realtor Kim Griffin looks at a house, she’s always imagining the people who will live there, and why:

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To help clients make choices for the home 21 GWYN ICE they’re building, Kim also utilizes portfolios of artist renderingsThe of the exterior main reason pe and interior elements of the new construcRealtor when they’ tion. For marketing existing homes, sheis b plating a move and her team create commercial-quality need someone to videos that bring out the through best features of a process each listing. completely understan

of the main frustra thosewith samepast peopl “A house is so many things besides a Kim and Amanda stay in of touch is sending Realtorsnewswho do roof over yourJENNIFER head,” Kim insists.ORNS “It’s clients throughout the year, & LONNIE& KIM GRIFFIN GWYN ICE JENNIFER grasp what the exper where someone will raise their children, letters with market-related news, or holiday LONNIE ORNS from their point of view. That’s whyevents buyers a or generational wealth will be built, or where a couple greetings, or heartfelt letters addressing personal Jacksonville, Florida are so lucky to have Gwy

can retire in comfort and safety. It’s about a preferred style of living. That’s what I’m thinking about when I’m helping someone find a home.”

in people’s lives. They and their team also participate in College Park’s yearly JazzFest, taking advantage of “I’ve moved 19 times!” Gwyn laughs. “So I the opportunity well to meet friends face-to-face. how their stressful and confusing that “We experie CONTENTS mostly talk about what we’ve each been doing, not I work hard to remove those stressorsnecfrom It’s the star that’s guided Kim and her partner Amanda essarily real estate.” experience.”

Wood for almost three decades, and made them one of TIPS TOreal GET THINGS YOU NEED TO Florida’s 4) most5sought-after estate teams. Serving 18) When6she’s notGwyn working, volunteers partmanaging of her a had aKim successful career CLIENTS A GREAT MENTOR before her Realtor’s licensescholat the e the WinterNEW Park, College Park, Audubon Park and SoDo DO time TO to theBE Winter Parkgetting Women’s Club to award Since then she’s closedorhundreds of transact areas around Orlando, they have specialized in new arships, conduct charity auctions, lead backpack Jacksonville’s Duval, Clay, and St. construction in the luxury market for the last 25 years. 22) drivesADDING for children VALUE returning toTO school. She also Johns helps co 14) BUSINESS GROWTH Homes for and dogs.

Gardens Estate, It’s a niche that requires patience and vision. “Many rescue shelters Better find homes HerReal leisure is m HACK: ABSORB YOUR LISTINGS & THE ADVANTAGE business coming from repeat clients and agents don’t like to do new construction because of spent traveling: “No agenda,” she laughs. “Just walk-refe the last two months alone her sales volum CLIENTS’ IDENTIFYING the 9-12 months it takesSTRESS! to build a home. But I like it OF ing around experiencing the culture. A good hat, and million, making her a top producer within her because you get to know the client very, very well. I NEIGHBORHOOD comfortable shoes!”

AMENITIES It’s her dream job. “I’d wanted to be a Realtor love meeting so many different kinds of people, differ19, but had neither the time nor the finances ent personalities, and making friends.”

Kim and Amanda doubled their Exclusive Premier to it then.

I don’t approach anything halfway, Group team lastuntil year,myandlifeplan to spend the next 7-10 could accommodate the mov Kim’s clients appreciate the personal approach she takes years helping grow their volume.

After that Kim plans right opportunity.”

Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 to helping them choose the style and floor plan that’s to retire and Amanda will continue to manage and menwww.topagentmagazine.com right formag@topagentmagazine.com them. “I love to visit someone’s current| home tor the team. But team’s goal will never change: Shethesaw that opportunity in 2011 as the hou emerged from the recession and began to stabil because No it shows me how they live,” Kim explains.

“I portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top smart with Gwyn’s the i have them fillMagazine out a sheet and talk to mePublications about what work is about enhancing people’s lives.entry Theyinto will Agent is published

by Feature GA, Inc.“This Although precautions are takenher to timing, ensure the accuracy less a leap of faith and more of a calculated materials, Tophome Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or factssome supplied by they likeoforpublished dislike about their and neighborhood. almost always be going through transition—an Many of her first clients were customers whos its authors.

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com.

Sometimes they’ll verbalize preferences they’ve never expanding family, a divorce, a death. Our commitment earned as a tax manager.

“They already knew Published in the U.S. even considered before. That process really helps me fit is to handling each of those situations with kindness, honest, and would take care of them like famil the client to the right product.” courtesy, and grace.”

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Reputation wasn’t the only thing she brought Top Agent Magazine Her tax background had honed her analytical s Contact Kim at 407-314-5033 or email Kim@epgknows.co m attention to facts ing that Gwyn paid close

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5 Tips to Get New Clients If you’ve been in the industry for a while, you’ve probably built up a healthy percentage of repeat and referral business.

Although it can be tempting to just maintain those relationships rather than generating new business, there’s something to be said for staying on top of 4

your game by never resting on your laurels. Actively pursuing new clients is not only a way to generate more business, but depending on how you do it, it could even lead to a profitable new niche. Here are just a few ways to build up your new client base.

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Become a referral partner with industry peers

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Cold Call Expired and FSBO Listings

Everyone from mortgage lenders, to financial planners, to insurance agents, can be potentially lucrative referral partners for a Realtor®. You may already have great relationships with some that just need to be more formalized. But, you don’t just want to partner with anyone, make sure these are people you also feel completely comfortable referring your clients to - people who share your values and work ethic.

Another avenue to consider is divorce attorneys – yes, you heard that correctly. Helping people go through this difficult period actually requires a very specific skill set.

You need to be able to handle the legal aspects, as well as the emotional ones. There are numerous training courses you can take if you decide to take this route, which could end up being a lucrative and much-needed specialty.

This is a route a lot of agents take when they are just starting out, that usually leads to great success. You probably haven’t cold called since you started out, and this is a great skill to build up again.

It will not only sharpen your sales skills, but could generate a lot more business.

People with For Sale By Owners (FSBOs) and expired listings, are usually very motivated to sell. This is a great chance for you to really hone in on why they need to hire you. Do you offer innovative marketing plans? Access to a large sphere of influence? Expired listing clients are looking for ways to sell a property that seems impossible to move. With FSBOs, you need to show them how you can get them more money in their pocket, even

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with paying you a commission. Pursuing both will really engage your mind to think outside of the box, which will not only get you more business, but make you better at what you do.

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Partner up with a Relocation Company

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Become a Builder’s Realtor® of choice

This is another niche market that you can really capitalize on if you want to pursue a new specialty. But, it is a specialty, so getting educated on the process will help you generate the business you want. It’s a complicated area of real estate, you’ll often

times be helping to facilitate dual transactions, as you try and secure a property at the same time you are helping your relocation client sell their previous home. This specialty is becoming an in-demand skill in areas that have major corporate headquarters.

This can be a real score for any Realtor®.

The competition might be fierce to land a client like this, but there are numerous ways to make yourself stand out from the rest.

Gain certifications and become knowledgeable about the construction process. Be wellversed on what trendy materials, features, and finishes will add value to a property.

Get the builder on board with you by offering to take just a segment of the subdivision then wow them with your marketing skills.

Take on properties they haven’t been able to sell. You can even offer to throw an open

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Create a Website that Offers Real Value to Potential Clients

Perhaps the most useful way of getting contact information for people looking to sell is by adding a home valuation feature to your website. When people are first considering selling their home, finding out how much

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house for them. This is another way to show them the level of service they can expect from you. These clients might be harder to land, but the payoff will be enormous.

it is worth is one of the first questions they want answered. By becoming a resource to potential clients (and current clients!), you just might be the first person that comes to mind when they’re actually looking to sell.

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JENNIFER & LONNIE ORNS

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JENNIFER & LONNIE ORNS Jennifer and Lonnie distinguished themselves early on in their real estate careers with consistent contact with clients, and by actively seeking out potential clients in need of a good team of agents.

After the 2008 market crash, Jennifer and Lonnie knew it was time for a reboot. Jennifer had run a mortgage company for ten years prior, and Lonnie had spent decades developing and maintaining ninety-two automotive centers.

After selling and closing down shop, they were ready to change it up and try what Lonnie calls, “Retail Realty.”

“Ten years later we’re at the very top of the 8

list for agents in Pinellas County,” Lonnie says. “We work hard and long hours and love what we do.” “We’re helping people get to their goals and their dreams,” Jennifer adds.

Today, Jennifer and Lonnie are managing partners of their own team at The Orns Solution with Keller Williams Realty in Treasure Island, Florida. In a given year, thirty percent or more of their business is derived Top Agent Magazine

from repeat and referral clients.

“We wanted to Highlight our agent on our team Tara Kipp! She is incredible and we are very grateful and honored to have her with us!

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We met Tara when she was an investor and she kept coming into our open houses and she liked our style so she hired us to sell her houses that she and her husband were flipping! When the market turned and the margins became thin, 9

I convinced her to become a Realtor® on our team. She has become the most amazing agent who knows what it is like to renovate, stage and sell all types of properties. She provides THE BEST experience to our buyers and sellers as she is very well faceted in many areas of Real Estate! Tara is a fierce negotiator and at the same time you will find her bringing fresh baked cookies to her sellers if they have had a bad day! Tara is an integral part to our team and we are all better people having her around us!”

Jennifer and Lonnie distinguished themselves early on in their real estate careers with consistent contact with clients, and by actively seeking out potential clients in need of a good team of agents. Much of their business comes from contacting for-sale-by-owner sellers who’ve

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become discouraged by past experiences.

“That’s really what we do best,” Jennifer explains. “Helping the people who have been left behind by other Realtors®. The people who didn’t do a great job before were really helping someone trying to sell their home understand what a great agent can do when servicing them in the best way possible.”

Jennifer adds, “So many clients tell us, ‘You are the only agents we’ve worked with who come up with so many solutions instead of problems.’”

When it comes to marketing, Jennifer and Lonnie’s listings proliferate a wide range of social media platforms. But what gives them the marketing edge and brings their listings

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right to a buyer’s fingertips is their VIP text list. New listings text to over six hundred people including past clients, interested buyers and others within Jennifer and Lonnie’s sphere of influence. Annually, Jennifer and Lonnie can close up to a hundred transactions.

As Realtors® who care about giving back to their community, Jennifer and Lonnie stay very involved with their local Keller Williams offices, finding ways to help those in need. Foremost, Jennifer and Lonnie donate from every sale to the KW Cares program that helps agents in need around the country with support and Top Agent Magazine

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supplies; whether it’s a case of responding to a natural disaster or supporting someone through illness or any kind of hardship. They are also supportive of the local children’s hospital and veterans’ causes.

When they’re not working, Jennifer and Lonnie stay busy enjoying life with their five children and their dogs. With a home near the sea, they take time to spend outdoors,

fishing and boating.

Looking to the future, Jennifer and Lonnie plan to keep building upon the team concept that they developed as a cornerstone of their business early on. They are currently looking for a new addition. “Our success is attributed to our team,” Jennifer and Lonnie conclude, “To everyone from our transaction coordinator, to our lenders, to our title company, it’s a team effort.”

To find out more about Jennifer and Lonnie Orns, call 727-410- 3598, email info@ornsteam.com or visit theornssolution.com, facebook.com/TheOrnsSolution or instagram.com/the_orns_solution www.

www.

www.

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Quigley Inspections is proud to congratulate

JENNIFER & LONNIE ORNS

on being featured for the State of Florida in Top Agent Magazine!

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TARIN QUIGLEY, Owner / Operations Manager Quigley Inspection Services tarin@quigleyinspections.com | (727) 463-3403 quigleyinspections.com https://

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Business Growth Hack: Absorb Your Clients’ Stress!

Your business coach or a CRM software sales rep has probably described a number of products or services to help you grow your business. But sometimes the easiest way to increase the deals you’re closing is to simply be present for your clients. In doing so, you’ll find have the power to decrease the stress they feel. And when you decrease their stress, you increase your value to them, leading to new referrals and organic growth.

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You may be thinking, “I have enough stress; how can I find the emotional bandwidth for other people’s stress?” But consider this: As their day-to-day point of contact in this life decision, you are already a strong presence in your client’s lives. Why not allow yourself to be the only seemingly calm part of this process? By asking them what’s on their mind, by truly listening, by showing that you truly understand and even by rolling up

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your sleeves to relieve some of their grunt work, you’ll prove yourself invaluable.

Think of yourself as the equivalent of an anti-anxiety pill to your clients. All you have to do is form a few easy habits.

Laura and Raj, their agent and their loan officer soon came to learn that Laura’s 80-year-old mother may eventually move in with the family. This news not only helped the agent best meet Laura’s and Raj’s needs for a new home; it gave both the agent and the loan officer opportunities to go above and beyond for their clients. Their REALTOR® connected Laura with a senior services nonprofit near Laura’s mom’s current home that may be able to assist the family.

And their loan officer outlined various, detailed options to Laura and Raj make smart, long-term financial decisions.

Meanwhile, the agent and loan officer earned the trust of Laura and Raj, who felt less worried about the future.

Listen – really listen – with patience Behind every home purchase or sale is a person or a family with a uniquely complex set of needs, motivations, objectives and priorities. Asking the right questions and truly listening to the answers are the easiest ways to learn how to make clients’ lives easier. In doing so, you not only show that you’re interested in them as people, but you help yourself discover ways to surprise your clients with service.

Take “Laura and Raj,” for instance – a couple in their 30s who wanted a larger home because their family of five outgrew their first home. By patiently getting to know Top Agent Magazine

Empathize Don’t be afraid to describe your own personal experiences as a homebuyer or seller, explaining how you felt at the time; let your client know you “get” it. The agent who is willing to open up and let buyers and

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sellers know that they personally understand their needs and concerns will connect with clients quickly, break down barriers and help the process move smoothly.

Chayan Alavi, Broker/Owner of Alavi Agency in Long Beach, California, challenges himself and his team to ensure that every action of every day serves others. “If we can put ourselves in other people’s shoes with empathy, then we become stellar professionals and great human beings, too,” he says. “I like knowing that we remove the sales pitch from real estate and make it all about the customer.” Chayan and his team focus on customer advocacy and building trust. But they don’t take trust for granted.

Instead, they know trust must be earned and nurtured over time.

Roll up your sleeves “You can’t be afraid to do anything!” says Matthew Todd of d’aprile properties in the Chicago area. “People know there’s nothing I won’t do to get the job done.” He has 16

mowed clients’ lawns, walked dogs and personally cleaned someone’s 8,000-squarefoot, $2 million home for a showing one day after his seller left the house. Two days before another closing, Matthew’s client was unable to move large amounts of unneeded furniture out of the house he sold. No problem! Matthew joined or created five online garage sales; sold or gave away most of the client’s belongings and had the remainder hauled away before cleaning in time for the closing. “The first time I sit with a seller on listing presentation or the first day I take someone on a buyer’s tour, they know I’m ‘all-in.’”

Meanwhile, in the Cincinnati area, Aaron Denton of Summit Funding considers himself and his team members to be concierges for their borrowers. “We’re like personal assistants,” says Aaron. “People are happier when you remove the stress.” Included in their standard services are researching moving quotes; arranging and organizing movein day; scheduling utility transfers; assisting with children’s school registration paperwork; and even connecting buyers with local resources like daycares.

If “rolling up your sleeves” isn’t your strongest skill, then an easy alternative is to get to know professionals in your area who can do these tasks for you. In the end, remember that by listening with patience, empathizing, and being willing to go the extra mile, you have the power to remove the stress your clients would experience without your help.

When clients feel cared for, they remember the agents and partners who helped them.

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KIM GRIFFIN All of us at some point have driven through a neighborhood and admired the houses—this one for its bay windows, that one for its wraparound porch, another one for its multi-gables. But when Realtor Kim Griffin looks at a house, she’s always imagining the people who will live there, and why: “A house is so many things besides a roof over your head,” Kim insists. “It’s where someone will raise their children, or generational wealth will be built, or where a couple can retire in comfort and safety. It’s about a preferred style of living. That’s what I’m thinking about when I’m helping someone find a home.”

It’s the star that’s guided Kim and her partner Amanda Wood for almost three decades, and made them one of Florida’s most sought-after real estate teams. Serving the Winter Park, College Park, Audubon Park and SoDo areas around Orlando, they have specialized in new construction in the luxury market for the last 25 years.

It’s a niche that requires patience and vision. “Many agents don’t like to do new construction because of the 9-12 months it takes to build a home. But I like it because you get to know the client very, very well. I love meeting so many different kinds of people, different personalities, and making friends.”

Kim’s clients appreciate the personal approach she takes to helping them choose the style and floor plan that’s right for them. “I love to visit someone’s current home because it shows me how they live,” Kim explains. “I have them fill out a sheet and talk to me about what they like or dislike about their home and neighborhood.

Sometimes they’ll verbalize preferences they’ve never even considered before. That process really helps me fit the client to the right product.”

To help clients make choices for the home they’re building, Kim also utilizes portfolios of artist renderings of the exterior and interior elements of the new construction. For marketing existing homes, she and her team create commercial-quality videos that bring out the best features of each listing.

Kim and Amanda stay in touch with past clients throughout the year, sending newsletters with market-related news, or holiday greetings, or heartfelt letters addressing personal events in people’s lives. They and their team also participate in College Park’s yearly JazzFest, taking advantage of the opportunity to meet their friends face-to-face. “We mostly talk about what we’ve each been doing, not necessarily real estate.”

When she’s not working, Kim volunteers part of her time to the Winter Park Women’s Club to award scholarships, conduct charity auctions, or lead backpack drives for children returning to school. She also helps rescue shelters find homes for dogs. Her leisure is spent traveling: “No agenda,” she laughs. “Just walking around experiencing the culture. A good hat, and comfortable shoes!”

Kim and Amanda doubled their Exclusive Premier Group team last year, and plan to spend the next 7-10 years helping grow their volume. After that Kim plans to retire and Amanda will continue to manage and mentor the team. But the team’s goal will never change: “This work is about enhancing people’s lives. They will almost always be going through some transition—an expanding family, a divorce, a death. Our commitment is to handling each of those situations with kindness, courtesy, and grace.”

Contact Kim at 407-314-5033 or email Kim@epgknows.com

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6 Things You Need to Do to Be a Great Mentor

Everyone reaches the point in their career where they feel they have gained enough experience and wisdom about business and what it takes to succeed, to actually help someone else achieve the same. Although you may have trained or given advice over the years, taking on the official status as a mentor to someone is a whole new ball game.

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Although mentorship is an unpaid endeavor, you’ll be surprised to find out how much you’ll gain from the experience. You’ll also grow as a business person through the process of teaching someone else. It’s also an endeavor that many will pay forward one day, creating a business atmosphere that is based more on mutual success than competition, which is better for everyone.

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If you were mentored, you may already have an idea of what it entails, and what you liked or didn’t like in your mentor/mentee relationship. Although it is a personal relationship that will need an individual approach, there are certain things that are key when it comes to being a great mentor: 1. Be a good listener

est about your own failures. It can be a huge relief to find out someone they look up to has gone through similar experiences and still managed to come out on top. As we all know, oftentimes the greatest lessons come from failures, which can be times when our character is truly tested. Building trust through mutual respect and honesty will make every aspect of your mentorship more effective.

You’re basically a sounding board who needs to hear your mentee’s ideas, plans and goals in order to advise them. Strong, constant and clear communication is key to any successful mentoring relationship.

Sometimes just letting them talk things out with you, will lead to them to discovering the solution they were looking for.

2. Set expectations and goals at the start When listening to your mentee in your first meeting about the potential relationship, it’s important to establish the parameters of what that relationship will be: What can you give them? What do they need or expect from you? Once the terms are agreed upon, you may want to set specific goals you’ll be working on together so that there’s a defined plan of action, timeline and result you can both expect.

3. Be honest This is important when it comes to offering them constructive criticism or tough love, but more importantly, you need to be honTop Agent Magazine

4. Get them to think, don’t make decisions for them Sometimes being a mentor is being a bit like a psychologist. By asking certain ques-

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tions you can lead your mentee to their own conclusions about their business dilemmas and strategies to reach their goals. Being a mentor is all about guidance. Build confidence by drawing out the best in your mentee rather than just presenting them with solutions.

5. Look at the situation objectively One of the key strengths you offer your mentee is a complete emotional detachment to their business. You have no sentimental attachment to doing things a certain way or working with an incompetent vendor because you ‘go way back’. Your only motive is what’s best for your mentee and their business. Although emotions cans still get in the way sometimes, having a detached perspective on hand to guide you is invaluable.

6. Don’t just offer constructive criticism, be supportive Yes, being a mentor is sometimes advising your mentee that he’s doing something ineffectively, but your main purpose is to alway approach everything like cheerleader.

You need to let them know that through it 20

all, you are a reliable support to them and have a complete belief in their abilities.

Make sure to always praise their accomplishments.

Remember: your job as a mentor is more about guidance than constant feedback.

Your goal is to help someone become the best they can be, not someone who just does everything the way you do it. You’re helping them build confidence in their own intuition, which will hopefully lead to a lifetime of success, and one day, they too might be a valuable resource to another mentee down the road.

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GWYN ICE The main reason people hire a Realtor when they’re contemplating a move is because they need someone to guide them through a process they don’t completely understand. And one of the main frustrations many of those same people encounter is Realtors who don’t seem to grasp what the experience is like from their point of view. That’s why buyers and sellers in Jacksonville, Florida are so lucky to have Gwyn Ice. “I’ve moved 19 times!” Gwyn laughs. “So I know very well how stressful and confusing that experience can be.

I work hard to remove those stressors from my clients’ experience.”

Gwyn had a successful career managing a tax office before getting her Realtor’s license at the end of 2011.

Since then she’s closed hundreds of transactions across Jacksonville’s Duval, Clay, and St. Johns counties with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, most of that business coming from repeat clients and referrals. Over the last two months alone her sales volume was $5 million, making her a top producer within her brokerage.

It’s her dream job. “I’d wanted to be a Realtor since I was 19, but had neither the time nor the finances to commit to it then. I don’t approach anything halfway, so I waited until my life could accommodate the move—and the right opportunity.”

in negotiations for her clients, as well as in the amount of territory she can cover. “Most people don’t know that Jacksonville’s the largest city in the country by territory.

So the area of the counties I cover is huge. There’s a misconception among the public that only an agent from your neighborhood can understand your market, but market patterns are market patterns, and I have all the information I need in the MLS to help people price a home.”

Gwyn has deepened her knowledge over nearly 10 years in the industry, earning experience in every facet of the business, which allows her to react quickly and effectively to changing markets. She’s been a Certified Residential Specialist since 2017, earning that designation through her education and productivity, giving her the networking advantage to connect clients with anyone across the country. CRS agents represent the top 3 percent of Realtors in the U.S. Her strong negotiating skills make her a fierce advocate on behalf of her clients, and her numerous experiences of going through the process herself help her to anticipate and overcome any challenges they might face. Gwyn is a master at thinking outside the box.

Going forward, Gwyn plans to earn her broker’s license, and to streamline her process for even better efficiency, so that she can both continue to grow her business and give clients the one-to-one experience they’ve learned to expect. “I’m always trying to grow and learn, taking classes and networking with others to share best practices.”

She saw that opportunity in 2011 as the housing market emerged from the recession and began to stabilize. Always smart with her timing, Gwyn’s entry into the industry was less a leap of faith and more of a calculated transition.

Many of her first clients were customers whose trust she’d earned as a tax manager. “They already knew that I was honest, and would take care of them like family.”

Reputation wasn’t the only thing she brought to the table.

Her tax background had honed her analytical skills, meaning that Gwyn paid close attention to facts and trends that many agents either didn’t know about or didn’t want to bother with. Those habits still give her an edge Top Agent Magazine

Contact Gwyn at 904-803-8505, email GwynIceRealtor@gmail.com, or visit her website at GwynIce.com www.

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Adding Value to Listings & the Advantage of Identifying Neighborhood Amenities Everyone knows the famous real estate phrase: location, location, location. In fact, it is hard to underestimate the pivotal role that a region can play when it comes to determining a home’s value. In today’s competitive market, the littlest things can truly add up—especially when it comes to neighborhood amenities. While most savvy agents know the figures regarding school 22

district ranking and local property taxes, have you ever considered the under-the-radar amenities that drive buyers and bidding wars? To derive the highest value from a listed home, you need to paint a complete picture of the area in which you’re selling. With that guiding principle in mind, let’s consider a few modern amenities and how they add drastically to your bottom line.

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Walking a fifteen-minute radius of the area or performing a deep-dive into customer review sites or food blogs can help you identify hidden gems or local favorites.

A little can go a long way: restaurants, coffee shops, and entertainment

Know thy history: creating a narrative of the neighborhood

Everyone has a favorite take-out spot, coffee shop, or neighborhood watering hole. Identifying the key players in an area—such as restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment hotspots—will create a livable picture that prospective buyers can latch onto. Walking a fifteen-minute radius of the area or performing a deep-dive into customer review sites or food blogs can help you identify hidden gems or local favorites. While a cute coffee shop down the street may seem like a bonus instead of a foundational amenity, you never know what kind of homebuyer you might net if you include the cozy characteristics that make a house a home.

As humans, we’re drawn to narratives. Sales pitches and marketing campaigns hinge on an alluring storyline. That’s why understanding a neighborhood’s history can frame and contextualize a property to great effect. After all, buyers aren’t just drawn to sturdy foundations and bedroom counts; they like to imagine their lives unfolding inside those four walls.

Get a sense of the area’s historical timeline, architectural style, noteworthy community members, and the like. Conveying this intriguing information to buyers helps them connect more personally with a property, while understanding the holistic picture of their potential new home.

From here to there: public transportation and commuter access While this rule may not apply to all properties, considering access to public transportation is a major draw for today’s buyers. Especially amidst the more eco-conscious Millennial segment eager to buy within city limits—knowing public transportation access points and schedules can add serious value to listed properties. Also, think outside the box: do nearby thoroughfares boast dedicated bike lanes? Are there plans to expand rail lines to the area in the future? Deliver a confidant picture of the area’s public transportation access and prospective buyers will trust your expertise.

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While it is always good to cover the basics of school districts and property values, it is even more useful to expand your knowledge base and bring a warm, human element to locational knowledge. Not only will you appeal to a younger demographic of homebuyers who values this strategic information, but you will also broaden your understanding of your service area at large. Think of it this way: a neighborhood is far more than a collection of homes on a block. A neighborhood is about atmosphere, access, and a sense of community. If you authentically appeal to this guiding truth, and buyers will surely rise to the occasion.

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