Team News
ALVA Sundays are now By Appointment Only
December 6th, 2009 categories: Downtown St Petersburg, Team News
Gone Fishing - for clients
Starting this week, ALVA International, Inc’s real estate office will be open on Sundays by appointment only. Analyzing our results, spending Sunday sitting in the office hasn’t been the st productive use of our time. So – The Simms Team will be in the office by appointment ony. That doesn’t mean we’ll be Christmas shopping (sadly) as today, for example: Tami, Rob and I are all meeting with clients. So The Simms Team is out doing business, not sitting in the office waiting for things to happen. Here we’re following the lead of our Aspen colleague, Joshua Saslove, who told us that he only wants to see his agents in the office when they’re writing a contract. Otherwise he wants them out on the ski slopes, at the country club, the tennis courts, etc. So – we’ll be out where we’re hearing who’s looking for what and who’s hiring who, rather than doing paperwork in the office. We’re here if you need us – our office phone (727) 898-2582 forwards to one of our cell phones when the office is closed.
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Happy Clients and Friends of The Simms Team
December 5th, 2009 categories: Team News
Nino and Lori celebrating at ALVA International, Inc.
Nino Fabiano wrote on ALVA International’s facebook wall – and we can’t help but share what he said:
Dear Sharon and crew.
Since our houses have sold, Lori and I haven’t had much of an opportunity to visit your office. I just wanted to tell each of you how grateful we are for having the Simms Team represent us. You all are amazing. In less …than a year, through your marketing expertise and gift for building relationships, you have sold my condo, sold Lori’s house, and found our dream home. Although Lori has known you for quite some time, I didn’t meet you until about a year ago. But during the past year of working together, I feel as if we have become family. I thank each of you for that gift, and wish you all the best.
Yo Creo!
Nino.
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Banyan Bay in St Petersburg is on the upswing.
December 5th, 2009 categories: Market Updates, Properties, Team News
Notes from Rob:
Rob’s Sale #14 – Banyan Bay in St Petersburg.
For the second time in the past year I sold a home to the parents of someone I recently sold a home to. It is always nice when a clients refers you to a friend, and an even better compliment when they recommend you to their family. Banyan Bay has been an interesting story. I remember visiting the development when they were building it and was amazed at the prices they were asking ($500,000 to $900,000). They were all sold (many to investors) and the developer did well. Then of course the market changed and the next thing you know we have a bunch of short sales and bank-owned properties. When I showed some units last year, there were 13 on the market. Luckily, the banks lowered the prices to today’s market reality and there are only two left on the market today. Our clients have bought three units in Banyan Bay this year and all are very happy and love the community.
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Nice to hear
July 10th, 2009 categories: Buyer Tips, Team News
Notes from Rob.
After I wrote out an offer for a home with some clients earlier today, we sat back and had a beer and chatted for a while. As we talked, my client mentioned that she felt they had looked at almost 300 homes over the past two years as they searched for just the right house. Me being me, I made a comment about the fact that they needed to find the right Realtor – once they found me, then things fell into place. She looked at me and told me that was true. Of all of the Realtors that had shown them homes over the past two years, they said I was the first to actually listen to what they were looking for, then actually go look for that house and find it for them. It was a very nice thing to hear from a client. Working with buyers is my specialty and I feel I continue to do better at it as I have learned more and more about the business over the past 3 1/2 years. It felt great hearing it from one of my clients, that I am doing it right. Now we need to get their offer through the sellers, through the bank, and closed. Then I will have done my job for these great folks.
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New sign for luxury properties
June 22nd, 2009 categories: Team News
After a few comments that our ALVA signs were blah and lacked WOW, we thought we’d try some others. One of the advantages of being a small, independent company is that we can try things out and change things quickly. Since we’ve used this sunset in our branding for years, we thought we’d try it on our signs. Click on the image to see a larger photo, or drive by some of our listings – let us know what you think.
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STAP meeting at Parkshore Plaza
June 8th, 2009 categories: Team News
Each year, usually in late November, we have a day long Simms Team Analysis and Planning meeting to see where we’ve been, what we’ve accomplished , where we can improve, and then set out plans and goals for the next year. We missed this past November meeting, just as well because opening a new company, ALVA International, much was unpredictable. We felt that after nearly 6 months Read the rest of this entry »
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CyberStar Summit in Phoenix
January 12th, 2009 categories: Team News
Sharon and Tami are attending the annual CyberStar Summit which this year is being held in Scottsdale, Arizona. Over 100 top technology-using real estate agents are here with their laptops, sharing ideas on what works and what doesn’t. Attendees are here from all over the country, from Alaska to Florida, from Maine to Hawaii. Tech exchanges started at 6 pm, over breakfast before the 7 am beginning, and though the official ending time is 5 pm, conversations will continue through dinner, and for the hardy few – well into the night. Topics include property websites, photography tips, social networking, iPhone tips, and many, many more.
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Happy New Year 2009!
January 1st, 2009 categories: Downtown St Petersburg, Miscellany, News and Views, Real Estate News, Team News
Happy New Year 2009!
My lack of blogging the last month hasn’t been lack of interest, it’s been orchestrating change. The Simms Team left RE/MAX Metro, excited about the new possibilities, but sad about leaving some great people – though we’re only 2 blocks away so we should still be in contact.
We formed ALVA International, Inc., our own real estate company. Our new phone is (727) 898-2582 (898-ALVA) though our old phones will still reach us. Our new location – which we’re so excited about – is at 238 Beach Drive NE, right across Read the rest of this entry »
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Evaluating real estate opportunities in Costa Rica
August 20th, 2008 categories: Costa Rica, Team News
del Pacifico at Esterillos Este, Costa Rica
Tami and I just returned from a long weekend Gathering at del Pacifico on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica in Esterillo Este. Click on the photo to see a larger version. It’s hard to tell from the photo, but there’s a nice water view of the Pacific from our balcony. We found real estate to recommend to our clients for a vacation and/or for an investment, whether it’s a condominium, a home, or a lot.
del Pacifico offers a quality product in a quality development. Whether you’re looking to relax away from it all, enjoy horseback riding, sport fishing or golf, there’s something here for you. We liked the people we met at the Gathering, the del Pacifico founders and staff, and found the Ticos (the people of Costa Rica) pleasant, caring, and with a peaceful spirit for their land and for each other.
Contact us with your questions about del Pacifico and Costa Rica real estate.
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Simms-Simms teach CLHMS class in Atlanta
August 8th, 2008 categories: Team News
Sharon and Tami spent Monday and Tuesday in Atlanta teaching the CLHMS class. Completion of this class is one of the requirements for the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation offered by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. Real estate agents attending this class came from California, New York, South Carolina and North Carolina as well as Georgia.
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