Every real estate agent has their own methods for hosting an open house. RE/MAX Metro asked realtor® Mashonda Smith to give us a look into the ways she creates a fun, successful event!

SCHEDULE AHEAD

Most of the time, leaving all the planning to the last minute results in a less than successful open house. Without the proper steps taken beforehand, possible buyers are less likely to see the listing or plan to come see it. Preparing ahead of time also allows for the listing to be distributed to websites in advance. Try to post your listing to the MLS three or more days before to improve your chances of open house success!

OPEN HOUSE SIGNS

A traditional (and very practical) way to reach the public is using good ol’ trusty open house signs. Place a rider on the signpost a few days before to advertise the date of the event. Then, place three or so open house signs in the yard of your home! If possible, ask neighbors to put additional signs in their own yards. Not only could this help spread the word, but that conversation may open the door for a possible transaction later down the road!

COMPS

Having comps on hand at your open house is a great way to give people further information about the neighborhood. Look for examples of active, pending, and sold comps to bring along with you. This way, you can be prepared to help your potential buyers find exactly what they’re looking for – even if it isn’t the home you’re showing!

When it comes down to it, the way you host an open house is completely up to you! Try different things and see what helps you find the most success… and have fun with it!

Video is quickly becoming one of the most favored forms of content on social media. Luckily, you don’t need an entire team of videographers to get some good content for your own pages! It’s now easier than ever to take a quick video with your phone and share it with your friends and family. Improving your engagements is where it starts to become a bit difficult. Our suggestion? Improve the quality of your video with a few simple tips and tricks!

VIDEO EQUIPMENT

Although cameras are a wonderful way to take high-quality videos, they are oftentimes expensive and difficult to use. By providing your phone with a few extra pieces of equipment, you can mimic the quality of a camera for a fraction of the price! People are much more likely to engage with videos that look and sound good. Mountable lenses, microphones, and detachable stands are great tools for upping the quality of your video.

STABILIZATION

Another way to achieve this is by stabilizing the shot. How many times have you seen a Facebook video that you wanted to watch, but couldn’t enjoy because of how shaky it was? This issue can be immediately resolved with a miniature tripod! Not only does it eliminate an unsettled shot, but it allows you to film solo – no assistance from a friend is required! Whether positioned on a nearby desk or held at arm’s length, a tripod for your phone is the perfect way to keep your video playing smooth.

BETTER AUDIO

Even though the majority of smartphones have microphones already built in, they tend to have a few areas that need improving. An external mic usually reduces the amount of wind picked up in the recording. Limiting background noise works wonders for audio! Plus, you can point external mics in the direction of your source. There are many different kinds of microphones out there for smartphones, so shop around for the one that works best for you!

Utilizing your phone for video is perfect for communicating a genuine message to your audience. Overly advanced production can sometimes come across as aggressive and unengaging – not to mention the budget it often requires! Mastering video with your phone takes less time, less money, and less effort. Try using some of these tips to improve your video experience with ease!

Listed below are some of our favorite add-ons for smartphones:

Mini Tripod
Phone Clamp
Microphone

Organic, healthy eating is taking the world by storm! Many restaurants have the self-proclaimed title “100% organic,” but are not actually certified. Clean Juice is the only USDA-certified organic juice bar in the country! Although named for their juice, Clean Juice also offers smoothies, acai bowls, wellness shots, and signature greenoa™ bowls. The juice bar embodies the mission statement, “Healthy in body, strong in spirit,” through its inviting atmosphere and nutritious food.  Owners Glenn and Kim Gordon were thrilled to bring this principle to St. Petersburg, Florida. 

“Healthy in body, strong in spirit.”

The Gordon family opened its first Clean Juice bar in 2017 in Sarasota, Florida. Dylan Hopp, a close family friend of the Gordons and fiance to Tatum Gordon, dreamed of opening another branch in his hometown of St. Petersburg. Sadly, Dylan suffered from an unexpected and fatal brain aneurysm in March of 2019. The Gordon family honored his memory by fulfilling his dream in full. Located near the downtown area on 4th Street, Clean Juice St. Petersburg had its grand opening on July 27th. That day, the team raised over $9,000 for the Bee Foundation, an organization centered around the research and awareness of brain aneurysms. The family continues to share Dylan’s strong spirit by sporting the phrase, “better together.” 

Tatum, marketing coordinator and overseer of the establishment, sat with us to talk a bit about Clean Juice. One of the biggest attractions to the juicery is their selection of juice cleanse packages. Tatum explained that a one day cleanse consists of 6 different kinds of juices. This provides for breakfast, a midmorning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner, and dessert. “You’re getting all of your meals in one day – you’re just drinking them instead of eating them,”  she said. The Green juice is Tatum’s personal favorite. It consists of spinach, celery, kale, cucumber, ginger, and lemon. For non-juice drinkers, she recommends Orange, which has pineapple, turmeric, carrot, and oranges. Like the other juices and foods in Clean Juice, both Green and Orange are completely organic. 

“USDA-Certified Organic.”

However, obtaining the title ‘USDA-certified organic’ is no small feat. The certification process lasts six months and can be incredibly difficult to pass. Still, Clean Juice understood the importance of the title and followed every step in order to achieve it. Now, Clean Juice is the one and only USDA-certified juice bar in all of America. Tatum told us, “… anything in the store, when you walk in the door, you know it’s going to be organic – unless we weren’t able to source it.” If an organic ingredient is unavailable and a non-organic substitute must be made, Clean Juice vows to inform their customers. 

Ultimately, the goal is to promote health and cleanliness. This is why Clean Juice believes so strongly in the power of organic. Where organic ingredients enhance the success of a cleanse, non-organic ingredients interrupt a cleanse with harmful pesticides. When eating organic, you can 100% guarantee you’re not putting toxins in your body. “It makes the whole effort 100% more effective,” Ryan added. 

For a taste of something both delicious and nutritious, stop by Clean Juice on 4th Street today!

Photography often plays a crucial role in the real estate world. Often times, agents use their phones to take a picture of a house and upload it right then and there. However, it can be far more effective to take it a few steps further. Do you want your listings to catch the eye of a potential client? 

Reach out to the experts from RE/MAX Metro’s Media Team, Krayer Zimring and Ryan Harris! While Ryan works primarily on the social media side of things, Krayer specializes in listings. He does everything from photos and to Matterport scans. RE/MAX Metro offers these services in-house for all agents!

One of our most impressive features is our in-house Matterport technology. With nine different lenses and both optical and infrared cameras, Matterport is sure to accurately showcase any home! The device builds out a dollhouse structure to virtually “walk-through” the listing online. “You literally feel like you’re inside the house,” Krayer said.  The owner of RE/MAX Metro, Rick Brown, brought Matterport in to give agents something both affordable and professional. “[It’s] honestly the lowest price point I have ever heard of anyone getting a Matterport scan,” Ryan mentioned. 

“You literally feel like you’re inside the house.”

When taking listing photos, our media team strives to make the home look the very best. They illustrate these houses in a natural environment whenever possible by focusing primarily on natural light. The team also utilizes different camera lenses depending on the size of the room. With us, the photographer always does his best to capture the room as accurately as possible. “That’s our goal,” Krayer said.  “To make it look as good as it possibly can.” For this reason, Krayer and Ryan recommend taking the time and money to use their services for most listings. 

However, some homes could actually disadvantage from detailed, high-quality photos. If the listing is on the smaller side, the photos might make the home look deceiving in size. In the same way, unflattering details may appear in the images of a “rough” listing. “Not every listing is going to be appropriate for it,” Ryan commented. Still, there are times where these recommendations might not apply. For example, a listing that has been on the market for a while may be worth boosting with professional photos. 

If ever there’s uncertainty in selecting their services for a particular listing, consult Krayer and Ryan for honest, practical advise! Their primary goal is to help you sell. With different kinds of in-house packages, you’re sure to get what you pay for. Contact them today to have your questions answered and your needs met! 

When most St. Petersburg residents hear the words ‘green bench,’ they think of the city’s infamous brewery. However, this name was actually pulled from a marketing tool directed towards tourists in the 1900s. Back then, over 3,500 benches brimmed the sidewalks and stood before stores, all uniform in size and color. While St. Petersburg was commonly referred to as “The Sunshine City,” it also gained the title, “The City of Green Benches.” Although some saw the benches as a way to attract visitors, they remind others of segregation in the city.

Nathan Stonecipher, co-owner of Green Bench Brewing, explained the reason for the company’s name. “It was an unfortunate and ugly thing that we went through as a city here,” he said. “Our idea was to bring it back and take new ownership of the green benches and really show that there’s a place for all.” With this goal in mind, Nathan and his fellow owners settled on this piece of history for their brewery’s name. “We really wanted a name that would pay homage to our area, but would also challenge us too as we looked at our history,” he explained.

Green Bench Brewing began about seven years ago with co-owners Khris Johnson, Nathan Stonecipher and Steven Duffy. The three were raised in St. Petersburg and wanted to start a project that would add to their city. “For us, this was a labor of love for many years before we got to a point where we could open our doors,” Nathan told us. Over the years, each co-owner has inherited different tasks in order to make their company the best it can be. Khris, the “creative guru,” comes up with and tweaks the beer recipes. Nathan works primarily with management, accounting, and in his own words, “all the boring stuff.” Steven looks at the construction side of things, building and expanding as they see fit.

Recently, Green Bench Brewing opened an additional space called Webb’s City Cellar. The facility focuses on sour beers, saisons, Belgium and Northern French inspired beers, with production in mead and cider too. Unlike anything else in Florida, Webb’s City Cellar showcases their large scale aging process for beers and ciders. “We really wanted something that would give people in the state of Florida a different type of space to go see… and this is what we envisioned,” Nathan said.

“We’re never quite sure how these beers are going to end up, which is part of what makes it exciting for us.”

Along with the new space, Green Bench Brewing has begun to introduce new kinds of drinks and flavors. Among these is Alice, which is a new line of sours. With flavors like raspberry and peach, this take on golden sours is already becoming a huge hit. “We’re never quite sure how these beers are going to end up, which is part of what makes it exciting for us,” Nathan admitted. Green Bench Brewing is constantly tweaking recipes towards the taste of the changing market. “We’re always experimenting with something new around here, which is what makes it fun.” Stop by at Green Bench to see what’s brewing!

New to real estate or an experienced vet in the business? The Perfect Agent classes will help literally everyone! Offering comradery, shared experiences, suggestions about communication and organizational tips, Perfect Agent classes have industry ‘secrets’ for everyone.

These classes focus on eight pillars that are essential to building a successful business.

Marketing: From setting up and running your social media, to create an advanced marketing plan.
Execution: From tackling your task list and email inbox to effectively managing your time.
Finance: From tracking your expenses, to getting the best ROI.
Technology: From editing PDFs to becoming an Excel spreadsheet master.
Sales: From defining your value proposition to having the perfect listing presentation.
Real Estate: From a new spin on open houses to advanced contracts.
Systems: From learning how to create goals, to automating the systems that allow you to achieve them.
Leverage: From the beginnings of building your team to advanced lead generation.

After taking just a few classes, our agents notice a HUGE difference! In fact, one of our agents was able to use the knowledge from these classes to capture a $900k listing, go to market, and close within a couple of weeks!

These classes are designed to benefit you and your business. Our helpful videos and simple assignments will teach you how to put your best foot forward. Call today to refine your real estate skills today!

In St. Petersburg, local art is widely celebrated and promoted throughout the community. Exemplified in the murals that decorate countless buildings, big events like Localtopia and community based local markets, the city’s appreciation and celebration for local artists is easily recognized. Florida CraftArt, a statewide nonprofit organization based in St. Petersburg, Florida, works to engage with the community and promote its art. Along with providing mentorship and support for artists through galleries, shows and festivals, Florida CraftArt also offers educational lectures and activities to assist both children and adults. Additionally, support from the community is encouraged through free admission to galleries and Artlofts for all visitors.

Formally known as Florida Craftsmen, the organization originated in Deland, Florida in 1951. Professors Louis and Elsa Freund from Stetson University felt that Elsa’s homemade jewelry needed to be shown for the art that it was, so they organized annual exhibitions in galleries. In 1977, the organization became incorporated and later received its first home in 1986. However, the first space which truly looked and felt like a gallery was obtained in 1995. Florida Craftsmen officially bought the building in 2002, changing their name to Florida CraftArt in 2014. The establishment has since become the heart of the Central Arts District.

“… downtown, cornerstone, nonprofit organization.”

Tyler Jones, who is both a RE/MAX Metro agent and the president of Florida CraftArt, met with us to talk a bit about the establishment, describing it as a, “…downtown, cornerstone, nonprofit organization.” He explained that the facility only houses art from certain artists, putting the focus on both members of Florida CraftArt and Florida residents. As a membership-driven organization, Florida CraftArt offers its members discounts, perks, and exclusive looks into the company. Still, members are not the only ones who can enjoy the gallery. “The entire facility is opened to the public seven days a week,” Tyler explained.

Due to its central location and some of the largest storefront windows in the downtown corridor, the store gets significant foot traffic. Ryan, RE/MAX Metro’s media representative, described the popularity of the location, saying, “If you’re a St. Petersburg native and you walk past this intersection with the big mural in the ground, you know exactly where you are because you see all the art in the windows,” then added, “It’s a beautiful place to visit.” The gallery houses numerous kinds of mediums, including glass, ceramics, fiber and wood. Wooden pieces of art have different styles featured in the gallery, such as sculpted, carved, and turned, which is created through the use of a lathe.

“We have two sections of Florida CraftArt,” Tyler explained. The gallery consists of both a store, where everything is available to the public to be purchased and a rotating exhibit. The exhibition space has artworks that are curated and judged throughout the year, with about 8 or 9 annually. There are many different kinds of exhibits hosted in this space, such as fiber, pottery and even a pet exhibit coming soon, which highlights pets and is sponsored by both SPCA and AARP. Programming is available with usually 7 to 9 programs surrounding the current exhibits. These include artist talks, meet and greets, collector circle events and private VIP dinners for the openings.

As a nonprofit organization, Florida CraftArt relies on the support of the community and local artists. Membership is available in individual, family and corporate packages, and donations are always accepted. Stop by on 5th and Central to encourage St. Petersburg’s artistic community through Florida CraftArt!

ST. PETERSBURG, Fl. (May 10, 2019) – RE/MAX Metro has announced that Realtor® Clay Glover is the latest addition of the growing real estate franchise. The Glover Group brings to the office more than 20 years of local real estate experience and specializes in home site redevelopment, luxury waterfront homes, condominiums, downtown living and historical renovations.

“I’m excited to join one of the most productive real estate networks in the U.S. and heighten the buying and selling experience for our clients,” Glover said. “With the economy improving, it’s a great time to buy real estate, but you need every tool in this dynamic real estate market. Waterfront homes in the Northeast St. Pete market are in high demand, homes are selling quickly and I’m here to help guide members of the community through the exciting and sometimes overwhelming process.”

Glover understands the importance of providing his clients with the latest market information and industry expertise. The Pinellas Board of Realtors® has recognized Clay for being in the Top 100 agents in Pinellas County and together he, along with a team of other successful realtors and assistants, sold over $60 Million in real estate sales in 2018 and were recognized with the Coldwell Banker Legends Society Award.

In addition to helping community members find the right home, he enjoys spending time with his lovely wife, 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter. He also enjoys boating, spearfishing, triathlons and remodeling homes to their previous glory.

For more information about Glover or RE/MAX Metro, please visit metroagents.com or contact (727) 896-1800. 

Derrick Silvers started Team Silvers as a way to help people sell and buy their homes. As someone who enjoys playing both tennis and pickleball, Derrick understands the importance of passion and dedication. He always strives to surround himself with people who will push him towards greatness, hoping to do the same for others. In this episode, Derrick Silvers sat down with Tracey Strube to talk about his team and the passion they share for their business.

At 18 years old, Derrick was in the top 60 tennis players in Florida. He would practice before and after school for hours and continues to play consistently in his adult life. More recently, Derrick became introduced to pickleball, a game which shares many similarities with tennis. Picking up on the level of commitment and skills he cultivated from these activities, Tracey questioned how they reflect upon his business.

Derrick referred to the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, which discusses the idea of failure. “You can fail to plan or plan to fail,” Derrick stated. But maintaining a plan can only be practiced when you have someone to help you along the way. Like a coach holds their players accountable, real estate agents need someone in their lives to help them remain consistent. For Derrick, that person is his wife, Bianca. “If you don’t have someone speaking into your life, I don’t think you can really push the limits,” he explained.

Concerning passion, Derrick referenced another Realtor that actively pursued new clients both out of devotion to the neighborhood and the people in it. Going door to door, he would knock and say, “Just your local Realtor sweating on your doorstep again this month,” and then proceed to hand them the sales from the last month. The Realtor was an exceptionally successful person, both in his business and with people. “He was passionate about it, he loved the neighborhood, and he went out and did it no matter what it looked like,” Derrick explained.

Another passionate person Derrick takes inspiration from is the chairman of VaynerX, Gary Vanderchuck. After watching just one of his videos, Derrick was enticed by the argument to move towards the things you’re passionate about instead of what makes you money. This philosophy is one that Derrick believes firmly in, constantly saying, “If you have to fail, fail forward.” To Derrick, following your passions, regardless of the possible outcomes, is better than simply giving up.

“If you have to fail, fail forward.”

Team Silvers excels at remaining open and candid with their clients. For example, Derrick has something in his car that holds his phone up while he’s driving. Whenever he thinks about something that motivates him, he hits the record button and uploads it for his audience to see. “People want to do business with people that they like,” Derrick explained. For this reason, sharing their passion and excitement is a priority. Just as they draw from the sources that inspire them, Team Silvers seeks to motivate their clients to pursue the things that they are enthusiastic about.

Brass Bowl is an original St. Petersburg brand, located exclusively in the Downtown area. Jason Gordon, the Executive Chef of the restaurant, described it as having

“…all the elements of fine dining brought to a more casual, relaxed atmosphere.” The food is 100% organic and gluten-free, with t-shirts sporting the phrase “Straight Outta Gluten.” Gordon expressed the desire to accommodate customers with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, without compromising the flavor or presentation.

A substantial focus of the eatery is the sourcing of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Doubling as a juicery, Brass Bowl has an onsite cold press that allows for daily juicing. Every morning, different combinations of fruits and vegetables are mixed together to be bottled and sold. Gordon explained the process as, “A little bit of science [and] local vegetables put into a flavor combination that’s a little bit easier to drink than some of your regular juices that are on the market today.”

“…all the elements of fine dining brought to a more casual, relaxed atmosphere.”

Many of the agents at RE/MAX Metro are excellent at maintaining expertise with the local community. Ryan and Tracey continued with this theme by visiting Central Avenue’s Brass Bowl, hoping to explore the visions and goals of the new restaurant. Gordan took the time to sit down with the team and go into detail about the company.

The business philosophy for both the employees and consumers is creating a culture of wellness. Ensuring the staff feels valued and has room to flourish in the given environment is essential to Gordon. Starting in the industry at age 14, the chef is familiar with the difficulty of the job. One way this doctrine is carried out is through tipping. By eliminating the use of servers, Brass Bowl returns all tips to the line cooks. As a result, the appreciation of the customers and management is tangibly represented as a result of the cook’s hard work. Ultimately, the goal is to create an atmosphere of inclusion by making everyone feel like a part of the operation.

The restaurant’s sayings, “check your ego at the door,” paired with “passion and positivity” represent the desire of Brass Bowl. Promoting wellness through dedication and modesty is indicated by the artistry demonstrated in their food. Gordon commented on this ability, noting the time and effort placed on sourcing ingredients to create amazing dishes.

As Gordon stated, “Wellness [is] about how we could give the public and our guests the best lifestyle for themselves through our organic food [and] healthier eating choices.”

Opening as early as 9 a.m. with numerous juices and options for eating, Brass Bowl is a wonderful choice for dining. The high quality, quickly prepared food, accompanied by a freshly squeezed drink, brings a unique flavor to St. Petersburg, leaving its customers hungry for more. Ryan and Tracey recommend taking the time to meet Jason Gordon and his team, conveniently providing the opportunity to sample a taste of the Brass Bowl.