Selling Real Estate Takes more than a Sign, MLS, or Trulia

Don’t get me wrong. These three are important elements, but many agents ignore the value of the local Realtor marketing associations meetings and the networking that goes on there.

The other critical element that is often overlooked is – BUZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

There is a lot of real estate for sell these days in the TriValley area. Inventory in most local markets like Danville and San Ramon continues to climb. Walnut Creek is taking a bit of a dip and Dublin – well, Dublin CA continues to amaze me this year.

We have a new listing in Concord CA on Treat Blvd. This is an exceptional house, but the challenge is that the house is priced at the high end of the Concord real estate market. No matter what community or neighborhood you explore, you can find “the highest priced” home in the area. This is only logical – some house has to represent the highest price point in the area.

The trick to selling the highest priced home in any area is –the cream of the crop better be just that. And this house at 3661 Treat Boulevard in Concord is.

I say that with no reservation. This house was built according to standards that only an owner would implement. No builder is going to construct these days with 2×6 studs, and beef up the joists and subfloor to the degree this home has. And the walls were constructed in a factory to make sure they were all true. You should see the pictures of the trucks, wall panels and cranes putting the structure together.

In addition to the construction, the limestone, the woodwork, all of the details just blow you away.. So how do you create buzz on a house like this?

Well, I called my friend Holly Beck at the Balloonman and told her I needed two balloon bouquets – one plain vanilla and one spectacular. The point I wanted to make in my presentation to Contra Costa Realtors in Motion was that this house at 3661 Treat is to other Concord million dollar homes like the wow balloons are to the plain ones. You have to come see this house to believe it.

It must have worked, we have an interested party taking a serious look.

Now, I’m not crediting the balloons or my presentation – I’m really crediting the value of Realtors networking with Realtors and it’s sad to say that the vast majority of real estate agents in the 680 Corridor don’t seem to find value in the marketing meetings.

In this challenging market, if I was a seller, I wouldn’t deal with an agent that wasn’t covering all of the bases.

BTW, the postcard invitations for the Wine & Cheese tour on Thursday are in the mail to a targeted list of over 200 qualified move up buyers in the Concord area. I’m talking – all the bases.

Walnut Creek - Danville - San Ramon - Concord - Dublin - Pleasanton - Heck, all of the East Bay and across the bridges into the San Francisco peninsula - that's where my friends Greg & Holly Beck will soon be delivering festive balloon decorations for holiday parties. 

The Balloonman celebrates their 19th year in business this month. What began as a part-time business venture has grown into a vibrant small business that helped a couple of young parents to buy a home in Walnut Creek and raise three children. You wouldn't think balloons could be complicated, but spend just a couple of hours in their office and you will be looking for an exit door to return to a world of sanity and normalcy. The phone does not rest!

Did you know that there are certifications in balloon decor? These guys once did a design for Japan Airlines recreating their logo with about a zillion balloons. They also launched a car into the stratosphere (accidentally) when a display for the opening of the Broadway Plaza parking garage in Walnut Creek broke loose after the ceremonies. We heard a rumor that it was recently found on a deserted island by Caribbean lifestyle sleuth Jim Walberg.

Greg and Holly must be doing something right. You don't survive and build a thriving small business in the highly competitive East Bay area without being good at what you do and providing exceptional customer service. Holly tells me the balloon part is the easy part (in most cases), it's the logistics that make them heroes to their clients. It seems (can you believe it?) that many, many jobs are last minute rushes. The Balloonman excels at delivering the goods in a pinch.

In case you can't tell, I like these guys. They are very special friends and damn nice people. I want you to give them your business. They've done every kind of party and event you can think of and many that would never cross your mind.

Whether you're booking the Blackhawk Country Club, the Crow Canyon Country Club, the Marriott, The Faz, the Lafayette Park Hotel or AT&T Park - the Balloonman can help make your event special. I can't believe some of the things they can do with balloons! 

Note: 925-934-3186 - The Balloonman

It was a well deserved break for me (John) this past weekend. I was down at the beach in Cayucos, CA with my sweetie and son, Devon. We were staying with my friends Greg and Holly Beck, owners of the BalloonMan. We were right on the beach in a house that has been in the family since the late fifties. Charm, charm, charm! We cooked, read, walked, and collected sand dollars. Here is Greg suffering on the deck while reading Inner Journey Home.

Greg's birthday was Saturday. His parents, brother, sister-in-law and a cousin came over for a small party of salmon quiche, olives, cantaloupe, salad, and chocolate cake and ice cream. Life is Good!

Here is one of the fabulous Cayucos pacific sunsets we witnessed - as did the pelicans. We were watching whales sounding from the house deck on Monday, but didn't get any photos.

I felt we should have had the soundtrack to the Big Chill playing during meal preparation as those times reminded me of the movie.

Here is a shot of Erin O'Neill and a happy customer. Erin is the owner of O'Neills Coffee & Tea House in Cayucos. It's a great place to relax and get your email - free WiFi. Devon and I were there for about 3 hours on Saturday. Erin had a steady stream of customers, the tip jar was full of bills, and they were setting up for live music that evening.