Right Start by Stellan Eoin Builders

Strategic Home Buying and Remodeling Insights with Robert Werkheiser

• Stellan Eoin Builders

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The episode explores the critical role of real estate agents in the home buying and building process, emphasizing how finding the right partner can transform a daunting journey into an empowering experience. Listeners are encouraged to start their search early and communicate openly to ensure their needs and desires are accurately understood and met by their agent.

• Importance of selecting the right real estate agent
• Understanding client needs through effective communication
• The value of building relationships and trust early
• Insight into resourceful connections available through agents
• Preparing early for the home buying or building journey
• Importance of listening to the client’s 'why' behind their desires
• Effective strategies for navigating the housing market

Imagine setting off on the thrilling journey of home building or remodeling, equipped with the invaluable knowledge of real estate guru Robert Werkheiser from Zeitlin Sotheby's International Realty. We promise you'll gain insights into assembling the perfect team of architects, engineers, and contractors that will make your dream home a reality. Robert shares his personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right property as the foundation for any successful project and how forward-thinking and collaboration are key as we head towards 2025.

Throughout our conversation, we explore the nuances of home buying consultations and the strategic renovations that can elevate your property's value. Discover how understanding clients' distinct needs leads to tailored solutions that maximize return on investment, whether you're eyeing existing homes or contemplating custom builds. Ethical practices and nurturing long-term client relationships hold the spotlight, painting a comprehensive picture of real estate investment's pivotal role in shaping your living space to reflect your lifestyle aspirations.

Building strong, trusting relationships with clients doesn't just alleviate stress; it paves the path for a more enjoyable and rewarding home buying journey. We dive into the benefits of early planning, where exploring options without pressure refines preferences over time. With a focus on the powerful resources available through partnerships with esteemed brands like Sotheby's, we underscore the impact of high-quality photography and a robust network of professionals. Whether you're a seasoned investor or embarking on your first real estate venture, this episode is packed with strategies to effectively meet your needs and seize opportunities in an ever-evolving market.

Speaker 1:

Well, hey, everyone, welcome to Right Start, the podcast that helps turn your home building dreams into reality.

Speaker 2:

Together. We're here to guide you through an exciting journey of building or remodeling your home. Each episode will bring you expert insights, practical advice and the latest trends to ensure your project starts right and finishes strong.

Speaker 1:

So, whether you're laying the first foundation block or putting on the final touches, we've got you covered. So let's dive into today's topic and make sure your project gets off to the right start.

Speaker 2:

Robert, thank you for joining us on the Right Start podcast. I'm Josh and I'm the CEO of Stain Island Builders and you are. Can you introduce yourself?

Speaker 3:

Absolutely. Thank you for having me here, josh, definitely glad to be a part of this. I am Robert Werkheiser with Zeitlin Sotheby's International Realty. I've been in real estate almost 10 years now. It's gone by very quickly.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, absolutely yeah. There was too many words in there that I was scared to mispronounce.

Speaker 3:

I worry about it also, right? Thank you for the concern.

Speaker 2:

So having someone introduce themselves is always a great way to start the show. Perfect. So, yeah, we've gotten to know each other over this. Last year, unfortunately, I only got one round of golf in which you beat me pretty bad. You know, it's not about the score, it's about the company. It was yeah, so it was a great time. I think the fact that you're using balls that you found at TJ Maxx might have been a little bit of a hindrance. Might have to actually get you like a real dozen next time. I think you lost one that day yeah.

Speaker 2:

It was a weird one because it wasn't like in the water or something. It just disappeared. Yeah, yeah, yeah that happens.

Speaker 3:

So, um, when you play on a hilly course, you know even a great shot can get penalized. So, um, which is why I use the tj maxx balls, because mine disappear more often than yours. Oh, is that what it is?

Speaker 2:

yeah, yeah yeah, um, but that's fun. So so you have been working for Zeitlin for how long?

Speaker 3:

Zeitlin and Sotheby's. January will be three years with Zeitlin. Yes.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, that's amazing.

Speaker 3:

It's gone by. So quick it does go by fast.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I've been with Stellan Owen. June will be three years for me. Okay, it just goes by so quick, especially when you're working with people you like. I've gotten to meet a few people in your office, like jenny's great some of the other agents I've met have been wonderful. So, yeah, yeah, the people really make it we've had a that.

Speaker 3:

I mean that was one of the things that really drew me there was when I met the team. Of course the brand drew me in, but then getting there and meeting the team and the support that was available, that was kind of what. What closed the door and it. It sounds like you had a pretty similar experience with us telling Owen yeah, I did.

Speaker 2:

Um John was after me for about six months and. I said no for pretty, um, pretty much every conversation we had, and then finally he just wore me down and I said, okay, fine, I'll come work for you. Okay, uh, it's been a great decision and, uh, I'm really excited for what 2025 has to bring. So, um, I think we yeah.

Speaker 3:

Reasons yeah, different, but same.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, we're both part of a networking group and I've gotten to say, like last couple of times we've met. You know, new year, new you, new house, right, because I want people thinking about what does what. Do you want your living situation to look like in 2025? Yeah, do you want a new house, like a brand new build, custom exactly for what you want? Do you want to buy a house, renovate it to what you want, or do you want to do some additions in the house you currently own? So you are, so we've, you're the.

Speaker 2:

This is the fourth episode. The first one was an intro episode, okay. The second one was a founder's episode. We got to meet John. My joke every episode is we had a booster seat for him, which is fun. And then the third episode was from the expert of a GC. So we had the GC. Well, we had John on it because he's you know, we are the GC, you know. So three great episodes and I was trying to think of what next expert I want to bring. Um, and it was kind of a natural progression of when you are in the process, of when you're going into this process and agents just make sense, right. So here you are. So we're, you know, like going through um, going through the right start process. You want to line up architects, engineers, gcs, but none of that matters unless you have a land or a house you're already going to work on.

Speaker 3:

Yes, the agent has to come in early.

Speaker 2:

Yes, and you're my favorite agent in Nashville.

Speaker 1:

Thank you.

Speaker 2:

I can say that on air because I don't really know that many agents, but I'm just kidding.

Speaker 3:

Oh man Going in quick no.

Speaker 2:

So I just have a lot of respect for the level of expertise you bring to the table. I think you're a great person. I've always seen how well you've treated. I've been able to meet a few of your clients and they're so well taken care of no-transcript podium.

Speaker 3:

So fourth is you know it's kind of like this, but you're, you're our first external guest yes.

Speaker 2:

Okay, so you're, you're our first guest outside of Stalingrad. Okay, so that's a podium seat right, I'll take it yes. There's only one first Yep.

Speaker 3:

So no, you talked about a whole lot of things, and I think the first one is that I would hit back on was taking care of the clients. You know, I think the thing is we're people first, right? So it doesn't matter how good of a job that I do or you do, or our entire team does, if we're not taking care of the person, like none of the other stuff matters. So I think for me and I think one of the ways we connect is really focusing on that it leads in everything else. Right, it starts it off. Starts it off well.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I remember one of the first projects you and I worked on together was that deck in Bellevue. Yes, and it was fun because I got to see.

Speaker 2:

You know, we have a lot of like mutual connections and it was like that one project we got to see so many different people on that site and it was, I mean, it was really cool to see and that client, you know she loved everything that you know. Um, we had a handyman do a couple of just like little touch-ups. Um, she had some roof work and gutter work and we rebuilt the deck and just um, you could see that she was extremely appreciative of the team that you you got to actually put together on that one.

Speaker 3:

And I think when I first met with her that was one of the things that she talked about was, um, she didn't have time to do all the little things. She really wanted to put the market, the home on the market as it was, and I just moved forward from there, um, and then I expressed, hey, these are some things we should do. She was like I don't have time to do that and I was like we have a team in place that takes care of that for you. You just need to say yes or no and we'll make sure it all happens behind the scenes and you don't have to worry about it. And she loved that part, she loved the idea of it. But then she loved it even more when it actually came true and she was able to sit back and relax and and enjoy the ride. Yeah, she was so sweet.

Speaker 2:

She is she is. Yeah, that was. That was a really good first experience and we've had a few more where we took a mutual clients and it's been it's been a fun year. On that, yes, um. So as a realtor, you know we'll get into some technical stuff. Um describe what you do as a real estate agent in the residential side, um, in nashville, middle tennessee yeah, um.

Speaker 3:

So I feel like my job breaks down to kind of three main things, and the third one doesn't matter unless I'm doing the first two. So I think the first one is just the marketing. Whether I'm marketing to bring in new clients, marketing a home for my client, whatever that is marketing, building my brand and doing that Um. Number two is education um, whether that's education for continuing ed, continuing education units, learning about a different neighborhood, watching market trends, things like that. Um, I feel like that's number two. And then three is taking care of the client. Right, I can't do number three if I don't do number one and number two, um, or I never get a client if I'm not doing the marketing in the first place. So, um, those three are what really tie in together for me. Um, and then that taking care of the client.

Speaker 3:

There's so many things that are involved in there, from really listening and understanding what their wants and needs are, um, why those things are important to them, and then how do we work together and make that happen? Um, and you know, that's that's where. That's where you come in and our relationship comes in. Is there a home in the market that fits their needs? Is there a home in the market that's close, that we can make some adjustments to? Or do they just need to start from scratch and find the land where they want and allow your team to come in and build that dream home for them?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, absolutely. We always say we build around. Your why and I know that's something I've seen with you and your clients is that you always want to know, like okay, what really are you looking for? Like, why are you looking for?

Speaker 2:

these things Because it matters, you know, and you can't help provide them a really quality product unless you know exactly what they're looking for. And unfortunately it's the national inventory. So sometimes that exists and you find the diamond in the rough, um, or sometimes you, uh, you're like, hey, this is as close as we're probably going to get Um, but you don't understand what the client wants without listening to it first, and that's why we like, we build around her.

Speaker 2:

Why? Because, um, we're never going to give that client that end result product that they really want unless we know what we're going for in the beginning exactly. You know, we're not the company that just like, slap something together, makes it shiny new. We want a little more meaning behind what we do, not for us internally, but for that client, so that they they're really really solving some life problem that they have.

Speaker 2:

Right yeah, and housing is probably the biggest personal purchase you're ever going to make. And so having the right agent, having the right contractor, having basically the right team and that's what Right Start is all about is having that right team in place. Right team and that's what right start is all about is having that right team in place. And I think most people think of their building team as your, your contractor, your architect, your designer, like those are your main three elements. But you know, I want to challenge that way of thinking is like, if you don't have the right house to start with, you don't have the right property to start with, you don't have the right land to start with. None of that matters, none of that team matters. So one of the most important elements might be the real estate agent.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, and I love that. You know, even you know clients that you've had in the past maybe I'm not their realtor, but the trust that's involved between the two of us that you know. If you have somebody that has a piece of land already and they're saying, hey, can we build this on there? Of course you can build whatever they want, but does it make sense financially? Does it make sense to build a million dollar home on an acre lot in a certain area where resale value on that home is only 700? Like, yes, it's a perfect home for them, but if they came to the situation where they had to sell it, does that really make sense? And so that's one of the things again building around the why. And maybe they plan for it to be their forever home and so it doesn't matter what market value of it is. If it fits their needs, it does. But, um, you guys taking that into consideration? Uh, again, just just speaks to your. Your the persona of the business that you guys run.

Speaker 2:

Yeah well, there's been multiple times I've called you on a renovation. I was like I have in my mind what this is going to cost you. Very, very conceptual ballpark numbers right, you can never really put down accurate numbers without selections. But I'll call you and be like would this comp if I had this much money? And they're already in it. On the mortgage, and sometimes it's really surprising, yes, but sometimes it will be at what they can sell for. And sometimes it's really surprising, yes, but sometimes it's, we'll be at what they can sell for, and sometimes it's a little over. And that's a conversation I need to go back and have with the client, because I don't feel right building something for a client knowing that they're going to be upside down in their home because you don't know what life's going to bring and it has to be the client's choice, absolutely.

Speaker 2:

Is this something you're okay with or do we need to reevaluate the whole, like our whole plan? Um, and luckily you and I are having those conversations extremely early, uh, before, um, almost before any money spent spent with a client uh, so that way they can make the best choice without having a lot of time and money wrapped up. Yeah, because you know an architect, you go to them and they're just, they're going to design it for you, right, designer is going to put the, you know, possibly the floor plan, the design you know, but the builder and the realtor are saying hey, you know, is this going to be the best utilization of our time and budget? Exactly, and I have a lot of questions when it comes to what rooms make the biggest impact. If this is an ROI, like a return on investment, we have a client right now in West Haven Okay, west Haven, okay.

Speaker 2:

Their goal for this whole renovation project is to increase how much dollar per square foot they can sell for, so that only matters if you're doing it very specifically for that return on investment. So you're always like kitchens and primary suites and increased square footage, amenities for yards and stuff. You know, things that will differentiate your house from other. Houses Like those make a huge difference All things I've learned from you.

Speaker 3:

No, and I think you had the knowledge of it. But locking it in, that's what we're here, right? We don't know it all ourselves, or sometimes we think we do, but still bouncing it off of somebody else just to lock in like okay, yeah, my thoughts were on track. I was going in the right direction.

Speaker 3:

Speaking of square footage, I remember I had a friend that was looking to knock out the back wall of their home and add five feet and it was going to cost. This was pre-market going crazy maybe 2016, 2017. But I think their job was going to cost $120,000, but they were only adding 40 square feet to the home. I was like that's not worth it. I mean, yes, if that's what you want, you're going to be here forever, do what you need to do, but if you're looking at potential ROI, that's not the ROI you need. And again, you guys taking that into consideration, I think a lot of people wouldn't do that. They just say, hey, if that's what you want, write a check and we'll do it, but you're really keeping the client top of mind on there, and so hopefully they appreciate that as much as as much as I appreciate that when I send you a client.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and you know you always hope the client appreciates it, but we do it because it's the right thing. Yeah, you know, not. Not every client always appreciates what we do, the ones that do or make everything worth it, but at the end of the day, we just have to do the right thing. You and I both lead our companies in a very ethical direction, with ethical principles, and being able to do the right thing and know we're always doing the right thing is what really matters to us.

Speaker 3:

Yes, and it helps make the business last longer. Right, we don't want to. We're not a fly-by-night hey, we're going to do a hundred deals this year and then be gone next year and on vacation. Um, we're in it for the long haul. We're building relationships, building solid clients that are do. Now we know what you do, um, so let's say I am looking for a specific home in Nashville.

Speaker 2:

Don't have you know, I may not have exactly what I want to build, or if I want to buy. Um, what kind of questions would you ask me or what answers do you need to push me in a good direction?

Speaker 3:

Great question. So, mr Byer, no, so first, first, is you know understanding again, what their, what their general goals are. I should say goals what? What are their? What are they generally looking for? Right, some of the basics right Bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage Are there.

Speaker 3:

Do you need to be a certain distance from work, from school, school zones, kind of hitting those, those surface level points? Um, then, once they tell me so, for instance, if I have a, a couple, and they're wanting a five bedroom home, I'm like, wait, you guys don't have any kids, why do you need a five bedroom home? And then they say, oh well, my family is lives internationally. When they come in town, they're here for a month and there's normally 10 of them. Oh, okay, yes, let's make sure you have all five bedrooms in place. So, not only getting those base numbers, but also understanding that, why they need those things, because to me it may not make sense and I'm like, ah, that's probably not that important. And then kind of categorizing so if they give me 10 things on their list, which three to five of those are deal breakers for them? Um, uh, you know, is it? Is it a a gourmet kitchen? Is one of them? Uh, aspiring chef. Um, you know, do they? Um, have mobility issues? Do they need, you know, a walk-in shower in the primary bedroom on the main level? Um, no step, no zero entry home in the front or through the garage. Just a lot of those basic things and I'm saying basic because I guess I consider them basic that are very easily overlooked if you don't ask the why questions.

Speaker 3:

And then it kind of gets into, as you mentioned earlier, inventory. So you know, any client I'm looking for, there's kind of four options. Right, we can find a home on the market and maybe it fits 80, 90% of their needs and they'll say, hey, this is sufficient enough for what I'm looking for. Maybe we find something that's close, that's a little under budget, and they can come in and they can renovate or add on and make it the dream home without waiting three, six, nine, 12 months for a new build. Then we kind of have the spec home option, or maybe something that's a little semi-custom, that's, you know, almost ready to go and they can put some finishing touches on. Or option four is to find my good buddy, josh, and not that Josh can't fit in, not that.

Speaker 3:

Josh can't fit into. You know step two or three, but four, I think, is where you guys absolutely shine is starting from scratch and saying hey, what's your dream, let's build it. Let's put it on paper and then build it and not just saying, you know, hey, here's my 3,500 square foot plane. And again, people unfortunately do this. Well, hey, we have a 5,000 square foot plan that I think will fit your needs better, but they don't need 5,000 square feet. So let's build to their why and make it make sense. And who knows, maybe we can even make it more economical and efficient and you don't even need 3,000 square feet. Maybe it comes out to 2,800.

Speaker 3:

So taking all those things into consideration helps find that dream home. And if it's not their dream home, at least it's their dream home for now and I think that's one of my next questions is how long are you going to live in this home? Is this a three-year home? Do we need all 10 of those things on your checklist? If it's only a three-year home, this is kind of temporary. What will make it make sense for three years? If it's a 20-year home, yeah, let's find the right one, absolutely.

Speaker 2:

And I've heard you ask questions like if it is a three-year home, what's your plan for this specific home? After three years. Is this an investment property you're keeping and rolling into a portfolio? Are you going to flip and sell it? Are you going?

Speaker 2:

to knock it down and rebuild something. All of that is extremely valuable information and, uh, I always say you don't know what you don't know, and sometimes you don't know what answers you need to be to tell you know or what questions need to be answered, until you're asked the question, um, and that's why you know. Uh, sometimes I'm like my poor clients, like man, I ask them so many questions, but it's just because I'm really wanting to know how to serve them best. And I know you do the same thing, which is like, yeah, you may get a sheet and it's like 40 questions and you're like oh my gosh.

Speaker 2:

But it's not. What we're trying to do is we're trying to truly understand the client so that way we can provide the best service for that client. You know, find the best home, build the best home, like cause it's all about. You know, I'm not going to live there.

Speaker 1:

Right.

Speaker 2:

You're not going to live there, but the client is and they're going to live there and they're going to, you know, possibly raise families there. They're going to have so many memories made. You know that's, that's a home, is a significant uh thing in your life. Yes, um, and we want that home to be somewhere you're proud to go to.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, it's an interrogation for their benefit, right? I'm not interrogating you to catch you in a lie or to do that.

Speaker 3:

It's interrogate to help you get what you want. Yeah, interrogate to help you get what you want. Yeah, um, I know that's one of the things that I I often tell my clients up front is um, you know, my, my goal is to for you to still love your home three years, five years, ten years down the road. My worst fear is that someone's gonna move into home and six months later they say how did robert talk us into buying his house? I don't ever want to talk somebody into buying their house. I want to help people get what they want, and so yeah, it's fun out there.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I mean we're. You know we talk internally all the time about one of our biggest fears is a near miss. You know we almost got the project right, we almost gave the client exactly what they wanted. And so and I tell our clients, you know, one of the biggest reasons we ask for that why is because there's going to be a thousand opportunities to compromise. You know, same thing with a house. When you're buying a house, you're limited by, you know, inventory price. Like there's all these, there's all these opportunities to compromise, but if you've designated what is important to you, what you don't want to compromise on early, then we know how to guide you to find that exact, that specific product that you want.

Speaker 3:

Yep, I completely agree that it's that interrogation up front helps helps everything. We need to find a new word for that interrogation.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, that sounds like something my wife is going to ask me. It's Christmas time, right, you know? This will be out in this episode be out in January, but we're talking to Christmas time, so for what I want you know like those like you know, she's buying me gifts like that. I feel like that's an interrogation, but you know we're we're just trying to ask people the right questions.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, the right questions, yeah yeah. Interrogation isn't good. Good good word, we'll come up with another one.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, you have an Alabama-educated guy here, so like vocabulary and grammar is not a strong suit for me, but we'll find someone you know. We will To replace interrogate.

Speaker 3:

Maybe before the end of the episode. We'll see. Maybe before the end.

Speaker 2:

So what kind of you know what parting comments like what would you say? Um you really want clients to understand before they um, before they select an agent?

Speaker 3:

Um, I think the one of the most important things is it's a relationship, right, um? You know, I think there's some people, maybe you know there are certain investors, certain people don't mind the transactional experience, they, they just want. They know the numbers, they know exactly what they want and they're very forward, I guess, on what they're doing. Um, so I think in that sense, maybe the relationship isn't that important. But I think having someone that you can connect with that you feel comfortable with, at the end of the day, I'm here to do a job, but my buying a home or selling a home can be stressful enough in itself, like my job, is to not make that job more stressful and to put any pressure on you. It's to help you relax, because when you're relaxed, those things that are deeper in there, those whys, are going to come out better and I can help, I can understand more about what those whys are and help you reach those whys. So I think having someone that you you feel a kind of a little bit of a spark with when you meet um and you feel a connection, you're on the same page. You're not um going back and forth. Well, hey, hey, I like this area. Well, what about this area? And not saying that we shouldn't challenge people in what they're looking for, but it's challenging in a way that makes us both better, not trying to push people away from, maybe, what they want.

Speaker 3:

So I think that relationship is really the first thing. And then I think the other thing is I encourage my clients, or future clients, to start early. You know, if your client, if you say, hey, I'm looking to purchase a home at the end of 2025 or 2026, and your agent, potential realtor, says, well, give me a call, you know, three months before you're ready, that's not the right answer. Like, even though you're a year, maybe two years away, like now's the time to start planning. So that way, when that time actually comes, we're not in a rush to lock you into something that maybe doesn't fit, um, and it helps us build a relationship along the way.

Speaker 3:

So there's, there's trust built throughout that time and, um, we're learning more about what you're looking for. So I even tell my clients like, hey, you're not looking for a year, let's go to some open houses. Uh, throughout the time, and that way it helps me learn as we go through those homes. Tell me what you like and what you don't like, because it helps me learn what you're looking for and what you're not looking for. Uh, and you may see things too. I know a lot of people say, hey, I go on pinterest, I go on this to look at designs and things like that, and I absolutely encourage that.

Speaker 2:

Um, I mean that's kind of brilliant, though, because the best time to go decide what car you want to buy is when you're not ready to buy, right, because then you're impartial, you know you're not going to buy this car, but you can kind of see what features you like, you don't like. Is it comfortable? Yes, and yeah, I've never really thought about. If you're not ready, go look at things and start building your list out, your top 10 list out that way. Yeah, I enjoy Um, go look at things and start building your list out. You know your top 10 list out that way.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, I enjoy, I enjoy that part of it. Um, and a lot of times, that initial list that they give me, even though they're two years out, and then I talked to them, you know, three, six, nine months down the road, um, that list changed like hey, remember that initial list I gave you. Scratch that. Um, let's start over. Uh and and again, even when I first sit down with somebody, that's one of the things that I go through is is creating a list, and it's funny also. Uh, sometimes when it's a couple, they're like oh, we've talked about this, we're on the same page. And then I'm like okay, both of you write down 10, 10 items, um, and the first five they're like wait, you never mentioned that before.

Speaker 3:

So, um, again looking for something else, and I'm looking for something completely different. If we're not on the same page, we're all wasting each other's time. We're not going to be in the right price point neighborhoods. So making sure that we're all on the same page is the other thing that's really important to me, because nobody wants to waste time. I don't want to waste it. I don't want my clients wasting time, and if we're wasting that time, that house really may have been a fit. Maybe it went on and off the market and we completely missed it because we weren't all on the same page. So lots of different reasons to be on the same page from the get-go. Absolutely.

Speaker 2:

I would also say something that I've noticed with you on why I would suggest clients to go for you is you also have a lot of resources Having a good mortgage lender that, like you said, a year out, a year and a half out, you may not have the ability, credit score finances to afford now, but if you talk to that mortgage person you, you know, and we are our mutual mortgage person like, um, she's really good about, hey, let's get you into like a step program or let's, let's find the ways for you to be able to afford this house, um, and that way you're ready when you're actually start looking for a home, exactly, let's start having those conversations um, the uh, you know, we, we have multiple um like even I really like our title guy.

Speaker 2:

Yes, um, good guy, I thought I knew a lot about title uh, insurance especially, uh, especially, yeah, I really know I almost know nothing about title insurance and um, and he's actually I'm gonna have him as a guest on here, okay, because I've been in the industry for, like you, 10 years and if I know that little about title, I would love for all of our.

Speaker 2:

You know, everyone should be informed yes, yeah and so yeah and then uh, at zeitlin and sotheby's, you've got a lot of resources through there absolutely um, actually talk about some of the resources that you can provide that you know helps you. Help set you apart from other agents because of the resources you have internally.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, so I guess I'll start you know non Sotheby's just to kind of do those. So, just having an being in the industry for 10 years right, I've built relationships with roofers, plumbers, electricians, so those things whether you're getting ready to sell and you haven't, these have been on your to-do list for five years, um, and we want to get them done now. Or you're a buyer and you just had your home inspection. You're like, oh my gosh, what are these 50 things that are wrong with this house? Um, right, it's the home and job home inspector's job to find those things. Um, so, having a good home inspector as well, um, that doesn. Home inspector as well, that doesn't make somebody panic and they say, hey, this is a maintenance issue, it's not something that's going to flood your home next week, but it's something that you should take care of before it does flood your home in five years.

Speaker 3:

As you mentioned, title company lenders, pest control, termite inspection, home inspector, handyman I mean the list goes on Spectre, handyman I mean, the list is, the list goes on. So having a resource, a solid resource, for all of those is is of great value to to myself and to my clients. I feel comfortable when I send them a referral that say, hey, this person's going to take care of you and I don't have to go back and check on them, they're going to make sure it's done. And then we have this, our local brand. So Zeitlin, zeitlin, sotheby's um. Zeitlin, who miss Shirley. Zeitlin started the company I believe in uh I'm going to get this wrong 1979, I want to say Um. And then in late I think it was 2018, 2019, um partnered with Sotheby's uh, and I was just kind of a match made in heaven. So it has the, the, the local brand recognition that Shirley created um and was able to partner with the international company of Sotheby's international realty. So, uh, the power of Sotheby's is the Business Journal, like our listings are syndicated through some of these sites. So you know, a lot of times, right, a joke with real estate is right. Realtors do three things when they get a listing they put an MLS, put a sign in the art and pray. So Sotheby's. We have a different genre behind that of really going above and beyond those things and doing the most marketing we can for our clients, making sure that we're pricing appropriately, giving real expectations on timing, and things like that.

Speaker 3:

Going back to where we talked about earlier is really understand my client's needs. If they're selling their home, is selling it for the most? Most important Is selling it in a specific time frame, most important Doing the least work to the home to sell it, as is. If I don't understand those things, none of the other things matter. None of the other resources that I have through my individual network, through Zeitlin or through Sotheby's international realty matter. So yeah, we just had lots of resources. I feel sometimes I don't even know all the resources sources that are available. I hear somebody else say that and I'm like I haven't used that resource yet. Let me go use that, but it's available and it's great to have.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's, I've seen so many. I bought a new house in February and going on.

Speaker 2:

MLS working with different agents and people and it's just like there's so much truth behind the MLS sign and pray. Honestly, I can't tell you how many times I would look at the house online and say like the photos were so bad. I have no idea what this house looks like, and so I know I've looked at some of your listings and you know I feel like I can like understand what the house is through the listing Sure, understand what the house is Sure Through the listing Sure, and that's huge because we're getting into a day where, you know, people want to go onto different sites and look at houses and then bring it to their agent and be like what do you think about this one? Right, yeah, and it's a great way for the selling agent. But if you've built all of that out already to where it looks good, the client understands it.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, so I mean those pictures. Right, I'm a realtor, I'm not a photographer, so I do not want to go in and try to take pictures of somebody's home. So again, I hire the professional that's the expert in that field to come in and do those pictures. Because it is the first look Everybody. It's very rare that somebody doesn't look at a home online and just shows up and says, hey, I want to see this house without seeing at least some interior pictures of the home. So that internet is the first glance that somebody has. So if that's a bad look, they may never even come see the home in person and miss out on a perfect opportunity.

Speaker 2:

And then we have so many people moving from out of state in state that they may be under contract before they've physically been on site absolutely.

Speaker 3:

I've seen that a lot in the last few years, yeah that's where I was gonna uh you, you stole my next line. It's like yeah, yeah, see, we're in sync there, josh, um, I'm terrible about stealing thunder, uh, no, but uh, yeah, we have people that, like I said, sight unseen, um, or, you know, maybe they're flying in town when they see every time they want to go see a home and if they can't find a good representation online, they're not going to waste the same thing, time, money to come and see it. So that first look has to be solid.

Speaker 2:

Well, we are about to wrap up on time. Is there anything kind of like parting comments or something that will inspire someone to think outside the box when it comes to hiring a realtor or bringing you on as a realtor?

Speaker 3:

Great question, josh. You're trying to stump me here, I think. I think just communicate. If you're not comfortable communicating with the person that you're working with, but thinking about working with your, it's going to be. Time is going to come and go, uh, and maybe you get the right house, maybe you don't, but you have to be able to communicate and your, your, your realtor, should be able to communicate back with you. Um, uh, timing is responsive.

Speaker 3:

While the market's a little slower than it has been in the past, there are still homes that periodically get multiple offers on them and are gone the first weekend. So, um, an agent that understands the market and I think, um, not that it's completely impossible, but your, your realtor, should be full-time, right, if they have another full-time job and this is what they do on the side, is that maybe the person that you want representing you versus somebody who is doing it full-time? And this is all I do. I'm not, hey, at 9 o'clock, I need to go to my other job and I need to worry about that. This is what I do, this is how I take care of my clients and I love doing it. I love meeting new people, seeing new parts of town, seeing new architecture in different houses and what some of the builders are doing now. It's really fun to watch.

Speaker 2:

It's amazing. All right, well, that was our episode with Robert Workhouser, workhouser, workhouser, workhouser, workhouser.

Speaker 3:

Excuse me, See, that's why I didn't want to say it the first time it's okay.

Speaker 2:

It's okay. So thank you so much for joining us. I personally love when we get to work together Absolutely. I always think it's not enough, but I mean, would it ever be? So yeah, it's growing.

Speaker 3:

Thank you so much. We'll do more 25. Oh yeah, Hopefully it'll be a solid year for me, for you, for buyers and sellers. It'll just be a good market year. So we'll move forward and we'll continue to do business either way.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely All right. Thank you so much. Thank you, Josh. That's a wrap on today's episode of Right Start. We hope you've gained valuable insights that will empower you to make informed decisions on your building journey.

Speaker 1:

Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss out on expert tips and stories. And if you want to learn more about Stellan Owen Builders or need personalized advice, visit our website at stellanoencom.

Speaker 2:

We're here to help you build the home of your dreams. Thanks for tuning in and we look forward to bringing you more expert advice in your next visit.

Speaker 1:

Until next time, keep building smart and keep building right. You've been listening to the Right Start podcast by Stellan Owen Builders.