NEW YORK 8-8-22

NEW YORK EDITION

Uncommon Contact:

CONNECTING WITH CLIENTELE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

CONCIERGE CARE:

Services that Lure Clients and Transform Your Reputation

3 BEYOND-THEOFFICE ACTIVITIES TO INSPIRE A CREATIVE BUSINESS BOOM

FEATURED AGENTS

CALVIN CARUSO III NICKI FETTUCCIA VIVIENNE ROTTMAN COVER STORY

BARBARA KORABEL

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com http://www.topagentmagazine.com

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Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker –

Follow These 8 Dating Rules to Ensure You Match Your Client with the Perfect Home for Them When you think a bit more about it, the ultimate goal of a real estate agent serving a client is really to match them up with the perfect house for them, almost the way a matchmaker tries to find two people that will fit well together as a couple. When people are looking for a house, they often treat the process as a quest for “the one” house that will fulfill their dreams of living in the house of their dreams. Don’t be fooled. It is always a search for “the one”, at least when it comes to helping a couple or family find a home.

When you look at your client’s search for a home in this manner, then you might begin to notice some pretty obvious similarities 4

between shopping for a home today and online dating. In this day and age most people live a substantial part entire lives online. People socialize with their friends on Facebook, they meet potential friends in forums and online communities, and we now even search for our perfect mate online. Shopping for a home also happens to usually start online. When they begin this search, make no mistake; they are looking for the “one.” These people then turn to you, the REALTOR® to play matchmaker for them. It is your job to wade through the pool of eligible homes (bachelors) and sort through all the ones that are too expensive, too nerdy, not cute enough, not smart enough, etc. until you find the “one.”

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It makes sense then to consult the tried and true practices in matchmaking that help those professionals find the right people for each other, and see if any of them could also apply for matching your clients with their dream home. You’ll find that these 8 dating rules may just show you the secret to matching your clients with the perfect home.

back to the store if you’re not happy with your new home. It’s best to first help your client get prequalified. This is a tangible step that shows they are ready to move on to a new home. You want to make sure they are completely over their love affair with their previous home. You can even ask them for a sign or proof that they’re ready to move on.

Who Is In and Not In Your Client’s League? Know Your Client’s Price Range:

Be Genuine, Not Superficial

When a person is looking for a mate, it is a waste of time for them to even consider those potential mates that are clearly out of their league. These people won’t even stop to give them the time of day.

In the world of real estate the idea is the same. There is no point showing your clients houses that they can’t afford and will simply lust after without having any real chance of purchasing the house. It is your job to keep your client ground in reality, and help them be realistic in terms of price when choosing their next home.

Never Let Your Client’s First Impression of a Home Rule Their Decisions

Make Sure Your Client is Ready to Move On From Their Last Dream Home You’re job is also to make sure that your client is truly ready to move on from their previous home. This is a long term commitment, and they need to be absolutely sure they actually want to buy a new house. You can’t simply take the receipt Top Agent Magazine

When trying to manage the many pitfalls of online dating, on inevitably goes on a date where the other person looks nothing like their picture online. That can be just as big of a problem when looking for a house. When clients show you a particular house they want to visit, ask them to name something about the house that they like other than the aesthetics. This way you can see if they are simply infatuated with the way the house looks in those pictures, or if there is a deeper interest in the home that could become a deeper connection between your client and the house.

When your client first sees a house they have already been lusting after in their mind, they’re often so excited to finally be looking at it, especially if it does in fact look as good as it did in the pictures.

Make sure to encourage them to take some time before making such a big com-

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mitment, and don’t let their excitement push them into making a rash decision. It is your job to keep them grounded in reality. Push for your clients to do an inspection to make sure the house isn’t hiding any dark secrets. Sometimes the most charming facade can hide tons of slime and deadly mold.

Follow Your Heart (or Gut) People often laugh at and ridicule the idea of love at first sight, but when it comes to homes, the phenomenon can certainly happen. Your client may just find their perfect dream home at the very first place you take them. If you have a client that does insist this is the case, then you don’t want to try and rationalize with them or talk them out of their decision. You do, however, want to make sure you are watching out for their interest and make sure your clients take all the necessary precautions before they jump in headfirst.

See What Other People See in The Home – Do They See What Your Client Sees?

Have you come to the conclusion that your clients are being blinded by all of the twinkling windows and crystal clear water glistening in the backyard pool, and can’t see that the house they’ve fallen in love with is really just a dirty animal (maybe a pig) dressed up in nice clothes and lipstick. Ask your client if they would be willing to look at the house again with 6

their close friends, family, and anyone else they trust for a second opinion there to see it with them. If the house really is a dud, they’ll be able to see past any personal bias your client might have to the truth. They will be able to help your client see through the shining facade

Celebrate the Happy Union!

When a couple gets married they tend to throw a big party and celebrate their union. The same goes for the closing.

Your clients have just essentially married the house of their dreams, and now it’s time to rejoice. Congratulate them on their new union. Show your support for their new homeowner status by going to their housewarming party.

Help Your Clients Maintain Their Dream Home & Ensure a Lifetime of Happiness You can’t just disappear after the transaction is finished. Become their realtor for life by showing your clients how to maintain their dream home. Act as their resource for other professionals they may need to maintain the house such as handymen, plumbers, electricians, etc. Show them how to keep up with home maintenance so they don’t ignore problems that surface and end up with a much larger issue than they started with. Help them make sure their dream home lasts so they can live happily ever after in their home for a lifetime.

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BARBARA KORABEL Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Barbara Korabel owns the Four Seasons Realty Group, where she leads an elite team to assist clients throughout the Hudson Valley and its surrounding areas.

Originally from New York City, Barbara Korabel has always possessed a knack for real estate. After building an accomplished career in corporate America, she would relocate to the Hudson Valley and open a local bakery. But once her husband was forced into retirement due to a sudden heart condition, she found herself searching for a new opportunity that still spoke to her entrepreneurial spirit, but gave her the ability to provide for her family. Inspired, Barbara decided to 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

switch tracks and learn the real estate business from the ground up, acquiring a suite of designations alongside her Broker’s License.

In the years since, she has authored a terrific career as an agent and Broker, establishing a network of satisfied clients and colleagues that spans the region.

Today, Barbara owns the Four Seasons Realty Group, where she leads an elite team to assist clients throughout the Hudson Valley and its Top Agent Magazine

surrounding areas. Leveraging her experiences in the fast-paced corporate environment of New York City, she has cultivated a process to meet the needs of any residential or commercial transaction, living up to her proven motto: “Get it done in a New York Minute.”

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When listing a property, Barbara prefers a comprehensive strategy. After helping her clients prepare for the market, she shares their listing to a series of MLS platforms ranging from New York City to Columbia-Greene County. Through these highly targeted digital Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

“I bring that New York City hustle and bustle to real estate,” Barbara says. “Right from the start, I’m involved with every aspect of a transaction, from helping clients move to connecting them with a trusted referral network of attorneys and contractors. campaigns, she can maximize each client’s exposure, ensuring a seamless transaction catered to their best interests.

But Barbara is just as attentive when serving her buyers, drawing from her firsthand experience as an investor to uncover the right property for their needs. More than anything, she loves welcoming newcomers into her Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

thriving Hudson Valley community—whether they are seeking an effortless commute to the city, or exploring the breathtaking hiking trails surrounding Minnewaska State Park or Mohonk Tower.

Over the years, Barbara has earned a fantastic reputation across her home state, with the vast majority of her volume coming from repeat Top Agent Magazine

clients and referrals. And the key to her success? “I bring that New York City hustle and bustle to real estate,” she says. “Right from the start, I’m involved with every aspect of a transaction, from helping clients move to Top Agent Magazine

connecting them with a trusted referral network of attorneys and contractors. Regardless of whether it’s a $4 million property or a short sale, there’s nothing more gratifying than guiding clients through the process.”

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Outside of real estate, Barbara is passionate about pet advocacy, supporting local animal shelters and adopting cats throughout the year.

When she’s not with clients or giving back, she can be found spending quality time at home with her husband or taking the occasional trip down to their property in Myrtle Beach.

Going forward, Barbara has strong plans for the future of her business. Now averaging close to

$40 million in annual volume, she intends on deepening the mentorship work with the members of her team, sharing her lasting values with the next generation of real estate professionals. “Real estate transactions are like a marriage,” she says. “You have to get to know your clients, talk freely with them, and really understand what motivates their decisions. But most of all, you need to get it done for them in a New York Minute!”

To learn more about Barbara Korabel please call (845) 476-1514 or email bkorabel@earthlink.net Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

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Uncommon Contact:

Connecting with Clientele Through Social Media Social media is one of the newest and most powerful tools in an agent or mortgage professional’s arsenal. With just a few keystrokes, you can stay top-of-mind with buyers, sellers, and borrowers near and far, past and present. The key is knowing how to use these mediums to your advantage, working smarter instead of harder to keep the thread of professional relationships intact. With that in mind, here are a few ways you can maximize the pull and power of social media by shifting just a few of your ideas and practices for the better.

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Not everything has to be about business.

While your relationship with a client or fellow vendor began over the course of business, your relationship going forward doesn’t have to be limited. One of the great things about social media is that’s it’s social. Not every comment, post, or communication has to revolve around your business, its metrics, or turning a sale. In fact, you should do your best to branch out and curate a brand and online identity that’s about who you are and

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the lifestyle you’re authentically interested in living. In that vein, consider interacting with clients in an organically-driven way, encouraging them during life’s milestones, reaching out with a local event, restaurant, or news item that’s relevant to their interests or neighborhood. The goal is to be a persistent presence in their lives without feeling like a talking head. Engage as you would like to be engaged with, as a human being with interests and needs and boundaries. Keep that personal thread in mind and your dynamic will shift from past business contact to present resource.

Expand your medium.

Many Realtors are comfortable on Facebook as an interactive meeting to connect with clients, but there are several other mediums where you can connect with clients both past and present, as well as future. Particularly when courting Millennial clientele, the fastest-growing segment of the buying market, a presence on Instagram and Snapchat are key to finding new faces, demonstrating hot properties, and creating an interactive brand as an agent. Not only does this help when you’re listing a property and seeking potential buyers, but it also serves as a perusable portfolio of your work and real estate prowess. You can also use these mediums to interact with clients on an outlet they might feel most comfortable in. Liking pictures, commenting, streaming Instagram Live home tours and Stories are all ways you can build engagement by simply spreading your social media presence around. Likewise, 14

these photo and video driven mediums are popular for home design ideas, and before and after renovation pictures. When you expand from Facebook into these new platforms, you’ll already have plenty of visual content ready to be transferred and consumed by an expanded audience.

Don’t just react.

Create your own content.

It’s easy enough to post a link to a new listing, or retweet a helpful article on real estate news. Creating your own organic content is a different story, but worth its weight in gold when it comes to luring engagement, ranking higher in search fields, and overall crafting an interactive presence for yourself and your business online—which is where more than 90% of homebuyers and sellers begin their process. Creating your own content can seem risky, or else like no one is listening in a digital world already crowded with information. However, original content is sure to boost personal engagement with your social media pages, guaranteed.

Instead of recycling content, consider posting a video with a Q+A theme for first-time homebuyers, or perhaps posting a live tour of a new listing will perk up your clientele surfing at home.

No matter how you decide to expand your social media presence when it comes to interacting with clients, consistency is key.

Find the ways that work best for you and stick to them, and you’ll watch your audience and business grow in tandem.

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NICKI FETTUCCIA

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NICKI FETTUCCIA

Nicki’s husband has been a fundamental role in the success of her business

Nicole Fettuccia of Albany, New York, leverages her three decades of experience in the real estate industry to serve the community that she loves.

“The business part happens naturally for me. I just want to stay connected to people – whether that’s helping out a neighbor with Meals on Wheels, or taking someone to a doctor’s appointment, whatever I can do to help. I don’t do it for a specific reason, but if you can manage to stay both humble and proud, and be true to the person that you are, business just comes your way.”

their 4 businesses! “We started by doing residential renovations, but realized things would be a lot easier if I became a real estate agent. I got my license five years ago, and things blew up from there!”

Today, in 2022, Nicki is a solo agent with HS Capital Realty, and she serves all of Albany and its surrounding areas. “People come up here for

Originally, Nicki was introduced to the industry by working as a residential mortgage broker. The skills and information she acquired poised her for investment property ownership, and with the help and guidance of her husband (who has been a contractor for over thirty years), the two grew closer together around the clock: working professionally during the day while simultaneously managing 16

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all kinds of reasons – I belong to a motorcycle association, so I get to meet tons of people at all the local bike events, especially the well known Americade in Lake George every year, but there’s hiking and ski resorts all along the Adirondacks and Catskills.” Her connection to her motorcycle chapter helps Nicki serve her community: Nicki and her association help raise money for local organizations such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, Toys for Tots, and Operation At Ease. “Operation At Ease helps veterans and first responders – they match veterans with dogs that have been rescued from shelters. Their goal is to change the stigma associated with PTSD, and help get service dogs into the hands of the people who desperately need them.”

Nicki’s deep interpersonal roots help her boast a business that is one hundred percent referral based. “I represent an even split of buyers and sellers, and I’ve found that when I get a buyer, I almost always get a referral for a seller from that transaction. I’ve been told it’s because I’m fun to be around – especially in this market with how difficult it is to get a house under contract, because so many people are vying for the same home. If you can keep people smiling and enjoying the experience, or just involve them in your goofy life, it goes a long way. If that doesn’t work, usually cupcakes do the trick.”

With her quick smile, hometown connections, and endless reservoir of insider information, Nicki is poised for ongoing success in the growing market around Albany. “Today alone I have received a handful of calls from past clients who want me to list their family’s home. I think people appreciate the transparency – I’m fun, I’m laid back, I’m honest, and no matter what it is, if it’s house related, I can get it done. I’ve earned my title as House Ninja!”

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Braving the Shave after a successful fundraiser for St, Baldrick’s Foundation in Albany, NY

Contact Nicki at (518) 888-6907, visit hscapitalrealty.com or email nickibuys.sellsny@gmail.com https://

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3 Beyond-the-Office Activities to Inspire a Creative Business Boom Maintaining motivation year-round is a challenge, especially for those who are several years into a demanding real estate career. It’s easy to burn out, get stuck in a rut, or cycle blindly through a well-worn routine. But those that leave an impact on their industry understand that creativity holds the key to innovation and longevity. To stay ahead of 18

the curve and build your brand, you’ve got to take the time to breathe new life into your practice and see things from a new angle. But where to begin?

To invite change, you’ve got to look outside the box—or in this case, beyond the office. If you’re in need of a professional creative make-

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To stay ahead of the curve and build your brand, you’ve got to take the time to breathe new life into your practice and see things from a new angle. over, or at least want to experience a burst of inventive energy, consider some of the activities below. You may just shake up your routine, bend your brain in new ways, and inject some inspiration into your professional path.

Expand your mind through meditation.

You’ve likely heard all about the supposed powers of meditation, and perhaps you’ve long considered it an over-hyped New Age invention. But did you know that some of the foremost entrepreneurs of our era practice this cost-free, mentally restorative routine? From Oprah Winfrey to Steve Jobs, practitioners of meditation cite its stress-relieving principles, in addition to improvements in concentration, energy, self-awareness, and overall health.

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Even mainstream medicine is beginning to understand the preventative and restorative health benefits that meditation affords. As professional fields go, the mortgage and real estate industries require their fair share of emotional labor—you’re tasked with guiding clients through the investment of a lifetime.

Meditation promotes peace and perspective, while reducing stress, adding a new level of self-awareness, and helping you mentally declutter. When it comes down to it, it only makes sense that taking time to go quiet and center your mind helps professionals find wherewithal amidst a hectic industry. Next time you’re feeling drained, out of ideas, or at your wit’s end—consider just fifteen minutes of meditation to get you started. Like most things, it takes some practice. But, if you commit the time, you’ll be thanking yourself later.

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Learn something new.

If you’re facing burnout, then adding a new responsibility to your plate may seem like the least appetizing self-help solution there is.

However, learning a new skill can reinvigorate your understanding of familiar tasks and dilemmas. Plus, learning a new skill doesn’t have to mean formal classes or time-draining homework. Select something that can even kill two birds with one stone. Want to let off some steam, too? Try a kickboxing class that meets just once-a-week. You’ll have something new to look forward to, meet new people, challenge yourself, and earn some feel-good endorphins, 20

too. Want to cut loose and have some fun? Join a board game meet-up group, take a cooking class, or try rock-climbing for the first time. A stimulating new activity will light up long-dormant parts of your brain, and your clients and colleagues will surely notice the influx of energy to your outlook. Still don’t think you have enough time to add something new to the mix? Blend your morning commute with an audio language learning service. The point is to shake-up your habits and introduce a new challenge that’s unrelated to work. Doing so can make you look at things in a new light and boost your mood along the way.

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See new sights.

If you can, there’s no better way to break from routine than to physically separate yourself from your surroundings. There’s nothing more inspiring than traveling to new destinations, experiencing new cultures, and getting a sense of the world’s true vastness. If a trip abroad isn’t in the cards, don’t fret. There are bound to be plenty of places relatively close by that you’ve never seen. And these trips don’t have to break the bank, either. Devote just one or two days to visiting a place you’ve never gone before, like a state park, protected forest, or a small seaside village. Perhaps you’re only a few hours from a National Park you’ve been meaning to visit but have never made time for. Or, there’s a lively city one state over that you’ve always wanted to try. Whatever the destination, near or far, you’ll refresh

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your perspective entirely when removed from all your usual routines. New restaurants, traffic patterns, storefronts, weather—whatever the change may be, you’ll be experiencing everything brand new all around you. Taking the time for trips like these isn’t easy. In fact, making yourself devote those free days may be a difficult task itself. But it’s the most direct way to get a breath of truly fresh air, and when you return home you’ll be able to assess familiar surroundings in a totally new light.

However you decide to add creativity to your professional life, don’t wait. Once you take the plunge, you’ll be regretting you hadn’t done it sooner. After all, the key to longevity is regular maintenance, so do your part and break the mold today.

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CALVIN CARUSO III For Calvin Caruso III, real estate was the perfect way to combine his entrepreneurial skills with his passion for homes. He initially started his professional life at his family’s furniture business in western New York. During the pandemic, he began working for another business in the area as a fashion stylist.

Calvin soon found that he had more time to pursue other interests, so he took the LSAT and was accepted into law school. “I thought that would be the path I was going to pursue,” he says. But when he met with a cousin who works as a luxury real estate agent, he decided to become a REALTOR®. “I was designing homes for years, and I knew it would be even more exciting to sell them,” he explains. “So I took my exam and became a licensed agent.” Success was almost instantaneous for Calvin, completing over $7 million in sales volume in his first year. This exponential growth has carried into his second year, and he’s loving every minute of it. Serving the western New York area, including Buffalo and its suburbs, he enjoys guiding people in their buying and selling journeys here.

or anyone who values outdoor space.”

The greater Buffalo region has a tightknit community vibe, with everyone knowing everyone. This has helped Calvin grow, as it’s easy for him to stay in touch with past clients and spread the word about his services.

Whether he’s helping a buyer find the property of their dreams, or assisting a seller in getting the highest price possible for their home, Calvin goes above and beyond to exceed their expectations. In today’s competitive market, clients want to know their agent is doing everything possible to put competitive offers together and accomplish their goals. “My priority is getting them what they want and making the process stress-free.”

“I grew up in the area, so I’ve known it my whole life,” he says. “It’s a great place to live, we have the best restaurants and amazing shopping.” Based in Williamsville, his family’s furniture store is on Transit Road, the main street in town. “Everything you need is on this strip. Plus, we have the number one public school district and many of the homes have larger sized lots, which is perfect for families

Calvin plans to build his brand over the coming years and become a widely recognized name in western New York real estate. He hopes to grow a team of like-minded individuals and continue expanding his reach. “I know buying and selling can be an emotional process, so I want people to understand that I will be there for them from start to finish.”

When Calvin has free-time, he spends it giving back to his community. He works with St. Luke’s to donate furniture and other necessities to those in need. “Whenever I’m selling a house and they have belongings they don’t want, I’ll have that collected and donated rather than thrown out,” he says.

Calvin also carves out time for hockey, playing on two teams.

For more information about Calvin Caruso III, please call 716-462-8196 or email calvincaruso@kw.com

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Concierge Care: Services that Lure Clients and Transform Your Reputation It’s a no-brainer: customer service is central to success in the real estate industry. While properties may be the product, this industry really revolves around people and the relationships you cultivate along the way. With that in mind, how would you describe the service you provide? If solid service is the baseline, then to set yourself apart you must deliver service that’s exceptional. But, how? Returning calls and displaying a friendly face won’t necessarily separate you from the pack. If you really want to take your customer service to the next level and build a reputation for white-glove, concierge-level courtesy, then keep a few of the following tips in mind as you create a professional style that’s completely bespoke.

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Make your communications matter For many agents, communication during and after a transaction are perfunctory affairs, with one-sizefits-all newsletters or promotional postcards that feel mass-produced. To really grab the attention of your clientele, you’ll want to build a recognizable brand. To accomplish this, begin by adding value to your regular communications. Clients are likely to bypass your communications if they think your only intent is to sell them something. Focus instead on creating content that’s compelling and dishes out value to your clientele. Just like a favorite blog you revisit again and again for its quality content, con-

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sider your communications as an extension of your brand and identity. A few popular ideas from which clients can derive value include: local restaurant guides, tax tips for homeowners, reports on home values and the marketplace, or highlighting home décor and landscaping trends. Make your communications readable and useful, and your clients past and present will think twice before skipping past your name.

Showcase the lifestyle Clients remember when you go the extra mile, and that additional effort distinguishes run-of-the-mill agents from high-powered professionals. Whether listing or buying, consider a property’s lifestyle.

First, think about a client’s everyday experience.

Where’s the best breakfast spot nearby? How’s access to public transportation or bike paths? Which outdoor recreational opportunities exist in the area?

Where might your client swing by for coffee?

Neighborhood guides that outline the livability of a home and its area not only boost value and highlight potential, but they also demonstrate your ability to think outside the box and connect on a personal level. After all, a home isn’t just a house; a home is all about the daily experience that unfolds within and beyond those four walls. With that in mind, do your homework and make yourself a local expert.

Your clients will feel they’re in good hands and will better envision their future unfolding, all thanks to your thorough legwork.

Customize your approach to clients As an agent, it’s only natural that you build your own daily routines and practices that keep your business running. While it’s necessary to create positive habitats that streamline your workflow, it’s also important to remain adaptable. For instance, Millennial clients may prefer to chat by text, instant 24

message, or email, whereas older clientele may prefer face-to-face time or connecting by phone call.

Adapting your communication style is as simple as a brief discussion: ask your client how they prefer to communicate and adapt accordingly. While it may seem like a small matter, it provides clients with a sense of comfort and control. Again, the key here is communication. Talk with your clients about their preferred methodology. Maybe they prefer a marathon house-hunting trek on a weekend day, or perhaps they rather sift through listings online before making in-person visits to a narrowed list. It’s okay to encourage clients or fill them in on industry norms, but it’s important to create an experience that’s tailored to their style and personality.

Authentically seek feedback While it may feel uncomfortable, asking for feedback during and at the end of a transaction can dramatically improve your working style and professional blind-spots. It can also help you adapt your working style to better suit your respective clients.

Of course, it’s important to be open-minded and to quash the need to be defensive. Not all feedback will be useful, but you can incorporate the parts that are. This not only grows your skillset, but it also demonstrates to clients that you are open to constructive criticism and sincerely prioritize a job well done over personal praise. As a bonus, positive feedback can be parlayed into client testimonials, which are incredibly useful tools to boost your business on the whole.

It’s no secret that real estate is a busy, self-determined business. While your client care may feel all accounted for, there is always room to grow. Professionals at the top of their field know this and never stop building out their repertoire. If you want to take your business to the next level and create an imprint that’s synonymous with concierge care, then keep these ideas in mind as you build your relationships and your brand.

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VIVIENNE ROTTMAN Vivienne Rottman has brought her skills and talent to the real estate world and isn’t looking back. No stranger to success, she entered the fashion industry right out of college and climbed her way to the top, working as an executive for large brands.

But when the pandemic hit, she was inspired to look for new opportunities in other fields. While her apartment in the West Village skyrocketed in value over the last several years, she realized the importance of investing. “Plus, I was always passionate about anything home-related,” Vivienne explains. So it was only natural for her to earn her real estate license. “I fell in love with everything I was learning, and it all just made so much sense to me,” she says. After finding Platinum Properties, a smaller brokerage in New York City, she felt instantly at home. “We’re based in the Financial District, and have about 50 agents. It was just a great fit from the start. We are all so close knit and family oriented.”

Basing her business on integrity and honesty, Vivienne has had no trouble establishing herself as a top agent in the nation’s biggest city. “I wanted to become an agent partly because I wanted to show people that REALTORS® can have a high level of professionalism and ethics,” she explains. “There are agents who genuinely love the business and care about their clients, and I am one of them.” Through her career in fashion, she learned the importance of being diligent and reliable, which she carries into her work today.

Buyers and sellers love that she is there for them at every step, answering questions and providing guidance. It is more than a transaction to Vivienne, as she knows how important this journey is in her clients’ lives. Wanting it to be a memorable experience, she eliminates stress and keeps it exciting, never losing sight of the end goal.

These attributes are vital in the highly competitive real estate world of New York City. One recent buyer said, “It was a pleasure to work with Vivienne. I was Top Agent Magazine

extremely new to the home buying process and she helped guide me through every step. She was extremely knowledgeable about the market and suggested the home that I ended up falling in love with. I can’t thank Vivienne enough and look forward to working with her in the future for my home buying needs.” Another wrote, “Vivienne is an ultimate professional in customer service which is top of my list.

She takes the time to understand who you are and then searches for a slate of matches that make sense. Her approach is tailored, time saving and completes the circle with an eye for aesthetics.”

During Vivienne’s free time, she can be found networking and meeting as many new people as possible. “It’s really important for me to get out there and make those connections,” she explains. This makes the process go even smoother, as she may know the agent on the other side of a deal. She’s also committed to growing her business, and can’t wait to see where the future leads. “I’m really pleased with the progress I’ve made, and I look forward to reaching the goals I’ve set for myself.”

To get in touch with Vivienne Rottman, please call 917-603-3527 or email vrottman@platinumpropertiesnyc.com 25

3 Ways to Make Your Workspace Work for You Productivity experts agree that a curated workspace positively impacts productivity and mood, but oftentimes we settle for bland desks and cubicles that lack personalized details or considerations for workflow. Why miss out on the opportunity to optimize your surroundings when it could brighten your day—and boost your performance? Keep in mind some of these tactics to make your workspace your own and reap the benefits along the way.

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DETERMINE YOUR WORKING STYLE AND DECORATE ACCORDINGLY For the creative set, a colorful and art-filled workspace can inspire fresh ideas and reduce stress. Likewise, casual yet aesthetically pleasing furniture, accessories, and décor set an inviting yet functional mood. A pop of color from an office tool—even something as basic as a stapler—can inject a sense of fun and modernism into your daily tasks. For the more analytical, right-brained worker, clean

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lines and zero clutter go a long way. A few well-chosen personal photos in tasteful, unassuming frames can provide a motivating connection to the world beyond the office, while accessories and supplies that are sleek, monochrome, and contemporary inspire a sense of calm efficiency.

BUILD A WORKSPACE WITH YOUR DAILY ROUTINE IN MIND If you find yourself spending hours on the phone per day, or assembling stacks of documents and brochures, or even coming and going from the office with frequency—there are simple adjustments you can make to your workspace that will save you time and energy. If you sit for long hours—responding to e-mails or making calls—try incorporating an ergonomic chair or keyboard wrist-pad to maximize comfort. If you spend a long time assembling presentation materials, then file organizers, trays, and easy-to-pull labels can shave valuable time off your efforts. Lastly, those who step out for frequent meetings can reduce the hassle of being on-the-go by making your space mindfully organized—a coatrack and a dish for your keys by the door, an auto-brew coffeemaker, or an easily edited whiteboard calendar can make jet-setting simpler.

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ADD EASY DETAILS THAT ENRICH YOUR WORKING EXPERIENCE While organization and décor can rally productivity and mood, there are also a few extra details you can introduce to your workspace to improve the quality of your working life.

Healthy, easy to grab-and-go snacks—think nuts, homemade trail mix, and fresh fruit— can keep your energy up without the sugar crush or guilt. If there’s a window nearby, a hard-to-kill plant like a philodendron or a fern not only cleanse the air around you, but also provide a welcome connection to the natural world. Being prepared in a pinch is another great way to make your workspace work for you: a spare tie, a tube of lip balm, hand sanitizer, or a box of Band-Aids can save you a trip to the store when an unexpected need arises.

While we take great pains to make our homes our sanctuaries—complete with the decorations, furniture, and food we favor—we often overlook our work areas, even though we spend a sizable portion of our week sitting at the same desk. Challenge yourself to add a few of these personalizing, productivity-boosting details to your work area and bring the comfort of home to your working life.

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