The Art of Listening-are you an Artist?

If we could master the Art of Listening the World at least our own, would be totally transformed.  Clients would get what they want it, divorces would almost be eliminated, relationships would prosper, there is no end in site to the number of benefits.

Are You up to the Challenge?

There are three levels of listening:

Level 1 Listening: you are physically present to the conversation, however in your own mind you are preoccupied with yourself; about things you need to do, what you want to say next, how you want to control and dominate the conversation, judging the person you are listening to…etc, the consequence is that you are getting less then 10% of what the other person is saying to you-this way of listening can be very harmful when you are in Sales!

Level 2 Listening: you are able to stop all the stuff you are doing at Level-1 plus able to get over to the person (notice that in Leve1 you are with you-in Level 2 you are with them away from you) speaking, what I mean is that you can even lean over and put yourself in their situation, like what would it be like for them right now. You will get more then 50% of what is being communicated-this way of listening is very good when you are in Sales!

Level 3 Listening: you are able to satisfy Level 1 & Level 2 way of listening, plus listen from a place of nothing. What I mean is a place of no judgments no expectations-you know nothing. Now, from this place anything is possible.  Also, something magical happens at this level and you can only get to it from here; you will be able to hear what they are not saying and get more then 90% of what is being communicated-this can be very valuable when you are in Sales!

A good way to start testing how good of a listener you are is to sit down with someone close to you and have them tell you how great they are for 1 minute-all you do is listen (make sure you have a timer on).  After the minute is over, you need to repeat back to them what they said word to word. Have them tell you how well you did on a scale 1-10.

Zach Goldman, Realtor
(831) 392-6993

Bratty & Bluhm Real Estate

see more at:

www.ZGoldmanRealEstate.com

Kitchen Remodeling Trends

Use a great contractor

If you’re shopping for a new home, chances are, whether you cook or not, the kitchen is an area of great interest. The bathroom is also likely high on the list to inspect. That’s because we spend a lot of time in both of these rooms, socializing and taking care of the, ahem, important stuff.

These two areas of homes are so vital that there’s even an association to educate, certify industry professionals, and promote ideas for these rooms. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), founded in 1963 as The American Institute of Kitchen Dealers, has nearly 40,000 members. Earlier this year it released its top trends for kitchens and bathrooms for 2010.

Finding what you like in a home is most important but if you’re considering a resale in the future, understanding what appeals to the masses can help. Here, then, is a look at some of the top trends from NKBA.

Concealed Kitchens. This doesn’t mean that you walk into a home and can’t find the kitchen. Instead, the kitchen area blends with other areas of the home. Formal dining spaces often aren’t used much. But when a home has a kitchen that opens to a great room, it allows far more flexibility for people’s lives. What may be concealed are items such as commonly used appliances. Ultimately, the harmonious blending of color, design, and functionality make kitchens aesthetically pleasing and useful. NKBA writes in a press release that, “Clean structural lines coupled with sleek color palettes enable the space to establish a distinctive identity, without overpowering the surrounding rooms.”

Thirst-Quenching Stations. NKBA writes that beverage stations, complete with under-counter refrigerators that hold beverages and wine, are a new element in many kitchens. Exemplifying our attachment to our morning ritual, many of these beverage stations include a coffee station (“simple single-pot coffeemakers to larger units capable of espresso, latte, and cappuccino”), states NKBA. The design typically includes space for stemware, beverage mugs and glasses, and condiments. This setup allows people to gather to quench their thirst while being out of the way of the chefs.

Rounding Out the Edges. Think soft geometry. Countertops, islands, archways, and even light fixtures, are being designed with soft, round edges. According to NKBA, “The introduction of rounded islands and countertops carves a smooth-flowing traffic pattern throughout the room, while an appropriately placed arch will bring an overall softening to the more angular fixed features that are typical in kitchens and baths.”

Varied Heights. No more monotony. Kitchen countertops, islands, and even walls are being designed for specific purposes and that means their heights are varied. The various heights create “a beautiful counterbalance.”

Asian influence. There has long been a fascination with Asian countries and now it seems that the impact of Japanese design is showing up in subtle ways such as “clean lines, open spaces, and neutral color palettes with bold splashes of color in select areas,” according to NKBA. The association says oftentimes there will be “one strong anchor piece of Japanese origin” that designs are built around.

Whether you’re shopping for a new home or thinking of remodeling your current home, remember that trends do change. However, those that tend to stick are the ones that combine pleasing looks with highly functional features.

More Information: ZGoldman Real Estate.com

the Finished Product

Written by Phoebe Chongchua

6 Principles to Holiday Staging

The key to holiday decorating is to keep the decor high quality and color-coordinated, says June Lizotte with June Lizotte Real Estate in Milwaukie, Ore.

If you plan on staging a home for the holidays, here are some important things to keep in mind.

1. Don’t overdo the holiday cheer.

When Santa’s start to outnumber the rooms in the house, you may want to start being more selective in what you display.

“If it is ‘cute,’ it stays packed,” says Joanne O’Donnell, president and CEO of Chic Home Interiors, who offers holiday staging services. “Cute is not a universal concept and the surest way to avoid trouble is to keep it simple and elegant.”

The same staging principles apply during the holidays: Don’t overwhelm the space with clutter.

“For every holiday decor item put on display, temporarily pack something you keep out all the time. That way you can avoid over-decorating,” says staging and real estate pro Tori Lynn Wallitsch with Alliance Real Estate and Ross Designs LLC in Omaha, Neb.

Instead of a large Christmas tree dominating the living room, you might opt to have a smaller tree display on a table top — particularly if the space is small, suggests Lizotte. Your decor doesn’t have to be super-sized or scattered everywhere: Mix in small centerpieces on dining room tables, bookcases, bathroom sinks or end tables — simple touches such as pine cones or ornaments in a glass bowl. (See 11 Inexpensive, Simple Holiday Decor Ideas).

You also might want to have home owners rethink hanging those Christmas stockings from the fireplace too.

“Whatever the season, when you are selling a home, you want buyers to notice and appreciate the permanent features of the home and if your fireplace is almost impossible to see because your highly personalized stockings are blocking the view, then buyers will not appreciate this focal point for what it is,” Wallitsch says. Instead, ask your sellers to hang the stockings on Christmas eve and remove them Christmas day.

2. Add splashes of holiday colors.

How about some holiday red? Psychology research on color responses has shown that warm colors, such as red, can increase excitement and energy in those viewing it. Pops of seasonal colors — such as red or green — add festive cheer to a home too and can be as simple as just adding a red everyday throw to the sofa or adding poinsettias throughout the home.

It doesn’t have to be bold holiday statements: Add greenery to fireplace mantels or as a base for the dining room table centerpieces, O’Donnell says. Or another holiday favorite: Bows and ribbons can add splashes of color — tie them around candles, wreaths, and basket handles throughout the house for extra pops of color. Don’t underestimate the power of neutral palettes too in your holiday decor, such as silvers and classic whites.

Try repeating colors from room to room and using similar ribbons, ornaments, patterns or decorative items that can add to the consistency of your holiday look, according to holiday decorating tips by WorldofChristmas.net.

But when bringing in holiday colors, be careful not to clash with your home’s current color scheme, O’Donnell says. For example, if turquoise is the room’s dominant color, you might want to hold off on adding bold holiday reds; try silver instead.

3. Stage for the senses.

Get buyers in the mood with some holiday music and the smell of Christmas filling the home. Christmas music — mixed with holiday scents — has been shown to boost people’s attitudes in retail stores and increase their likelihood of wanting to visit them, according to research conducted in 2005 by Eric R. Spangenberg, Blanca Grohmann and David E. Sprott Journal of Business Research (Vol. 58, Issue 11).

Cunningham usually gives a holiday CD to her clients to use for showings — it features mostly instrumental and soft holiday music.

For scents, O’Donnell recommends adding a pot of mulling spices or cider. The Smell of Christmas by Aromatique (candles, potpourri or oil) is a favorite of Cunningham’s or candles that smell like pine or fresh-baked cookies can create holiday season scents too, adds Valerie Torelli with Torelli Realty in Costa Mesa, Ca.

But if you’re going to include a holiday scent just don’t forget the music. The 2005 study showed that the presence of Christmas scent (Enchanted Christmas by Greenleaf in this case) with non-christmas music lowered buyers’ perceptions of the store and its merchandise. But when the Enchanted Christmas scent filled the air with Amy Grant’s “Home for Christmas” music playing in the background, participants had a favorable response and were more eager to buy.

4. Keep the tree simple, yet elegant.

The Christmas tree will likely be your biggest decor piece so it needs to make a statement. Use a string of 100 lights for every foot of tree, suggests Cunningham. In other words, if you have a 7-foot tree, use at least 700 lights (she prefers the white twinkling ones).

Other tips:

• If your tree is larger than six feet, consider removing a piece or two of furniture so the space doesn’t feel crowded, Wallitsch says.
• Use ornaments all in one basic color palette with “show piece” ornaments mixed in that add extra style, O’Donnell says. As a general rule of thumb, use about 20 filler ornaments (such as one or two tone bulb ornaments) for every two feet of Christmas tree and then mix in those special “show piece” ornaments between the filler ornaments, using about 10 for every two feet of tree, according to interior design writer Coral Nafie who wrote about holiday decorating tips at About.com.
• Hang ornaments on the tips of branches as well as inside the tree to add depth, and mix in various size of ornaments.
• Make sure ornaments that are overly personal — such as those marking milestones like “Our First Christmas” or “Baby’s First Christmas” — are not in prominent locations on the tree or keep them packed up for next year, Wallitsch suggests.

5. Give a holiday impression from the curb.

You needn’t be able to view your outdoor holiday lights from space, Clark Griswold, to show your holiday spirit. Twinkling clear, white lights (preferably non-blinking) tend to be the favorite among staging and real estate professionals for classy holiday curb appeal that adds a glow to your listings at night.

“The winter months are usually less than attractive outdoors and some well-placed and tasteful holiday lights or yard ornaments can go a long way to adding a festive and welcoming touch,” Wallitsch says. “Just remember that many potential buyers may either cruise by your home for sale during the day or schedule a showing during the day when outdoor lights are more likely to be an unsightly bunch of wires (such as icicle lights) rather than a cheerful display of color or white lights. Do your best to make your home show its best during the day and night.”

Here some holiday curb appeal tips:

• Add poinsettias: Plant several poinsettias in groups of three or five close together in the garden. “They really set off the first impression,” says Torelli.
• Hang a wreath on the front door (and make sure it’s clean!), suggests Cunningham.
• Have battery-operated candle lamps in each of the windows for extra glow and to show off all of those windows at night.
• Make the deck sparkle. For example, a weather-proof, tip-proof tree with lights or a simple strings of lights along the deck’s railing can go a long way in adding charm to your showings after dark, says Judy Jensen, Edina Realty in Eagan, Minn.

Then, consider adding the holidays to your marketing: Take a photo of the home at night as it twinkles from the holiday lights and create a special holiday flyer with information about the house.

“This is a great marketing tool we often use in the months of November and December to help sell the home,” adds Torelli with Torelli Realty in Costa Mesa, Calif.

6. Remove decor after the holidays.

Jolenta Averill, broker-owner of Lake & City Homes in Madison, Wis., once showed a home in the middle of summer that still had a huge Santa Claus on its front porch and a Christmas tree lit in the living room.

But Christmas in July isn’t for everyone, so in general, wait to decorate for the holidays until after Thanksgiving and be sure your home owners remove all holiday decor promptly by New Year’s.

As Wallitsch tells her clients: “If you are feeling a little cheated this holiday season by not putting all of your beloved holiday treasures around your house, focus on the reason that you placed your home on the market and keep your eyes on that goal. Next year when you are comfortably settled into your new home, you can go all out with the holiday cheer.”

Related articles: ZGoldman Real Estate.com

Top 5 Home-Improvement Tips of All Times

1.  Plans – Yes, you may not think this is sexy, but this is where millions of dollars are
wasted each year by homeowners. Perhaps tens of millions of dollars. If you’re going to
embark on a big project, stop and develop fantastic plans. Make sure your ideas work
on paper. Pick out all of the things you want to eliminate the money pit of Allowances.
Great plans also eliminate costly change orders. Even building a simple deck requires a
great plan. Why? Because you can ensure the deck is large enough to fit all the
furniture you want to have on it.
2.  Read the Label – When was the last time you really read the product label or the
installation instructions? If you goof up this very important step, you can void the
warranty of the product, or significantly shorten its useful life. For example, when
painting outdoors what does the label say about really cleaning the surface? What does
it say about the air temperature? If the paint doesn’t chemically cure before the
temperature drops to a certain point, the paint can be ruined. What about using the
correct adhesive with floor tile? What do the instructions say about the size of the
notched trowel? Use the wrong one, and the tile will pop off the floor. How much will
that cost to fix?
3.  Building Code = Minimum Standards – Don’t be fooled by a builder, remodeler or
salesperson who says “Your job meets the building code!” Were you proud that you got
a 70 percent on your tests when you were in school? That’s what it’s like when you pass
a code inspection. Your project got a 70 percent. The Building Code is a set of
MINIMUM Standards. You can always do a job that’s better than the code. It will cost
more, but usually not much, but it can last twice or three times as long.
4.  Hidden Hazards – Older homes are filled with hidden hazards: asbestos, lead, bird
and bat excrement, etc. You can get seriously ill or even die from exposure to things
you may not even be aware of. Lead can be in clear varnishes in very old homes.
Crawling around in a dusty attic can get you extremely ill if you breath in the wrong
things. It’s bad enough that splinters, power tools and other things can hurt you, but you
at least can see many of these things. Always keep in mind that even silica dust from
cutting concrete, cement-based backer board and other things is harmful. Wear great
protective gear to minimize or eliminate getting poisoned.
5.  Do the Math – Always – How many times have you heard, “You’ll SAVE Money if you
buy ………” Really? When do the savings start? Never forget this: If you have to SPEND
money to SAVE money, your savings don’t start to happen UNTIL you’ve recaptured
ever penny you spent PLUS any interest you might have received had the money
stayed in your savings account. What? You didn’t pay for it with SAVED money? You
used a credit card and are paying interest on the balance each month? That’s Death on
a Stick. If you’re financing a money-savings installment, you must factor in ALL of the
interest you’ll pay over the life of the loan. Using borrowed money, you possibly will
never save anything. Take the time to really calculate when you’ll save money and how
much.

For more Real Estate information, visit http://www.ZGoldmanRealEstate.com

 

4 tips for viewing property…

When viewing a property at an open house or with a Realtor, here are a few things to think about and make notes on:
1.  Regardless of the asking price, what would you pay for the home? The “asking price” is just that, and is subject to negotiation. It’s a buyer’s market and many seller’s, being anxious to sell, may strongly consider a significantly lower offer price. Don’t be afraid to make an offer…you may get a pleasant surprise.
2.  How would you update and improve the home if you purchased it? A home tends to take on the characteristics of the owner who lives in it. You’d be surprised what a difference a few inexpensive changes could make in the feeling of a home. Be imaginative and think about how you can make a home work for your lifestyle.
3.  How would you get involved in the surrounding community? To our credit, we are reverting to a more community-oriented society. In order to get the most out of your daily life, get involved, give back…enjoy your community!
4.  Are there other homes for sale in the area that are in your price range? The asking price of a home is based upon many factors. A few of the most common variables are comparables, condition, location, and motivation of the seller. Know your options, measure value.

Visit http://www.ZGoldmanRealEstate.com for more helpful suggestions.