We want to talk to our white colleagues, clients and neighbors.
Metropolist Real Estate is a company founded on an ethic of community building and education. We hold highest our value of working to elevate the quality and professionalism of our industry and the greater good of our community.
We are majority woman and queer-owned and operated.
We are also very, very white.
We operate in an industry that remains white-dominated and has a deeply entrenched racist history.
We are committed to leveraging our Gatekeeping status toward anti-racism and social justice.
We invite you to join us, to look within and make this a 360 degree, full sensory experience.
We do stand in support of our black and brown neighbors. But we do so in great part by amplifying black and brown voices, educating ourselves, identifying our complicity, continuously redirecting our deeply ingrained biases, and working to lead our industry to do the same.
We must be fully responsible to educate ourselves without burdening people of color to do so, and strive to become the best possible co-conspirators and accomplices with the goal of creating a society where all marginalized members of our community are safe and well served.
“The beauty of anti-racism is that you don’t have to pretend to be free of racism to be an anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it’s the only way forward.” —Ijeoma Oluo
These days, it’s trial and error for many businesses when exploring the best approach to stay connected to clients. Due to the sheer number of unknowns brought about by COVID-19—with every day offering new challenges—it can be difficult to uniquely respond to your client base with marketing that doesn’t feel pushy. Clients want to feel cared for, not sold to; clients want to be treated like people first, not consumers.
It doesn’t sound like something that needs to be said once you say it—to treat people the way you want to be treated—we are all familiar with the golden rule, but it’s a good reminder to pay close attention to your approach; to recognize the sensitivities everyone is feeling in this pandemic.
We also want to see our local businesses bounce back from this economic blow, so for those of us with the ability to assist and rally around the communities we care about, the show must go on. Over the past several weeks, I have found a few methods that have allowed me to stay connected to my community.
Videos with BombBomb
Produce short videos with a service like BombBomb. You can text, email, and share the videos on social media for greater reach. Don’t use it to advertise what you’re selling though, use it to advertise who you are. People connect with people. Be a person, be vulnerable.
Texting with Reach
And, speaking of reach, the texting app, Reach, has been great too. It allows for group texting but individualizes each text so you can connect with a greater amount of people in a personalized way.
Staying in touch with so many people can feel overwhelming. The pressure to be there for all your clients, all the time, is heightened in a crisis. Use the tools at your disposal and find apps you enjoy operating within to relieve that pressure.
Email & Handwritten Letters
Email is a quick and easy go-to, but emails can easily be lost and forgotten. When is the last time you opted out of emailing someone and picked up a piece of paper and a pen and wrote them a personalized letter? Handwriting carries the weight of care where technology fails.
Client response during a crisis is based on a high level of trust, and now is the time to check-in.
Many people are experiencing financial struggles, assure your clients there is nothing to be embarrassed about.
Stay personable, don’t be salesy. It’s not about investing in real estate, it’s about investing in people.
At Metropolist, we make things personal.
If you need help talking through a personalized approach to stay connected with your client, please join us for our weekly production meeting. We meet virtually, every Wednesday at 10 am, and we are here to support you through COVID19 and beyond. Email me at [email protected] and I will respond with an invitation. Let’s connect and stay connected.
Hi there! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to consult with you about your move. I hope you are as excited as I am to get started on this journey selling your current digs.
As we move forward, there are a few items I would like to refer you to. It’s totally possible I have already handed a physical packet to you. On the other hand, if our meeting is going to be virtual, or somewhere down the road, this might serve as the best place to “give” you these items.
If you click on the photo on the right, you will find my seller trifold. This has some information about me and about selling in general. I give it to everyone who has a consultation with me, whether I’ve known them for 10 years or 10 minutes. Take a minute to check it out.
Seller Infographic
Next is the Seller Infographic.
This is exactly what it looks like in the picture. It’s a roadmap that will outline the steps from here (our consult) to closing. When you click on it, take note that there are two pages. The second page gives you a brief description of each step.
It would be a great idea to familiarize yourself with each step a little and write down any questions you might have. Most will probably be answered as we go along, but I’m happy to go over anything in advance.
Metropolist Magazine
I may have already said this when we spoke, but in case I didn’t, the Seller Consult is something I do with all clients. I’ll speak to this more when we sit down but this is an integral part of the process and the process is what drives every transaction from start to finish.
Bonus: So what’s the image on the right? Another thing we do at Metropolist is produce a bi-annual print magazine. In our most recent version you will find statistical information about the current market, broken down by neighborhood as well as an overall look at the King County Metro area. You will also get feature articles about our brokers, and fun anecdotes about life as a real estate agent.
I look forward to sitting with you (virtually or in person), and I’m excited to see how I can help you sell your home. In the meantime, write down any questions you have about the process and we will go over them soon!
Fantastic cashflow rental with lease of $2300/month + utilities. Built in 1925, this traditional gem is remodeled to include a beautiful master suite. Maple cabinets, formal dining room, spacious living room and 2 bedrooms complete the main level. Step downstairs to an expansive basement workshop with a 4th finished room. Envision another bedroom, office or personal studio. Beautiful level lot just awaits your green thumb and summer entertainment plans.
Previous Post: Built in 1925, this traditional gem is remodeled to include a beautiful master suite. Maple cabinets, formal dining room, spacious living room and 2 bedrooms complete the main level. Step downstairs to an expansive basement workshop with a 4th finished room. Envision another bedroom, office or personal studio. Beautiful level lot just awaits your green thumb and summer entertainment plans. Click here for more info!
With every new year, a new set of home trends comes to the forefront. While you don’t want to remodel your whole home based on a whim of style, it is important to be aware of current home design trends to ensure that your home stays modern and welcoming. Here are the top trends to implement throughout 2020.
Add Color to Your Kitchen:
The all-white kitchen trend is on its way out the door. White cabinets are still the most prominent choice, but it has some up-and-coming competition. Breath life into a sterile white kitchen with a little paint. Opt for tuxedo kitchens (featuring color on the bottom row of cabinets and white on the top) or ditch the white entirely and replace it with soft and rich hues. Light blues and greys will star in your kitchen for the subtle pops of color.
Imperfect Wood:
Rattan had its heyday in years prior, but exposed or lightly stained wood will be the highlight of any room in 2020. Wood’s organic imperfection is the perfect compliment to any style of decor, but will especially complement existing trendy boho or minimalist decor.
Embrace the Blues:
Navy blue increased in popularity in 2019 and gained fame when classic blue (a shade of navy) was chosen as the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year. This rich and warm hue pairs nicely with maximalist and minimalist design alike. Whatever your decor preference, navy blue should find its way into your home to ground and add depth to your current decor.
Wild Wallpaper:
If the thought of wallpaper makes you cringe, you’re not alone. It should come as no surprise that the generations cursed with removing the stubborn wallpaper of the past, are naturally a bit hesitant to embrace the burgeoning wallpaper trend. However, animal print and large floral or fauna prints are on-trend and will find their way into foyers, hallways and bathrooms all throughout the year. Thankfully, with new easy to apply (and removable) wallpaper, you don’t have to be afraid of embracing a bold choice.
Minimizing homelessness takes greater awareness, deep empathy and real collaboration. It also needs education and inspired action. Interested in lending your heart and a hand? Join us at Metropolist for an evening of conversation, education and coming together to learn more about how the Evergreen Treatment Services REACH team is improving the quality of life for adults who are living outside – and how you can help. REACH improves lives for more than 3,500 King County residents. Whether it’s a visit to the doctor, a warm meal, or getting into substance use treatment, their work changes lives. Come learn how you can support this critical work. http://www.etsreach.org/
The fact is, not being present can cost you not only listings, but relationships, as well.
If you’ve ever heard me speak, you know that I share that one of the problems with “canned” or memorized listing scripts is that they create a wall between you and the people you’re in a conversation with because you can get so caught up in what you have to say next that you aren’t listening to anything the other person is saying.
That’s not communication or a conversation. When you instead come from a place of service—not sales—your goal is not to “get the listing.” That will be a natural byproduct of a great conversation. Your goal is to listen to and learn about what the seller’s goals and commitments are, then figure out together how you can best help them achieve that goal.
Here are some additional tips for being more present in your conversations:
Slow down. It’s not a race to get all your words out.
Make it all about them. When you’re asking open-ended questions and really listening, people feel heard and seen. That’s the foundation for true communication. Why are you looking to move? What do you like best about this house and this neighborhood? Where do you want to go from here? Then let them share. They’ll give you all the information you need to coach them to make a great decision—but only if you’re present enough to hear their answers.
Speak from your heart, not your head. When we come from a service mindset, not a close-for-a-signature mindset, our purpose allows a more powerful human connection. We get out of our heads and are better able to speak from the heart.
Use stories, metaphors and analogies. Part of being a great communicator is using stories, metaphors and analogies to convey your tools and skills. Stories allow you to better convey information in a way that’s more relatable, opening doors for active understanding and listening without memorization.
As I’ve said before, there’s never been a more important time to improve your communication skills. They’re critical to your success in a way that can and will be game-changing. Ready to fire up these skills and every skill you need to make the next year a breakthrough personally and professionally? We can help.
Commentary by Darryl Davis, CSP Darryl Davis has spoken to, trained and coached more than 100,000 real estate professionals around the globe. He is a best-selling author for McGraw-Hill Publishing, and his book, “How to Become a Power Agent in Real Estate,” tops Amazon’s charts for most sold book to real estate agents. He is the founder of the Next Level® real estate training system The Power Program®, which has proven to help agents double their production over their previous year. Davis earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, held by less than 2 percent of all speakers worldwide. To learn more, visit www.ThePowerProgram.com.
By the end of last year, many homeowners found themselves with more equity than they realized, and at the same time their wages were increasing. When those two factors unite, it can spark homeowners to think about making a move to a larger or more expensive home in the luxury space. That said, now is a perfect opportunity to take a look at the forecast for the 2020 luxury market.
Three Things to Think About in the 2020 Luxury Housing Market
1. Prices
The U.S. economy is strong today, with buying opportunities throughout the luxury end of the market. Thomas Veraguth, Strategist at UBS Global Wealth Management,says in Barrons.com,
“There’s a good link between luxury real estate prices and [economic] growth.”
Available inventory is a key element that can impact home prices. At the upper range, the inventory is greater in comparison to the entry-level market, making moving up to a luxury home a growing reality for many buyers right now.
2. Activity in the Market
With more buying opportunities at the higher end, we should start to see an increase in activity. The same article states,
“Affluent homebuyers will start to come out of the woodwork as they find rising luxury rents less appealing and sellers get even more negotiable on price.”
Buyers looking in the luxury market are taking the opportunity to negotiate on price in a segment where there are more choices, too. According to the Luxury Market Report, homes sold for an average of 96.94% of the list price in December.
Buyers are also getting more for their money with greater purchasing power due to the current low interest rates.
3. Buyers Are Coming Back
Keep in mind, buyers are often sellers too, especially those looking to move up. Homeowners with an entry-level home can take advantage of the inventory shortage at the lower end of the market, thus driving higher sales prices for their current homes. Combined with growing equity in the homes they’re listing, it’s a great time for those who are ready to make a luxury move.
The extra equity and greater purchasing power are bringing many buyers back to the market. The same article mentioned that,
“We’ve already seen buyers who’ve been on the sidelines for two years tread back into the market.”
Bottom Line
If you’re considering entering the luxury market, 2020 is shaping up to be a great year for those who are ready to make that move. Let’s get together to set your real estate plan for the year.
Seattle is no stranger to fantastic finds and remarkable shopping spree experiences. If you are looking to splurge soon, here is a quick list of the Emerald City’s top retail destinations:
Shopping malls
Nordstrom
500 Pine Street
One of the most recognizable names in shopping is headquartered in the Emerald City. The freshly renovated, 383,000-square-foot Nordstrom Seattle flagship store is located downtown, providing a glamorous home to the biggest names in fashion and home accessories.
Westlake Center
400 Pine Street
Whether you’re there for a quick errand run or a day-long shopping spree, Westlake Center makes sure that you find everything on your list. Its eclectic selection of outlets ranges from world-famous designer brands to local icons like Made in Washington.
Pacific Place
600 Pine Street
Conveniently located near the Washington State Trade & Convention Center, this high-end shopping mall features a generous lineup of brand-name retailers. It also has a cinema, along with top-rated restaurants, if you feel like taking a break from your shopping spree.
Outdoor retail complexes
Pike Place Market
85 Pike Street
A truly beloved fixture in Seattle’s shopping scene, this iconic farmers market first welcomed shoppers in 1907. Here you’ll find everything from fresh produce to fragrant flowers, flavorful seafood, collectible trinkets, artisanal creations, and even the world’s first-ever Starbucks café.
Pioneer Square
Downtown Seattle
This historic downtown has been a thriving hub for commerce and culture since the mid-19th century. Today, its vibrant, open-air environment makes it an ideal destination for art collectors and connoisseurs. Art galleries and antique stores are practically everywhere you look, with fashion boutiques and gift shops scattered in between.
University Village
2623 Northeast University Village Street
Located in the Ravenna neighborhood, just north of Downtown Seattle, this outdoor retail center offers a literal breath of fresh air with its distinctive shopping experience. A casual stroll will treat you to a lively mix of signature fashion brands, locally-owned boutiques, and diverse options for your dining pleasure.
Specialty stores
The Elliot Bay Book Company
1521 Tenth Avenue
When you just can’t get enough of that “new book smell,” this Seattle icon is sure to be right up your alley. This book store and café first opened its doors along Main Street in 1973 and relocated to the Capitol Hill neighborhood in 2010. Its selection of books includes more than 150,000 titles – featuring a mix of new releases and consigned, hard-to-find gems.
Glasswing
1525 Melrose Avenue
A fashion store, home goods boutique, and plant and flower shop all in one, Glasswing has a regularly updated selection of men’s and women’s apparel and accessories. Around the block is their supplementary location called Greenhouse, where they sell artfully designed plant and flower arrangements, as well as hold workshops on plant care and design.
International showcase
Uwajimaya Village
600 5th Avenue South
Get your fill of authentic Asian food and other goods at this popular shopping center in Seattle’s International District. Exploring this unique retail destination is an adventure with all the great finds that await you.
MoMo
600 South Jackson Street
While Japanese in origin, this boutique blends both Asian and European influences in the variety of clothes and accessories available on its racks. You can also find plenty of eye-catching trinkets and keepsakes to accessorize your home with here.
Learn more about what makes Seattle a great place to live. Get tips on the best local highlights from top-producing real estate firm. Call 206-623-5118 or email [email protected] for more information.
