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Century 21® 2022-07-26 09:32:39

July 26, 2022 By C21 Communications

Eugene F. Pridgett III, owner of CENTURY 21 The Gene Group in Dayton, Ohio, has a long list of roles he’s played: Air Force veteran, stockbroker, software engineer, real estate broker, business owner, husband. Now he can add another – television star.

He was recently featured in an episode of “Military Makeover: Operation Career,” hosted by Montel Williams highlighting Century 21 Real Estate LLC. This special episode explored how the real estate industry and the CENTURY 21® brand provides great opportunities for military service members looking for a new profession as they transition to civilian life.

The CENTURY 21 brand is proud to support veterans who affiliate with a CENTURY 21 brokerage through its exclusive Recruiting America’s Heroes program for newly retired veterans, transitioning veterans, active military, reservists, military spouses and surviving military spouses. Where applicable, participating agents receive up to 40% off the online real estate pre-licensing course, up to 40% off continuing education courses through the CE Shops (in select states) and a welcome gift from the CENTURY 21 brand.

Skills That Last a Lifetime

Gene enlisted in the Air Force after college, specializing in avionics and programming software for F15 fighter jets. “It was my job to get the sorties in the air,” Gene says, which meant being responsible for the jet’s software and fixing things that went awry. He learned skills that have lasted a lifetime – analytical problem solving, quick thinking, working under pressure, teamwork, attention to detail, dedication to serving.

He expected these would translate well to a career as a stockbroker after he left the military, but ironically, it was the sales part that didn’t suit the future real estate broker. “I was too truthful. I’d tell clients, ‘You know, this isn’t a smart move because these fees are crazy. You can’t make the kind of money you’re looking for this way.’ Finance is, obviously, all about the money, but I was more about watching out for my clients’ interests.”

So, he returned to what he knew best, beginning what would become a 20-year career in software engineering for a major aerospace corporation that supported the military. Gene worked in configuration management, ensuring completed software was clean with no backdoors or additional software added in that could create issues.

Looking for a new challenge after two decades, he again turned to those invaluable skills he learned in the Air Force. Real estate had always interested him, so he began investing in and flipping houses. Over time, he developed algorithms to identify the best investment opportunities and how to best evaluate properties. (Because that’s what you do when you’re an ex-military software engineer who goes into real estate.)

What he found was that he loved helping people more than anything.

(Don’t) “Show Me the Money”

“It all came back to that foundation of service, which is what the military is all about – I wasn’t the warfighter, I supported the warfighter. Anything you do consistently over time becomes the baseline, becomes absorbed. Our greatest purpose on this planet is to be of service to others. You never see a
U-Haul following a hearse, because you can’t take it with you. I wasn’t in it for the money.”

So, he earned his real estate and then broker’s license and started his own independent brokerage. As his business grew, the offers started coming in – offers to merge, be purchased, affiliate with a brand. He’d always listen politely to what they had in mind, but he was never interested because they were always just about the money.

“When the CENTURY 21 brand approached me, they talked about a partnership, and that got my attention. My affiliated agents know I’m not sitting in the command quarter making decisions, I’m out on the battlefield with them,” Gene says, peppering his comments with military terms. “The CENTURY 21 brand operated the same way as me. I was talking to the heads of the departments and the president and CEO, Mike Miedler. They have approximately 14,000 offices, but he took the time to get to know me. I could reach out to him if I needed to talk, and that meant a lot. It still does.”

Gene was also attracted to the brand’s 50-year track record and reputation as the most recognized and respected name in real estate¹. “The CENTURY 21 name is known around the world, which makes a big difference. They also had a robust tool set and systems that allowed me to plug in and help me grow my business. I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel and I didn’t have to use any tools that maybe didn’t align with my approach.”

Military – The Making of a Good Agent

Gene has seen from experience that veterans often make great real estate agents because of their transferable skills. Both the military and real estate are all about service and working toward the greater good. Veterans are dependable and value consistency, so they seek careers with systems and processes in place that create predictable outcomes. They’re very goal oriented and excellent problem solvers. They’re used to quality training so they can continuously improve and grow their skills. They want a reliable source of correction when things start to go off track, so they’re very coachable. They thrive in environments where they work alongside leaders who want to contribute to their success for a mutually beneficial outcome.

“A diamond is coal – the only difference is pressure. Veterans have just been under different pressures. That’s not saying the diamond is better than the coal, because the coal will heat your home. It’s just that we need to be in a different setting to be our best. And I think real estate is that type of setting.”

While he doesn’t specifically focus on recruiting veterans, they naturally find their way to him based on his proximity to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. But he says most of his military-related agents are actually military or veteran spouses, which he considers to be veterans, too. “When your spouse is active duty, you are, too. You’re part of the squadron.”

Hungry and Humble

CENTURY 21 The Gene Group currently has 40 affiliated agents in Dayton and four in Cincinnati, with another 30 in the queue waiting to affiliate. But he’s very selective about who he chooses to partner with.

“They have to be hungry and humble. When I meet with prospects, I tell them real estate is work, it’s effort. You have a great responsibility and there will be challenges. But you’re the one that helps clients work through the emotions of buying and selling a home. You are their trusted advisor, and you have to be committed to that.”

Gene lives by three rules, both in business and in life:

Do what’s right because it’s right.
Trust can’t be granted – it must be earned.
Give more than you expect to receive.

“If you’re not in alignment with these, you won’t be a good fit for my brokerage.”

Many of the agents Gene affiliates are new to real estate, which is by design because he can mentor them on the right way to do things. He developed an onboarding system that helps agents move from “green to gold” quickly. There’s a team that walks them through the affiliation process, helps with the paperwork, orders business cards and guides them on all aspects of real estate. His goal is to remove obstacles and decision fatigue, so they remain excited about their new profession and do not become overwhelmed.

He also plugs them into everything the brand offers, from C21 University® to the marketing and productivity tools. “If they want to go into commercial real estate, build a team – whatever direction they want to head in, I know the CENTURY 21 brand and I can help them.”

Working with agents and supporting them as they build a business has been a perfect match with Gene’s focus on service. “I’ve always met sales milestones and that’s been great. But helping an agent make an income she never thought was possible, enough to take her kids to Disney World – that means so much more to me.”

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, the typical agent handles 9-10 transactions a year². “Those statistics are based on the wind shear agents face. But what if I could take that wind shear away? That’s what I’m trying to do – create an environment where challenges are minimized so agents can grow faster and go farther with the right systems and tools. My philosophy is, ‘If you want to go fast, go it alone. If you want to go far, go with a team. If you want to go real far and real fast, go with us!’”

Wind shear… Spoken like a true aerospace engineer.

Serving Those Who Serve

The Realogy Military Rewards program, available through Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (formerly Realogy Holdings Corp.), the parent company of Century 21 Real Estate LLC, supports military and veteran family homebuyers and sellers by offering $350-$7,500 in cash back³ after closing when they buy and/or sell a home with a participating agent, based on the home sale and/or purchase price.

CENTURY 21 The Gene Group is also invested in supporting members of the military who are relocating to or from the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Gene believes having a veteran leading the agency adds a level of confidence because they know he understands their unique challenges.

Gene’s team has a special process in place to help military clients with a PCS (permanent change of station), who typically have a very limited time to find a home and a tight deadline to move. Prior to the client arriving, they have several phone conversations to understand their needs and aspirations. The agent blocks several days off and prepares a showing execution plan so properties that meet their criteria are lined up and ready to view. His team shows them how to apply for VA financing, walks them through making an offer, and ideally, they leave with a contract so there’s one less thing to worry about.

Gene quotes Chaka Khan lyrics to illustrate his relentless approach to service, whether it’s to relocating military families, non-military clients or agents: “Through the fire, to the limit, to the wall.”

And that perfectly sums up how Gene rolls.

¹ Study Source: 2021 Ad Tracking Study. The survey results are based on 1,200 online interviews with a national random sample of adults (ages 18+) who are equal decision makers in real estate transactions and active in the real estate market (bought or sold a home within the past two years or, plan to purchase or sell a home within the next two years). Brand awareness question based on a sample of 1,200 respondents. Results are significant at a 90% confidence level, with a margin of error of +/-2.4%. Recognition question based on consumers aware of brand in question. Results are significant at a 90% confidence level, with a margin of error of +/- 2.4%.

The study was conducted by Kantar Group Limited (formerly Millward Brown), a leading global market research organization, from November 9-27, 2021.

² 2021 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile.

³ The cash back bonus is offered in most states. In some states, a gift card or commission reduction at closing may be provided in lieu of the cash back bonus. The program is not available for employer-sponsored relocations or transactions in Iowa or outside the United States. The cash back bonus is not available in Alaska and Oklahoma. In Kansas and Tennessee, a MasterCard MAX gift card will be issued. In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing. The cash back bonus is only available with the purchase and/or sale of your home through the use of a program-introduced real estate agent. The actual amount you receive is based on the purchase and/or sale price of your home. The program award is not available in certain transactions with restricted agent commissions (including many new construction, For Sale by Owner, or For Sale by iBuyer transactions). Your assigned agent can help you identify any transactions where the award would not be available. All real estate commissions are negotiable. Other terms and conditions may apply. This is not a solicitation if you are already represented by a real estate broker. Please check with a program coordinator for details. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply.

©2022 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All rights reserved. CENTURY 21® and the CENTURY 21 Logo are trademarks of Century 21 Real Estate LLC. The CENTURY 21® System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. This is not intended, and shall not be deemed to constitute, an offer to sell a franchise. Franchise offerings made only by a Franchise Disclosure Document. THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. SUCH REGISTRATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE APPROVAL, RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS NOR A FINDING BY THE COMMISSIONER THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND NOT MISLEADING. This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. The Minnesota registration number for this franchise system is #F186. Century 21 Real Estate LLC, 175 Park Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940.

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Century 21® 2022-07-20 21:33:00

July 20, 2022 By C21 Communications

Does fear hold you back? Whether it’s a fear of failure, fear of rejection or fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth (Google it, arachibutyrophobia is a real thing), fear can stop you from living your best life.

As The Relentless podcast fast approaches its one millionth download, we’re getting ready to launch Season 3, which will to focus on the notion of moving fearlessly. In a world filled with noise and distractions, we’ll look at how today’s most interesting entrepreneurs move fearlessly past obstacles and the assumptions that hold others back. We’ll talk with the people who transform what scares them into something that inspires as we explore how to build confidence, take risks and tackle the hard problems.

Since we started this podcast three years ago, we’ve packaged together more than 13 hours of content and spoken with over 30 guests — a diverse mix of successful entrepreneurs and effective salespeople who look at sales differently. In this special episode, we’re rounding up some of the best advice guests have shared over the past two seasons.

Bounce Back and Learn from Failures

Every entrepreneur experiences failure and rejection — it’s unavoidable. What you do with that failure will leave a lasting impact, whether positive or negative. Do you learn a valuable lesson, strategize how you’d approach the situation differently next time and bounce back even stronger? Or do you allow it to create fear that holds you back?

Actor and comedian Adam Ferrara is no stranger to rejection. Yet through countless auditions that ended in failure, he’s taken away a few important lessons that have helped him grow personally and professionally. He knows that even if you don’t get the part, the contract, the listing, you can learn from every failure or rejection and use it to hone your skills and grow.

Build Empathy

In business, being able to read the room and understand what others are feeling is a vital skill. When a deal is heading south, customers are on the fence or a valued employee is about to bolt, what happens next just may depend on your ability to pick up on their emotions and understand why they’re feeling that way.

We explored empathy in two episodes. Famed author, serial entrepreneur and public speaker, Gary Vaynerchuk discussed how everything starts with listening to people. Every interaction — from passing conversations to negotiating major deals — is impacted by how other people feel about you and how you interpret and respond to their emotions.

By understanding the situation, reading the room and anticipating peoples’ needs, you can be proactive and address any issues instead of being forced into reaction mode. Michael Atwood, the broker and co-owner of CENTURY 21 Atwood Realty in Minnesota, explained how empathy impacts the customer experience. Because when we’re invested in our clients, participate with them and get excited about their journey, they feel appreciated and supported.

Learn Digital Body Language

Body language often says way more about our feelings and intentions than the words we speak. It’s human nature — when we’re engaged in a conversation and trust the person we’re speaking with, we naturally smile, uncross our arms and make eye contact. But in an increasingly digital and remote world, we’ve lost the opportunity to use these nonverbal cues to connect with people.

So, does body language have a digital equivalent?

Erica Dhawan, communication expert and author of Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance, examined how to take real-world emotional body language and translate it for the digital world.

Create Joy and Delight

Every entrepreneur knows that customer satisfaction is paramount to a successful business. But what if you could elevate that satisfaction to a whole new level? Creating joy and delight is all about surpassing expectations and delivering such a positive experience that customers will remember it, tell their friends and come back for more.

Tina Roth Eisenberg, a Swiss designer and serial entrepreneur who founded Tattly, which offers fake tattoos designed by real artists, gave tips on how to add surprise and delight to your products and services.

Coming Soon: Season 3

These are just a few important takeaways from some of our inspiring guests. As we gear up for the launch of Season 3, we invite you to listen to this special episode for highlights of Seasons 1 and 2.

The Relentless is the podcast that looks at sales differently, created in partnership with Century 21 Real Estate LLC and Slate Studios — is a Webby honoree for best branded podcast and is ranked among the top 1% of all podcasts. Visit The Relentless website to join the conversation, and subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Stitcher or TuneIn.

© 2022 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All rights reserved. CENTURY 21®, the CENTURY 21 Logo and C21® are registered service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

The post first appeared on Century 21®.

Syndicated via Century 21®. Source: https://www.century21.com/real-estate-blog/11934-2/

Defying Mediocrity is Game Changing

June 3, 2022 By C21 Communications

21 Years with the CENTURY 21® brand

When Jamie Skeen boldly purchased his town’s largest brokerage after fewer than two years as an agent and just two years out of college, some thought he was crazy. But this game-changing move kicked off an illustrious professional path as the broker/owner of CENTURY 21 Legacy in Northeast Tennessee.

In his (quite fittingly) 21^st year with the CENTURY 21® brand, it’s no surprise that Jamie has been named to the 2022 RealTrends Game Changers list. Honoring those who have dramatically grown their brokerage in the past five years – a time when the real estate industry was shuttered by a global pandemic and the virtual halting of the economy – Jamie significantly grew his brokerage.

CENTURY 21 Legacy is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, boasting 10 offices that stretch from Athens, just north of Chattanooga through Maryville to Knoxville, the tourist meccas of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Townsend, and up to Greeneville, Johnson City and Kingsport, just south of the Virginia border. A Greeneville native, Jamie is passionate about the local communities and the picturesque mountains, which he explores on his two American Quarter horses.

Starting with just 24 agents in 2003, CENTURY 21 Legacy has skyrocketed to 330 agents. Last year, CENTURY 21 Legacy was the #1 CENTURY 21 company in Tennessee in units, and the #8 CENTURY 21 company in units in the US.

Defying Mediocrity is Game Changing image 1

Best Thing That’s Ever Happened to My Business

After acquiring the former CENTURY 21 Billy Williams & Associates, Jamie continued to sell real estate personally while managing his growing brokerage. Just five years into business, the subprime mortgage crisis hit, forcing him to quickly change his priorities. He found the most crucial need was coaching nervous agents on how to handle the challenging market and recession. But in crisis, he found a new purpose. He quit personal production and began devoting all his time to running the brokerage and providing the services, coaching, tools and training agents needed to handle the challenging market and recession. Ensuring agents had the ability to be relentless and succeed became his top priority.

“It was a tough time, but it was probably the best thing that’s ever happened to my business. I realized I couldn’t continue to run a company that size and continue to sell. You get to the point where you ask yourself: am I going to work in my business or on my business? It was a big change in mindset, but I knew I couldn’t do it all and do it well.”

Jamie’s experience has taught him that each market has its own unique set of circumstances. In 2008, inventory was high and sellers were desperate, but there were few buyers. Today, buyers are plentiful but exhausted by the low inventory, and competition for listings is fierce. Despite the two markets being almost complete opposites, the impact on agents can be quite similar.

“Regardless of how the market is performing, agents want the same things — support, services, more leads, better training and a beneficial split.”

That’s when working with the CENTURY 21 brand, the most recognized name in real estate and the most respected brand in the industry* is invaluable. Jamie shows agents how the C21® brand offers quality leads, industry-leading tools that help agents work more efficiently, as well as valuable support and coaching, which agents can use to significantly impact their success. In the end, Jamie knows these resources can position an agent to relentlessly manage any market.

One Big Family

After 21 years with the CENTURY 21 brand – considerable longevity for any broker, but especially one who joined so early in his professional – Jamie says it’s had a tremendous impact on his business.

“It’s like one big family. From the brand team to the brokers, they care and are always willing to help. From day one, I’ve had great learning opportunities and the support to help me succeed as I grew in my profession. I can still call the brand team or other C21 affiliated brokers, and they’re always available to offer advice and answer questions. The C21 brand has given me what I need, and the collaboration has helped me so much.”

Jamie particularly values the sharing culture, especially among the broker/owners. From the start, he focused on building relationships with larger C21 affiliated brokers to ask questions and hear their perspectives on challenges and opportunities. It’s something he continues today, and he also readily passes on what he’s learned to other brokers who are starting out.

Creating a Legacy

Throughout his professional growth, Jamie’s business philosophy has been simple – do the right thing.

“When you focus on doing the right thing for your agents to succeed, consumers will achieve their homeownership dreams. By running a business based on solid ethics, you usually win in the end.”

It’s clear that giving back is baked into the brokerage’s DNA. Jamie created a ”Leaving a Legacy” fund, which enables agents to contribute part of their commissions as a charitable donation, and Jamie matches a portion. At the end of the year, part of the fund is donated to Easterseals by the brokerage — the CENTURY 21 brand has supported Easterseals since 1979. Then each office gets to choose a local community charity to donate the rest of the funds raised, so they make a local impact.

Through this program, CENTURY 21 Legacy is the #1 contributing CENTURY 21 company in Tennessee for Easterseals and has donated more than $200,000 dollars to Easterseals and local charities since 2017.

With CENTURY 21 Legacy’s focus on giving back, you might assume the name CENTURY 21 Legacy was chosen because Jamie wanted to create a legacy of charitable giving. But it was actually inspired by the previous owner.

“Billy Williams was someone I really looked up to. He was one of the first brokers in Tennessee to start a franchise, the president of the Tennessee Association of REALTORS® and was always just the most professional, progressive guy. I saw he was leaving a legacy in our community, the real estate industry and within the CENTURY 21 network, and I wanted to continue that legacy.”

It must be working, because Billy’s son, Mark Williams, remains affiliated with CENTURY 21 Legacy and is a top-producing and CENTURY 21 Hall of Fame agent. “He’s just as solid as his dad, too.”

Jamie has a message to any brokers considering becoming a CENTURY 21 franchisee: “This is probably the number one move you can make for your business. The level of support is incredible, and the tools and systems will make a significant difference.”

Would he ever consider leaving the C21 family? Jamie admits that during one renewal, he did shop around with other brands, and he’s glad that he did.

“It was an important business decision, so I wanted to make sure that I was making the right choice. And what I found just reinforced that I was in the right place. There was no comparison, so I ran back and renewed. I didn’t really realize how far ahead the C21 brand was, until I looked!”

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Crushing Your Sales Plateau

January 25, 2021 By C21 Communications

To be honest, like many others in this business I was never good at goal setting, but I am changing that. While I help clients and customers reach desired outcomes, I’ve experienced a plateau before and have been at the same amount of sales for many years. With encouragement from those around me, it was time to leverage goal setting and begin the process of having more conversations, selling myself to more people, with greater frequency, in order to get my sales to a higher level.

Create a system to track and measure your efforts. The first thing I did was create a spreadsheet to manage and hold myself accountable for the number of conversations and touchpoints necessary to overcome the plateau. It’s keeping track of phone calls, community events, talking to people at local stores, and geotargeting a new neighborhood to become the local market expert for that area.
Use your results to determine what technique works best for you. There are many sales techniques and many ways to generate business but, what I have found that works for me, is to first build a personal relationship, and then sell myself and my unique value proposition. I want clients to hire me because they want to, whether it takes one conversation, two conversations, five conversations, or meeting in person a few times. I think it makes the relationship smoother and stronger, and it makes the goal of getting them the outcomes they desire a lot more effective.
Apply your technique and engage your sphere. Ultimately, it’s important for agents to find their own rhythm. Every person has something they’re good at, and they’re going to attract certain people and certain personalities. For me, most of my conversations are in real estate settings, like open houses or industry-related events. When I analyze and look at where my business is coming from, most of it is coming from the sphere that I built and manage. Not only that, I’m reaching them with weekly personalized emails, many times with video, about their local market. Obviously, we want to engage them, but the information must be relevant. Don’t bore them with the same old stuff. It’s difficult to find topics that people are or should be, interested in.

Selling yourself as the local market expert to your sphere can be key. This can help you build the relationships your business needs to grow. In real estate, there will always be change, so staying ahead of it by knowing your market can be the value proposition you’re looking for. For me, it’s what helped me to get over my sales plateau to grow my business and take it to the next level.

^{Note: This material may contain suggestions and best practices that you may use at your discretion. The views, information, or opinions expressed in any user-generated content are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Century 21 Real Estate LLC.}

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Roof Talk

October 5, 2020 By C21 Communications

The unsung hero of a house, the roof is an essential construction and design element.

Though it sometimes doesn’t seem to be given as much consideration as other design elements, a house’s roof is a vital feature, both aesthetically and functionally. A roof is almost like a hat: some provide more shade than others; some are better for warm weather, and some are better for cold. Some are complex and trendy, while others are simple and straightforward. The difference is that you don’t need a hat to complete an ensemble, but you do need a roof to complete a house.

Compared with things like square footage, kitchen countertops and outdoor space, roofs sometimes sit low on the list of factors affecting home-buying decisions—but perhaps we should pay them more attention. There are countless designs, each with its own set of pros and cons. Different roofs are better suited for different environments, and each option offers various features that might affect how you enjoy your home. Here, you’ll find an overview of the roof variations that you’re likely to come across in your house search.

Hip

The earliest examples of the hip roof design date back to the 18th century, when the clean, handsome style was used atop buildings in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Compared with the gable, the hip roof is slightly more complex; instead of two slopes, the hip roof has four, which meet at points, or “hips.” This makes for a more wind-resistant design that is still capable of allowing water drainage, with the added advantage of a consistent, level fascia that enables full gutter installation around the house. A downside is that more seams and valleys mean more opportunities for potential water leaks to occur, but as long as the roof has been properly installed, this shouldn’t cause much concern. Aesthetically, the hip roof is favored by those looking for a bungalow or cottage look, and the design is said to potentially increase property value.

Gable

This classic structure, which is commonly found atop homes throughout the United States, consists of two roof sections that slope in opposite directions from a ridge. It’s a simple design, and one that has stood the test of time; gable roofs date all the way back to ancient Greece. Part of the reason that architects have long favored the gable roof is its functionality—the sloped design works as a drainage system that easily allows water or snow to run into the gutters, and the simplicity of the design means less potential for leaks and damage. Homeowners often favor a gable roof because of the amount of space it allows beneath—and because of its classic appearance.

In many environments, a gable roof is practical and sturdy, but in windy areas or those prone to hurricanes, they’re not always the best option. Under extreme conditions, the upper part of the roof can trap in wind that might build up and peel off roofing material—or even lift the roof from the frame of the house itself. With built-up snow and strong winds, gable roofs have been known to collapse. If gables are what you’re looking for, just ensure that you’ve inspected the quality of construction before you buy.

Dutch Gable

This roofing style is the result of the gable and the hip joining forces. The Dutch gable (also known as the gablet) comprises a shallow hip roof topped with a smaller gable roof, which allows for a greater amount of space (provided by the gable) and a sturdier structure with a gutter running the full way around (courtesy of the hip roof). The Dutch gable was first popularized during the Renaissance, and it made its way into Europe in the following centuries. A Dutch gable adds a little more architectural interest than a simple gable or hip roof, and with the addition of a window in the gablet, natural light is maximized. And while the paired constructions mean more materials and a complex design that takes more effort to build and maintain, the end result is striking and multifunctional.

Manard

Named after the French architect François Mansart, who was designing buildings during the baroque period of the 17th century, the mansard roof emerged crowning the tops of châteaus and grand townhouses throughout France. If you’re looking for some je ne sais quoi, the mansard roof delivers. The style is characterized by four roof sides that each contain two slopes, and decorative dormer windows. Devotees of this style love the extra space beneath the roof, which is substantial given the almost-flat upper slope and virtually vertical lower slope. The additional light from the dormers, better heat distribution and high-class look are other drawcards.

The design is not ideal for extreme weather regions; due to the flatter upper slope, the drainage system of the roof is not as efficient as compared to other, simpler options. Maintenance and repair costs can also be high due to the flat surface and the introduction of dormer windows.

Butterfly

As architectural styles evolved, roof design began to appear on some homes as their defining feature. The butterfly roof, although first used in 1930 by Le Corbusier in Chile, was popularized through mid-century modern design in Southern California in the late 1950s, and has been heavily associated with that movement in the years since—though it is still not particularly common. Also referred to as an inverted gable, the butterfly roof is named for its two surfaces that slope down from opposing edges to form a valley in the middle. The roof is appealing to home buyers for a few reasons, including its water-collecting design, and the taller external walls that support the higher edges of the roof, which allow for the installation of larger windows.

Butterfly roofs are notoriously difficult to build and maintain, and they can be pricey to install. They also don’t fare well with snow, which is why you’ll largely find this style in warmer environments like Palm Springs. But the aesthetic interest that comes from this silhouette is arresting, and perfectly suited to those who favor the mid-century look.

Flat

A persistent trend in modern design is simplicity and minimalism, and you can’t get much more minimal than a flat roof. And although they are now a marker of modernism, flat roofs have long been used in Middle Eastern building due to their simplicity, cost-efficiency and ability to keep out the sun’s heat. When roofing materials became more advanced, the style spread across Europe and into the United States.

Despite appearances, these roofs are not completely flat; they are designed with a slight pitch to allow water drainage, but they’re also flat enough to be used for a terrace or rooftop garden. A clean, crisp silhouette is achieved with a flat roof, allowing other features of the building design to shine.

The biggest drawback to a flat roof is the minimal slope as water buildup can cause damage, but advanced, modern roofing materials have largely solved that problem. These include single-layer membranes made of neoprene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC); modified bitumen, which gives durability and a rubber-like characteristic; and built-up roofing (BUR), which consists of several layers of materials designed to mitigate water infiltration.

The roofs that crown our homes have changed and adapted a lot over the years. Yet, whether your preference for roofing is a new architectural style or an innovative way of building, a roof will always have one central mission: to cover our heads.

Illustrations by Kane Grose. This article was originally published in the CENTURY 21 Fine Homes & Estates Magazine.

The post Roof Talk first appeared on Century 21®.

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What you need to know about refinancing your home

September 9, 2020 By C21 Communications

With mortgage rates at historic lows, it’s not surprising so many people are looking to refinance their home. Is such a move right for you? Here are a few things you need to know.

Several refinancing options

Many homeowners seek to refinance to lower their monthly home mortgage payment. However, you can also pursue refinancing to change the duration of your loan, cash out the equity of your home, remove your mortgage insurance requirement or change the structure of your loan.

Risks remain

While refinancing is a popular option today, there are still risks. Many mortgages include a clause that assesses penalties if you pay down your mortgage with a line of home equity credit. You may also incur fees in the beginning hiring the proper professionals to manage the refinancing process.

Stay with what you know

Most lenders will want you to have been in your home at least one year before attempting to refinance. It’s also better to try and refinance with your original lender as this can remove fees and time associated with title searches and property appraisals. It also offers you a better chance at the most favorable rates.

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Century 21® 2020-08-27 09:27:26

August 27, 2020 By C21 Communications

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?

We both have a growth-oriented mindset
The desire to continue to improve is core to our success
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.

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Century 21® 2020-08-27 09:27:26

August 27, 2020 By C21 Communications

ALL IN: Building on a foundation for exponential growth

A Good Fit

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

It’s About Time…

Bolte 2.0

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5 Minutes at Home with Cindy Garret

May 20, 2020 By C21 Communications

When we asked Relentless Award winning agent Cindy Garret what has changed for her due to the impact of COVID-19, her answer is simple…“Everything.” We checked in with Cindy to understand how her she strives every day to be prepared for anything in her business and personal life.

Are you doing anything differently to push forward with your day-to-day work in helping your clients during this time? How would you describe your new “normal”?

I very much view our current situation as temporary, there is nothing about this situation that is normal! I regularly reached out to my clients either by text, phone, notes or/and email to check in on their well-being. In addition, a new skill I’ve been working on during this time is live video for more of a personal connection with my clients.

What new concerns are you hearing from your clients right now? How are you helping address them?

There are fears that this current environment will hurt their home values. In addition there is an uncertainty around when everything will open back up. To give the right support, I work hard to give my clients factual information to ease their minds.

Are there ways that you or your team members are helping your community get through this crisis?

Just being supportive and encouraging…and keep our local restaurants in business!

What’s your top tip for being relentless during this time?

Get up every day like you are planning for a full day of work, even if you don’t have anything planned. Do something for yourself, do something for someone else, and do at least one productive thing for your career.

BONUS: What is the first thing you’re going to do once the local shelter in place orders have been lifted?

Go have lunch/drinks with my teammates!

The Relentless Agent Awards celebrate all of the ways that C21 Agents deliver extraordinary experiences to their clients and make the home buying or selling process a memorable one. Are you a client who recently has an amazing experience with a CENTURY 21 Agent? We want to know! Click here to submit a nomination for a deserving Agent today.

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5 Minutes at Home with Katie Riedeman

May 20, 2020 By C21 Communications

Brand new first-time mother, a division 1 athlete and an award-winning real estate Agent? Seems like there’s not much Relentless Agent Award winner Katie Riedeman cannot do. We checked in with Katie recently to learn how she’s evolving her business, supporting her community and the unexpected benefits of shelter in place.

Are you doing anything differently to push forward with your day-to-day work in helping your clients during this time? How would you describe your new “normal”?

Learning is key! I’ve had time to be more engaged in developing and perfecting my systems behind the scenes which will definitely be beneficial to future clients. With current clients I am still showing homes but once they go under contract with their new home, I am checking in weekly with them and their lender and updating everyone with where we are in the process.

My new normal hasn’t changed a lot in terms of client outreach and showings. I do a more virtual showings than before to slow foot traffic through homes but that isn’t necessarily a new thing for me. I have sold a lot of homes to clients over Facetime in the past so now I’m perfecting that craft and navigating how I can get better. I also supply sanitizer and gloves when my clients want them for showings and do what I can to ensure safety in taking healthy measures during home showings. This isn’t only important for my buyers but also important for us to do everything we can to keep the homes that we are touring clean.

Is there anything that you’re doing now to work on your business that maybe you haven’t done before?

Because this is my 6th year in the business I feel like I now have a true grasp on what it takes to be successful in real estate, I have been working on my systems and client outreach to ensure when the market begins to normalize once more that nothing falls through the cracks. I want clients to receive the service they deserve, and solid systems is the key to clients having successful transactions. If I have good systems in place, I can spend my time with my clients and supporting them rather than spending so much time with behind the scenes work.

In addition, I’m making sure I am up to date with all of the current market information so I can give my honest and educated opinion based on data, research and what I am seeing first hand as I am out in the market helping other clients.

Are there ways that you or your team members are helping your community get through this crisis?

We have been trying to keep our community updated on the housing market with real time stats, so they feel educated in making one of the biggest purchases of their life. Our company has created a community outreach program called Impact where we can donate a portion of our commission toward a cause. Every quarter that money is given to someone in need in the community. We all get the opportunity to nominate a deserving person or cause and a committee decides who gets the funds.

On the personal front, staying up to date on the latest news in supporting local businesses is important to me. I recently connected with a local bakery for pastries that I dropped off on the front step of some friends, clients and community members.

What is one thing that you DON’T miss about pre-coronavirus life?

Some of the fast pace… I have been a competitor all my life and was a Division 1 athlete, so I thrive in the pace of competition. It has been good for me to be forced to slow down a bit. In real estate we can get really caught up in the go go go and forget to slow down and enjoy the things around us. I have had a TON of change in my life since the beginning of this pandemic so having the time to reflect and not just jump back into the fast lane after having my first child has been nice. I am learning new norms and systems to protect the health of my family and clients as well as embracing the change.

What’s your top tip for being relentless during this time?

Communication, honesty and support. I think having open and honest communication with clients during this tough time is essential. Supporting their needs and making sure they know that I am here to serve them whenever they decide the time is right to buy or sell as well as support their needs in between is really important.

BONUS: What is the first thing you’re going to do once the local shelter in place orders have been lifted?

Get together with family and friends! One of my favorite things to do this time of year through the summer is invite people over and grill, play yard games and hang out on the patio.

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