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Lakeside Living Magazine- April 2005 Issue
" Buying or Selling, Blair Baldwin
Specializes in Personal Service
"My motto is get the job done so the client is happy", said Blair Baldwin, one of 2004 top producers in the Coldwell Banker, APEX REALTOR'S office in Rockwall. My business has blossomed in the past year, she noted. Being a Realtor is not a hobby or part-time thing with me. It's what I do. Blair Baldwin has the kind of sparkling personality and honest way of communicating that easily wins the trust of her clients.
Blair takes finding the right house personally. In fact, most of the people she has worked with professionally become family friends. "It just happens," Blair admitted. A sweet lady from Arizona who bought a home in the Shores was lamenting that her formal dining room would never be used since she didn't know anyone in Rockwall. Well, she was thrilled when I offered to bring my family over for dinner!
Blair is able to handle all transactions, from pre-owned homes, new construction, relocations and even rural get-aways. With homes in the Rockwall area selling at prices ranging from $100,000 to $2 million, you want to make sure the real estate agent you select understands today's market, whether it is helping you sell your present residence, or searching out your family's dream home.
REALTOR vs. real estate licensee
Not every real estate broker or salesperson is a REALTOR. Here in Texas, membership in the National or Texas Association of REALTORS entitles you to use the term REALTORS on your business card. Blair Baldwin has earned that distinction. That means she is committed to continuing education, professionalism and integrity. In addition to upholding the strict REALTOR Code of Ethics, she is also a Certified Home Marketing Specialist (CHMS).
"I don't just sell a home. I try to match people with their dreams," Blair explained. If someone has decided to sell their home, I'll go over and actually tour it as if I were a potential buyer. Then we'll sit down and really talk about how I can help them get the price they need, within the time frame necessary. Because trust is so important, I take the time to build a relationship, find out about the family and how the move will affect them. Sometimes they are looking for a specific kind of buyer so they will feel better about moving. This kind of in-depth interview can take as long as two hours, but in the end, clients are secure in the knowledge that Blair is working for them.
Barry Smith is one of those clients who trusted Blair to get them the most house at the best deal, and he wasn't disappointed. Actually, when Blair sold our house in Richardson, we just hit it off. My wife decided we should move to Rockwall about the time Blair's family was moving to Heath. It just made sense to buy her house!
Tips for selling your home
As a Certified Home Marketing Specialist, Blair can give expert advice on the best way to market a home in this area. Of course, you'll hear that location is the most important factor, but here in Rockwall County, there are so many new subdivisions and a broad range of prices, buyers have plenty of choices on new homes.
To sell an existing property, appearance and curb appeal are important. Make sure the front door has a new coat of paint, and put pots of brightly colored flowers around the entryway. A lovely wreath on the door is very inviting. You want potential buyers to be intrigued, to want to go inside and look around.
Some properties show better vacant, but a homey touch, like a table and chairs with a pretty vase of silk flowers helps people imagine how their furniture would look. One client of mine put his home on the market because they were building, and it sold for full asking price in three weeks! Of course, I found them an acceptable rental.
The client Blair was referring to is Joe Kreck, formerly of Sunnyvale. "Blair will leave you homeless!, quipped Joe Kreck. Actually, we thought it would take much longer, but Blair was right on target with her marketing.
Why do you need a Realtor?
It is important that the process of selling and buying is as stress free as possible. While you can do it yourself, a qualified Realtor understands all the road blocks that might occur and is able to deal with them quickly and professionally. "I find that my flexibility and creativity are important skills in this business," remarked Blair.
When Blair markets a house she will use four-color graphics for in front of the home, advertise in the Lakeside Living Magazine, the Dallas Morning News, as well as the stock Realtor magazines. Blair also networks with other Realtors. "When someone sells their home without using a reliable realtor, they may sit for ages hoping for some unrealistic price, or sell for far under market value. I show my clients comparable properties in the area, so they understand the prices in the current market. You can only get what the market will allow in your neighborhood."
"Last year was really incredible. I've gotten so many referrals from happy clients. They don't have a problem giving my name to family and friends because I work for them! I take each sale personally, and work until I get the job done."
Blair Baldwin and her husband live in Heath with their two children. "I can understand the needs of families with small children," stressed Blair. "One family moving here from out of state was really worried about fitting in. I took them to the school to enroll the children, and let them know they weren't alone."
Whether you are considering selling your house, or looking for that perfect home, you'll want to talk with Blair Baldwin at 214-837-6257. The Coldwell Banker, APEX REALTOR'S office is located at 2823 Market Center Blvd. in Rockwall. "
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