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Inclusivity and Representation Matter

June 25, 2021 By

In October of 2020, David Walsh and Juan Sanchez set out to launch CENTURY 21 Bear Facts Realty in Denver, Colorado. They met over 20 years ago, while both in real estate. David and Juan are both passionate about the empowerment of others, with strong beliefs in the importance of representation and inclusivity. Setting their intentions early on, both David and Juan have had their sights on building culture from the ground up.

After only 8 months, David and Juan have attracted over 20 agents from diverse backgrounds. They’ve taken their knowledge and experience to fill what they call gaps in the market for those who are underrepresented. They believe that knowing and understanding their agents, and what they’re trying to do with their businesses, will help them provide more tailored and customized training to fit each of their agent’s individual needs. David and Juan have strong beliefs that it’s very important to affiliate people who represent, look like, sound like, and think like the clients they are serving in the marketplace, across a broad spectrum of life.

“It has been inspiring to see the growth of our new office since October 2020. As a diversity-based, Latin-owned and LGBT-run new business Juan and I felt strongly about our role in the community and the importance of our agent family being as representative of the broad spectrum of clients they serve.”- David Walsh, Co-Owner of CENTURY 21 Bear Facts Realty

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The grand opening of CENTURY 21 Bear Facts Realty. Watch a video from David here.

CENTURY 21 Bear Facts Realty is a 2020 Inclusive Ownership Organization, and when we asked David what that means to him and Juan, he spoke to the bigger picture of how he foresees making an impact outside the four walls of their brand-new office. With a heart for community outreach, the agents of C21 Bear Facts Realty are intentional about reaching out to volunteer and serve others in their market, and to work with other LGBTQ+ and minority-owned businesses to create more representation, and community, as a larger entity.

“Our agent count has grown rather quickly and we have professionals who can serve clients in English, Spanish, German, Czech, Russian, and even Southern Drawl. We have affiliated amazing gay and straight agents in roughly equal numbers and created a collaborative and supportive office environment that values and respects everyone, regardless of their background and lifestyle.” – David Walsh, Co-Owner of CENTURY 21 Bear Facts Realty

Juan is the networker, out of the two, and by David’s own account, Juan has never met a committee he didn’t like. Juan is a part of NAHREP and belongs to the Gay Alliance of Real Estate, and he’s intentional about building those meaningful connections with various organizations to further their efforts of LGBTQ+ representation in real estate.

David and Juan hold to their authenticity and decided on a more tactical approach to building their team. What’s their secret? When we asked David and Juan, their answer was simple. David says, “We decided to take more of a grassroots approach. It’s about building and helping others grow their LGBTQ+ businesses. We are allies with the LGBTQ+ community and other less-represented markets. The companies we partner with, the photographer all the way down to the closing gifts our agents provide to their clients are other LGBTQ+ businesses. This is an effort to cross-market and build partnerships for broader SEO efforts.”

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Juan, having previously owned a brokerage, shared that since affiliating with CENTURY 21 Real Estate, he’s felt more empowered and supported, by the brand, to help other agents recognize their potential. Juan shared that being a part of C21 has given him an additional value proposition when connecting with agents who, he feels, are the right fit for their office. Leveraging the brand power of CENTURY 21 Real Estate, Juan feels, the tools provided help bring out and empower who they are.

“Real Estate is a very personal business; you make your business your own. If you’re not really being your true self, how can you succeed in your business?” – Juan Sanchez, Co-Owner of CENTURY 21 Bear Facts Realty

David believes that as the country looks different, lives different, and talks different, that it’s important to be capable of helping others achieve the dream of homeownership.

“Less than a year into our fledgling business and partnership with Century 21 [Real Estate], we have already made a difference to a wide swath of the Denver real estate market, learned a lot, and had a great time doing it. This is exactly why Juan and I started this endeavor and this is just the beginning! We can’t wait to grow into what comes next for our team and our business.”– David Walsh, Co-Owner of CENTURY 21 Bear Facts Realty

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Confessions of a #1

October 23, 2020 By

Securing the #1 spot as a top performer may not be easy, but it’s possible. Success isn’t necessarily something that just happens to you. It’s actually, quite the contrary. When you get the opportunity to learn the ropes from others who have implemented key methods that have helped them become #1 in their field, you can’t help but notice a theme. #WhatIf there are methods you could execute, day to day, and mindsets you could put into practice, right now, that could elevate your game 121%? #WhatIf you had the chance to sit down with a seasoned entrepreneur who has weathered the uncertainties of life and business and has come out on top?

Here’s your chance. Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with someone who’s taken success, by the horns, and hasn’t looked back. Joe Villaescusa is not only the Owner of CENTURY 21 Allstars in Pico Rivera, California, but he’s a top performer; and not just any top performer but, a #relentless one.

Don’t believe us? Read on.

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Last year, Joe’s office closed over $18 million in sales with over 1800 closings. If that’s not enough, CENTURY 21 AllStars is on track to knock it out of the park again this year. To top that off (we know, right?) Joe has recovered from COVID19 and has worked each day to regain his momentum and build his strength. As you can see, it’s not just Joe’s tenacity but it’s the grit and grind mindset he’s taken on, day in and day out.

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So here’s what you’ve been waiting for. Here are our top three confessions from Joe that he says has helped him to become a #1:

  1. Show yourself accountable every day.- “We didn’t get into this business to be average.” Joe believes you don’t become complacent overnight. Over time, when you aren’t accountable to mentors and leaders, complacency can have a way of sneaking up on you. Allowing this to go on without the right accountability can lead to an overall lack of motivation before you realize it. Surround yourself with others who have reached milestones and goals, you’d like to achieve, to help you to push yourself and remain motivated.
  2. Remove your choices so you have to do it “this way.”- When you have too many options, it can become second nature to choose the easiest route. The housing market crash of 2006, Joe says, helped him to develop a discipline in making decisions to help with his personal development and the growth of his business. “When your options are eliminated, you are forced to make decisions with what you have,” Joe says. During the crash, the options available to expand Joe’s business was greatly diminished. This put him in a position to have to choose the more difficult routes, in making day to day decisions. He’s been able to carry this mindset with him, even after the market made a turn for the better. When making decisions, it’s not uncommon to have a mix of easier and difficult choices among your options. Try removing the easier choices that don’t carry character developing challenges.
  3. Get enough sleep.- This goes without saying. According to the CDC, one-third of adults don’t get enough sleep. Joe recommends getting a good night’s rest to get your day started bright and early. “If you can get out of the bed, you are 50% of the way there,” he says.  Being intentional about getting adequate rest can help avoid playing the “catch up game” and set your things in motion to start your days off strong.
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It’s a slow and steady pace that can lead one to a #1 spot but it’s not impossible. Be patient with your journey and surround yourself with others that are crushing goals you hope to accomplish. Being intentional about your growth and success is key and can help you #AlwaysElevate your game!

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This Doesn’t Have to be Awkward

September 22, 2020 By

This time last year, the term “new normal” was unheard of. Fast forward to today, and it’s become a term that just about all of us (like it or not) has adapted as every day language to sum up, the unexpected turn of events of 2020. A year ago, it was common to muster up a casual conversation with someone, while grabbing coffee at your favorite barista. Trying to initiate this same conversation today, and it can become a mildly awkward moment where two people are attempting to speak to one another through muffled words while wearing face masks with misinterpreted hand gestures. When you’ve become accustomed to interpreting facial expressions such as a smile, or someone mouthing the word, “Hello,” the challenge we’ve all come to face, at some point, is how do we continue interacting with one another and building relationships day to day, when our main lines of communication have been impacted through the measures of social distancing? How can we avoid making things awkward?

Century 21 real estate agent, Bernz Fernandez, hasn’t missed a beat with his clients and says he’s found the sweet spot in making things less awkward in his day to day interactions. Building and maintaining relationships is the bread and butter for most real estate professionals and entrepreneurs alike, and the measures of social distancing can make it difficult to communicate and show yourself friendly to others.

In California, when masks were first mandated, Burnz began hand-delivering them to his clients to continue fostering those relationships. “It’s about making sure people understand that you are here to help them,” Burns says. It’s in times like this where you may have to consider thinking outside the box for simple ways to communicate through thoughtful gestures while interacting with those you encounter.

According to psychologists, increased levels of social interaction can cause the hormone oxytocin to be released in the brain. Known as the “soothing hormone” studies have shown the release of this hormone can have a positive impact such as wellbeing, stress reduction, and even health promotion. Though we have a new normal with our person to person interaction, there are other ways we can create non-awkward social experiences. Paul J. Zak, Professor of Economic Sciences, Psychology & Management and Director, Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University, believes that using technology to communicate and stay connected with others may be 80% as effective as face to face interaction.

Entrepreneurs can follow the necessary safety precautions while still building relationships. Implementing technology such as texting, video chatting, email, and social media can be ways to build awareness for your business and simultaneously build the relationships you and your business need. “Social media has helped a lot,” Burns says. “I post a lot about work and personal life and I try to be genuine. People see this and when they see they can learn from you or relate form you, they are more inclined to reach out to you and they feel like they can trust you.” He has continued to generate new leads through the use of social media. He has also used technology as leverage to communicate “what to expect” with his clients during the homebuying process to help put them at ease and build their trust.

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Engaging with others doesn’t have to be awkward, and in speaking with Burnz, he shares some of the ways he’s been able to not only continue building his business, despite social distancing measures, but he’s also strengthened relationships and built new ones.

  1. Over iterate- Burnz shares, “I am very expressive and I talk with my hands. I also have very expressive eyebrows.” Even wearing a mask, you can communicate with others in a meaningful way. Whether it’s through a gentle head nod or smiling with your eyes, adding some extra expression can go a long way.
  2. Be sensitive- “I keep things short and quick, in a caring way, instead of going straight to asking them if they want to buy a house. You just don’t know what they’re going through, with all that’s happening,” he says. Putting others first and considering them outside of your work relationship can help build a solid foundation moving forward.
  3. Be authentic- “Be your authentic self. There is only one you and you can’t alter yourself because of what’s happening. Learn to work around you.” Creating authentic workarounds to new communication challenges can help put an end to those awkward encounters.

If you’ve found yourself struggling with what to say, or wondering if the person you said “hello” to as you walked past each other even heard you; know you’re not alone. We are all learning to find our new footing with what’s become our new normal. Taking just a few moments, each day, to intentionally communicate, in a more meaningful way, can help things feel…well, less awkward.

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Century 21® 2020-08-27 09:27:26

August 27, 2020 By

ALL IN: Building on a foundation for exponential growth

Earlier this year when Broker/Owners Phillip Bolte and Renee Bolte-Stein held a team meeting to announce their decision to affiliate with the C21 Brand and become CENTURY 21 Bolte Real Estate, they knew there was a lot at stake. What can be considered an institution in their area, the Bolte name celebrated a unique history with their local community that extended back to 1936. Not only did they have tenure, they had notable wins as well, all ingrained in an unshakable culture that has carried their company – and clients – through generations. As recent as 2019, the real estate company completed a key acquisition in their local market, effectively growing their reach. All indications point to a successful company with great longevity and momentum. So, from an outsider’s viewpoint one cannot help but wonder, “Why join the C21 Brand now?”

A Good Fit

A general rule of thumb for job seekers is that the interview process is a two-way street – it’s an opportunity for the company to interview you and more importantly, for you to interview the company for fit. The same rules apply when positioning your business for a potential partnership. The CENTURY 21 Brand takes pride in our mission: to defy mediocrity and deliver extraordinary experiences. That is in the DNA of everything we do and business decisions, projects, partnerships, etc. are all taken on with that filter in mind. Spend 5-minutes with Phillip and Renee and the commonalities in their business approach to ours are evident. They often cite their unique company mission, to “have fun, treat people right and make money.” How this translates to business is through their ultimate focus on growth. As Renee said, every decision they make must answer one of two questions, “will this help our brokerage grow? or “will this help our agents grow?” – if the answer is no, they will not move ahead – simple as that. For the C21 Brand, the journey to affiliation did not occur overnight, but was 5-years’ worth of building relationship on both sides of the conversation to evaluate alignment. What was mutually discovered in the process?

  1. We both have a growth-oriented mindset
  2. The desire to continue to improve is core to our success
  3. We believe in delivering exceptional experiences to our clients and maintaining a commitment to excellence by taking a personal approach with customers

The challenge the Bolte team was experiencing is that, despite the efforts they took in working towards some of these needs, they ultimately began to learn there was a limit to what they could achieve on their own when it came to their growth aspirations. With dedicated consultants from the C21-side as well as platforms and resources available to spur growth and productivity, value was supported on both sides of this conversation.

It’s About Time…

But back to that team meeting. CENTURY 21 Bolte Real Estate consists of 48 agents with an agent age range spanning 50 years, the youngest agent clocking in at 24. The decision to affiliate not just extended to their culture and community – but also to their agents, who all have unique needs. A reality they had to consider is this announcement and could result in an agent deciding to leave, also known as breakage. As Phillip recalls, the moment he knew this transition would go well is when the oldest agent in his office, at 74, approached him after the announcement and simply said, “it’s about time.” What it showed Bolte leadership was that their team recognized there was more opportunity out there to individually – and collectively achieve their goals. The transition to the CENTURY 21 Brand for the Bolte team ultimately saw 0 breakage. What’s more, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the U.S., the company had two consecutive record-breaking months in June and July 2020. They went into that meeting confident, and cautiously optimistic. They came out on the other side – ready.

Bolte 2.0

According to the Harvard Business Review, there are two qualities to be a coachable person: demonstrate a commitment to development and have the capacity to reach a desired skill level. Our team across the global C21 network all have that in common – despite our location in the world, we are all 121% committed to delivering extraordinary and we are dedicated to success. This common denominator came into play in affiliating with CENTURY 21 Bolte. The Bolte team has a long history of being trailblazers in their own right, going back to their founder, Ann Bolte being the first female Broker in Ohio. In addition, they understood the importance of technology in their business but often felt it was a challenge to maintain a competitive edge. That combination of qualities opened the door for the C21 Brand to provide the right resources to the Bolte team to make these attainable realities. The Bolte team is a leader in their local market and arguably know the real estate landscape in their area better than anyone, they made the conscious decision to become students of the brand – and absorb all of the learning, training and tech opportunities they could from Century 21 Real Estate. This allowed that team to build on their fundamentals and create a new space to push through the barriers they might have previously experienced and effectively impact their business with best-in-class resources.

The best way Phillip captured the company’s reasoning to affiliate, “we knew it was something we had to do – to get to the next level…and once we committed, we were all in.” There are some things that just won’t change. Although Buckeyes might visit CENTURY 21 Bolte Real Estate to a slightly different name and look, the fundamentals of this organization are sound, steeped in 80-years’ worth of growth and culture that has left – and will continue to – leave an indelible mark on the communities they serve in the Northern/Central Ohio area.

Syndicated via Century 21®. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/9Cmv55Mc9jI/

Century 21® 2020-08-27 09:27:26

August 27, 2020 By

ALL IN: Building on a foundation for exponential growth

Earlier this year when Broker/Owners Phillip Bolte and Renee Bolte-Stein held a team meeting to announce their decision to affiliate with the C21 Brand and become CENTURY 21 Bolte Real Estate, they knew there was a lot at stake. What can be considered an institution in their area, the Bolte name celebrated a unique history with their local community that extended back to 1936. Not only did they have tenure, they had notable wins as well, all ingrained in an unshakable culture that has carried their company – and clients – through generations. As recent as 2019, the real estate company completed a key acquisition in their local market, effectively growing their reach. All indications point to a successful company with great longevity and momentum. So, from an outsider’s viewpoint one cannot help but wonder, “Why join the C21 Brand now?”

A Good Fit

A general rule of thumb for job seekers is that the interview process is a two-way street – it’s an opportunity for the company to interview you and more importantly, for you to interview the company for fit. The same rules apply when positioning your business for a potential partnership. The CENTURY 21 Brand takes pride in our mission: to defy mediocrity and deliver extraordinary experiences. That is in the DNA of everything we do and business decisions, projects, partnerships, etc. are all taken on with that filter in mind. Spend 5-minutes with Phillip and Renee and the commonalities in their business approach to ours are evident. They often cite their unique company mission, to “have fun, treat people right and make money.” How this translates to business is through their ultimate focus on growth. As Renee said, every decision they make must answer one of two questions, “will this help our brokerage grow? or “will this help our agents grow?” – if the answer is no, they will not move ahead – simple as that. For the C21 Brand, the journey to affiliation did not occur overnight, but was 5-years’ worth of building relationship on both sides of the conversation to evaluate alignment. What was mutually discovered in the process?

  1. We both have a growth-oriented mindset
  2. The desire to continue to improve is core to our success
  3. We believe in delivering exceptional experiences to our clients and maintaining a commitment to excellence by taking a personal approach with customers

The challenge the Bolte team was experiencing is that, despite the efforts they took in working towards some of these needs, they ultimately began to learn there was a limit to what they could achieve on their own when it came to their growth aspirations. With dedicated consultants from the C21-side as well as platforms and resources available to spur growth and productivity, value was supported on both sides of this conversation.

It’s About Time…

But back to that team meeting. CENTURY 21 Bolte Real Estate consists of 48 agents with an agent age range spanning 50 years, the youngest agent clocking in at 24. The decision to affiliate not just extended to their culture and community – but also to their agents, who all have unique needs. A reality they had to consider is this announcement and could result in an agent deciding to leave, also known as breakage. As Phillip recalls, the moment he knew this transition would go well is when the oldest agent in his office, at 74, approached him after the announcement and simply said, “it’s about time.” What it showed Bolte leadership was that their team recognized there was more opportunity out there to individually – and collectively achieve their goals. The transition to the CENTURY 21 Brand for the Bolte team ultimately saw 0 breakage. What’s more, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the U.S., the company had two consecutive record-breaking months in June and July 2020. They went into that meeting confident, and cautiously optimistic. They came out on the other side – ready.

Bolte 2.0

According to the Harvard Business Review, there are two qualities to be a coachable person: demonstrate a commitment to development and have the capacity to reach a desired skill level. Our team across the global C21 network all have that in common – despite our location in the world, we are all 121% committed to delivering extraordinary and we are dedicated to success. This common denominator came into play in affiliating with CENTURY 21 Bolte. The Bolte team has a long history of being trailblazers in their own right, going back to their founder, Ann Bolte being the first female Broker in Ohio. In addition, they understood the importance of technology in their business but often felt it was a challenge to maintain a competitive edge. That combination of qualities opened the door for the C21 Brand to provide the right resources to the Bolte team to make these attainable realities. The Bolte team is a leader in their local market and arguably know the real estate landscape in their area better than anyone, they made the conscious decision to become students of the brand – and absorb all of the learning, training and tech opportunities they could from Century 21 Real Estate. This allowed that team to build on their fundamentals and create a new space to push through the barriers they might have previously experienced and effectively impact their business with best-in-class resources.

The best way Phillip captured the company’s reasoning to affiliate, “we knew it was something we had to do – to get to the next level…and once we committed, we were all in.” There are some things that just won’t change. Although Buckeyes might visit CENTURY 21 Bolte Real Estate to a slightly different name and look, the fundamentals of this organization are sound, steeped in 80-years’ worth of growth and culture that has left – and will continue to – leave an indelible mark on the communities they serve in the Northern/Central Ohio area.

Syndicated via Century 21®. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/9Cmv55Mc9jI/

Art: This time, it’s personal

July 28, 2020 By

Commissioning artwork for your new house is a fantastic way to personalize your space and establish the style of your home.

With the purchase of a new house comes a whole lot of wall space to fill. Rather than shoehorning your existing artwork into new spaces where it might not be the perfect fit, consider commissioning a piece that is uniquely designed for your new home, taking into account lighting, the dimensions of the room, the color palette in the space, and your own unique taste.

Commissioning artwork might sound daunting, but it’s actually a fairly straightforward process that allows you to express yourself, and to decorate your home in a way that maximizes your enjoyment of it. We spoke with three commissioning artists to understand the nuts and bolts of commissioning your own artwork.

Why commission when you can just buy?

If you need to fill a blank wall, it might seem easier to just search artworks until you find one that fits the space well enough. But a little extra effort will result in something that’s the perfect complement to your home and its inhabitants.

Artist Lanie Mann, who is based in Washington, D.C., says, “It’s extremely special to have a piece of art where you’ve worked directly with the artist—and an original piece that reflects you as the homeowner. You have a part in the creative process; this is something you can’t just go out and buy from a shop or gallery.”

Brooklyn-based geometric abstractionist Kane Grose points out that personalizing your artwork will ensure that it fits with your color and style preferences, saying, “You can customize artwork to fit your interior design palette, which is not easy to do when you’re searching through paintings on the internet. With a commission, you can customize a work so it’s 100 per cent personal to you.” From an artist’s point of view, Grose says that working on commissions is rewarding in terms of the end result. “It’s great doing commissions, because it allows you to really imbue an artwork with your client’s personality,” he says.

Choosing an artist

If you google “artist commission,” you will be presented with hundreds of thousands of search results, and many of them won’t deliver what you’re looking for. “Unless you know stylistically what you’re looking for, there’s a lot of searching involved,” Grose says. “The best place to look is online; Instagram is good—a lot of artists show their work there, so you can see their back catalogs just by scrolling. If you’re looking in person, a great idea is to find your local art precinct, and just go and visit the galleries there; often they will be showcasing the work of local artists.”

Once you’ve found an artist that you like, usually it’s not too difficult to get in touch with them to start the commissioning process. “Keep a list of artists’ work you are most drawn to,” Mann offers. “Most artists have a website, and there is usually a way to reach out to an artist directly to find out if they do commissioned work, and how they structure the commission process.”

Think about it
Before you start the commissioning process, make sure you have a good idea of the direction you want to take, the style of painting that you like, and exactly what you want from the artist. “Commissioning a piece of art is a special thing, so you want to make sure that you love the work of the artist you will be working with,” says Mann, and Grose agrees. “You are choosing an artist because of their particular style, so don’t go into the relationship expecting them to be able to do, or be comfortable doing, something that doesn’t fit with the work that they produce,” he says.

“Size and color are important to consider,” says Mann. “Think about what you love about the artist’s work, so you can communicate this with them, and it will be reflected in your commissioned piece.” Then there are the more practical things, like time and budget. If you need something quickly, or if you can only pay a certain amount, these factors might affect whether or not you can work with a particular artist. “Consider that, because it’s a commission, it’s more of a custom piece, and it will take a little longer to get delivered versus buying what’s available in the artist’s gallery,” New York painter Jen Ramos points out, continuing, “you should also consider your budget, because that will determine how much art you can afford.”

The artist needs to know

As with any custom project, the more information the artist has, the better your commissioned work will turn out. All three artists agreed that the most important question they will ask you relates to their existing work: which particular paintings are you drawn to from their collection, and why? Aside from that, Mann has an information gathering approach. “I ask about colors—usually they have a palette in mind—and for any inspiration photos. I am also happy to receive photos or swatches to help inform the palette. I don’t necessarily hope to completely match a color scheme—I think it’s best when the art can complement the space without being too ‘matchy’.” Ramos wants to know about the space, as well as who lives in the home. “I’ll ask them for photos of their space where the painting is going to hang, whether they have any children or if they’re married, what colors they like, what colors they don’t like, and how large they want the artwork to be,” she says. Grose says, “For me, it would be what the purpose of the piece is—if it’s a statement piece, or if it’s something that’s going in a low traffic area. Do they want it to be the center of attention, or to bring out other features in the room?”

If an artist is local, they might visit your home to get a better understanding of the space. “I’ve often visited local clients’ homes to take a look at the space where they want to hang the piece,” says Mann. “I can advise on what size might look best, and often recommend or tape out for them (using painter’s tape) the size of the canvas so we can visualize it in the space.” “If they’re local and they want me to visit, I’ll definitely do that,” says Grose. “If possible, it’s always good to see a space first—but at the very least, a few pictures with different angles of the space are really helpful.”

Art: This time, it’s personal image 1

Don’t get rejected

Keep in mind that, even if you want to work with a particular artist, sometimes they will turn down the commission. This usually only happens if you are requesting something that doesn’t fit with their ethos or aesthetic. “It really depends on what it is that the client wants,” says Ramos. “I’ve had people contact me to do something that was very different to what I do, and I have declined it.”

To ensure that you don’t get too far down the commissioning path and then get disappointed, do your research, and engage in proper communication with the artist. Mann says, “If I feel that the request is too far from what I do as an artist, I will be up-front about it. I encourage having a phone call to discuss the process; I feel like an actual conversation helps connect us a bit better, and the connection is an important piece of a commission. I’ve worked with so many incredible people, and I love the connections that I’ve made.” The ins and outs Commissioning an artwork is a collaborative effort, so both parties will need to agree on what’s expected.

After initial discussions, the artist will provide you with a document that describes the expected piece, including time frames, budget and inclusions. You will usually be asked for a deposit, and both parties will sign the agreement. In terms of timing, it will depend on the size, the process, the amount of work involved and whether you would like the work framed, but you can expect anywhere from two weeks to a couple of months before your artwork is ready.

Expect to pay slightly more than you would for an off-the-shelf painting; usually an artist will charge a premium for the customized work. But pricing will depend on who you choose to work with, the size of the piece, the amount of work involved, and how advanced the artist is in their career. On average, the artists that we spoke to sell commissioned works in the range of $1,000–$5,000. It might be a little more effort, but an artwork that is a combination of your personality and the work of an artist that you admire can be the difference between a house and a home.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Lanie Mann is based in Washington, D.C., and creates “loose and layered” works, bursting with color and optimism. Her work encompasses figures, portraits and abstract composition.

www.laniemannart.com

Kane Grose is a Brooklyn-based geometric abstractionist, creating striking works with clean lines, vibrant colors and a splash of optical illusion. He calls his work pure abstraction, which he says “removes reality and allows the senses their free rein.”

www.kanegrose.com

Jen Ramos is a New York–based artist specializing in abstract works that mix bold and muted colors to great effect. Her work is underscored by feelings of happiness, joy, hope and sometimes a little chaos.

www.jenramos.com

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Apartment Industry and its Residents Contribute $3.4 Trillion to the Economy

October 16, 2019 By

A new study commissioned by the National Apartment Association and the National Multifamily Housing Council reveals that the apartment industry and its residents contribute more than $3.4 trillion to the national economy. The report, We Are Apartments, provides a detailed breakdown of the economic impact nationally, by state and in 50 metro areas.

Highlights from the report include:

  • Resident spending contributes $3 trillion to the U.S. economy, while operations adds $175.2 billion. New construction contributes $150.1 billion, and renovation and repair add $68.8 billion.
  • In 2017, there were 346,900 apartment completions, up from 129,900 in 2011. Previous research had found that an average of 328,000 apartments were needed per year to meet existing demand. The number of multifamily completions was surpassed only twice since 1989.
  • A significant portion of existing apartment stock will need to be renovated in the coming years.

The study breaks down all the data by state and metro area. Visitors to the website can also use an Apartment Community Estimator, a tool that allows users to enter the number of apartments of an existing or proposed community to determine its potential economic impact.

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Top 5 Traits of a Skilled Negotiator

September 26, 2019 By

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term “skilled negotiator?” Do you think of someone who can walk into a room, and when the stakes are high, and there’s a deal on the table, they’re able to walk away with a signed contract in their favor?

#WhatIf being a skilled negotiator was more than just getting a signed contract? What if negotiating was more than just winning a deal? In episode 5 of The Relentless, Andrew Brandt shares a few strategies he’s learned and implemented over the course of his 25-year career that have led to his success.

When determining whether you’ve got what it takes to negotiate a deal that delivers the extraordinary to your clients, it may help to have a list of key qualities to measure. We’ve listened to this episode several times (it’s just that good) and here are our top 5 takeaways of a skilled negotiator:

  1. You’ve learned the element of emotional control- When negotiations are underway, it’s easy to become emotionally vested. When you’ve learned the element of emotional control, you’re able to establish a distance between how you feel while staying focused on reaching your goal. You know how to talk about someone else, speak about someone else, and keep your emotional control in the room. Emotional control doesn’t mean you don’t have empathy, it simply means you know how to set how you feel aside and how to stay in the moment.
  2. You’re honest with who you’re representing- A skilled negotiator is always honest. You understand that being honest about the good and the bad are the building blocks of the relationship. You value your client’s trust and you see them as more than a transaction, but as a person that you are helping achieve a goal. Despite how much of a challenge it can be to share information that may not be favorable, you are able to push past the obstacles because it is more important to you to be honest, keep your client informed, and to give them 121%.
  3. You know that relationships are key- Relationships are important, while at, and away from the negotiation table. In fact, the word “relationship” is mentioned 15 times, in this episode. When you know that relationships are key, you will go above and beyond to make things more relational vs transactional. You’ve got what it takes to understand what makes people tick and you leverage this to create a personalized experience for your client. You’re understanding, and you navigate through each point of the process to deliver the extraordinary to who you’re representing.  

  4. You’re a master communicator- One of the greatest assets you can bring to the negotiation table is to keep the lines of communication open. When you’re a master communicator, you set healthy expectations in the beginning and you continue to keep your client informed of what’s happening. A master communicator always knows how to keep the client feeling a part of the process, every step of the way.

  5. You maintain consistency throughout the process- There are many times when a negotiation can take a few rounds to reach a mutual agreement for both sides. A consistent communicator knows when and how to leverage different strategies throughout the process. When you’re consistent, you aren’t swayed by delays or when things take a different turn than you had expected. You remain focused on not only reaching a favorable outcome for who you are representing but you desire for both sides to feel good about the outcome.  

Episode 5 is one you’ll want to listen to again and again because with each time, you’ll hear something new to takeaway.  Learn more about becoming a skilled negotiator by checking out episode 5 of The Relentless. #jointheconversation

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How to prepare your home for a winter open house

February 20, 2019 By

The winter season can be a great time to sell your house, but while your competition is reduced, success during this time can still depend on a successful open house. To help make your open house as effective as possible, follow these tips.

  • Take down your decorations. The holidays are over, but if you’re the type that likes to leave the decorations up for a time, taking them down before your open house is a good idea. Prospective buyers may not celebrate the same holidays as you and you don’t want to alienate them.
  • Clear the clutter. If you haven’t put those holiday gifts away yet, now’s the time. Prospective buyers should be able to focus on your home instead of the collection of things crowding it. Give them nice open spaces to move about and they’ll be appreciative.
  • Turn up the heat. Warm and cozy is more than a catch phrase during the winter. Bring the temperature up in your home slightly during your open house to keep your guests comfortable. If they are too cold in your home, they aren’t apt to stay long.
  • Plan for winter apparel. Be it jackets or boots, take extra steps to prepare your entryway for the added material your buyers will bring with them. A designated spot to place these items can make guests feel welcome and keep your home cleaner during the showing and beyond.

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The Formula for Creating a Luxury Bath

February 20, 2019 By

Amy Vermillion may have over 20 years of design experience, but even she knows that designing a luxury bath can be a daunting experience.

Although luxury means different things to different people, the Charlotte, N.C.-based Vermillion says that there are certain elements that need to be included in a luxury bath no matter what the definition is. Here’s what Vermillion says her clients demand in their baths:

  • A great bathing experience. Residents want to be pampered, whether they’re taking a bath or shower. But everyone has different needs. Do you want a soft or brisk shower spray? Multiple showerheads, body sprays, music or lighting? Vermillion always includes a hand shower on a slide bar for times clients just want to rinse off without washing their hair.
  • Fine fixtures. Vermillion refers to faucets as “the jewelry of the bathroom.” She looks for clean lines, interesting geometry and beautiful finishes. Nickel is one of her favorites. Vermillion recommends ROHL faucets not just because they are stylish but because they are also relatively maintenance-free.
  • A tankless water heater. This may not instantly spring to mind when you think of luxury in the bathroom, but a tankless water heater gives you unlimited hot water without a wait. Cold showers become a thing of the past!

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