Mar 25th, 2013 by carolandnicole
500 Cookie Deliveries
We walked the neighborhoods of Palo Alto over the past week celebrating the recent closing of our 500th residential real estate sale. In tow is our red wagon full of scrumptious macaroons from local confectioner, Chantal Guillon. We have had so much fun connecting with people in the homes we sold and in recalling their “real estate story”. One of these stories is so sweet we wanted to share it with you.
Some years ago we were showing property to clients who expressed interest in purchasing a larger home, having outgrown their current one-level home. We pursued a large home with lots of room and full of character. It was a multiple offer, and the seller chose another offer. There was the usual disappointment following such an experience. Making an offer requires both an investment of time and emotion.
Several weeks later we were invited to the home of an older couple who had lived in their beautiful, large home for many years. The husband suffered from a degenerative illness that had made it increasingly more difficult to navigate stairs and move about the house. They had reluctantly concluded that they needed to move to a one-level home, and they were specific in their neighborhood requirement. One of their daily highlights as a couple was a walk in the neighborhood. The wife wanted this part of her husband’s life to remain familiar and comfortable for him.
After touring their home and listening to their story, we wondered if a match could be made. The older couple’s home reflected the love and care that comes from attention and pride of ownership, and we were confident that our younger clients would appreciate their home. The younger couple’s home was one-level and was located in just the right place to take into consideration all of the older couple’s requirements.……so a plan was in motion!
We established a range of value for each home and suggested the idea of a trade to both clients. It was so much fun to introduce them to each other and their respective homes…..and to receive confirmation from them that both houses were a good fit! Together we developed a plan for them to purchase each other’s homes and make them ready for their new families. There were many details to coordinate requiring focus, attention, flexibility and a sense of humor!
We take great pleasure knowing that both clients were successful in realizing their real estate goals, while also helping each other in the process. This past week-end we found both clients at home, and we are thrilled that they continue to enjoy their homes!
We have always believed that “Home is where the heart is.” and this sweet story reminds us that even in our fast paced real estate area, that when the heart is in the right place, great things can happen!
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Mar 19th, 2013 by carolandnicole
We recently completed our 500th residential real estate sale in Palo Alto. This milestone, which to our knowledge has not been achieved by any other Realtor or Realtor team, has caused us to look back over the years and reminisce about the people and the homes we represented, and to reflect on how the business of real estate has changed over the years.
At the core of our business philosophy is our desire to serve our clients with passion, creativity, energy and integrity. While business practices have evolved, this cardinal principle has not changed. Our clients energize and inspire us. They are the visionaries and creators of life changing technology and medical advances. It is a privilege to help them with their housing needs and through the process to learn from them.
Technology has revolutionized the real estate business. When we both started in 1987, Realtors controlled the information, access to it and to the homes. We received bi-monthly books organized by neighborhood, supplemented by a data terminal in the office that was used for twice daily updates that were then clipped to a board so that all the agents could share (and remember) the activity. Today clients receive the data via the internet at their offices or their homes round the clock and round the world!
Information is everywhere and our role has evolved from “provider” to “interpreter” and facilitating its use and application. The easy availability of information has increased the velocity of business and has required thoughtful discipline and management in addition to high energy and focus! Our team approach has allowed us to create roles to ensure that all transactions go smoothly, quickly and so that no detail is overlooked.
Embracing the change resulting from the easy availability of information has allowed us to serve as trusted advisors to our clients. In spite of volumes of data and photographs, capturing the essence of a home remains a personal experience. We believe that listening and observation are our strongest sales “tools” and they provide the insight we need to help our buyer clients find their “dream home”. Our clients tell their stories best.
We remember presenting offers to traveling sellers and requesting telegram confirmations because this was the fastest “delivery method”. Today we use scanners and electronic signatures. Remember when a phone was used for talking? Today we take pictures and notes from our phones and text them to clients wanting more information about their home or a particular detail. Can’t be present for an inspection appointment – no problem Facetime – allowing virtual presence and communication with the inspector.
So, as we mark this milestone, we say thank you to all of our clients who have not only chosen us to represent them, but have transformed our lives in meaningful and exciting ways!
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Mar 15th, 2013 by carolandnicole
We announced in our last blog post that we recently completed our 500th residential sale in Palo Alto. It is impossible to look back of the years of transacting business in this wonderful community without noting some of its unique and remarkable aspects. We have loved working here, and have enthusiastically served as its ambassadors to newcomers trying to understand “Why Palo Alto?”
Here’s our list of reasons:
- Location on the mid-Peninsula enjoys a balmy climate. Did you know that on average we enjoy 260 days of California sunshine?
- Diversity of culture adds to the rich tapestry that comprises our community. Our public school system offers 2 language immersion programs and there are a couple of international schools located in town.
- An acclaimed unified school district not only distinguishes itself academically through excellent teachers and rich programs, but it is unique when compared to other communities because a child starts in Kindergarten and attends through high school graduation.
- Home of world-renowned Stanford University that attracts talent and students from all over the world. Some of our major employers that created revolutionizing technology were birthed at the University: Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, Google and Yahoo. The university welcomes the community to its vast array of cultural events throughout the year and, of course, who cannot help but root for the Stanford Cardinal Rose Bowl Champions? Not to mention that through the Continuing Studies program, classes on a variety of topics taught by Stanford faculty are open to the public.
- World-class Stanford Medical Center and Lucile Salter Packard Hospital for Children are found in Palo Alto.
- We have community services for our youngest residents through Children’s Health Council and Avenidas for our most senior members.
- Diversity of architecture, tree-lined streets and a designated historic district with care to preserve its past are neighborhood distinctive.
- Palo Alto embraces new ideas and cares for the environment. It was the first community California to be certified as a Green Power Community by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
- There are 28 city parks and three community gardens that provide plots for people who want to try their hand at being “urban farmers”.
- Enjoy theatrical performances or participate in productions through the Palo Alto Players or Children’s Theatre, or experience Hollywood’s “golden age” by attending a classic film at the restored Stanford Theatre.
- Easy access to San Jose and San Francisco….but Palo Alto has so much to offer, we rarely get there!
We would love to hear why you love Palo Alto! Visit our facebook page and post your story, “I love Palo Alto because……”.
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