4 Reasons to Consider Selling Your Home as an "Off-Market Listing"

When selling your home, it’s understandable to assume that the best marketing strategy is to reach as large an audience as possible. After all, leveraging the power of real estate portals and publications certainly has its benefits. However, sometimes it’s better to go the opposite direction. Off-market listings, also known as pocket listings, can be an effective way to market a property by word-of-mouth and keep it out of the public eye. Here are a few reasons why this might be the right choice for you.PrivacyFor many sellers, particularly in the luxury sector, maintaining privacy is a top priority. If you’re hesitant to have photos of your living space blasted across the internet for the world to see, then an off-market listing could be the way to go. This ensures that only qualified buyers see the inside of your home and, for high-profile sellers, it can help to keep your name out of the media.ExclusivityOff-market listings have an air of exclusivity that can impact how a prospective buyer views them. Because it’s not available for the public to see, it furthers the impression that this is a truly special property that’s only being marketed to those in the know.Set the ToneOff-market listings can also send an important message and put the seller into the driver’s seat. To potential buyers, it suggests that the owner doesn’t necessarily have to sell, but is willing to for the right price. This helps to encourage a competitive offer if they hope to buy a home that’s not available on the open market.Keep It FreshWhen a home sits on the market for an extended period, buyers might start to think that there’s something wrong with it or that it’s overpriced. However, you never have to worry about this with an off-marketing listing. That’s why this can also be a beneficial way to test the waters at a certain price point with no downside.Note: Pocket listings may be against the local real estate board policy.To be sure to sell it off-market, make sure you work with an agent who is going to be proactive and who already has an exclusive network otherwise it's selling a secret.If you have a property you're looking to sell off-market, call me today.Luciane Serifovic‪(917) 567-8767

Your Luxury Homebuying Checklist

Buying a new home, especially if you already own one, is a process with many moving parts. In addition to working closely with a real estate agent whom you trust, brushing up on the process will help ensure your home buying experience will be as smooth as it can be. Read on if you need a refresher on the homebuying process, so you’re ready to place an offer this spring selling season confidently. Find a Real Estate AgentWhether it’s an agent you previously worked with, or a brand new relationship, partnering with a trusted real estate professional is your first step to help ensure a seamless home buying process. Assess the MarketBefore you list your existing home and start looking for new homes, assess your current and prospective new markets. Familiarize yourself with comparable homes to yours, as well as the market conditions for the new area you’re home searching. Review Your FinancesDepending on your financial situation, meet with your mortgage lender, accountant or financial planner to ensure your finances are in order. Discuss scenarios such as whether or not you need to sell your home before buying a new home, what you can afford and if you require financing. It’s also important to factor in potential costs of remodeling and maintenance, in addition to furnishing a new home, which can range from 10-50% of the purchase cost, depending on your needs and preferences. Obtain a Pre-Approval LetterHaving a pre-approval letter from your lender before starting your home search will allow you to move quickly once you find your dream house. Prepare Your Home to ListThe earlier you can begin preparing your home to list, the better. The home selling preparation process can be a significant time investment from decluttering, making repairs and having your home staged and photographed. List Your HomeYour real estate agent will create a customized marketing plan for your home, bring in a staging company and have a photographer take professional photos. Then, they will execute their marketing plan, which will likely include digital marketing, a social media plan, flyers or mailers, open houses, broker open houses, private appointments and more. Begin Searching for a HomeIf you’re moving to a new area, you may want to work with a real estate agent who is more familiar with that area. Or, if you’re staying local, you can use the same agent for both buying and selling. In the luxury market, working with an agent who is both familiar with your new home requirements and innately familiar with the area is paramount to finding your dream home. They may know about houses about to be listed or homes listed on the private market. With the foundational steps in place to begin searching for your new home, you can now start looking for your dream home. Whether you’re expanding, downsizing, searching for your forever home or your for now home, being organized in your home search process will help you enjoy the homebuying experience. In addition, this will help you focus on finding a home that exceeds your dream house vision.

McLaren Automotive Unveils Artura Art Car

In collaboration with British artist Nat Bowen this vivid paintwork puts the art in Artura.   McLaren Automotive Unveils Artura Art Car

Enjoy Famed Cuisine With a Side of History

Looking to get back out into the world? As dedicated, traveling foodies plan upcoming jaunts worldwide, historians and connoisseurs offer a menu full of historic restaurants where great cuisine is served in notable surroundings around the world, including a few right here in the U.S.Sobrino de Botin, SpainOpened in 1725 by French chef Jean Botin, this Madrid favorite holds the Guiness World Record as the world’s longest continuously operating restaurant. Enjoy meats roasted in wood-fired ovens where renowned artist Francisco Goya once worked as a dishwasher.Ristorante Buca San Giovanni, ItalyOriginally a church edifice dating back to the 14th century, where medieval religious groups held secret meetings in the cellar, the famed Florence ristorante still serves classic Tuscan dishes beneath low, curved stone ceilings under the watchful gaze of pious statues.Union Oyster House, BostonThe city’s oldest eatery, opened in 1826, sits in a building that predates the American Revolution. America’s oldest newspaper, The Massachusetts Spy, was printed there, and the exiled future king of France, Louis Philippe, lived there in 1796. Enjoy dishes like house-made crab cakes with lemon garlic aioli or classic lobster roll in then-Congressman JFK’s favorite lunch spot.The Laff, CanadaLocated in Château Lafayette House, and officially older than the city of Ottawa in which it resides, the restaurant established in 1855 is rumored to have once operated as a brothel. Noted for classic Canadian pub fare, like poutine (fries topped with cheese curds and gravy), The Laff has attracted famous American patrons from Dan Ackroyd to Justin BieberWhite Horse Tavern, Rhode IslandTouted as America’s oldest surviving tavern, the Newport establishment known for its clam chowder was opened in 1673 by William Mayes, Sr, with ownership later transferring to his son – a pirate who, some believe, still haunts the tavern today.Zum Franziskaner, SwedenThe Stockholm restaurant dates back to 1421, when its beer cellar was imported to the Swedish capital by German monks. It’s had many incarnations since, but still feels as old as time, with wood-paneled walls, beer served in steins and a menu featuring wurst platters and Scandi-style comfort food.Wierzynek, PolandThis legendary Kraków spot is as opulent as is storied, with a glamourous history dating back to 1364. Feeling like a fine art gallery with detailed wall paintings, stained-glass windows and knights’ armor, Wierzynek serves up famous feasts of meat, pâtés and dumplings, rounded off with fantastical desserts.