Sam Shalom   July 29, 2022

Mallorca, the largest of the chain of islands located off the east coast of Spain, is also the most diverse of the Balearics. Yes, the same aquamarine waters that surround Ibiza (its southwest neighbor) lap onto the shores of Mallorca, but Mallorca’s landscape is much more distinct and impressive thanks to its ravishing beaches, azure views, remote mountains, and soulful hill towns.

An increasing number of people all around the world see the obvious benefits of living in Mallorca: 300 days of sunshine, breathtaking landscapes, a vivid cultural life, and tasty Mediterranean cuisine. During the pandemic it became apparent that we are no longer bound to work and live in the same location. A new sense of freedom evolved, making the United States and Mallorca closer than ever before.

Coldwell Banker Select Real Estate’s Marketing Specialist, Mar Perez-Aranda Soriano, says, “We love embracing new visitors and homebuyers to Mallorca. One of the most rewarding aspects of working for Coldwell Banker in Palma de Mallorca is helping clients make one of their most important deals of their lives. I love that I am able to make a real contribution to my clients’ needs by supporting them in their own language, finding the perfect new home to satisfy a buyer, or helping a seller make the most lucrative sale. I always aim to work with integrity, excellence, innovation, and respect for each individual, just as the Coldwell Banker values state.” Read on to learn the unique ins and outs of this sunny star of the Mediterranean.

Where do you live: The whole team of Coldwell Banker Select Real Estate lives in Palma de Majorca

What is the perfect weekend day like: A great way to spend a weekend in Majorca is to drive to the beautiful mountain villages Valldemossa, Deia and Sóller or to enjoy the fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Another option is to go shopping and have lunch in one of the many great restaurants in the area. In the evening, I suggest having a cocktail in one of the several rooftop bars here in Palma followed by a late dinner. On Sundays, I encourage you to spend the whole day on the beach. My favourite is Es Trenc, which is a 45-minute drive from Palma.

What are the common modes of transportation there: The most common way is by car. However, buses, taxis and a small metro service are also available.

Tell us about the foods your area is known for: The quintessential known food from Majorca are ensaimada (a typical pastry), sobrasada (a typical sausage), frito mallorquín (fried meat with vegetables) and arroz brut (a dish of rice, meat and vegetables).

What is your favorite meal? At home or at a restaurant: My favourite meal is lubina (seabass) or rodaballo (turbot) with tumbet. For dessert gató (mallorquín almond cake) with ice-cream.

Where do you recommend someone vacation in your region, why: If you are looking for a weekend city break, I would recommend you to stay in Palma de Majorca. Palma is a beautiful city with a lot of great sights, shopping, bars and restaurants. However, if you want to spend your vacation on the beach, I recommend you go to Colonia Sant Jordia, which is a small village close to the fantastic Es Trenc beach. Alcudia, Alcanada, Port de Pollenca are also great places to visit to enjoy a perfect holiday in Majorca.

What is your favorite recreational or leisure time activity: The warm climate and the exceptional environment that Mallorca offers make it a paradise for lovers of outdoor sports. There are plenty of physical activities to enjoy. Some of my favourites are tennis, golf, paddle, hiking, swimming, and cycling.

Is there a specialty your area is known for: Unique products from Majorca are almonds, olives, sobrasada (cured sausage), oranges, wine from Binissalem, red prawns from Sóller, and sea salt from Ses Salines des Trenc.

Share a little known but interesting fact about the area/region: 1) Majorca has an amazing range of cave systems, with the most impressive being Cuevas del Drach on the East Coast of the island. Also found among Cuevas del Drach is the largest underground lake in the world named Martel Lake. 2)The sea is almost always clear around Majorca because of the algae on the seabed. 3) Majorca is the perfect cyclist training area. Many big teams train here to get in their best form for the Tour de France.

If you were to live in any other region where we have a Coldwell Banker presence, where would it be and why: If I were to live somewhere else in Europe, it would be Italy or the French Riviera. In USA, I would prefer New York or Los Angeles, California. 

Territory Summary:

Majorca is a Spanish island located in the central part of the Balearic archipelago, in the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital, and also that of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands, is Palma de Mallorca. Majorca, at 3,640 square kilometers, is the largest of the Balearic Island which also comprise of Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera as well as smaller islets like Cabrera and Dragonera. This famous archipelago can be found off the eastern coast of Spain, the country which they are a part of.

The most primitive remains found in Majorca date back to 3500 BC. C. at the time of the Neolithic, transition period between the Bronze Age, where the first copper objects appear. The first known settlers of the islands, (although of doubtful origin), were the Balearic slingers.

Key Facts:

• Population: 1,219,404
• Language(s) Spoken: Spanish and Catalan
• Climate: Mediterranean
• Currency: Euro €

Industry Facts:

Types of Architecture: Gothic (for example, the cathedrals La Almudaina and La Lonja). But you can also find Renaissance, Baroque and Modernist.

Average Sale price: The average price of houses currently on the market is €798,000. The sale price of 80% of the properties is between €209,990 and €3,600,000.

Prices per sq. ft/meter: The average in Palma is 3.292€ / m²

Average years in house/apt: Over 20 years

Sam Shalom  June 27, 2022

Comprised of more than 700 stunning subtropical islands, most of which are uninhabited, the Bahamas is a laid-back, luxurious destination for any kind of traveler. Want to sail around an island? No problem. Party poolside at a glamorous resort? Check. Lounge on pink, sandy beaches? We got you! Swimming with wild pigs!? Even that can be accomplished on the incredible array of isles. There’s a Bahamian island to match every desire, all surrounded by a backdrop of mesmerizing blue waters.

Perhaps in contrast to the relaxed character the Bahamas is known for is the vibrant city of Nassau. The only city in the country, Nassau is home to abundant historic sites, popular duty-free shops, hardworking cigar salesmen, rum-happy locals, and our Coldwell Banker Bahamas Lightbourn Realty office. This powerhouse headquarters office has franchisees throughout the Bahamas in the Abaco islands, Andros, Bimini, the Berry Islands, Eleuthera (including Harbour Island and Spanish Wells), Exuma and Long Island. Whether you frequent the Bahamas or are currently searching for flights, read more below from Lightbourn Realty’s Luxury Property Specialist, Heather Lightbourn Peterson, about how to live like a local on your next visit!

Where do you live: Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas

What is the perfect weekend day like: The perfect weekend begins with a lazy brunch overlooking the beach on Paradise Island. My personal favourite is Dune at The One & Only Ocean Club, who serves one of the best, if not the best Bahamian Boiled Fish with Johnny Cake on the island. On calm days, when the ocean looks like glass, we spend the afternoon in the boat island hopping to a secluded nearby beach on Rose Island. It’s a quick boat ride from Nassau where we enjoy paddle boarding, snorkeling among turtles, abundant sea life and, if successful, diving for live conch and making a fresh conch salad on the stern of the boat. You will find boats lined up to find friends, or a secluded spot if you just want to chill. We usually grill on the beach and enjoy a leisurely boat ride back to Nassau as the sun sets. On days when the weather doesn’t cooperate, there are so many fun spots in Nassau. We have a growing number of art galleries, museums, shops, walking food and culture tours and an abundance of casual to fine dining restaurants, many with incredible ocean views.

 What are the common modes of transportation there: Though Bahamas is a small island, it is not small enough to walk everywhere. Cars are the most common mode of transportation, with a few folks opting for mopeds. Of course, boating is a major way of life here, so I consider it one of my main modes of transportation. We also island hop in a small Cessna, it’s a fabulous way to explore different islands, whether to check out our real estate listings, visit our out-island agents, or to getaway for a quick break.

Tell us about the foods your area is known for: Bahamians love all types of fresh fish and conch. We have many different ways to cook conch: cracked (fried in batter), grilled, or chopped fresh ceviche-style in a conch salad. We also enjoy “souse” for breakfast, which is essentially a soup made with either chicken, pig’s feet, or sheep’s tongue and “boiled fish” with lots of lime and pepper served with grits or white rice and Johnny cake. This is a staple breakfast food for us and a great hangover cure!

What is your favorite meal? At home or at a restaurant: It’s so hard to decide on a favourite meal because I have so many local dishes which I love. But if I had to choose, I would say it is a tie between a freshly prepared conch salad or boiled fish (I like it best cooked with Hog Fish). The key to both dishes for me is tons of freshly squeezed lime, sour orange, and a lot of goat pepper…like many Bahamians, I like to feel the burn. I love to cook, but I leave these two dishes up to the experts and have my go to spots. No one makes a better conch salad than Queen Conch on Harbour Island.

Where do you recommend someone vacation in your region, why: We have a diverse landscape in the Bahamas featuring a variety of densely populated islands with an abundance of resorts, restaurants, walking food tours and night life such as Nassau, or a range of different authentic experiences among our outer islands. For travelers who love boating and fishing, Great Harbour Cay, Bimini and the Abacos are ideal locations. If you love bone fishing and a more laid-back lifestyle, Andros or the southern Exumas would be more suited. The Exuma Cays are a major travel destination for sailors and boaters, as there are so many incredibly beautiful islands and cays to explore by island hopping. If you like a diverse landscape and prefer to travel by car, Eleuthera offers blue holes, pink sand beaches, incredible elevations, nature sanctuaries and a dynamic landscape. History buffs tend to prefer the historic architecture and character and laid-back style of Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, Hope Town and Green Turtle Cay. Long Island is well known for its world-famous blue hole and for its hardworking locals. The one common thread throughout our islands is the strong sense of community, friendly locals, and the dazzling blue ocean. You really can’t go wrong, and I recommend trying a different island on each visit to The Bahamas.

What is your favorite recreational or leisure time activity: I love boating – all aspects of it. Whether for a day at the beach, fishing, or island hopping. I captain my own boat and love taking my family and friends out on the water every chance we get. Living on a busier island, it’s the best way to wind down.

Is there a specialty your area is known for: The Bahamas is best known for our tourism industry. Each island has its own unique way of catering to visitors and Bahamians have a wide variety of skills in the hospitality and tourism industry. Offshore banking is also attractive here for foreign investors. As far as local products, we have incredibly skilled straw workers who have carried on the tradition of the craft for centuries, in particular some of our most beautiful straw works can be found in Andros and Long Island.

Share a little known but interesting fact about the area/region: Only once ever in recorded history has it snowed in The Bahamas, on January 19, 1977, it snowed briefly in Freeport

If you were to live in any other region where we have a Coldwell Banker presence, where would it be and why: If I could live in any other region where we have a Coldwell Banker presence, it’s a tough one, but I would lean towards something totally different from our climate, either one of my two favourite places to visit: Colorado or Switzerland (even though there isn’t a Coldwell Banker Switzerland ) Editor’s note: Actually, CB Switzerland is coming soon!

Key Facts:

• Population: 400,000+ (2022 estimate)
• Language: English
• Climate: Tropical with a hot/wet season, and a warm/dry season
• Currency: The Bahamian Dollar which is pegged to USD on a 1 to 1 basis. We do also accept $US locally.

Industry Facts:

Types of Architecture: Many of our islands have maintained historic wooden cottages with exquisite attention to detail and wraparound porches to take full advantage of prevailing winds. Most of our newer, and some of our historic homes are constructed with solid concrete to help withstand potential hurricanes. Enhancing outdoor living is normally a key component with our local designs whether that’s achieved by balconies, covered porches or wraparound porches.

Average Sale price: Our prices vary greatly by island and area. Our foreign buyers usually prefer to spend a minimum of $750,000 to qualify for permanent residency status, or $1.5M and over to qualify for accelerated consideration for their residency status.

Types of Financing: Most of our foreign buyers pay cash, but financing is available through a few banks locally and they typically want at least 30% down. Locals have a wonder variety of financing options through our local banks.

Types of Ownership: Almost always, ownership here is freehold.

Hanging chair and geometric carpet on wooden patio with garden rattan furniture

By Jennifer McGuire      June 1, 2022

We all want to spend as much time as we can outside during the summer months. There’s nothing quite like a relaxing summer day in the backyard with friends, hosting a barbeque or enjoying an evening under the stars around the firepit. Summer is made for chilling and breathing in the fresh air and just unwinding after a long day. So this month, ramp up your outdoor space and bring your indoor style right to your backyard.

Bonus Living Spaces
More and more, people are treating their backyard spaces as an extension of their living space. From outdoor pergolas to string lights, trendy rugs and comfy, weatherproof sectionals and lounge chairs, homeowners are creating stunning open-air outdoor living spaces. You don’t even have to have a huge space, you can add smaller pieces to your deck or patio to create a relaxing, cozy sanctuary. Whatever your indoor style is, you’re sure to find similar outdoor pieces.

Inspirational Botanicals
The right plants, flowers and planters can make all the difference when it comes to creating a warm, inviting and colorful outdoor space. With so many stylish planters available, you can easily find ones that match your style and fill them with a variety of herbs, flowering annuals, cactuses, plants and shrubs. If you live close to a farmers’ market, be sure and check them out as they typically have a huge variety of cost-effective flowers, plants and herbs to fill your yard, patio or balcony.

Small Space Solutions
There are tons of creative ways to transform a small space and make a big impact. Start with some lively décor, potted plants, outdoor pillows, candles and small scale furniture. Consider a vertical garden where you can plant your favorite herbs and vegetables. Adding string and solar lights can also help make a space feel extra cozy. And when it comes to furniture, think about a bistro set for casual dining, foldable and stackable chairs or a small loveseat and ottoman. There are tons of creative ways to make a big impact in a smaller space.

If you’re limited on outdoor space, don’t let that stop you from creating the perfect outdoor oasis. Infusing your personality and style to your backyard, balcony or back porch is the perfect way to gain more living space and enjoy a place where you can enjoy more fun in the sun all summer long.

Fresh strawberries, spinach and goat cheese salad

by Jennifer McGuire

When the weather heats up, it’s the perfect time to whip up light and refreshing salads. From fruit to pasta to all those fresh, leafy varieties – there’s no limits to what you can toss and serve this summer. Here are just a few delicious and inspiring salad ideas.

Keep it Fresh and Fruity
There’s nothing more refreshing in the summer than perfectly ripe berries. Luckily, just about any berry can be used in a salad. A great one to try is a strawberry feta tossed salad. The ingredients are simple, and the end result is a healthy, sweet salad that is sure to impress. Although it calls for strawberries, you can definitely toss on a fruit of your choice. Think blueberries, raspberries and even peaches.

Pass the Pasta
A great summer get-together is not compete without an amazing pasta salad. One simple showstopper is a pesto pasta caprese salad. There’s nothing like fresh garden basil, which is highlighted in this lovely summer dish. The addition of sweet grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, pesto and olive oil are sure to make this a huge hit. Not only does it taste amazing, but it’s also photo worthy. Again, you can get creative and throw in some spices and other veggies, but honestly just sticking to the recipe on this one is really the way to go.

Did Someone Say Salad for Dessert?
You know what they say, everything old can be made new again. So, start going through grandma’s recipe books, because there’s bound to be a couple of dessert salads that you can modernize with ease. Take for instance, this pineapple pretzel fluff recipe. Talk about a refreshing new take on the dessert salad. This recipe calls for canned pineapple, but you can always go the extra mile and choose fresh. These types of dessert salads are the perfect addition to any summer barbecue.

As you plan your summer days, make sure and toss in a few of these fun summer salads – pun intended. Enjoy!

April 20, 2022

by Melissa Dittmann Tracey

At a church near her real estate office in the city of Irpin, Ukraine, Zoya Ilnytska busied herself helping to make meals for the hundreds who’d gathered there seeking refuge. Distant artillery shots rang out and explosions shook the town, which sits just outside the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

Ilnytska’s home and her office had already been damaged by shelling from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began Feb. 24. But Ilnytska, a mother of three, a real estate professional, and an international member of the National Association of REALTORS®, worked calmly. She joined the others in singing songs of hope.

“We will not fear,” she says. “We don’t have time for that. Because in war … when you think not only of yourself—fear passes.”

During it all, she wore her REALTOR® pin.

REALTORS® Unite Globally

Ilnytska says she takes comfort in wearing the pin that has united so many REALTORS® across the globe who have rallied to answer the calls and to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. (Read more of Ilnytska’s story in her words.)

A Real Estate Broker’s Experience Inside Ukraine

Zoya Ilnytska, who lives in the Ukrainian town of Irpin, suddenly found herself in a war zone. Here’s her harrowing story.

The response has been vast—from individuals donating commission checks to REALTOR® associations leading donation drives. REALTORS® have offered up their brokerage’s moving trucks to collect supplies. Brokerage parking lots have been turned into donation centers. Real estate offices have been stacked to the ceiling in shoeboxes of toys for Ukrainian children. And, open houses have been transformed into fundraising events.

Ukraine is home to nearly 50 international REALTOR® members. Dmitriy Selektor, NAR’s global ambassador to Ukraine and other neighboring countries, has kept in touch with many of Ukraine’s REALTORS® since the conflict began. Some have found themselves on the frontlines in the invasion. At least one member of the Ukrainian REALTORS® association, Pavel Novoselov, was reportedly killed while serving in the citizen’s defense forces. This local entity, a bilateral partner of NAR in Ukraine, also has been part of the coordination with humanitarian groups to bring in supplies.

“Many of our members are risking their lives on a daily basis driving and distributing help in their cars to areas under constant bombardment,” Selektor says.

Alina Aeby, NAR’s global coordinator for Eastern Europe; Gizo Ujarmeli, NAR’s global coordinator to Georgia, Moldova, and Romania; and Selektor got to work as soon as the first missiles blazed into Ukraine, helping to coordinate communications and humanitarian aid among NAR’s more than 100 global partner associations. “We wanted to bridge alliances and connect the world,” says Aeby. By March, up to 30 partners—from Romania, Georgia, Moldova, Slovakia, Portugal, Poland, and more—had responded to calls and were leading efforts. In addition to being active NAR leaders, Aeby is a real estate professional with Compass in San Francisco and Selektor is an associate real estate broker at eXp Realty in Troy, Mich.

On her own, Aeby started a Facebook group where real estate professionals in the U.S., Ukraine, and elsewhere can share fundraising and donation efforts and coordinate additional aid.

A Port in a Storm

 

© APAIR

 

Since Feb. 24, about 10 million Ukrainians had fled their homes. Of those, 4.3 million have left for neighboring countries. Just two days in, REALTORS® from Romania part of the APAIR association drove to the Ukrainian border to pick up refugees (many of whom had walked miles in freezing temperatures, holding children and belongings). APAIR members’ eagerness to help bloomed into a mission and campaign to help Ukraine called “People for People.”

“We had in front of us people who lost everything they had, including those who lost husbands, fathers, grandparents, children,” says Dan Negulescu, an international REALTOR® member in Romania. “They had nowhere to go back home.”

 

© APAIR

 

REALTORS® with APAIR drove refugees to safety, coordinated housing needs, supplied meals, found jobs for some refugees, helped access medical care, and in many cases, welcomed refugees into their own homes. Within three weeks, APAIR members had found housing for more than 630 refugees and served more than 2,000 meals. NAR subsidiary Second Century Ventures has provided funding to APAIR—as well as other REALTOR® global bilateral partners—who are engaged in humanitarian relief efforts in assisting Ukrainian refugees.

Other NAR global partner associations have been quick to respond as well. The Portuguese International Realty Alliance formed CIPU (translated from Portuguese, the acronym stands for Real Estate Agents for Ukraine) and started a humanitarian caravan, driving thousands of miles to Poland to deliver donations and pick up refugees. They also started a website to identify housing needs and match requests.

“We all have witnessed great generosity from owners willing to share part of their houses or even their entire house, helping to find a job and a place at school for the kids, or even buying clothes, food, or lending their car,” the Portuguese International Realty Alliance said in a statement to REALTOR® Magazine.

The international response continues to evolve with new alliances taking root. “The crisis is not going to stop, even when the war stops,” Aeby says. “We have a displaced country in Europe and so many refugees. As REALTORS®, we can find ways to help the civilians who lost their houses.”

‘We Had to Do Something’

 

© Realty One

 

An ocean away, many U.S. REALTORS® have rushed to take action, too. Many of Realty One’s 400-plus offices nationwide became towers of packed shoeboxes that had been collected for displaced children in Ukraine. In one month, Realty One offices collected more than 30,000 shoeboxes—referred to as “cheer boxes”—filled with toys, clothing, and handwritten notes of encouragement. Realty One CEO Kuba Jewgieniew had posted on Facebook asking offices to join in a shoebox collection drive. He called the response “amazing.”

“Many REALTORS® and their families, clients, friends, neighbors, children’s schools, local churches, and various businesses across America came together to participate and contribute their love to touch the hearts of children running away from their homes for an uncertain tomorrow,” says Jewgieniew, whose wife is from Ukraine.

Oleg Bortman, who was born in Kyiv and now lives in Phoenix, says he has been “overwhelmed by the outreach and support” of his former home country. Bortman, associate broker at The Brokery, helped coordinate housing for refugees with contacts he has in Europe. He found an eagerness among his Arizona clients, who asked how they could help, so he started collecting care package donations for Ukraine filled with everyday necessities and first aid kits.

Real estate pro Heather Griesser adapted her nonprofit’s resources to go toward Ukraine. As executive director of the Kids Against Hunger Philadelphia, she’s committed to packing 250,000 meals ready to ship by the end of April to Ukrainian refugees who’ve fled to Poland. She is teaming with Convoy of Hope to deliver the meals abroad. Griesser, a real estate professional with the Griesser LaPierre Team in Philadelphia, said universities, corporations, and community residents have joined their events to pack meals and donate funds.

 

 

“I think we were all feeling so hopeless watching the news. We had to do something,” Griesser says. “Some people want to give money, but then they’re not always sure where it goes. We have a warehouse, ingredients, and a place for them to come in and help pack up the food. We’re feeding the hunger within each of us to give back and also the hunger of those who receive our food.”

 

© Sunflower of Peace

 

Katya Malakhova, a real estate professional for Advisors Living in Boston, moved to the U.S. from Ukraine in 2008. She’s using her nonprofit Sunflower of Peace to fund first-aid backpacks for paramedics and doctors in Ukraine. From Feb. 24 to mid-March, Sunflower of Peace had raised more than $3 million.

Two former presidents of the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® came together to spark a viral movement in the state. Their idea: Use open houses to raise money for Ukraine. Dean deTonnancourt, broker owner of the HomeSmart Professional Real Estate, and Arthur Yatsko, owner of Salisbury Real Estate Agency, both based in Warwick, created a flyer that real estate pros and brokerages could leave next to sign-in sheets at open houses so visitors could scan QR codes and donate to a charity supporting Ukraine (e.g. Doctors Without Borders, International Committee of the Red Cross, and the United Nations Children’s Fund or UNICEF).

“We feel fortunate to have houses to look at,” deTonnancourt says. “You look at the devastation in Ukraine and all the people losing their home.” “It’s a moment to count your blessings and maybe give back to others who aren’t as fortunate right now,” Yatsko adds about making the donation flyers part of open houses.

As humanitarian efforts grow across the nation and internationally, NAR leaders remain committed to raising global awareness and building its REALTOR® alliances in support of those impacted by the violence in Ukraine. “We continue to look at every possible outlet to express our support for Ukraine and our genuine concern for all of those whose lives will be forever changed by this war,” Leslie Rouda Smith, NAR’s president, said in a statement.

As for Ilnytska, she sees the efforts on social media and has felt the rally of her industry—a profession she plans to continue to be part of in the future, despite current unknowns. In March, she posted a video of herself and others singing songs from the church basement in Irpin while gunshots were being fired across the street and fierce fighting was breaking out in parts of town. “Together, we are strength,” they sang. After the song, she noticed she was still wearing her REALTOR® pin. “Apparently because that’s who we R,” she writes. “You are with us, dear friends, from all over the world, and we feel it.”

By Ryan Gorman, CEO, Coldwell Banker

At Coldwell Banker, we’re committed to supporting and expanding equal access to housing for all and we stand together to help build thriving, inclusive communities that fuel economic growth and prosperity. We honor this commitment by commemorating Fair Housing Month in April.

The History of Fair Housing

National Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of the Fair Housing Act, a national law that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, and gender. The Fair Housing Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in April 1968 after the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and was later amended to include protections for people with disabilities and families with children. By regulation, protection has also been extended to include gender identity and sexual orientation. Additionally, state or local fair housing laws provide for additional protections like source of income including the use of vouchers.

Why National Fair Housing Month is Important

Fair Housing Month is especially significant to those of us who work in the real estate industry. As real estate professionals, our work has a direct impact on the wealth gap of demographic groups and the overall state of fair housing in the communities, neighborhoods, and markets in which we operate.

Every real estate transaction affects the very fabric and composition of every neighborhood, town, and city. Illegal and discriminatory policies and practices from the past and present, such as redlining, continue to contribute to neighborhood segregation, socio-economic inequality, and the marginalization of certain groups and communities.

I made it my mission to learn more about the history of fair housing, housing policy, discrimination, and segregation in our society and in real estate. While our industry has made tremendous progress in the past 50 years, there is still work to do, and as one of the largest residential real estate companies in the world, Coldwell Banker can be a force for good to drive change. This month is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the responsibility we all have to learn more about how we can become allies and advocates in removing barriers to housing opportunity, and to advance inclusive, vibrant communities.

Visit us at ColdwellBanker.com/Diversity to learn how we are making a difference, and how you can, too.

You Can Also Learn More About Fair Housing:

• For a comprehensive look at how housing policy has contributed to continued segregation in America, check out The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein; and, for a more personal account, check out Levittown by David Kushner.
• Ever wonder how building inclusive communities benefits us all? Read these articles: Benefits for All: Why Diverse Communities are the Way Forward, For Everyone, The Economic Impact of Closing the Wealth Gap, and The Macroeconomic Benefits of Racial Integration.
• Want to learn more about the state of fair housing in the U.S. for various demographic markets? Read these recent reports from our industry partners: NAR’s 2022 Snapshot of Race and Home Buying in America, NAREB’s 2021 State of Housing in Black America, and NAHREP’s 2021 State of Hispanic Homeownership Report.
• NAR Members: Looking for a deeper dive into fair housing? Take the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Fairhaven Course. This is a fair housing simulation training for REALTORS® that uses the power of storytelling to help members identify, prevent, and address discriminatory practices in real estate. Please note: This course is free for current NAR members. Additionally, NAR has numerous other resources on Fair Housing that you can check out to learn more.

Where Are Mortgage Rates Headed?

Why a Real Estate Professional Is Key When Selling Your House

How do you make sure your open house goes smoothly and gets the job done?

An open house is a tried and true way to attract potential buyers and create buzz when your house goes on the market. So how do you make sure your open house goes smoothly and gets the job done? Consider the following insider tips and tricks to help ensure you have a successful open house.

Out with the old. It might sound a little harsh, but you’re going to want to remove about half of your belongings. The goal is to sell your house, so any unnecessary clutter is really just getting in the way of that. This might mean storing away all those sentimental vacation knickknacks, framed family portraits, toddler toys and bulky furniture. Buyers want to see fresh, clean open spaces. They need to imagine their things there, not yours. If storage is an issue, look into a nearby short-term storage facility to help move things out during this time.

What’s on the outside counts. In this instance, what’s on the outside matters. First impressions are huge, so make sure your lawn is cut, trees trimmed, toys and garbage cans … are all stored away. Think about planting some pretty flowers or adding a few big flowerpots and a welcome mat by the door. This would also be a good time to power wash the outside and clean the windows. Also, replace any outdated light fixtures and consider painting your front door a welcoming color.

Shine up your kitchen and baths. Get them as sparkly clean as possible–we’re talking cleaning every square inch. Focus your attention on decluttering these spaces. Buyers want to see your counter tops, your backsplash, your shiny appliances – not your blender, toaster and junk mail. It’s also smart to clean out your pantry and refrigerator because, let’s be honest, people do like to snoop around.

Always take a final lap. Look at your house objectively, through the eyes of a buyer. Make sure you’ve depersonalized every room. That means dog beds, little Jimmy’s 3^rd grade artwork, closets stuffed with old clothes, toothbrushes on the bathroom counter … And then look at rooms that could use a little more sprucing up. There are a few simple and cost-effective ways you can make a room look brand new. Invest in a couple new throw pillows on your bed and sofa, a new entryway rug, a neutral-colored shower curtain and a bouquet of fresh flowers. Always make sure your home smells good. There’s nothing that turns a buyer off faster than a stuffy, smelly house.

Holding an open  house is a great way to gauge buyers’ interest in a property and quickly assess whether the asking price is appropriate. And preparing for an open house really comes down to two things: cleaning and decluttering. With these tips, you’re well own your way to your next real estate adventure.