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Agent to Watch – Dan Barlow
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Congratulations to Dan Barlow, a July Agent to Watch! Dan grew up in the real estate business, frequently visiting homes for sale with his parents and learning what it meant to be a dedicated real estate agent. Since then, Dan has never lost his passion and enjoyment for real estate, and instead has turned it into a lifelong passion. Keep reading to learn more about Dan, and how you just might catch him down at Sol Food on a day off!
Why did you choose to pursue a career in real estate?
Growing up, my parents and I moved around a lot for my father’s work. I think we lived in 5 different homes before I was 11 years old. My parents would always bring me along to showings, and I always had a great time. I think I enjoy it today as much as I did when I was 10!
How have you adapted your marketing/business during the era of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
I’ve kept it mostly the same. COVID has played a large role in pushing the current real estate market to where it is. The adaptations I have made have been made with the goal of handling a larger volume of business while continuing to maintain the same quality of care for each client, as well as providing some time for myself.
What’s the best thing that happened to you this month?:
This month I had the opportunity to help two of my closest friends close on their first homes in Santa Rosa!
Are you a morning or a night person?:
I’m 100% a night owl.
What is one of the things you would put on your “bucket” list?:
Someday I would love to travel to Santorini, Greece.
What is something you wish you could be good at?:
I wish I could be a good mechanic, and good at cooking. I’m terrible at both, which is funny, because some of my closest friends are well known chefs and race car builders! I get picked on often.
What is something most people would never guess about you?:
I love punk rock. Catch me jamming out to Fall Out Boy/Green Day/My Chemical Romance before showings/listing appointments.
Must have purse/car item:
Business cards!
What does a perfect day in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County look like for you?:
Waking up late, heading to brunch at Cousteaux in Healdsburg, followed by a hike in Armstrong Woods. Drive down the coast until you reach Nick’s Cove in Marshall and have some oysters. Drive up to the east peak of Mount Tamalpais to watch the sunset over the bay while the fog rolls in. Head back down to Copita in Sausalito, or Sol Food in San Rafael. You can’t design a better northern California day.
What’s your favorite local restaurant?:
Sol Food in San Rafael, hands down. I’ll drive to Marin with the sole purpose of the trip to get takeout. It’s THAT good.
Agent to Watch – Alison Weese
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Congratulations to Alison Weese, one of July’s Agents to Watch! For Alison real estate is a proud family tradition, and you can bet that she approaches each transaction with the same focus, determination, and dedication that she would give if it were her own family searching for their dream home. Keep reading to learn more about Alison!
Why did you choose to pursue a career in real estate?
Pursuing Real Estate isn’t just a career path – for me it’s honestly more like an obsession, and it runs 5-generations deep! My great-great-grandfather built homes in The Haight around the turn of the century; my great-grandfather bought and sold industrial properties in the ’30s; and my grandpa, Papou, had one of the largest brokerages in San Francisco in the ’60s. He’s the one who started pushing me to explore real estate while I was still in college. My mom is a top-producing agent on the Peninsula, my uncle is in commercial real estate in The City and the list of cousins goes on! I should have listened to Papou and started this endeavor years ago, but here I am, now with more life-experience, and fully thankful for the opportunity to pursue what I really want to do with my professional path.
How have you adapted your marketing/business during the era of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Thankfully, Real Estate has provided a vehicle for keeping connected with all my favorite people and has encouraged me to lean-in to other creative areas that I’ve set aside for so long. While I find it fairly easy to just be home, real estate has pushed me to stay present and show people that through thick or thin – we’re all in this together! I’ve also reconnected with good old fashioned snail mail, something that flew out the window when the babies came along. It feels good to take a minute to say hello, thank you, and hope you’re well again.
What’s the best thing that happened to you this month?:
I closed my first listings!! To celebrate, my husband and I took our two boys to the beach for a picnic. We flew kites, had a dance party and fully soaked up the moment to just be silly together!
Are you a morning or a night person?:
100% night owl… Have been fighting it my whole life.
What is one of the things you would put on your “bucket” list?:
My bucket list is full of travel – at the top is a whirlwind Heritage Tour: Greece, Italy, Ireland. Ooh! And, I’m dying to see the Northern Lights!!!
What is something you wish you could be good at?:
Camping.
Everyone loves it – I want to love it – so badly.
What is something most people would never guess about you?:
If I could go skiing or sky-diving every day – I would be such a happy camper! Apparently, I love a little thrill!
Must have purse/car item:
A wine key and a measuring tape. They always help you to come out a hero!
What does a perfect day in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County look like for you?:
To soak up a full day of schedule-free Sonoma County exploration at a lollygag pace sounds beyond amazing to me! A morning walk, window shopping, lunch al fresco, and a little wine tasting whimsy. …Dare I push it with dinner out? There is so much to do, see, eat and taste here – the opportunity for local neighborhood discovery is always such a treat!
What’s your favorite local restaurant?:
If given the opportunity, walking to Sweet T’s or popping in for dinner at the bar at Valette are my absolute local favorites. Plus, they both make a mean “Distiller’s Wife”!!
June is National Homeownership Month – Let’s Talk About The Benefits of Owning A Home
Full length happy family sitting on couch among cardboard boxes in new house, using digital tablet, buying decorations online. Smiling couple enjoying moving in new apartment, shopping on internet.
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Are you thinking about buying a home? While renting offers certain advantages (such as mobility, and reduced costs for home repair), owning a home also comes with several benefits. Let’s discuss the difference between renting and owning, why you may want to own your own home, and the key benefits of homeownership.
What’s the Difference Between Renting and Owning?
When you rent a home, you’re not the owner, which means you’re not the one primarily responsible for property maintenance and repairs. That’s a good thing (usually). You also have a lot more freedom in terms of moving whenever and wherever you want. On the other hand, it’s almost inevitable your rent will increase each year — which isn’t so good. Even more concerning, your landlord may sell the property, or leave it to relatives upon death, and the new owners may decide to turn you out. Of course, when you own a house, it’s all yours — the benefits and the responsibilities alike. You’ll have to keep up with home maintenance, pay property taxes, and typically live in the same residence until you sell it (which may take a while). Bottom line? Renting and owning are two completely different ball games.
Why Would You Decide to Buy a Home?
There may be a number of reasons why you decide it’s time to join the ranks of homeowners. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- Your family is expanding. If you have a new child on the way, or an elderly relative needs to move in, then you may need more living space. Sometimes, buying a home is the only viable option to get the space you need.
- Housing prices are within your budget. One recent study found that housing ownership is 38% less expensive on average than renting. From a purely financial perspective, it may make sense to invest in homeownership rather than deal with rising rental costs.
- You want to invest in the future. You may want to “put roots down” in one place, and build your wealth at the same time. If so, then buying a home makes the most sense for you.
What Are the Benefits of Owning a Home?
It wouldn’t be possible to list all of the potential benefits that come with owning a home in one article. That being said, here are 3 big ones to consider:
1. Homeowners Get Major Tax Breaks.
If you’re a homeowner, then you’ll be able to take several tax deductions on your yearly return. These deductions may include:
- Mortgage interest
- Property taxes
- Mortgage insurance
- Profit received from a home sale
Sure, itemizing your deductions as a homeowner may take some time and effort. However, you could earn hundreds, even thousands of dollars in tax savings if you do!
2. Homeownership Builds Equity
Equity is basically the cash value of your home that belongs to you. In other words, the difference between the total value of your home and what you still owe on your home loan. Equity is something only homeownership can build since renters don’t own the property on which they live. As your equity grows, you’ll be able to borrow against it in the future, either for home improvements or other financial needs. Think of it as a way to really raise your line of credit.
3. Homeowners Enjoy More Stable Expenses
With homeownership, you won’t have to worry about your rent going up again next month. Instead, you’ll be able to enjoy a fixed monthly payment for many years — which is a great help when it comes to developing a workable budget.
Since this is National Homeownership Month, now is a great time to educate yourself on the pros and cons of buying your own place. You can explore this rent vs. buy calculator from NerdWallet as a starting point!
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Agent of the Month – Filippo Viola
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If you’re looking for an expert in all things Mendocino County, then look no further than June Agent of the Month, Filippo Viola! Whether it’s hiking hills to find your property line, or searching out that hard-to-find well, he prides himself on going the extra mile to connect with his clients. Read on to learn more about stellar W agent, Filippo!
To what do you attribute your success?
I attribute my success to networking and frequently connecting with clients.
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in your business or the single best thing you’ve ever done for your business?:
The best thing I’ve ever done for my business was becoming a Zillow premier agent, which introduced me to clients that didn’t come from my personal networking.
How do you balance giving personal attention to your clients while still trying to automate your business?:
I value giving personal attention to clients over automation.
How have you adapted your marketing/business during the era of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?:
I have adapted my marketing by wearing a mask while networking in person!
What is a unique aspect of the Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County Residential Real Estate market?:
A unique aspect of Mendocino county, which I specialize in is that it is a large and spread out rural county. It often takes an hour and a half of driving in between appointments. Also, the rural nature of the properties means that my hiking boots get way more mileage than my dress shoes. I’m often climbing up and down mountains to find property corners or a spring.
If you could only do one thing differently when you first started your business what would it be?:
Left the team format sooner to work on my own.
What was the best vacation you ever had?:
10-day Indonesian surfing boat charter on a 110’ sailboat.
If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Start on a team that will give you leads and trains you well on how to handle them. You will get many transactions under your belt. Just leave before you feel taken advantage of.
Agent to Watch – Mary Curran
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Congratulations to Mary Curran, one of June’s Agents to Watch! Mary has always been someone who cares deeply about those around her, and that compassion and attention are woven into each and every one of her client interactions. Keep on reading to learn more about Mary, her love of real estate, and her passion for conquering crosswords!
Why did you choose to pursue a career in real estate?
It sounds corny but I really love helping people reach their goals, I love houses and the whole process of finding homes and making them beautiful. Real Estate lets me be part of that with buyers (and I can also admire what sellers have done to their homes). I was a patient advocate in the dental field for 15 years and feel client advocacy is the key to a great real estate agent. The phrase “take care” means a lot to me, I always want to be the agent that cares.
I also really love the fluid schedule and the fact that no two days are the same!
How have you adapted your marketing/business during the era of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Keeping clients and coworkers safe has been my main concern. As long as that happens then I try to keep things as normal as possible.
What’s the best thing that happened to you this month?:
Wow! So many good things… I will get to see family soon, my husband is getting to do the work he loves and I get to live in the beautiful town of Healdsburg. For work, I got to close a deal with Amy Chiurco, who I think is amazing. We had worked on it for a long time so it was satisfying. Also my dear friend Andrew Cooper became an agent!
Are you a morning or a night person?:
I think I am an afternoon person… like right after lunch is my best time.
What is one of the things you would put on your “bucket” list?:
I would like to travel around the world with my husband Ross, with month-long stops in Bruges, Paris, and New Zealand.
What is something you wish you could be good at?:
I am not patient… like at all.
What is something most people would never guess about you?:
My first concert was Elvis Presley, I was 10.
I am a crossword fanatic.
I know way too much about teeth lol!
I’ve remodeled many homes and am pretty good at mudding drywall.
Almost every outfit anyone sees me in is from a thrift store.
Must have purse/car item:
Lip balm, water, and a snack that if you eat it in your car the calories don’t count. And my phone… I would die without my phone with an audiobook playing of course.
What does a perfect day in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County look like for you?:
Sleep a little late, coffee and a crossword, walk to the farmers market, back to the house to bake a cake then go Hike Fitch Mountain, Then have friends over to hang out in the backyard.
Oh and go to the goodwill.
What’s your favorite local restaurant?:
Campo Fina and Dry Creek Kitchen.
Agent to Watch – Renee Bradbury
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Congratulations to a June Agent to Watch, Renee Bradbury! Every day Renee strives to exceed her client’s expectations and smash the goals she sets for herself. But when she isn’t doing that, you can find her taking in a relaxing day outdoors, enjoying the sunshine, and finding a new restaurant to give a try. Read on to learn more about Renee!
Why did you choose to pursue a career in real estate?
I think my career in real estate was a natural draw for me because of the love for the land and architecture. There is a real sense of accomplishment to help clients find a home that excites them and gives them joy. Helping people reach their goals financially or emotionally.
How have you adapted your marketing/business during the era of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
I used to really enjoy doing open houses, showing off the home for sale, meeting people, and hearing what they are looking for in a home. So of course that is not possible at this time. Marketing is all email, Instagram, Facebook, and postcards. This past year it seemed that everything was done just a little bit different but to be in real estate you must be flexible that is what makes this job interesting nothing ever seems to be the same.
What’s the best thing that happened to you this month?:
I reached a lot of my client’s goals by finding or selling their homes.
Are you a morning or a night person?:
I love sitting out on my covered deck early in the morning drinking coffee and watching the day awaken in any type of weather. With a heater and a blanket if it is cold my dog and I enjoy the mornings.
What is one of the things you would put on your “bucket” list?:
Travel. I would travel anywhere anytime if I could.
What is something you wish you could be good at?:
Singing or just carrying a tune. I am the worst and I have accepted this will not happen at least in this lifetime.
What is something most people would never guess about you?:
That I am a true country girl. Raised in the country with all the farm and wild animals. I am very happy just standing out in the middle of a field.
Must have purse/car item:
My phone is always with me. No real estate agent can live without their phone.
What does a perfect day in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County look like for you?:
A perfect day for me is all about being outdoors and wonderful food that is why living in Sonoma is so perfect for me, it just doesn’t get any better.
What’s your favorite local restaurant?:
I have two favorite local restaurants one is EDK on the Sonoma Plaza. They offer locally sourced food with a creative menu and a lovely atmosphere. The other is Hog Island Oyster Bar.
Your Mental Health Matters: It’s Time To Prioritize You
Shot of couple going for a run outdoors
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It’s no secret that caring for your body is a critical part of maintaining good overall health for years to come, but what about your mind? While the importance of caring for your mental health is becoming more widely recognized and appreciated, few people take the time to care for their mental wellbeing until they experience a mental health concern, such as anxiety or depression. There is no better time than now to start prioritizing your mental health. Check out these 3 simple habits that are sure to benefit your mental health in the long run.
Take Care of Your Body
First and foremost, the connection between physical health and mental wellbeing can’t be ignored. When a person is healthy and strong, they just feel better. If it’s been a while since you focused on your physical health, don’t worry. You don’t have to be a bodybuilder or nutritionist to take practical steps that can help you look and feel your best every day. It can be as simple as:
- Eating nutritious meals: Who said anything about a diet? By simply cutting back on your sugar consumption and incorporating more whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, into your meals, you may be surprised by how good you feel.
- Getting more fresh air: Taking your dog for a walk, riding a bike around the neighborhood, or taking a weekend trip to the beach can help you clear your mind, reduce stress, and stay active.
- Finding an exercise routine that works for you: The best exercise routine is the one that you’re willing to do on a consistent basis. Find a workout plan that you enjoy, such as jogging, yoga, or cycling, and stick with it.
- Drinking more water: Replacing soda with water may seem like a small task, but it can make a big difference to your overall health.
Make Journaling a Habit
If you’re searching for a simple way to reduce stress and keep your mind sharp, daily journaling is a great option. Even if you’ve never been much of a writer before, jotting down your thoughts in a journal has been proven to help people:
- Manage anxiety
- Boost self-esteem
- Reach goals
- Strengthen communication skills
- Improve memory
- Foster creativity
- Enhance critical thinking capabilities
- Encourage productivity
Remember, there’s no wrong way to journal. Don’t feel pressured to write a certain amount or about anything in particular. Simply sitting down in a quiet place for a few minutes each day to document whatever is on your mind is all it takes to provide mental clarity and keep your mind in tip-top shape.
Sleep Better
Did you know that not sleeping well can directly affect your mental and physical health? It’s true. Along with making it difficult to be productive, sleep problems may contribute to a person developing mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. For this reason, getting a good night’s sleep every night is a must. Here are some tips for helping you sleep better:
- Stick to a sleep schedule: Strive to go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day, giving yourself at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
- Limit day-time naps: Don’t nap for longer than 30 minutes or late in the day.
- Turn off your devices: Limit your blue light exposure within 2 hours of going to bed.
- Manage caffeine and alcohol: Don’t consume coffee late in the afternoon or alcohol too close to bedtime.
- Create a relaxing environment: Keep your bedroom dark and cool to keep you as comfortable as possible.
- Try a sleep app or white noise machine: Listen to calming background music or sounds to help your mind turn off.
Your mental health and wellbeing play a pivotal role in your overall happiness and success. For this reason, W Real Estate not only recommends but encourages you to prioritize your mental health every day. If you are struggling with a mental health concern, such as anxiety or depression, know that you are not alone. The National Alliance on Mental Illness can help you recognize the warning signs of mental illness, as well as provide resources to overcome it and regain your quality of life.
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Agent to Watch – Emmy Kaplan
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Congratulations to one of May’s Agents to Watch, Emmy Kaplan! Emmy found herself on the path to homeownership earlier than most, and since then she has used that knowledge to help drive each and every one of her client’s transactions. Keep reading to learn more about Emmy, and how when she’s not out finding her client’s dream home, you can find her at her SF restaurant!
Why did you choose to pursue a career in real estate?
I have always been interested in business and investing and as a homeowner from a young age, I wanted to help others to be able to purchase property and create wealth themselves.
What’s the best thing that happened to you this month?:
The best thing that happened to me this month was being able to get vaccinated and hang out with my mom!
Are you a morning or a night person?:
I juggle multiple jobs and a home, so has to be both!
What is one of the things you would put on your “bucket” list?:
Going on a family trip with my 19-year-old son to Japan.
What is something you wish you could be good at?:
Playing poker 🙂
What is something most people would never guess about you?:
I went to Art school for Film and Photography
Must have purse/car item:
My phone of course!
What does a perfect day in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County look like for you?:
Hiking on a beautiful day with a friend
What’s your favorite local restaurant?:
Obviously my own restaurant Emmys Spaghetti Shack in Bernal Heights SF!
Agent to Watch – Robby Dearth
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Robby discovered his love for real estate early, and since then he has hit the ground running! He continuously innovates his business practices to stay up to date on what will keep him the most connected with his clients, while always making sure to take time to unplug and spend time with his wife and two daughters. Read our blog below to learn more about one of May’s Agents to Watch, Robby Dearth!
Why did you choose to pursue a career in real estate?
I took a sales class as part of my Marketing Degree from Sonoma State and one of our assignments was to shadow someone with a sales career. I chose my brother-in-law Rory who is a local agent/broker and ended up falling in love with the career. Every time things get hard at work I make sure to call Rory and complain.
How have you adapted your marketing/business during the era of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?:
I’ve made video a huge part of my marketing and “education” plan for both buyers and sellers. With so many people being at home due to Covid, there’s a lot more time to get lost in YouTube and IGTV – It started out being incredibly scary for me, but I’ve grown to love it!
What’s the best thing that happened to you this month?:
Personally: I got my first vaccine shot. Professionally: I helped three first-time buyer clients achieve their dreams of homeownership.
Are you a morning or a night person?:
Morning for sure, if I miss my 5 am workout my whole day is off. All the memes about the dad that wakes up early and brags about it? That’s me.
What is one of the things you would put on your “bucket” list?:
I’d like to swim in a pool of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck… but realistically I’d like to get my pilot’s license.
What is something you wish you could be good at?:
Growing hair on the top of my head.
What is something most people would never guess about you?:
I used to have a fear of public speaking and talking to strangers.
Must have purse/car item:
Ibuprofen… I have two young daughters.
What does a perfect day in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County look like for you?:
Starts with Brunch at Howard Station Cafe in Occidental while we watch the fog burn off, then a quick drive over Coleman Valley Road to Salmon Creek Beach where my daughters love to explore and run around. Then we’d head back in through Guerneville and take a quick walk around Armstrong Redwoods. We’d have to swing over to Sebastopol for a slice at Mombo’s Pizza before an evening stop at Russian River Brewing Company in Windsor to let the kids run around while me and my wife Brandi enjoy some Pliny. If there’s time we’d swing by Moxie’s for some frozen yogurt and the kids would be in bed and asleep by bedtime!
What’s your favorite local restaurant?:
This is a hard one because (as you can tell from my previous answer) I love Sonoma County Restaurants. But if I had to pick one: I worked at Mary’s Pizza Shack in Windsor as a Pizza Maker in High School and for a few years after, and then later I met my wife while we were servers at the Summerfield location. Mary’s Pizza Shack will always hold a special place in my heart.
Agent of the Month – Tanya Gilmore
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Congratulations to our May Agent of the Month, Tanya Gilmore! Whether it’s chasing down the best offer for her clients, or taking on a global pandemic, Tanya takes everything on with a positive attitude and the mindset that there is no challenge too big or small for her to conquer. Read on to learn more about Tanya!
To what do you attribute your success?
When I lost my fears of being without any failure, abundance and success found me! Fear is a roadblock for all of our dreams.
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in your business or the single best thing you’ve ever done for your business?:
The biggest mistake I’ve made in my business turned into the single best thing I’ve done for my business: from being insecure and not believing in myself to watching myself in action and how equipped I am to do my job well. I changed the game when I had my own back and put my insecurities to rest.
How do you balance giving personal attention to your clients while still trying to automate your business?:
If you pay close enough attention, you can sense when a client needs personal attention. Those are the moments that matter. Gauging your client’s level of motivation allows you to move them from automation to personal attention.
How have you adapted your marketing/business during the era of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?:
Believing that I will find opportunity in any era, covid or otherwise. It’s a fun game for me to find ways to make money when everyone thinks the world is going down…
What is a unique aspect of the Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County Residential Real Estate market?:
The cannabis market is unique and exciting to me. Growing up here, I have watched it move from the black market to the legal market. The other day I was rambling down a dirt road with the windows down after showing a farm. I would’ve never been down the road if it weren’t for the bustling cannabis market. I love exploring our county.
If you could only do one thing differently when you first started your business what would it be?:
Nothing particular… it took time and commitment to see the fruits of my labor.
If a work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you’re getting it right?:
For me, it’s Life, then work. I work to provide my family the lifestyle we want to live. If we are not upholding our ideals (health, quality time, travel etc.) then I know I am out of balance. It’s important to check in with ourselves. If our sleep, mental or physical health, nutrition, personal relationships, etc. are suffering, then we may be out of balance.
What was the best vacation you ever had?:
I traveled to Indonesia with 13 of my friends for a month. We were all intermittently together but one weekend we had a property in Canggu with villas for all 13 of us. Pretty dreamy.
If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Statistically, it takes 3+ years to grow a thriving business. Maintain another stream(s) of income. It ain’t easy but there is no ceiling on the level of success you can achieve. Saddle up!
