Inspections performed in Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Kenwood, Glen Ellen, Napa, St. Helena, Calistoga, Sonoma County, Napa County and Marin County.
Bob Muehlbauer
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NewsSound Off: Do you miss Sunday open houses as a way of promoting listings?Q: Do you miss Sunday open houses as a way of promoting listings? A: The lack of open houses have not hurt sellers of single family dwellings one bit, with online photos and videos taking the place of open houses. In San Francisco the median sold single-family residence price increased $131,000 between 2019 and 2020, in Alameda county $178,500. But the poor buyers. They have spent hours pouring over photos and videos, analyzing disclosure packages, and with no open houses have finally landed a 30-minute appointment to actually walk through the property. Only to be told by their realtor they will need to pay $200,000 to 300,000 above list if they want it. Ouch. The condo market has not fared as well, particularly units in high-rises where waits for elevators due to social distancing can be annoying, many amenities are closed. But that too is starting to change as those out-priced from single-family residences are taking a second look. Astrid Lacitis, Vanguard Properties, 415-860-0765, astrid@vanguardsf.com. A: This is such a “people” business that not being able to meet face-to-face with buyers and sellers is difficult. Open houses have been a staple in our business for years and good agents are able to meet new clients at Sunday open houses. I believe a lot of people just liked going out on a Sunday afternoon for pleasure, even if they were not in the market for a home. Through the years, the same people would come to all my open houses, I called them my “Sunday friends” because I wouldn’t see them, except for Sunday opens. It is a way to really connect with your community in an easy, non-pressured way. Many times I would talk with guests at my open house about everything except real estate. The virtual... Regency Redux: Add a Dose of 'Bridgerton' Glam to Your EntrywayBold florals, luxe materials, and more design details to make the most of your entryway? Lady Whistledown would definitely approve.
An Author's Modern Retreat in New York Is Impossible To Put DownAn author’s modern retreat in the woods received offers within a matter of days. Located in upstate New York, it comes with its own writer's studio.
Former Schoolhouse Turned Winning Wedding Venue Needs a Buyer To Say 'I Do'A schoolhouse from the 1920s in Malabar, FL, was reimagined as a wedding venue a decade ago. The opportunity is now available for a buyer with big dreams.
Matt Paxton's Revelation About 4 Types of 'Clutter' Is Highly Valuable: Which Are in Your House?Matt Paxton is surprised to find a Picasso and two Salvador Dali pieces during his latest home organization session on "Legacy List."
Finance, real estate bosses push NYC voters to mayoral primaryNew York's finance and real estate leaders, eager to elect a business-friendly mayor to guide the pandemic recovery, have a message for the heavily Democratic city: The vote that matters is in June. Goldman Sachs, Neuberger Berman, RXR Realty and Related Cos. are among the scores of companies making a push to get voters registered for New York's typically low-turnout June primaries. The effort is officially nonpartisan, couched in language about participating in democracy. But the subtext is clear: The next mayor is all but certain to come from the crowded Democratic primary field. And for Republicans or unaffiliated voters who want a say, that means switching parties to vote in the pivotal primary. "Citywide elections are really decided in the Democratic primary," said Scott Rechler, chief executive officer of RXR. "To the extent that there are people who can register to vote in New York City, they should be in the Democratic party so that their vote counts." Only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary. For the roughly 1.6 million active Republicans, third-party members and independents in New York City, the state deadline to switch parties is Feb. 14. The stakes are high for New York's business community, with many feeling they were shunned by Bill de Blasio. In 2013, he won a contested Democratic primary in which just 3% of registered voters turned out, then went on to two terms as mayor. The business community is concerned about support among some Democrats for raising taxes on the wealthy and cutting the police budget. That's after the pandemic battered the city, emptying out office buildings and restaurants and sending residents fleeing for the suburbs. Last month, the Partnership for New York City, a civic organization whose members include... Long Island Estate Once Owned by Robin Gibb on the Market for $12.9MA harmonious waterfront estate located in Lloyd Harbor, NY, which was once owned by the Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, has come on the market.
The Most Dreamy Bedrooms We've Ever Seen—in the MoviesIn honor of Valentine's Day, we've decided to highlight the best bedrooms from the big screen—and glean some decor moves inspired by them.
Half-Converted Gothic Chapel From 1905 Is the Week's Most Popular HomeFans of cool conversions flocked to a heavenly project for sale in Connecticut: a not-quite-finished chapel, ready to be reimagined as a three-bedroom home.
'House Party' Podcast: Is Real Estate Better Than Sex? Plus, Why The Weeknd Can't Sell His $22M MansionThis week we discuss the not-so-secret fantasy of browsing online real estate listings, why The Weeknd can't pull in a buyer for his home, and more.
8 Last-Minute Items for a Stay-at-Home Valentine's Day You'll LoveTo help get this year’s celebrations off the ground, we’ve rounded up eight sweet (and savory) must-haves for the ultimate at-home Valentine’s Day.
Fixer-Upper With a Premium Pedigree: Eleanor Roosevelt's Childhood Home for SaleA historic home where Eleanor Roosevelt spent her childhood is available. Although the exterior emits plenty of historical vibes, it's a real fixer-upper.
'Nicest House on the Lake': This $12.5M Mansion Is Michigan's Most Expensive HomeA sweet lake house on the market for $12.5 million is the most expensive home in all of Michigan. The 16,000-square-foot mansion is in Charlevoix, MI.
Steve and Leanne Ford Are 'Back Home'—With a 'Magical' Makeover You Must SeeIn "Home Again With the Fords," Leanne and Steve Ford help Leanne's old college friend redesign a space that is perfect for a family with young kids.
U.S. home prices post record gain, topping peak from 2005U.S. home prices, fueled by the lowest mortgage rates in history, rose at the fastest pace on record, surpassing the peak from the last property boom in 2005. The median price of a single-family home climbed 14.9% to $315,000 in the fourth quarter. That was the biggest surge in data going back to 1990, according to the National Association of Realtors. The Northeast led the way as buyers rushed to the suburbs. Fairfield County, Conn., home to Greenwich and other tony towns, rose 39% for the biggest increase in the U.S. The pandemic property boom has been driven by low borrowing costs and flexible work policies that allow Americans to live where they want. People are leaving expensive cities like New York and San Francisco relocating to more affordable areas. Even with high unemployment, prices are soaring across the U.S. because there's an increasingly short supply of existing homes to choose from. RISMedia’s Newsmakers: Celebrating the Industry’s Futurists and InfluencersIn 2020, the real estate professionals that influenced change were those who took action and introduced innovative ideas amid a year of uncertainty. We recently announced the RISMedia 2021 Real Estate Newsmakers, individuals who thrived despite the new challenges brought on in the past year, especially by the coronavirus pandemic. Our Influencers include some of the brightest thought leaders in the real estate industry. They are those who inspire leadership, innovation, creativity and successes in our business. Read about their accomplishments on their Newsmaker profile pages and, below, hear what they have to say about their recognition and their thoughts on the future of real estate. Tommy Choi – Influencer Stephanie Streeter – Futurist “I think 2021 will be another strong sales year. We continue to see a dominant seller’s market as inventory is not meeting buyer demands. Luckily, builders have increased land positions and we are seeing trades increase their staffing to meet the voids seen in late 2020. The biggest concern we have is how quickly prices are inflating and the lack of affordable housing both in the rental and resale markets. It is our prediction that 2021 will be a strong year for residential real estate but we will have to slow down appreciation values if we want to have the same success in subsequent years. “While I have quite a few goals for 2021, the project I’m most excited about completing is our new recruiting platform which will have a direct tie to the onboarding system completed in 2020. It’s something that will truly make a huge impact in our day-to-day business and assist us in achieving our hiring goals. The system will include CRM functions for hiring managers, automated marketing which adjusts messaging based on candidate type and status, and on-demand reporting which will help us crush our goals in the market for years to come.” Jay Farner – Influencer Marc Gould – Futurist Myron Lo – Futurist “The outlook for 2021 continues to send mixed signals. While the economy and country continue to face unprecedented challenges, the real estate industry looks poised to have another record year. A combination of rapid remote work adoption, a renewed focus on home and historically low interest rates look to push more buyers and sellers into the market. At ReferralExchange, our goal is to provide our REALTOR® network with as many high-quality referrals as possible and the 2021 real estate environment seems poised to deliver. Equally important, ReferralExchange is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for our team and to do our part in promoting housing equality and social equality in the real estate ecosystem.” Deidre Woollard – Influencer “It’s going to be a very active year in real estate; already we’ve seen a few key acquisitions and initial public offerings of real estate technology companies. I’m really looking forward to meeting more CEOs and business leaders and telling their stories to help the next generation of leaders in real estate learn from the best. I’m hoping I’ll get to do that in person once it’s safe to do so!” For consideration for the 2022 Real Estate Newsmakers, please email nominations to maria@rismedia.com. Official online nominations will open this spring. The post RISMedia’s Newsmakers: Celebrating the Industry’s Futurists and Influencers appeared first on RISMedia. RISMedia’s Newsmakers: Celebrating the Industry’s Futurists and InfluencersIn 2020, the real estate professionals that influenced change were those who took action and introduced innovative ideas amid a year of uncertainty. We recently announced the RISMedia 2021 Real Estate Newsmakers, individuals who thrived despite the new challenges brought on in the past year, especially by the coronavirus pandemic. Our Influencers include some of the brightest thought leaders in the real estate industry. They are those who inspire leadership, innovation, creativity and successes in our business. Read about their accomplishments on their Newsmaker profile pages and, below, hear what they have to say about their recognition and their thoughts on the future of real estate. Tommy Choi – Influencer Stephanie Streeter – Futurist “I think 2021 will be another strong sales year. We continue to see a dominant seller’s market as inventory is not meeting buyer demands. Luckily, builders have increased land positions and we are seeing trades increase their staffing to meet the voids seen in late 2020. The biggest concern we have is how quickly prices are inflating and the lack of affordable housing both in the rental and resale markets. It is our prediction that 2021 will be a strong year for residential real estate but we will have to slow down appreciation values if we want to have the same success in subsequent years. “While I have quite a few goals for 2021, the project I’m most excited about completing is our new recruiting platform which will have a direct tie to the onboarding system completed in 2020. It’s something that will truly make a huge impact in our day-to-day business and assist us in achieving our hiring goals. The system will include CRM functions for hiring managers, automated marketing which adjusts messaging based on candidate type and status, and on-demand reporting which will help us crush our goals in the market for years to come.” Jay Farner – Influencer Marc Gould – Futurist Myron Lo – Futurist “The outlook for 2021 continues to send mixed signals. While the economy and country continue to face unprecedented challenges, the real estate industry looks poised to have another record year. A combination of rapid remote work adoption, a renewed focus on home and historically low interest rates look to push more buyers and sellers into the market. At ReferralExchange, our goal is to provide our REALTOR® network with as many high-quality referrals as possible and the 2021 real estate environment seems poised to deliver. Equally important, ReferralExchange is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for our team and to do our part in promoting housing equality and social equality in the real estate ecosystem.” Deidre Woollard – Influencer “It’s going to be a very active year in real estate; already we’ve seen a few key acquisitions and initial public offerings of real estate technology companies. I’m really looking forward to meeting more CEOs and business leaders and telling their stories to help the next generation of leaders in real estate learn from the best. I’m hoping I’ll get to do that in person once it’s safe to do so!” For consideration for the 2022 Real Estate Newsmakers, please email nominations to maria@rismedia.com. Official online nominations will open this spring. The post RISMedia’s Newsmakers: Celebrating the Industry’s Futurists and Influencers appeared first on RISMedia. RISMedia’s Newsmakers: Celebrating the Industry’s Futurists and InfluencersIn 2020, the real estate professionals that influenced change were those who took action and introduced innovative ideas amid a year of uncertainty. We recently announced the RISMedia 2021 Real Estate Newsmakers, individuals who thrived despite the new challenges brought on in the past year, especially by the coronavirus pandemic. Our Influencers include some of the brightest thought leaders in the real estate industry. They are those who inspire leadership, innovation, creativity and successes in our business. Read about their accomplishments on their Newsmaker profile pages and, below, hear what they have to say about their recognition and their thoughts on the future of real estate. Tommy Choi – Influencer Stephanie Streeter – Futurist “I think 2021 will be another strong sales year. We continue to see a dominant seller’s market as inventory is not meeting buyer demands. Luckily, builders have increased land positions and we are seeing trades increase their staffing to meet the voids seen in late 2020. The biggest concern we have is how quickly prices are inflating and the lack of affordable housing both in the rental and resale markets. It is our prediction that 2021 will be a strong year for residential real estate but we will have to slow down appreciation values if we want to have the same success in subsequent years. “While I have quite a few goals for 2021, the project I’m most excited about completing is our new recruiting platform which will have a direct tie to the onboarding system completed in 2020. It’s something that will truly make a huge impact in our day-to-day business and assist us in achieving our hiring goals. The system will include CRM functions for hiring managers, automated marketing which adjusts messaging based on candidate type and status, and on-demand reporting which will help us crush our goals in the market for years to come.” Jay Farner – Influencer Marc Gould – Futurist Myron Lo – Futurist “The outlook for 2021 continues to send mixed signals. While the economy and country continue to face unprecedented challenges, the real estate industry looks poised to have another record year. A combination of rapid remote work adoption, a renewed focus on home and historically low interest rates look to push more buyers and sellers into the market. At ReferralExchange, our goal is to provide our REALTOR® network with as many high-quality referrals as possible and the 2021 real estate environment seems poised to deliver. Equally important, ReferralExchange is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for our team and to do our part in promoting housing equality and social equality in the real estate ecosystem.” Deidre Woollard – Influencer “It’s going to be a very active year in real estate; already we’ve seen a few key acquisitions and initial public offerings of real estate technology companies. I’m really looking forward to meeting more CEOs and business leaders and telling their stories to help the next generation of leaders in real estate learn from the best. I’m hoping I’ll get to do that in person once it’s safe to do so!” For consideration for the 2022 Real Estate Newsmakers, please email nominations to maria@rismedia.com. Official online nominations will open this spring. The post RISMedia’s Newsmakers: Celebrating the Industry’s Futurists and Influencers appeared first on RISMedia. Playing by the Rules: Maintaining Prominence as New Players Enter the FieldIn this month’s National Association of REALTORS® Power Broker Roundtable, industry leaders discuss how new business models are shifting the real estate landscape. Panelists: Cindy Ariosa: Real estate is an industry that lends itself to change. We have only to look at the year just past, and the adjustments we’ve made to safely manage business in the midst of a global pandemic, to see the truth of that. At the same time, we have a long history of orderly, ethical behavior—a Code of Ethics set down by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) more than 100 years ago and emulated by Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) nationwide, that sets the standards of conduct and rules of cooperation by which REALTORS® everywhere must operate. But the past decade has ushered a wave of new entries into the field—discount agencies, third-party portals, new business models using artificial intelligence to shortcut traditional home-buying. How closely will these new players adhere to these ethical standards—and how do we maintain our prominence in competition with those who may or may not? J. Lennox Scott: We all have the same tools available to us—the same technologies, the same database management tools, the same approaches to business. The difference is that traditional real estate is focused on relationships. While new players have flipped the 80/20 rule on its head, spending most of their time on implementing new technologies, we stay engaged with our customers—and in this business, in my experience, relationship trumps all. Rei Mesa: In Florida, we’ve seen every new business model there is, but however you feel about these new players, it’s important to know your competitors—to understand their culture, the way they operate, and then just do it better. You can’t be everything to everyone, but our Code of Ethics has tremendous value. It’s what protects our customers and leveraging that—adhering to and consistently promoting our value to consumers—is the reason they trust us and will continue to trust us while lesser service models fizzle. Shad Bogany: Some of these new models can actually make us better because we can embrace new technologies and the ingenuity of new players to raise our own game. I was using videos and VHS tapes back in the ’80s to sell properties to customers out of state. We’ve always used technology as part of our business plan, and we have no fear of learning new methods. But I agree that real estate will always be a personal business and, taking care of our customers—being advocates for consumers—is, and always will be, No.1. Greg Zadel: The truth is, there have been new players for decades—and there is always a segment of buyers and sellers looking to do business based on price alone. The job of a full-service real estate agent—a dedicated and experienced professional—is to help customers find out what they don’t know…and typically, there is a lot they don’t know, and that technology will never give them. That’s why educating the public is vital: Is your agent a REALTOR®? CA: Yes, what you’re asking there is, “Is your agent playing by the rules—behaving fairly, ethically and on your behalf? Especially when it comes to fairness, including MLS rules, and licensing rules and fair housing practices.” SB: That’s right. We don’t need new rules when it comes to fairness. They are written into the framework of our Code of Ethics. We need enforcement to be sure that consumers stay protected—and continuing marketing and education so that they understand the value we bring to every transaction. LS: That, plus our focus on building relationships. That’s how you compete, how you retain prominence—with the day in, day out customer service, the clear advantage of staying engaged, the advantage of our relationship database. RM: Everything about real estate is cyclical. Right now, it’s a good time to sell. When that turns around, as it inevitably will, the advantage of promotion, of effective marketing, will once again become crucial. As traditional real estate agent, we will be around, and prominent, long after some of the iBuyer and other business models are scrambling to retain their relevance. GZ: Traditional agents will do the right thing in any case, advocating on behalf of the consumer, building and nurturing relationships. In the long run, tradition wins out, first because of our commitment to ethical behavior, and second, because no computer can ever compete when it comes to customer hand-holding. CA: Good points, and there’s nothing onerous about a little friendly competition. Will these cool new kids on the block be good soldiers? Will they play by the rules we know and love? We hope so, because we see the value of an orderly, ethical marketplace, and NAR will continue the campaign to remind consumers of that value. We are resilient, respectful and, most important, we will do the right thing. We are well up to the challenge of maintaining the trust we have earned over the decades. For more information, please visit www.nar.realtor. The post Playing by the Rules: Maintaining Prominence as New Players Enter the Field appeared first on RISMedia.  |
