Press Releases
San Francisco, CA – March 10, 2010 – On Thursday evening March 18th from 6pm to 8pm the recently completed fashion-forward renovation of the only two bedroom condominium at 631 O’Farrell, the famous art deco hotel of the 1930’s, can be seen. The architect, Richard Pennington of Modern Spaces, a European-inspired design firm, will be available to answer questions, as will long time residents of the building. In keeping with the historic theme of the evening, there will also be an After Party at Bourbon and Branch, the popular speakeasy down the street which requires a special daily password for entrance.
This penthouse’s modern take on San Francisco’s history is a result of careful collaboration between the owners, Chris and Julie Westall, both of whom have worked for Williams Sonoma and their architect. Chris explains: “Modern Spaces prides themselves in creating innovative storage solutions. They were able to seamlessly blend the dramatic kitchen, any passionate cook would love, with the elegance of art deco and the sweeping views from downtown to the East Bay.”
Paula Pagano, 30 year real estate veteran believes that buyers’ needs are changing and unit #2001 at The Hamilton is just what buyers are looking for. “I believe today’s astute buyer is more concerned with modern functionality, the quality of materials used and its environmental impact rather than just square footage.” She says. “Bigger is no longer better.”
Julie Fish Westall, a freelance designer with Levi Strauss and new mom, admits they would never consider leaving their newly renovated home except that Chris was offered his “dream job” in Chicago. “I just love the convenience and the buzz of the city - its close approximation to fun trendy restaurants, the theater district and world class shopping at Union Square.” She adds, “But really what is hardest for me is to give up all my fantastic storage. I’ll never find that again unless I design it myself.”
From the opalescent entry built-in closet doors to the carrera marble kitchen island to the hand-painted lacquered cabinets, 631 O’Farrell #2001 is a feast for the eyes to behold. Should you want to experience this ease of urban comfort living, please feel free to call Paula Pagano at (415) 860-4209 to attend the above event or to make an individualized appointment.
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.
This penthouse’s modern take on San Francisco’s history is a result of careful collaboration between the owners, Chris and Julie Westall, both of whom have worked for Williams Sonoma and their architect. Chris explains: “Modern Spaces prides themselves in creating innovative storage solutions. They were able to seamlessly blend the dramatic kitchen, any passionate cook would love, with the elegance of art deco and the sweeping views from downtown to the East Bay.”
Paula Pagano, 30 year real estate veteran believes that buyers’ needs are changing and unit #2001 at The Hamilton is just what buyers are looking for. “I believe today’s astute buyer is more concerned with modern functionality, the quality of materials used and its environmental impact rather than just square footage.” She says. “Bigger is no longer better.”
Julie Fish Westall, a freelance designer with Levi Strauss and new mom, admits they would never consider leaving their newly renovated home except that Chris was offered his “dream job” in Chicago. “I just love the convenience and the buzz of the city - its close approximation to fun trendy restaurants, the theater district and world class shopping at Union Square.” She adds, “But really what is hardest for me is to give up all my fantastic storage. I’ll never find that again unless I design it myself.”
From the opalescent entry built-in closet doors to the carrera marble kitchen island to the hand-painted lacquered cabinets, 631 O’Farrell #2001 is a feast for the eyes to behold. Should you want to experience this ease of urban comfort living, please feel free to call Paula Pagano at (415) 860-4209 to attend the above event or to make an individualized appointment.
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.
Kim Barnes, a local realtor with Hill & Co Real Estate, received special recognition during a tree planting ceremony in Lafayette Park on Saturday, November 7. In attendance were park volunteers, Pacific Heights neighbors, students, and San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department executives.
Ms. Barnes was presented with a Certificate of Honor from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. She was recognized for the enthusiasm and creativity she demonstrated while helping to make Lafayette Park a safer, cleaner, and more beautiful park - one that everyone can now enjoy. Ms. Barnes was also awarded the Mayor's Certificate of Honor
for her efforts.
While addressing those in attendance, San Francisco Recreation and Parks General Manager Philip A Ginsburg said, "For many years neighbors of Lafayette Park were eager to see their park volunteer efforts grow. Five years ago, Kim Barnes put her heart and soul into creating a vibrant, active, and effective Friends of Lafayette Park organization. Through Kim's energetic efforts and positive collaboration with SFRPD, Friends of Lafayette Park has been instrumental in helping the SFRPD beautify the park's entrances and hillsides."
The Neighborhood Parks Council (NPC) deemed November 7, "Kim Barnes Cleaning and Greening Day". San Francisco Parks Trust also recognized Ms. Barnes' leadership and community service as President of Friends of Lafayette Park. The organization applauded the way in which she has brought neighbors and local institutions together. And lastly, Friends of Alta Plaza Park recognized her further contributions in helping to launch Alta Plaza Park Volunteers.
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.
Ms. Barnes was presented with a Certificate of Honor from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. She was recognized for the enthusiasm and creativity she demonstrated while helping to make Lafayette Park a safer, cleaner, and more beautiful park - one that everyone can now enjoy. Ms. Barnes was also awarded the Mayor's Certificate of Honor
for her efforts.
While addressing those in attendance, San Francisco Recreation and Parks General Manager Philip A Ginsburg said, "For many years neighbors of Lafayette Park were eager to see their park volunteer efforts grow. Five years ago, Kim Barnes put her heart and soul into creating a vibrant, active, and effective Friends of Lafayette Park organization. Through Kim's energetic efforts and positive collaboration with SFRPD, Friends of Lafayette Park has been instrumental in helping the SFRPD beautify the park's entrances and hillsides."
The Neighborhood Parks Council (NPC) deemed November 7, "Kim Barnes Cleaning and Greening Day". San Francisco Parks Trust also recognized Ms. Barnes' leadership and community service as President of Friends of Lafayette Park. The organization applauded the way in which she has brought neighbors and local institutions together. And lastly, Friends of Alta Plaza Park recognized her further contributions in helping to launch Alta Plaza Park Volunteers.
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.
Hill & Co. Realtor Paula Pagano's book, Secrets of a Top Salesperson - How Emotions Make or Break the Sale, went on sale in late April of this year, and has already become a best seller on Amazon.com.
It is perhaps no wonder. The book is written with remarkable candor and insight, and speaks to issues confronting salespeople in all walks of life, whether in real estate or not.
D. Wink, of New Mexico, wrote of Secrets of a Top Salesperson, "I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I found it engaging on a general level because of its humanity, wit and wisdom. The lessons in this book can be applied to so much more than real estate, or even general salesmanship. I found it human, interesting and inspiring. And it's a hard-to-put-down fun read!"
Others seem equally impressed, also proclaiming it inspirational. The book is anecdotal in nature, drawing from life experiences to reveal important lessons and illustrate points; ultimately revealing how a reluctant salesperson could grow to become a top producing real estate agent at one of San Francisco's most distinguished brokerages.
Secrets of a Top Salesperson - How Emotions Make or Break the Sale is as entertaining as it is educational. The book is for anyone following their passion because it shows how success comes to those who make life happen.
The book can be purchased online at www.SecretsOfATopSalesperson.com, or at www.amazon.com.
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.
It is perhaps no wonder. The book is written with remarkable candor and insight, and speaks to issues confronting salespeople in all walks of life, whether in real estate or not.
D. Wink, of New Mexico, wrote of Secrets of a Top Salesperson, "I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I found it engaging on a general level because of its humanity, wit and wisdom. The lessons in this book can be applied to so much more than real estate, or even general salesmanship. I found it human, interesting and inspiring. And it's a hard-to-put-down fun read!"
Others seem equally impressed, also proclaiming it inspirational. The book is anecdotal in nature, drawing from life experiences to reveal important lessons and illustrate points; ultimately revealing how a reluctant salesperson could grow to become a top producing real estate agent at one of San Francisco's most distinguished brokerages.
Secrets of a Top Salesperson - How Emotions Make or Break the Sale is as entertaining as it is educational. The book is for anyone following their passion because it shows how success comes to those who make life happen.
The book can be purchased online at www.SecretsOfATopSalesperson.com, or at www.amazon.com.
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.
It's no secret that there are many properties for sale in San Francisco. Today, it's more important than ever to give your property a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Properly pricing the property is of course paramount. Staging or preparing the property for presentation is invaluable. Hill & Co. Real Estate complements these two staples of property promotion with expansive, compelling online exposure. After all, studies indicate that at a minimum 70% of all property searches begin online.
"We build an address-specific Web site for every property we list," said Jay Costello, president of Hill & Co. "Not only that, we create Craigslist.com ads that are more appealing than what you usually find. We format them, so that they present the property better, guiding the visitor from one bit of information to the next."
The Craigslist.com formatting is also in place in e-flyers, created and sent to thousands of San Francisco Association of Realtor member agents located throughout the City.
The Web addresses typically appear on rider boards, placed beneath "For Sale" signs on the property. The Web addresses will also appear in all property promotion -- including brochures, postcards and print ads and flyers. There is also a link to the address-specific Web site located on the Hill & Co. Web site page that describes the property.
"The technologies and programs we employ really present our properties in a superior way," said Costello. "We work hard to see that our listings make a great first impression, whether seen for the first time in print, in person or online."
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.
Properly pricing the property is of course paramount. Staging or preparing the property for presentation is invaluable. Hill & Co. Real Estate complements these two staples of property promotion with expansive, compelling online exposure. After all, studies indicate that at a minimum 70% of all property searches begin online.
"We build an address-specific Web site for every property we list," said Jay Costello, president of Hill & Co. "Not only that, we create Craigslist.com ads that are more appealing than what you usually find. We format them, so that they present the property better, guiding the visitor from one bit of information to the next."
The Craigslist.com formatting is also in place in e-flyers, created and sent to thousands of San Francisco Association of Realtor member agents located throughout the City.
The Web addresses typically appear on rider boards, placed beneath "For Sale" signs on the property. The Web addresses will also appear in all property promotion -- including brochures, postcards and print ads and flyers. There is also a link to the address-specific Web site located on the Hill & Co. Web site page that describes the property.
"The technologies and programs we employ really present our properties in a superior way," said Costello. "We work hard to see that our listings make a great first impression, whether seen for the first time in print, in person or online."
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.
The "YouTube" age is truly upon us, permeating even the hallowed halls of Hill & Co. Real Estate, one of San Francisco's oldest and most esteemed independent real estate companies.
Hill & Co. has engaged with a local videographer to produce videos promoting its properties and agents. The videos are then posted on the Hill & Co. Web site, on individual agent Web sites and on Web sites built exclusively to promote specific properties. Emails with links to these pages can also be sent to interested parties.
"The production values are fabulous," said Jay Costello, President of Hill & Co. "These videos are light years ahead of virtual tours, considered just a few short years ago to be cutting edge."
Videos have the advantage of combining music and narration with the visual imagery for a more satisfying user experience. As bandwidth has expanded into the home, video has become more and more commonplace on the Web. Yet its use in real estate has been limited, largely because the quality of the videos themselves has been unacceptable.
Videographer Tim Kent, with MadeGreen, has taken advantage of advances in camera technologies to devise a process that results in professional grade videos.
"Online, we can present our homes both locally and globally," said Garey De Martini, Director of Marketing at Hill & Co. "And now, these videos enable us to present homes in an even more compelling way."
To see an example of how these videos look, visit www.hill-co.com/video/jackson
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.
Hill & Co. has engaged with a local videographer to produce videos promoting its properties and agents. The videos are then posted on the Hill & Co. Web site, on individual agent Web sites and on Web sites built exclusively to promote specific properties. Emails with links to these pages can also be sent to interested parties.
"The production values are fabulous," said Jay Costello, President of Hill & Co. "These videos are light years ahead of virtual tours, considered just a few short years ago to be cutting edge."
Videos have the advantage of combining music and narration with the visual imagery for a more satisfying user experience. As bandwidth has expanded into the home, video has become more and more commonplace on the Web. Yet its use in real estate has been limited, largely because the quality of the videos themselves has been unacceptable.
Videographer Tim Kent, with MadeGreen, has taken advantage of advances in camera technologies to devise a process that results in professional grade videos.
"Online, we can present our homes both locally and globally," said Garey De Martini, Director of Marketing at Hill & Co. "And now, these videos enable us to present homes in an even more compelling way."
To see an example of how these videos look, visit www.hill-co.com/video/jackson
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.
HILL & CO. PROVIDES THEIR REAL ESTATE AGENTS
INNOVATIVE UNIFIED MESSAGING TECHNOLOGY
Hill & Co. Real Estate is the first residential real estate brokerage in San Francisco to implement a complete, advanced Unified Messaging (UM) technology to meet the communication needs of their geographically dispersed and highly mobile workforce.
"Having a reliable unified messaging system is no longer a 'want to have' - it is a 'must have', especially in the world of selling real estate," said Jeremy Ferguson, Director of Technology at Hill & Co. "Our agents are always mobile and geographically dispersed throughout the San Francisco area. We needed a reliable, user-friendly communications system that helped our workforce stay in touch with each other as well as our clients. We also needed to upgrade our IT and communication systems to stay ahead of the competition."
After evaluating a few unified messaging solutions, Hill & Co. decided to implement and deploy Active Voice Kinesis* throughout their organization and all service branches. "We chose Kinesis because it offers the best-of-breed Unified Messaging system that met our specific needs and the easiest way to migrate from traditional VM to Unified Communications in a gradual approach without the need to replace other existing investments or retrain our staff," Ferguson explained.
The largest single value Hill & Co. has realized through Kinesis is its ability to improve their agents' ability to respond to clients in a timely manner.
Commenting on agent experience with Kinesis is Ron Sebahar, a broker associate at Hill & Co. "The ability to instantaneously know, via e-mail, when a client or anyone integral to the real estate transaction process has left a message in my voicemail box has proven extremely valuable in allowing me to respond quickly and demonstrate a higher level of responsiveness, care and professionalism. This technology is perfectly suited for my often erratic schedule, which keeps me away from my desk for long periods. Having experienced several successful years in the real estate industry, I now truly believe that timely communication is crucial and this technology helps to achieve that," he said.
Ferguson added: "For over 50 years, our company has harnessed a reputation in San Francisco as a premier brokerage firm; we want to elevate that reputation among our peers by providing our workforce advanced technologies that will help them succeed in what they do best."
"We are pleased that Hill & Co. found our Kinesis Unified Messaging solution to be the perfect match for their specific business communication needs after evaluating other solutions," said Eyal Inbar, General Manager of Marketing, Active Voice. "In a highly competitive market such as real estate, companies like Hill & Co. have to look at strategically improving their organization to stay ahead of the competition. Active Voice's ability to integrate with their existing phone system and infrastructure, as well as emulate the telephone user interface of their aging Octel voice mail system allows Hill & Co. to not only gain a competitive advantage of increased productivity, but eliminates any need to retrain employees or replace their existing IT investment ."
About Active Voice
Active Voice, LLC, a subsidiary of NEC Unified Solutions, is a global leader in Unified Messaging, computer telephony and voice messaging solutions, powering the communications infrastructure of businesses worldwide. The Seattle-based company has offices in the United States, Australia and the Netherlands. Over 200,000 Active Voice systems have been installed in more than 60 countries. Active Voice's products are sold and supported through a network of independent telecommunications manufacturers, dealers, computer resellers and strategic partners. For more information, visit our Web site at www.activevoice.com or contact Active Voice's Sales Support at 1-800-284-3575 or by e-mail at sales@activevoice.com.
* The registered trademark KINESIS is licensed from Kinesis Corporation (www.kinesis.com), designer and distributor of ergonomic computer accessories. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.
INNOVATIVE UNIFIED MESSAGING TECHNOLOGY
Hill & Co. Real Estate is the first residential real estate brokerage in San Francisco to implement a complete, advanced Unified Messaging (UM) technology to meet the communication needs of their geographically dispersed and highly mobile workforce.
"Having a reliable unified messaging system is no longer a 'want to have' - it is a 'must have', especially in the world of selling real estate," said Jeremy Ferguson, Director of Technology at Hill & Co. "Our agents are always mobile and geographically dispersed throughout the San Francisco area. We needed a reliable, user-friendly communications system that helped our workforce stay in touch with each other as well as our clients. We also needed to upgrade our IT and communication systems to stay ahead of the competition."
After evaluating a few unified messaging solutions, Hill & Co. decided to implement and deploy Active Voice Kinesis* throughout their organization and all service branches. "We chose Kinesis because it offers the best-of-breed Unified Messaging system that met our specific needs and the easiest way to migrate from traditional VM to Unified Communications in a gradual approach without the need to replace other existing investments or retrain our staff," Ferguson explained.
The largest single value Hill & Co. has realized through Kinesis is its ability to improve their agents' ability to respond to clients in a timely manner.
Commenting on agent experience with Kinesis is Ron Sebahar, a broker associate at Hill & Co. "The ability to instantaneously know, via e-mail, when a client or anyone integral to the real estate transaction process has left a message in my voicemail box has proven extremely valuable in allowing me to respond quickly and demonstrate a higher level of responsiveness, care and professionalism. This technology is perfectly suited for my often erratic schedule, which keeps me away from my desk for long periods. Having experienced several successful years in the real estate industry, I now truly believe that timely communication is crucial and this technology helps to achieve that," he said.
Ferguson added: "For over 50 years, our company has harnessed a reputation in San Francisco as a premier brokerage firm; we want to elevate that reputation among our peers by providing our workforce advanced technologies that will help them succeed in what they do best."
"We are pleased that Hill & Co. found our Kinesis Unified Messaging solution to be the perfect match for their specific business communication needs after evaluating other solutions," said Eyal Inbar, General Manager of Marketing, Active Voice. "In a highly competitive market such as real estate, companies like Hill & Co. have to look at strategically improving their organization to stay ahead of the competition. Active Voice's ability to integrate with their existing phone system and infrastructure, as well as emulate the telephone user interface of their aging Octel voice mail system allows Hill & Co. to not only gain a competitive advantage of increased productivity, but eliminates any need to retrain employees or replace their existing IT investment ."
About Active Voice
Active Voice, LLC, a subsidiary of NEC Unified Solutions, is a global leader in Unified Messaging, computer telephony and voice messaging solutions, powering the communications infrastructure of businesses worldwide. The Seattle-based company has offices in the United States, Australia and the Netherlands. Over 200,000 Active Voice systems have been installed in more than 60 countries. Active Voice's products are sold and supported through a network of independent telecommunications manufacturers, dealers, computer resellers and strategic partners. For more information, visit our Web site at www.activevoice.com or contact Active Voice's Sales Support at 1-800-284-3575 or by e-mail at sales@activevoice.com.
* The registered trademark KINESIS is licensed from Kinesis Corporation (www.kinesis.com), designer and distributor of ergonomic computer accessories. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.
Hill & Co.
Founded in 1956, Hill & Co. Real Estate is a San Francisco brokerage long associated with the City's finest properties. With four offices and nearly 100 full-time agents, the company enables clients to successfully navigate San Francisco's complex real estate market. Two additional Hill & Co. offices provide property management and rental services. For more information, visit www.hill-co.com.