Halton Area Broker/ Manager for RE/MAX Escarpment.
 








































































































































































































































































































































Lynn is the Broker / Manager of the first dedicated RE/MAX Luxury office in Canada for RE/MAX Escarpment and the Broker / Manager of their North Burlington Itabashi Way office. Passionate about real estate and committed to provide first class service to our skilled sales professionals, Lynn puts their needs first.She is committed to developing sales, marketing strategies and SEO analytics strategies to all her agents and to support our Realtors so in turn they can provide the best service their clients.With an extensive history in real estate sales, staging, business management, coaching and mentoring it means Lynn brings unique skills to her role. Lynn is the author and facilitator of luxury real estate articles, and training programs which are designed to impact and improve our agent’s success and business.Being committed to providing the finest luxury web portals, web site technology, industry leading marketing, and digital marketing to our Realtors while continually striving to bring the most innovative technologies into the Real Estate industries are priorities for Lynn.She believes in supporting and servicing our Realtors so they can provide the best service to their clients in the acquisition or sale of their home, recreational properties or investment properties both locally and globally.RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Brokerage and Lynn provide our all our agents with a full team of professionals, and suite of services to support them and assist in them in building their businesses.

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Lynn Hoffmann

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This approach offers a fresh and straightforward way to elevate your business by genuinely supporting families as they search for their next home and life chapter. For clients, selling their home isn’t just a transaction—it’s a major life event and a critical financial decision. The role of a REALTOR® is to guide them toward their future, not merely to a new address. Clients deserve—and should expect—more.As an agent, you’re not merely there to facilitate a sale; you are their advisor, pricing strategist, and problem solver. They should feel that they’ve never encountered an agent quite like you. The stakes are high, and you must be prepared to match that intensity. To succeed, expand your network and influence. Radiance is magnetic—it draws others in. Be magnetic.When you amplify your genuine energy, you naturally increase your pull. Personal growth is the foundation of all success. Invest consistently in yourself and your business. Allocate resources for self-improvement, refining and elevating your skills. These investments will help you secure listings and serve clients at the highest level.Be authentically you. Embrace beauty, truth, and goodness—these qualities are priceless. Remember, a core principle of human value is that each person is a gift. YOU are that gift to your clients; keep this truth close and remind yourself daily.Each day is a new opportunity to enhance how you serve as a gift to your clients. Consider yourself like a sculptor: rather than creating the masterpiece, you’re simply removing what hides it. Recognize this potential within yourself and everyone you work with. Free yourself from anything holding back your qualities as a gift. Aim for “future-focused growth,” envisioning the development of your skills and success.Consider these personal growth insights for winning the listing:Let go of egoListen actively, demonstrate confidence, and be comfortable in your own skin.Avoid arroganceRefrain from forcing opinions or displaying neediness or greed.Be clear and insightfulSet aside your needs, focusing instead on providing clarity to clients navigating what may feel overwhelming.Align with their goalsUnderstand their wants and needs, and develop a strategy to enhance both the real estate transaction and their lives.Embrace humility and confidenceShow openness to learning and genuinely listen to their story. Avoid being overbearing or insincere.Every interaction is an opportunityEvery conversation and meeting is a chance to showcase your expertise and level of thoughtfulness.Many people view REALTORS® as overpaid and overcompensated. Changing this perspective requires both verbal and non-verbal cues. A successful professional operates on four levels: ActionPlanningStrategyVisionStart with Vision, move through Strategy and Planning, and finally, execute the Actions needed to meet the client’s goals. This structured approach will help them see your unique value.Share insights, data, and new perspectives to help clients understand their options. Strive to exceed even their highest expectations. Simply selling or buying a home is the bare minimum—it’s the personalized experience that will earn referrals and testimonials.Enhance the client’s experience with your tools. Elevate your value through engaging dialogue, actionable insights, and tangible results.Winning the listing requires you to embody the presentation. Your emotional intelligence, insight, and knowledge create a compelling brand of service that clients resonate with. Present with simplicity, leading the meeting while maintaining an open mind and heart.Ask yourself, Does my CMA present true value? Show clients the strength of your CMA, your strategy, and negotiate with humility. Tell the story of your previous sales with relevant details and background to establish credibility.Develop strategic alliances with other agents. Gather market intelligence on local sales, both pending and closed, by treating these agents as you would clients. This information will give you insights otherwise inaccessible.Every property is best suited to a specific buyer. Identify the ideal buyer, tailor your marketing assets to attract them, and ensure your listings are easily discoverable by the right people. Help buyers’ agents by equipping them with the information they need to narrate the home’s story to prospective buyers.Impression management starts with the first interaction.Presentation mattersDress, punctuality, and how you carry yourself all set the stage.Leverage every offerEven a low offer can spark competitive interest.Begin negotiations earlyApproach each property with a strategic mindset before even setting foot inside.Maintain confidence and be a reliable, experienced voice that clients can trust. Ensure alignment on goals, expectations, and next steps. Show value in every aspect of your service, from the CMA to negotiation tactics that reflect humility and authenticity. Respect your client’s time, concluding meetings punctually, if not early.Always add value, leaving clients with insights that help them make informed decisions. Never hard-sell yourself; allow your knowledge and genuine engagement to speak on your behalf.This is not just business—it’s a calling. It’s about being a gift, adding value, and offering something beyond the ordinary.

Growing A Luxury Real Estate Business: It's Not Rocket Science, But You Do Need To Care

Celebrating the achievements of our agents IN STYLE at our 2023 awards event on May 14 at Liuna Station. #remaxEN #unstoppablestartshere

RE/MAX EN 2023 Awards Celebration

Top Tips to Transform a Home for the Spring Market

When I was tasked with contributing to this month’s newsletter with a blog post, I decided to venture beyond my usual topics and revisit one of my earlier writings to share with you. Over the past two decades in the realm of Real Estate and life in general, I’ve garnered valuable insights. These experiences have not only humbled me but also bestowed upon me a significant responsibility to positively influence others. I’ve come to realize that my past experiences have equipped me with the opportunity to impart knowledge to others, making me a transformational coach rather than a transactional one.  What truly captivates me about my business career is its ability to effect change in the lives of both agents and individuals on a personal level. The constant challenges, fast-paced environment, and daily problem-solving have always kept me engaged. My approach to helping people achieve their goals revolves around authenticity.  Fast forward to 2024, the skills and practices I’ve honed since I first wrote this article in 2012 have evolved in ways I never thought possible for someone with an “introverted” disposition. In the past five years, I have successfully recruited over 300 agents and positively impacted the lives of hundreds more during my real estate career. My superpower, without a doubt, is the ability to move people to action—a skill vital for the sustainability and growth of any business. In essence, recruiting is a form of sales, and whether you embrace the term or not, you are, indeed, in sales. Your primary role is to facilitate transactions, which involves motivating and persuading individuals to act.  Allow me to share with you my 2012 article titled “Present like a Pro: Moving People to Action.” Every time you have the opportunity to engage with individuals contemplating real estate transactions, whether buying or selling, it is imperative to be well-prepared with a compelling presentation and a concise Elevator Pitch. Failing to have these skills and materials readily available can lead to missed opportunities that you may later regret. Conversations and inquiries can arise unexpectedly in various settings, such as the grocery store, coffee shop, daycare, or dog park. There are so many times we are presenting, we just don’t recognize it as presenting. You should be poised to convey who you are, what you do, and why they should trust you with their real estate needs.   There are three distinct types of presentations I would like to discuss: 1. Your Elevator Pitch 2. Your Individual Presentation 3. Your Electronic Presentation  Regardless of the presentation type, the process typically involves three stages: research, creating an outline, and delivering the presentation. The length, content, and method may vary, but the core principles remain consistent.  Let’s start by delving into the Elevator Pitch. Picture this scenario: you are visiting a high-net-worth client in a downtown high-rise building. As you step into the elevator, a gentleman notices your real estate branding and materials. He inquires, “Why should I choose you and your brand for my real estate needs?” In that brief elevator ride, you have a golden opportunity to convey your story effectively. Your response is your Elevator Speech, which must be concise, compelling, and memorable, all within a 30-second timeframe.  To craft an effective Elevator Pitch, you must conduct thorough research on your audience, understand their needs, and determine the level of those needs. Authenticity is key, and your speech should revolve around problem-solving. Back your pitch with facts, statistics, and be sure to rehearse.   To be a successful presenter who connects with your audience, leaves a lasting impact, and motivates them to take action, you must shift your focus from yourself to them. Think of yourself as a skilled listener who guides your audience rather than a lecturer. Remember, your audience’s primary concern is “What’s in it for them?” You must clearly articulate the benefits and address their pain points, as humans tend to gravitate from pain to pleasure.  Your presentation should be structured with a clear outline, featuring three major points that offer tangible benefits to the recipient. Make it interactive by involving your audience and using collaborative language. Utilize data, charts, and other mediums to validate your expertise, all while creating a compelling vision. Emotion plays a significant role in persuasion, so identify their “why” and points of pain, showing them how you can alleviate their concerns.  Incorporating stories into your presentation can enhance understanding and engagement. Frame your presentation around a powerful narrative, ensuring that you convey your major points effectively. Remember that a presentation is not about overwhelming your audience with information but rather guiding them toward a decision.  Avoid making the presentation about yourself, delivering excessive content, or speaking for too long. Always summarize your key points, and present yourself professionally with high-quality marketing materials.  In my experience, less is often more. Vary your energy levels, use vivid language, and prioritize preparation, practice, and rehearsal. In individual presentations, adopt a question-based approach, take notes, mirror your audience’s concerns, identify motivations and objections, and lead them to a logical conclusion. Be positive, assertive, and truthful, and substantiate your position with statistics. Have fun with your energy, passion and always let your enthusiasm shine though.  The shorter the speech the more preparation is needed and you are required to drill down to your core points.  To maximize impact, combine your individual presentation with electronic and digital materials. Incorporate visuals, videos, lifestyle content, and real-life examples to enhance your message. Your presentation is always valued by people and when you meet their emotional needs you will have a greater impact on them.  Remember that goals are crucial for success, serving as dreams with deadlines.   By adhering to these principles and strategies, you can refine your presentation skills, connect effectively with your audience, and, most importantly, move them to action.  Follow Lynn on Facebook and Instagram!      @lynnhoffmannremaxescarpment       @lynnchoffmann Follow our company’s luxury socials!      @remaxniagaraescarpmentluxury        @the_renownedcollection Watch “Mastering the Luxury Listing” in our Luxury resources in Office Tools.

Effective Strategies for Persuasive Presentations in Real Estate

IT’s very common for agents to be drawn to the allure of selling LUXURY REAL ESTATE. How difficult could it be? Right?So, what does it take to be successful in the world of Luxury Real Estate?Working in luxury real estate heightens all aspects of the industry and the process of selling. The caliber and quality of the home is elevated, demands and expectations of the agent are elevated, and they are working with buyers and sellers that are often at the top of their professions.Agents looking to lift up their careers can find that luxury real estate holds immense promise. The question I’m asked all the time is “How do I break into this market?”.In some cases an agent’s prior profession has lent itself to the luxury market. Exotic car salesperson, a real estate investor, a trader in commodities, and many of your past life experiences in the high-end sector will serve you well in real estate luxury sales. This is all great, but what if you don’t have a leg up in any type of luxury sales or the high- net-worth world?Let’s explore at some ideas.Find supporters in your sphere who will cheer you on and advocate for you. Have a robust list and network of professional peers who can help take your business to the next level. Successful people in any industry work hard to build strong relationships and ask for help when they need it.Look for advice and help from a seasoned mentor who is willing to share their knowledge and experience. If you aren’t making alliances with these types of people, you should make it a point to start. Believe it or not, your client base, friends and colleagues do want to see you succeed.Surrounding yourself with the right people is integral. You might consider joining forces with a team or individual that already lives in the luxury real state market. Alternatively, there are Luxury specialist courses and mentoring programs that you can explore to become knowledgeable in this market.Build a wide range of expertise. Cultivating your knowledge is essential. So is fostering a network of contacts that can help you support your clients - from tradespeople to financial advisors. “Grow your network of resources to make your clients’ experience as seamless as possible”. Become their trusted, and knowledgeable advisor; their go-to person for all related business matters. Remember too that luxury clients are generally very well informed in local, national, and global events so be prepared to engage in conversations beyond the real estate market. Your knowledge of both the industry and world events is certainly beneficial, but it still really comes down to your buyers and sellers having confidence in your ability to manage preparing, promoting and negotiating for what is often their most valuable asset.If you are new to this business you expect to be patient, professional, humble, and hungry to learn everything you can about real estate and the luxury aspects of real estate. Knowledge is Power.Elevate every aspect of your service. Anyone hoping to make it in the luxury market must have the diligence and drive that will win the trust of clients and the respectof colleagues.Luxury agents show a dedication to the craft and a willingness to pivot when things aren’t working. The Luxury real estate business demands a high level of discipline and someone who is willing to go above and beyond with respect to being accessible outside the traditional hours of business. It also takes an investment of both time and money to property prepare, expose, and promote the property. It might mean a much higher investment to market the property than most agents are accustomed to. You must use the best photography, video, drone footage, lifestyle video, print materials and digital. Quality leads to credibility - and like any good investment, it will be worth it in the end.One last piece of advice to anyone thinking of breaking into this exciting market - Be prepared before you are called for an appointment. Do your due diligence on all aspects of the luxury market and have your digital presentation ready to send out prior to the appointment. Being prepared and polished in advance of your live presentation will make the difference between success and failure. Follow Lynn on Facebook and Instagram! @lynnhoffmannremaxescarpment @lynnchoffmann Follow our company’s luxury socials! @remaxniagaraescarpmentluxury @the_renownedcollection Watch “Mastering the Luxury Listing” in our Luxury resources in Office Tools.

Breaking Into LUXURY REAL ESTATE

Q1 of 2024 has proven to be a milestone quarter as we at RE/MAX Escarpment and Niagara are just 91 unit sales below our company transaction record of Q1 in 2021. Our Escarpment team had an 11 point spread above our competitors in Hamilton, Haldimand, and Halton, also ourNiagara agents posted a 14 percentage point leap over our Niagara colleagues as well. On an individual basis our sales representatives outsold our entire region by 7 to 1, as we certainly outpaced the industry this March.

March 2024 Market Pulse

How competitive brands and their collective offices rank against our brokerages across Hamilton-Burlington, Oakville-Milton and Niagara Regions, Jan - Dec. 2023

Brands Against The Machine

A Truly Regional Brokerage

How does RE/MAX Escarpment perform in the luxury real estate space? We consistently outperform our competition year after year.

BY THE NUMBERS

Manager of the Year 2023

2023 END YEAR REVIEW

What do you think of when someone says they have a “Luxury” property? Do you assume a certain price point? A glitzy high rise downtown? Or an exclusive island for a vacation property? Is it a price point…a look…or both?RE/MAX Canada defines luxury price threshold in each respective market at 2.5% higher than the average price in that market. However, even if the property meets the monetary requirements, the price tag is not the sole criteria in characterizing the property as luxury real estate. Home values vary from market to market and prices fluctuate based on economic conditions, as we all know. With that said, what does luxury real estate really mean? And how do you qualify it?RE/MAX Niagara &amp; Escarpment’s Luxury office curates listing from all of our branch offices daily to identify the best of the best properties that meet the initial monetary requirements. We then investigate further for non-monetary criteria such as desirable location, condition of the home, presentation of the home and property, unique luxury features and exceptional finishes. These have the ability to further qualify a listing for submission to a variety of global and international web platforms. To be clear - a home can be priced above the threshold for that area and not be selected for the luxury web platforms because the non-monetary criteria don’t elevate the property to a true luxury standard.Another critical marker in order for a property to qualify as luxury at RE/MAX Niagara &amp; Escarpment is exemplary, high-resolution photography and video. Videos must also be hosted on Vimeo or YouTube in order to be posted to these sites. Our Luxury sites have statistically proven that listings with high resolution images outperform listings that don’t, with more hits, saves and leads.If your listing meets all of the abovementioned criteria, our luxury experts will automatically submit your listing to all of the qualifying websites – you don’t need to do a thing! Once your listing has been published, you will receive an email with all of the links on these portals to share with your clients. The portals are listed on Office Tools, and I highly recommend that you spend time reviewing the content, features and blogs that these luxury websites have to offer to further your understanding of the world of luxury.To learn more about the luxury marketing and resources available at RE/MAX Niagara &amp; Escarpment, click on the link below and sign into Office Tools or reach out to a member of the marketing department (<a href="mailto:marketing@rmxemail.net">marketing@rmxemail.net</a>) for assistance. And I am always here for any luxury questions you may have!  <a href="https://www.office-tools.ca/luxury-resources">https://www.office-tools.ca/luxury-resources</a>

What Does Luxury Real Estate Really Mean?

RE/MAX is excited to announce that one of the top teams for eXp Realty Canada in volume and transactions, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WoolcottRealEstate?__tn__=-%5DK*F">Woolcott Real Estate</a>, owned by Drew Woolcott will be returning to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReMaxEscarpment/?__tn__=kK*F">RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage</a> Please join us in welcoming Drew and the entire Woolcott Real Estate team to RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc. and congratulating <a href="https://realintro.com/conradzurini">Conrad Zurini</a> and family on this exciting addition to their organization! Read more here: <a href="https://agentbrokerhub.remax.ca/re-max-escarpment-realty-inc-welcomes-back-woolcott-real-estate-from-exp-realty/?fbclid=IwAR3NVXo4NxbnZedYPyz2DtwAw7TvdBB93ahPCONmeEcKB_H0UQRCuzxd-tM">https://agentbrokerhub.remax.ca/re-max-escarpment-realty.../</a>

Welcome Home!

t’s a scorching, record-breaking summer, and what better way to escape the triple-digit temperatures than in cool, cool waters and the beautiful illusion of an infinity pool? The water flows over a vanishing edge, there to be silently filtered, cleansed, and returned in an endless cycle. Ah, the Zen tranquility of it! But it’s that edge, that negative-edge horizon line which makes artists of us all, putting us at the center of a new perspective on the world. What better way to contemplate that view—whether it be the sea, mountains, or countryside—from the glassy surface of water melding into a cloudless blue sky? Consider an infinity pool overlooking France’s Lake Annecy or perhaps a cliffside pool facing Ibiza’s Es Cubells Bay. And if one infinity pool isn’t enough, how about two, each framing a picture-perfect vista of Gouverneur Bay on the island of St. Barths? The homes featured in this Luxury Defined collection illustrate why an infinity pool is more than a trick of perspective: it’s the ultimate place to cool off and while away a lazy summer afternoon. Contemplate the infinite! <a href="https://www.christiesrealestate.com/blog/8-homes-with-infinity-pools/?utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=220524483&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9U2y3BjHC4g006zBAaVrCliMn00BWFF_foC8FtvRMZ25rCiZqzmBMxOPsESE0gCvWIaeApygqfA_yHiYzW3neRul7atw&amp;utm_content=220531805&amp;utm_source=hs_email">Click here to read more</a>

10 Homes with Infinity Pools

Every 40 minutes in 2023, a RE/MAX Niagara &amp; Escarpment agent sold a home. We are so grateful for the trust our clients put in us every single moment of every day.

We sell a house every 40 MINUTES!

For 40+ years we have delivered our Brand of service excellence throughout the Golden Horseshoe, with 13+ offices strategically placed in the Niagara Region, The Greater Hamilton Region, Burlington and now in Oakville with the opening of our new office at 1320 Cornwall Rd.Moving at the speed of the market, RE/MAX Escarpment and RE/MAX Niagara pride ourselves as a Real Estate organization that serves our agents and their clients at the community level. Our agent's strong local market knowledge and proficiency with the latest data driven technology ensure a more informed and streamlined experience for our clients whether they are are buying or selling a property.

New office in Oakville!

As part of our continuing initiative to define the luxury real estate market in Hamilton-Burlington, Oakville and Niagara regions, we have partnered with the JamesEdition to provide elevated marketing for our clients luxury listings.<a href="http://ow.ly/1Bhv50FOpP4">VISIT OUR JAMESEDITION PROFILE</a>

Our Luxury Footprint is Growing Once Again!

These beautiful luxury kitchen balance form and functions - and will undoubtedly provide and increased value to the home! <a href="http://ow.ly/hIwv50zkx6J">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>

Form Follows Food: 8 Homes with Luxury Kitchens

When you’re combining home with work, the lines between the two can become blurred—three interior designers share their tips on devising a beautiful space for bothThese experts advise on designing a home office space that offers just the right mix.

The Designer’s Secret to Creating Work-Life Balance

Self-care with your smart home!<a href="https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/smart-home-tech-built-for-self-care-216847?tesla=y%5C">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>

Introduce more wellness into your life with this intelligent technology

Luxury Defined spotlights a collection of homes with spectacular outdoor fireplaces and firepits for alfresco livingCheck out these six homes with enchanting outdoor spaces warmed by firelight for that cozy summer soiree.  <a href="https://www.christiesrealestate.com/blog/alfresco-living-outdoor-fireplaces/?utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=88709517&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_DH5ezpCRvrc8i1B8PA-pLVz0tj5kNOzV7QLliX2LKObJNS0TrkWOMKOK4QzI-pJaJS2mBipwuNiCI7JNqvzlKWT33xQ&amp;utm_content=88709517&amp;utm_source=hs_email">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>

Alfresco Living: 6 Homes with Outdoor Fireplaces and Firepits

According to the home’s agent Michael Repka, it "truly exemplifies a seamless integration of luxury design with the market's most innovative technology. Combining exquisite finishes with unparalleled home automation, this property truly embodies the Silicon Valley lifestyle. <a href="https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/an-uber-smart-house-that-seems-perfectly-at-home-in-silicon-valley-139131?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D50309910012525523024027197509794287446%7CMCORGID%3DCB68E4BA55144CAA0A4C98A5%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1590072235">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>

An Uber-Smart House That Seems Perfectly at Home in Silicon Valley

The materials, designs and trends that are changing how we create our living spacesAs people are occupying their spaces for longer periods of time, the need for multi-functional pieces is increasing. <a href="https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/forward-thinking-furniture-214893?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D50309910012525523024027197509794287446%7CMCORGID%3DCB68E4BA55144CAA0A4C98A5%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1590072045">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>

Forward-Thinking Furniture

Regionally, for combined unit sales, RE/MAX Niagara &amp; Escarpment continued to outperform our competition. In fact, it takes the combined transactions of our Top 5 Competitors to equal the number of transactions that we did as a company.

It Take 5 to Equal 1!

In response to the global lockdown, art is going digital—here’s where to find the best virtual viewing rooms, and how they can help to curate your collectionWe are seeing more an more virtual art exhibitis - bring amazing works into your home! But can it really replicate the experience of seeing it in real life? <a href="http://ow.ly/ap0750zkvNd">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>

How Online Exhibits Are Changing the Art World

Whether you’re dreaming of the ultimate in comfort or something profoundly unique, you can make it a reality.<a href="http://ow.ly/ENXK50yXWxT">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>

7 Best Tips for Creating Luxurious Interior Design on a Budget

In honor of Earth Day, we discover that for the world’s most innovative designers and architects, green is the new blackMany companies that were founded decades or even a century ago to produce glass, ceramics, chemicals, and electronics are now riding the wave of green design.<a href="https://bit.ly/3b6Qx3p">CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE</a>

The Top 10 Eco-Friendly Features for Today’s Luxury Homes

A luxurious living room should make you feel comfortable and relaxed. It is, after all, the most visited place in the house; the place that people come to sit and enjoy each other’s company. Because of this, you want your living room to be a beautiful, luxurious and reflect your personality and style, whether you enjoy contemporary, modern or retro design. Here are five interior design ideas for a luxurious living room.<a href="http://ow.ly/NyQD50yXY2s">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>

5 Interior Design Ideas for a Luxurious Living Room

As a solution to Ontario scaling back on all but Essential Services, we have created a COVID-19 BUYER VIEWING CLAUSE that will allow you to shift to virtual showings and be protected.It is available to all of our agents on Broker Bay<a href="https://view.bbsv3.net/bbext/?p=land&amp;id=A18AB50B6A976148E0530100007F6DC2&amp;vid=6791c54e-1410-45bd-8065-6aad16eb06c9">CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO</a>

Buyer Viewing Clause

Explore a massive array of perfected layouts, high-end decor ideas, gorgeous lighting designs, stunning furniture and sumptuous curtains along with some breathtaking architectural features.<a href="http://ow.ly/uPxc50yXVXD">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>

51 Luxury Living Rooms And Tips You Could Use From Them

<a href="https://platinummls.marketingrmx.com/">CLICK HERE TO SEE STUDEO DIGITAL AT WORK!</a> At RE/MAX Escarpment, we believe in investing in technology to help our agents reach new heights in digital marketing. The Studeo Digital Storytelling Platform allows agents to create stunning print and digital storybooks of their listings, incorporating a variety of multi-media links including video, 3D matterport tours, cinemagraphs, and stunning photography into a single searchable, shareable link, to showcase your listings, and even better, to get you the next one!

Studeo Digital Storytelling Platform

TRE/MAX Escarpment's exclusive Luxury WebsiteRE/MAX Escarpment is excited to share with you the new and improved features of our luxury website <a href="http://therenownedcollection.com/index.cfm">The Renowned Collection</a>.The decision to invest in the upgrading of this site was to help our realtors showcase their high end and luxury listings as well as supporting them in listing presentations.This rich and robust site now offers up listings by community, lifestyle and includes an international link to our luxury platforms Mansion Global and The Wall Street Journal.Check out our Brokerage’s International properties by clicking on Mansion Global or The WSJ and searching the city in the search bar.I hope you are as impressed as we are with the results.<a href="http://www.therenownedcollection.com/">THERENOWNEDCOLLECTION.COM</a><h3>RE/MAX Escarpment knows Luxury  </h3>

TheRenownedCollection.com

Architectural concepts that every good Luxury Real Estate professional should know. PART 2 OF 2Last month, I outlined two of the hottest architectural styles that play an important role in today's luxury real estate market - Mid Century Modern and Ranch. This month, we continue this journey into two more design concepts about which every Luxury Real Estate professional should be educated.CONTEMPORARY / MODERNThis style has gained more and more popular in the last 10 years. Distinctive features include free-flowing form, creativity and the extensive use of curved lines. Contemporary architecture is a form of construction that embodies the various styles of building designs stemming from a wide range of influences including eco-friendly features. This style emulates all kinds of creativity. Aside from different styles and influences, contemporary architecture uses the latest technology and materials. One such technique is the Tube Structure, which is used to design buildings that are high tech, stronger, and taller than most other buildings of previous generations.With the help of modern software, and the use of simulations and computer-aided design, buildings can be constructed with a high level of precision and speed. Contemporary/Modern homes have exteriors that make a statement. They often feature asymmetrical elements, geometric shapes, and the use of natural materials such as stone, brick, and wood. With Contemporary homes, there is no such thing as cookie cutter. Almost every contemporary /modern home has its own unique look. Windows are huge in these homes, and often take up the entire wall or several walls. Rooflines play a big role in the architectural design. Modern homes tend to have flat expansive roofs or dramatically angled ones. This form of architecture is dominant all over the world and is not just specific to the U.S and Canada. In that regard contemporary is global.Contemporary architects have a sense of sustainability that they achieve through designs that are energy efficient, using recycled materials, solar panels, and allowing for maximum natural light to pass through. You will be seeing more of this type of architecture as older bungalows are being demolished, to be replaced by Contemporary homes on a larger lot.FRENCH PROVINCIAL or French CountryFrench Provincial style is one of the most popular genres, whether it’s describing the architecture of a home or the furniture within it. Just look at the Oakville and Burlington Lakeshore see the popularity of this style that has lofty origins. When French Provincial architecture appeared in the United States, it was actually classified as a revival.Originally inspired by the original 17th and 18th century manor houses that dot the countryside of France, the second revival of this style started in the ‘90’s and still going stronger than ever. For both the original manor houses in the rural provinces of France and the revival versions here in the U.S. and Canada several features stand out. These houses are built of brick or stone, and feature symmetrical, flat facades with a centered front door. Painted wooden shutters are common for the windows and doors.These were large country homes that were usually at least 2 stories, sometimes including a third under the steeply pitched roof with dormers. This style of roof is called Mansard and is a gambrel–style hip roof characterised by 4 sides. The second stories of these homes were uniquely tall and featured high, arched windows that extended past the eave of the roof, adding to the architectural interest of the house. Such a steep roof called for a beautiful material worthy of looking at, so many French Provincial homes are topped with slate tile or copper accented roofs. This style of home can range from modest to large farm houses, to grand and detailed which we see the most.French Provincial interiors have a low maintenance elegance that is timeless and beautifully simple. Colours match the landscape, with lots of creams and whites with brown, grays, and muted greens and blues. Texture is another key element in the design, with unfinished wrought iron and stone serving as accents and paying homage to the historic farmhouses of their origins. French Provincial is especially popular today because it’s a softer, more elegant take on minimalistic or rustic farmhouse décor. Plus, you won’t be rushing to replace it in a few years because it’s a classic we don’t see going out of style anytime soon.

HOT Architectural Styles

Capturing the GTA Market &amp; connecting Buyers with LOCAL REALTORSRE/MAX Escarpment has built a website designed with the Toronto Buyer in mind who is looking to escape the escalating prices in the GTA for more affordability. Realhoods.com is an opportunity for buyers to view properties within the Hamilton-Burlington region, learn about the communities, individual neighbourhoods, amenities, etc, and even compare them to popular GTA neighbourhoods, to capture that sense of 'home' in a new community. Active listings within these communities are offered up, along with an opportunity to connect with a LOCAL REALTOR who is familiar all that Hamilton-Burlington has to offer. Why work with a REALTOR who knows nothing about the community their buyer is moving to - RE/MAX Escarpment has provided the tool to capture these leads for our agents! Ask us how to be a part of Realhoods.com!<a href="https://realhoods.com/">VISIT REALHOODS.COM</a>

Realhoods.com

What matters most to Luxury BuyersWhen listing a property, it’s often how you frame the lifestyle, positive features, and exclusivity that hook a Luxury buyer. Though many potential Buyers will focus on the price tag, it’s a real estate professional’s job to get them past the number and into what they are getting for their money.Let’s take a minute to define what we are talking about when we reference value vs. price.PRICE: The measured monetary value of a given property, often based off the going rates for similar real estate in the surrounding area.Value: What the Buyer of the property is actually getting for their money. Also referred to as how far the Buyer’s dollar is being stretched on a given purchase. Most times, once a Buyer understands the value of a property, it reflects in the price they are willing to pay. It’s the responsibility of the REALTOR® involved in the transaction to know which features add value, and to understand the mindset of the affluent Buyer. Understand that clients generally expect to be educated on the value of a home before negotiating a price.Let’s talk about some ways to emphasize a property’s value rather than just the price.House Buyers love finding a property with one-of-a-kind features, which can greatly raise the value of a property if showcased correctly. Before you list a property, be sure to make note of interesting and unusual features that are difficult to find elsewhere so that you can emphasize them in your marketing. Play to the lifestyle of the home again by emphasizing those features that show off the lifestyle.Does the home have exotic hardwood flooring? Are the bathroom tiles hand-made? Vaulted ceilings with a walk out to a specular views? Perhaps an outdoor gourmet kitchen? Finding the detail that will grab an audience, and taking steps to enhance this feature before selling can increase the value and make potential buyers feel better about the price. Features like these might be the final push in helping a buyer making a decision to purchase. Understand the features that buyers want, then exploit the features in your marketing for the property.As a real estate professional, if you come across a property that is uncommon for the area in which you are listing, be sure to communicate that to your luxury Buyer. For example, selling a property with a large yard in a city otherwise dominated by homes with little-to-no yard gives it increased value.Another example would be a property with historical significance in a market saturated by new developments and brand new homes. As a general rule, most people want something that other people don’t have. Unique features make the listing feel that much more special and boosts the desirability of the property. The right Buyer will understand the value of a home with a story and will agree to a price accordingly. Up your language when describing this type of property with words like, “rare”, “uncommon”, “distinctive” to further elevate your listing and catch the attention of buyers.When you’re defining the core value of a given property, consider the kind of person who would be interested in purchasing the home. This is where understanding how your client developed wealth, and whether it was new wealth or old wealth can help. The difference between “old money” and “new money” is an interesting distinction, as the motivation and spending habits of the two differ.Another factor when determining wealth comes from an increase of foreign off shore Buyers who have a different measure of wealth and who see price and value differently.It’s no secret that attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, which is why it is imperative to get your marketing message out in a succinct and precise manner. Visuals speak louder than words and I strongly suggest using our Studeo Enterprising marketing resources in both print and digital with full analytics of engagement.Leave the price off the listing on your print copy and digitals. This is a technique that has proved successful for some real estate professionals. The benefit of doing so is that interested parties will get in touch to discuss the property if they are genuinely interested in what it has to offer. This technique also effectively vets the buyers who only look at the price in comparison to the value of the property.Although open houses are always a great opportunity to meet people, in high end luxury homes it is less common. However, if your client will allow an open house, I suggest you do it yourself, as you are the best advocate for the property and know all the nuisances and features. Another great tip is to be present in the home for all showings. Again as the home’s expert you can answer questions on the spot and explain features that a less informed agent wouldn’t be able to answer. Further you will have instant feedback for your clients, and be able to assess the buyer first hand.Always work to show the value of the property and this will lower the resistance to the question of pricing.

VALUE vs. PRICE

Get the listings you want at the commission you wantLet’s review some basics facts: WHAT IS A CMA? It is a direct comparison of the subject property to nearby and similar recently sold properties to determine current market value.WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A CMA? To determine the FAIR MARKET VALUE and establish a realistic value for the subject property based on historical data.WHAT IS FAIR MARKET VALUE? What a willing buyer will pay and what a willing seller will accept in a reasonable amount of time when exposed to the market. I have a philosophy that all real estate sells for Market Value:The challenges are having the skills to establish the list price and where it should be positioned in the market plus the Seller’s approval for the price you recommend based on statistical data.Here’s why it is so critical that you get the home priced RIGHT the first time:<ol>
<li>Time and Days on market – overpriced listings sit too long.</li>
<li>Your time and costs to market – it’s your money you’re spending.</li>
<li>Your reputation as a sales professional is at risk – it’s your name on the sign when the house sits on the market.</li>
<li>You will get a reputation for overpricing listings just to get the listings.</li>
<li>Property doesn’t sell in the client’s specified time frame.</li>
<li>Clients become disenchanted with you and either let the listing expire or worse, give the listing to another agent, who then prices right and it sells FAST!</li>
<li>You lose all the opportunities for referrals to business on a lost and dissatisfied client.</li>
</ol>Overpricing a listing can be a REALLY BAD IDEA!Why is it critical for the Seller to price the home right the first time?<ol>
<li>The home becomes stigmatized when it sits too long. People ask “What’s wrong with the house? “ No one assumes it’s the pricing!</li>
<li>Prevents a sale within a reasonable time frame, so seller cannot move ahead with plans or potential savings.</li>
<li>The price continues to drop the longer it is on the market</li>
<li>Can sell below market value</li>
<li>Buyers and agents are reluctant to make low offers on overpriced listings.</li>
</ol>Keep in mind the most brilliant marketing strategy plan can’t sell an overpriced listing! Do you really want to spend money, and time marketing a property that has zero chance of selling at the vendor assisted price?Understand the comps on MLS® and what the information does for you.<ul>
<li>SOLDS: Recent MLS® Sales are your true market value.</li>
<li>ACTIVE (Every active listing is competition): Remember a Seller only has 1 house to SELL. A buyer has many houses to choose from.</li>
<li>EXPIRED LISTING (what the market will NOT PAY): These are the homes that didn’t sell. The seller lost the sales game, and this is a good indicator of where not to price the home.</li>
</ul>Articulate the importance of positioning the property on the market right the first time based on this information, and have the necessary skills to list at or near the Market Value. Rely on the historical data and market data to form the basis of your CMA.Never give a definite PRICE - always provide a range and try to hold off the pricing conversation until the end of your marketing presentation. You might say:<ul>
<li>“Mr. &amp; Mrs. Seller, if you’re comfortable with my marketing plan, and me, let’s go ahead and look at the positioning the house on the market with the proper price together.”</li>
<li>“Most sellers only want to know, “How long will it take to sell and how much money will we get?” I hope you want more. I hope you want to know the level of service I provide, and how a full service brokerage works.”</li>
<li>“Together we will establish the price based on all the material and comparables I have here today. Pricing is an art of active involvement with the sellers and the agent. Let’s get started.”</li>
<li>“Mr and Mrs Seller, a critical factor to keep in mind when pricing a home is timing. A property attracts the most excitement and interest when it’s first listed. Improper pricing at the initial listing time will miss out on the peak interest period.”</li>
<li>“Mr. &amp; Mrs. Seller, never use price as criteria for the selection of a listing agent.”</li>
<li>“Mr and Mrs Seller, your home has the highest chances for a successful sale when it is new on the market and priced reasonably for the market.”</li>
</ul>Use charts, graphs and data to demonstrate your understanding of the market price for their home.<ol>
<li>Explain to your client the absorption rate of homes in their price point</li>
<li>Demonstrate the downward slide of an overpriced listing and how it will go below market value.</li>
<li>Ask what is most important TIME or MONEY.</li>
<li>Money – list higher side range- longer on market.</li>
<li>Time – list lower – shorter time on market.</li>
</ol>Pricing a property right the first time is a big deal and requires skills. Let the Seller know that overpriced listings cause weeks and months of wasted effort and money for everyone. They will be tired of having the house clean and ready for showings at all times, but worse, the overpriced listing may not get any showings. agents stop calling, showings dry up and the Seller blames the agent for not counselling them on pricing too high.In the end the listing either expires or gets cancelled. Another skilled agent takes the listing and reduces the price to align with market value. That agent gets all the referrals and future business.Be a skilled professional and set yourself up for successfully listing the property by pricing and positioning the home to best serve your client.

The Importance of INTELLIGENT PRICING

Move People to ActionThink of your listing presentation speech as a very limited act of persuasion. It naturally follows that you need to have a very clear vision of what you are trying to persuade your audience/client to do.Your listing speech will help you do that. It’s simply an expression of the main focus of the presentation.Craft the 3 basic components<ul>
<li>Do the research</li>
<li>Create an outline</li>
<li>The presentation itself</li>
</ul>THE RESEARCH<ul>
<li>Know your audience; know what they need. Develop an understanding of their individual requirements - ask and discover.</li>
<li>Focus on their needs and determine the level of need.</li>
<li>Build out the requirements based on needs.</li>
<li>Be authentic and gear the presentation toward solving their objections.</li>
<li>Know your facts, and stats.</li>
<li>Know your numbers, and your audience’s numbers.</li>
<li>Know your presentation.</li>
<li>Practice, practice, practice.</li>
</ul>In order to be a successful presenter and speaker, (one who connects with audiences powerfully and makes an impact on them, and moves them to action), you must shift your orientation. You need to think of yourself as a strong listener who guides the audience where you want them to go, rather than someone like a lecturer or overbearing sales person who tells them. You need to listen to your audience.You are there because of them, and your presentation won’t happen unless they ‘get it’!Considering that an audience only typically hears 10 -30% of what you say, you must be clearly focused on their needs. NOT YOURS.CREATE AN OUTLINE<ul>
<li>Have 3 major points to discuss – these must contain a benefit for the potential recipient</li>
<li>Make it interactive.</li>
<li>Get them involved in the marketing strategy, and the market comps.</li>
<li>Create a schedule for the presentation - an organized flow of your thoughts.</li>
<li>Use quotes, stats, and video where possible.</li>
<li>Adding other media will keep everyone engaged.</li>
<li>Answer the W.I.I.F.M. (What’s In It For Me). The only reason they are listening is to hear that.</li>
<li>Make sure you attention is focused directly on them.</li>
<li>Emotion is more engaging and memorable. Emotion polarizes people and they are more likely to react.</li>
</ul>If you can articulate your skills and your value, you will be valued. It is commonly believed that a better presenter or speaker is a better leader. The client or consumer needs a leader. Leaders have the ability to move people to action.THE PRESENTATION ITSELF<ul>
<li>Tell them what you’re going to tell them - what story you are going to tell them?</li>
<li>Then tell them</li>
<li>Weave stories into your presentation and you will find they respond.</li>
<li>Frame your presentation in terms of a powerful story. Make it meaningful.</li>
<li>Use the principals’ story and application principal. The most common principal story is the Quest. ( A hero sets forth reluctantly to achieve a difficult goal – encounters obstacles – overcomes and reaches the goal.)</li>
<li>Make sure you make your major points.</li>
<li>Your presentation is not a data dump of how much you know. It is LEADING your audience on an important journey to a decision – changing your listeners mind. NOT an easy task.</li>
<li>Complete your journey by taking your audience to the promised land of success. Be concrete about the benefits, paint a compelling picture of positive things. The idea is that you get your audience to do something with you. Something they might be considered the first step in the journey of commitment and change that you want them to take.</li>
<li>Don’t make classic mistakes by making this presentation all about you.</li>
<li>Don’t deliver too much content, talk, talk, talk.</li>
<li>Don’t forget to recap and bring the points to a close.</li>
</ul>Top tips to follow<ul>
<li>Less is more.</li>
<li>Don’t put a 50.00 steak on a paper plate</li>
<li>Make sure your energy ebbs and flows.</li>
<li>Use words and pictures, infographics and visuals to hit home.</li>
<li>Prepare, Practice, Rehearse, Repeat.</li>
</ul>The shorter the presentation the more preparation you require to drill down to your 3 core points. A presentation is most impactful when you meet the emotional needs of your audience. Have fun, and your energy, passion and enthusiasm will shine through.

Present Like a Luxury Pro

Do you have one?Are your inner voices arguing with each other about your abilities, qualifications and comfort level? In the Luxury Market I can’t stress how important it is to conquer the inner voices that have “Limiting Beliefs.” Be careful what you say when you talk to yourself, because you are listening! Take this thought to heart and be mindful of what you tell yourself daily.There are a lot of misconceptions about selling Luxury homes and getting into the Luxury Market as a Real EstateSales Representative.You need to be a top producer or veteran agent before you can start selling high end homes.You need to be wealthy.You need to live in a large home.You need to drive an expensive car.You need to work in a certain office.You need to be in a certain social circle.This is simply not the case. I call these types of comments “Limiting Beliefs” and I know you have heard them all from peers and associates. Don’t allow these misconceptions to hold you back. Don’t give yourself permission to be a non-starter or accept defeat by believing them.It is all about your Mindset. What I can promise you is that you will not double your income or be a “rock star” Luxury agent in your marketplace if you don’t have a strong inner game and a strong “Why”. When you are focused on your goals and your reasons for wanting success, you will surround yourself with positive people. Your environment will be positive. Your inner game will be stronger because you have a strong support system.The problem with most agents is that they have and embraced “Limiting Beliefs.” If you say, ”I don’t have enough experience,” then guess what? You’re not going to take action because you have discounted yourself from even having a chance. You have given yourself permission and an excuse to fail. If you don’t take action you will never know what you are capable of, nor will you gain the experience necessary to build your confidence and sales power. If you never ‘put yourself out there’ and take action, you maintain the assumption that you are not good enough to compete in the Luxury market.I’m here to tell you, “Don’t sell yourself short.”You have to strengthen your inner game and face challenges head on. With time and hard work your business and mindset will improve tremendously.Work on your action steps and implement them. Figure out your ‘WHY’ for wanting success and for building your business in the Luxury Real Estate market. Strengthen your brain and your inner game with good books, masterminds and successful people.Set your goals. Decide on your business model and arm yourself with a plan. Grow your knowledge, practice it and your confidence will grow. Your inner game will grow, and you’ll be more confident because you have the knowledge and skills to rely on. Set your goals and arm yourself you with a plan.

Luxury Mindset

Use these 4 tips to sharpen your skills and sell luxury real estate.Story-tell to the right prospects. The bottom line is that you have to learn to determine which clients are prepared to listen and process the information, and which are not. The right client understands your language and recognizes the story you are telling as familiar. As hard as it is to let a client go you must be willing to sacrifice working with potential clients that are not talking the same language. The wrong client for your listing might potentially write off the property because of one negative selling point.If one client does not want a gorgeous and unique home because it is on a busy main road, another client may find that living on a main road lessens their daily commute.One person’s negative is another person’s positive.Use niche marketing. Targeted marketing is more effective than mass marketing and it saves time and money. Think about the type of client that would live in the home you are marketing. What does their lifestyle look like? What do they value? What kind of media do they respond best to? Determine who your target market is and sell specifically to them using tailored marketing and searching for “look alike” clients through social media. Using this method of marketing will speak to their values, preferences and lifestyle. Essentially speaking the same language that you are using to write your story of the home.Write compelling ads. The words and content that you use to advertise a home must speak to the type of client you want to attract. Special attention should be paid to the headline. It should grab the attention of the target audience and entice potential clients to read the story of the house. Clear, concise language that creates curiosity, generates emotions and allows the readers to envision themselves in the home is essential for creating a compelling ad that sells. Remember - facts tell, stories sell. Remember too that less is more with text.Stage the home properly. Discussing staging with any client can be a touchy subject at the best of times. Each client has lived a certain unique lifestyle within their home, but it may not appeal to all buyers. You are selling space and a lifestyle not furniture and personal belongings. How a client lives in a home and how a client sells a home are very different, actually two different lifestyles entirely.The home becomes a commodity that must appeal to a board spectrum of buyers so they can envision themselves living their lifestyle in the home. Stage the home in a way that shows off its best features, and space but in a way that is general enough to appeal to all buyers, and still niche enough to reach your target market.

Telling the Story of the Home is an ART FORM

1. Luxury is - So much more than location, location, location. Traditionally we thought of Luxury properties being in certain areas or postal/zip codes but that is changing. High net worth clients are expanding their scope and willing to pay high prices where ever they find the lifestyle, and amenities that are important to them.2. Luxury is – Convenience. As Millennials grow up and the Baby Boomers downsize, many large cities and urban areas are witnessing a resurgence. This is having a significant impact on the growth of urban areas with older affluent buyers. These areas are convenient and loaded with amenities that the suburbs don’t have. Many are opting for generous sized condos and town-homes within walking distance of offices, shopping, and great dining.3. Luxury is – Age-Agnostic. Over the past 3 years we have seen more multi-generational travel. The growth in this type of tourism has meant some prestigious real estate is being purchased in resort destinations. We see increased demand for luxury homes with spaces that can accommodate generational diversity and entertaining requirements. Wealthy buyers are focused on spaces for grandchildren, and adult children are focused on guesthouses for elderly parents. A wide variety of amenities and entertainment for the entire family are becoming a priority with affluent home buyers.4. Luxury is – Ultimate Privacy. For the very busy client, or one who is active on social media, and with smartphone technology, there has become an increasing desire for tuning out and privacy. A characteristic of today’s high end luxury is ultimate privacy. Long gated driveways, security systems, vegetation, and media-proof hideaways are replacing the ostentatiousness of the wealthy from just a few years ago.5. Luxury is – Conscious living. Owning a home that doesn’t leave a negative footprint on the community is very important, and a home with a positive effect is even better. The demand for more sustainable and healthy environments has placed more emphasis on sourcing materials and has fueled the conscious living movement.6. Luxury is - Collectible. Today’s wealthy and savvy investor loves to acquire and collect things of great value such as high value art work, sport teams and trophy residences. Many investors love to work with architects and designers to create ultra-luxury residences and properties. One of a kind trophy homes are becoming the latest “must have” for the world’s most affluent.7. Luxury is – Turn Key. Buyers are willing to pay a large premium for the convenience of the “just bring a tooth brush” type of property outfitted with top of the line accoutrements. Many buyers are insistent on immaculate condition and have little appetite for refurbishing a property or a project. Move in straight away is the way to go for these buyers.8. Luxury is – Blank Canvas. At the other end of the scale is the buyer who has a desire for newness and willing to build their own trophy home. Buying the “trophy” property with the older home on it and tearing it down to start from scratch.9. Luxury is – Understated. Today luxury is not the brash display of wealth that we saw years ago. Today, luxury is scaled back, quality over quantity, with understated elegance. Luxury buyers tend to be discreet, and less ostentatious. There is a trend to architecture that blends into the topography as opposed to in your face. The quality of the amenities and the lifestyle offering are more important today than the size of the house. We are witnessing a continuing shift from ostentatious displays of one’s wealth to a more restrained expression of tasteful, and thoughtful understated luxury.What does Luxury look like to you? Is your favourite type of Luxury here in this list?

What is Luxury?

I think we all agree that in this market environment we have some buyers sitting on the fence. There are some key reasons why they stay there: the fear of change and selling their home; the finality of the decision; the fact that they might see something better after they agree to purchase; or prices may drop down in the market.You also have buyers that don’t have any real interest in purchasing a home, but love to look at staging and decorating ideas. The later are shoppers not buyers, and you need to identify the difference quickly.What a true professional provides to the buyer is comprehensive market history, clarity through current statistics, information, and an enthusiasm for real estate.Buyers can be very demanding of your time and energy, so teach them how to independently look at homes the right way, armed with your business cards.Set the tone for the buying process by educating them on how you work. Discuss the virtues of getting pre-approved, and how a buyer Representation Agreement in place before viewing houses is a benefit to them.Encourage them to drive around communities and neighbourhoods that initially appeal to them and eliminate the ones that don’t. Look at styles of homes and determine what they like best. Once they know the area, neighbourhoods, and style of homes that appeals to them, then book appointments to view these homes together. There are only 3 criteria to be concerned with: location, style and condition, and price. An updated kitchen should never trump location.Support your buyers in helping them make an educated decision. Sometimes they may need alittle nudge, so find the courage to be honest with them.Finding a home is not a process of selection; it’s a process of elimination.Always remind your clients of the reason they want to move. It may be for a work transfer. They may have outgrown their current home, or need to be closer to their work or child’s school district.It is the REALTOR®s role to bring them back to their motivation and “wish list” for their perfect home. Help them consider the cost of procrastination and getting further from their dreams and goals.By working with buyers in this way you will quickly uncover their true motivation. The REALTOR® has succeeded in his or her job when they have helped educate the buyer to the point where the client walks into the home and knows they like it and that it is a good deal. That is when you know the client is ready to buy.A year ago, representing a buyer was a difficult task, as properties were moving so fast that buyers didn’t have any time to make a selection. If they waited a day or two to make a decision, the house ,was either sold already or in multiple offers.Here’s the great news today. This is a sensational time to buy. “Mr. &amp; Mrs. buyer there are a lot of great inventory available, so you’ll have more choices. You will more than likely find more than one home you like that you can choose from. When I’m negotiating on your behalf I’ll be telling the Seller, ‘Your home is what my buyer decided to write an offer on FIRST’.” Let them know your buyer has choices. You can leverage choice.It’s always a good time to buy real estate.

Getting Buyers off the Fence

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Mansion Global & RE/MAX Escarpment Partnership

<ol>
<li>Your Brand is a Promise</li>
<li>Your Brand is a Visible Brand</li>
<li>Your Brand is Emotional</li>
<li>Your Brand has a Story</li>
<li>Deliver your Brand Promise </li>
</ol>Your visible brand starts with you, your name, sign, design, symbols and any combination of these things that represents you and your Brokerage. This is usually a quick way for people to identify who you are and what you do.Your Brand is a promise. It is a promise of what a client can expect if they utilize your services. Much like Mercedes Benz brand represents luxury, safety, comfort, performance and style then consistently delivers on these promises so must you deliver on yours.Your client’s experience will create the ultimate lasting impressions of your brand. Things like reliability, responsiveness, and trustworthiness should come to mind. The experience your client has with your brand or engaging in your services will lead to brand loyalty and brand equity.Your Brand is Emotional. When people see your logo or name they should feel a certain way and make assumptions about the experience that will follow. This expectation is why it is so important to use each touch point you have with your clients to demonstrate or reiterate your value proposition. From the introduction, acquisition, to the completion of the deal your value proposition should be prompt, complete, and include expected and unexpected follow ups to ensure thoroughness. There is an image you evoke in the emotion of your brand that will glue your clients to you.Your Brand has a Story to Tell. Who you are, and how you align your strategy for differences with the mindset of the high net worth individuals you are planning to serve. Most buying decisions are made emotionally then backed up intellectually, so provide personalized tailored experiences to your clients.Trust is usually the biggest factor for selecting a business professional. If you can evoke a feeling of trust you are half way to getting their business. A positive emotional response is one the most important factors to winning the business when backed up with factual information to close the deal.Don’t portray yourself to your market as a low cost leader. Wealthy individuals are used to paying higher rates for services and products. They expect the higher levels of quality and customer service that go with costlier purchases. In fact they often associate lower fees and prices with lower quality and poor service. It is important to value your services, knowledge and skills.You probably offer similar services to others in your industry but these days the service you provide is only a minor part of the equation. People pay premium pricing for the experience of working with trusted professionals. Your job is to make sure your clients experience is first class. Virgin Airlines by example have built their entire brand on creating an extra ordinary flying experience. It is the same way when flying first class on a commercial airline. Everyone gets to the same place, but those who fly first class are paying for a higher level of experience.

Your Branding MINDSET

Pandemic accelerated value of home ownership at luxury price points to new heights in major Canadian centres in 2021Demand for Canadian luxury real estate shifted into high-gear from coast to coast in 2021 as both domestic and non-resident consumption of tangible assets, such as homes, reached new levels, according to a report released today by RE/MAX Canada.“The currency of home ownership has clearly taken on a new dimension in 2021,” says Christopher Alexander, President, RE/MAX Canada. “Canadians are moving to secure their future. The pandemic fuelled a run on real estate that has encompassed every segment of the market, and the value of housing has increased exponentially as a result–not only as a form of shelter but a desirable asset class that provides an attractive return on investment.”The RE/MAX 2022 Luxury Market Report examined Canadian luxury real estate trends and developments in freehold and condominium sales over $3 million in Metro Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and tracked sales over $1 million in 17 additional markets including Victoria, Kelowna, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Barrie, Kingston, Ottawa, Halifax-Dartmouth, Moncton, Saint John, Charlottetown and St. John’s.According to an analysis of sales provided by RE/MAX brokers and agents based on local real estate board data, RE/MAX Canada found that 18 of the 19 markets recorded percentage increases in the double and triple digits. The greatest appreciation occurred in smaller urban markets such as Barrie, London, Kitchener-Waterloo and Hamilton, where sales of homes priced over $1 million have climbed 517.8 per cent, 255.1 per cent, 208 per cent and 199.5 per cent respectively. Canada’s largest markets for luxury product – the Greater Toronto Area and Metro Vancouver – experienced increases of 112.8 per cent and 75.8 per cent respectively for homes over the $3-million price point, while transactions of homes priced over $10 million rose a substantial 156 per cent and 167 per cent respectively. The only outlier was Charlottetown, where sales over $1 million declined to four units, down from seven unit sales one year earlier. <a href="https://blog.remax.ca/canadian-luxury-real-estate-sales-double-triple-in-some-markets/#">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>Source RE/MAX Canada

Canadian Luxury Real Estate Sales Double, Triple in Some Markets

Becoming a successful real estate agent in the HNW (High Net Worth) market requires consistent effort to build both your skillset and your luxury client base. One of the most effective ways you can contribute to this is by developing and maintaining the strongest reputation possible – both online and offline with clients and with fellow agents.Some things to consider when working to heighten your reputation as a luxury real estate professional are:<ul>
<li>Build your personal brand persona</li>
<li>Always go the extra mile for clients, over and above what is expected</li>
<li>Consistently seek out new testimonials and reviews</li>
<li>Develop your specific niche in the luxury market</li>
<li>Be consistent in your craft</li>
<li>By accomplishing these elements while connecting with the right people, you can create significant leverage to build a solid future as a real estate professional.</li>
<li> </li>
</ul>Why does reputation matter as a luxury real estate professional?Your reputation as a real estate professional is one of the cornerstones of your personal brand. Given how important referrals and repeat business are, the quality of conversations that people have about you matters a great deal – especially when you aren’t there.Upper tier clients and vendors are influenced by how they feel when interacting with you. People notice if you are personable, honest, ethical and deliver results. Similarly, if you consistently provide a level of service and attention to detail that other real estate professionals can’t, it will totally set you apart from the crowd.The concept of catering to luxury clientele is not lost on anyone. Most people in a position to be purchasing luxury real estate are accustomed to receiving excellent service. This means that the way you personally interact with potential clients must be authentic, meaningful to them, and you should provide them with an opportunity to share their experience with you to others in their sphere.Some simple yet effective ways to build your reputation as a luxury professional known for first class service are:1. Personalized touches: Know your clients' likes and dislikes in food, wine, art and other personal areas, and incorporate these touches as you see fit. 2. Document your success: Showcasing how you go above and beyond the sale or purchase of a home or property is integral to reinforcing what you do to show you care. Introduce examples of your stellar customer service in your presentation portfolio and/or social media. Doing this will certainly enhance your perceived level of professionalism and customer service. 3. Ask for testimonials: It’s a great way to show real world proof that you’re successful at partnering with luxury buyers and sellers. It’s a great way to promote positive reviews offline. Don’t be shy about offering to write down what they say with express permission, as sometimes people don’t know how to start. 4. Be the authority in your market: The trust you build with your client heavily impacts your relationships. How comfortable you are able to make them and the overall ease of the experience all play a pivotal role in your relationship. Providing them with invaluable information about your specific market, and connecting clients with your service providers helps to establish you as the authority in the market. 5. Consistently showcase your strengths: Part of being consistent includes knowing your limitations and being willing to refer clients to people who can service them to the highest level of expertise.All of these ways in which you provide value to luxury clients help shape how they will potentially perceive you and the value that you bring to the table through partnering with them. Constantly seeking out new ways to bring value to your client relationships is the perfect approach to fostering relationships that are built to last, and a referral pipeline that will pay you high dividends in the long run.

Building Your Reputation in Luxury Real Estate

Inspired by Veri Peri, the 2022 Pantone Color of the Year, Luxury Defined presents seven homes with architecture and interior design accentuated with alluring shades of blueThe Pantone Color Institute, which helps manufacturers, artists, and printers coordinate and reproduce accurate colors across product lines and in different media, chose Veri Peri as 2022’s Color of the Year. Pantone color No. 19-4052, a “dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet-red undertone” will inspire design trends, from fashion and cosmetics to food, furniture, and interior decor, over the course of the year. Veri Peri is, by definition, contemporary: The institute created this bold new color to blend “the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red.” Both warm and cool, it is reminiscent of fields of lavender on a midsummer morning and a snow-covered landscape at dusk. <a href="https://www.christiesrealestate.com/blog/7-homes-inspired-by-the-pantone-color-of-the-year-2022-veri-peri">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>

7 Homes inspired by the Pantone Color of the Year 2022: Veri Peri

The latest residential opportunity by the prestigious luxury hotel brand is creating something special. Located in the Hohe Tauern National Park and in direct connection with the Kitzbühel Alps, the private community Twic.Garden positions itself as a modern, autarkic Noah’s Ark concept.<a href="http://ow.ly/h7q150IEgPa">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE</a>

Lynn Hoffmann

What's Your Home Worth?