Introducing - Me!
For this blog entry, I want to take from a recent newsletter that was sent out where my team lead for The Shafer Group, Jesse Shafer, asked me 4 questions to reveal a little bit more about who I am as a NYer and a real estate agent.
And here it is!
1) What's your special sauce as an agent?
Before answering this one directly, I want to paint a picture of an experience I had growing up. My Mom owned this very cool shop (yes, I'm biased!) and after school I would walk over and either hang out or help out. She was curious about every customer's story and genuinely excited to share her knowledge of any given piece she carried. It never seemed to matter to her if they spent $5 or $500. How many shops have you ever been in where customers either stay or come back for the evening dance party, good chat, and inevitably, free pizza? What was really remarkable to me about all of this was that my Mom made everyone who entered her store feel like they were her favorite customer.
And that's my special sauce. I cultivated an honest interest at a young age in making everyone feel that they are my only and/or most important client. It doesn't matter the budget. I want to make their experience "in my shop" as wonderful and easy as possible and I do so by being very communicative, easy to get in touch with, always ready to help and always with a smile. I genuinely enjoy the people I meet and the homes I get to see and the city we get to live in.
2) What part of the job gives you the greatest satisfaction? What part makes you cringe?
The part of the job that gives me the greatest satisfaction and joy is when you can see the look on someone's face that they've found their home and then, when it works out, the happiness that they want to share with you for making it happen. It's the part of the job where it really feels like we're making a difference in someone's life and I greatly enjoy making the process getting there as easy and smooth as possible. I only cringe when entering dark basements of buildings. I have a cockroach phobia and even if none are around, I get totally spooked I might see one! Luckily, that hasn't been much of a problem...yet.
3) What opportunities do you see in the market looking ahead?
After a full year when all we could really do was sit at home, many people were able to save and finally consider purchasing. That said, many people want a step up from their current home with extra space for a home office and room to grow, which has made the 2 bed + market incredibly hot. This got me thinking about the studio and 1 bed market. With everyone paying a premium right now I’m for that home office space, what about the “starter homes” in the city? I think 1 beds (and especially studios) are less competitive at the moment and if those are spaces that you're open to, I think one could do well. I'm imagining my studio and 1 bed clients calling me in 5 years very happy with their decision to buy when they did and ready to sell at a profit.
4) What's a perfect day off in the city look like for you?
I have had so many perfect days while living in New York City, any combination of the following would do! A bike ride to Red Hook followed by a picnic by the water complete with Steve's Key Lime Pie and finishing off with live music at Sunny's. A day spent in Prospect Park with friends on a big blanket with great food and great company. Or for the colder days, catching a movie, concert, or theatre, and following it up at Clover Club in Cobble Hill next to their fireplace in the back!
