Sound Off: Becoming a neighborhood expert.

It takes years and years to establish yourself in the community that you want to do business in. A great deal of consistent hard work and focus is required before clients will view you as an expert in a particular neighborhood.

It is like any good professional job, you should place yourself where you want to practice. Find the community you feel you can relate to and start there.

With technology today, you can connect with many people — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also have facetoface interaction with clients. For most of my career, I have loved doing Sunday open houses and that was very helpful in meeting people.

As a fifthgeneration Piedmonter, I have been fortunate to have lived my entire life in the area in which I work, so I know many of the residents here and the wonderful traditions of this city.

I have been a broker for 38 years, but expertise and acceptance are tied to many other factors … it is very important to actively give back to the community such as supporting the schools, sitting on city boards, and generally volunteering when you have a chance.

In the end, “real estate” is an oldfashioned relationship business which you have to work hard at. But above all, be ethical and honorable in your dealings and the work will follow.

Anian Tunney, the Grubb Co., 5109287447, tunney@grubbco.com,

www.anianandadrienne.com.

As a Piedmont native, and graduate of Wildwood Elementary, Piedmont Junior High, Piedmont High and UC Berkeley, I had a head start when I began selling real estate here 15 years later. Although I knew many longtime residents — parents of classmates — I had to get to know the new generation.

As a returning neighbor, I began to meet people and make new friends through our children. I joined the Neighbors & Newcomers Club, and was asked to join the Children’s Support League, a local charity. I really enjoyed charity work, so I joined three more.

As parents, we volunteered in the schools and donated to almost every cause or school function we were asked to. Beyond understanding the schools, community and activities offered to residents, I shared details on restaurants, local destinations, and could provide any referral or resource a buyer or seller would need.

Volunteerism is a great way to connect authentically. I always tell my agents, do what you love and you’ll connect with clients authentically. If you enjoy golf, golf. If you play tennis, do that. If you cook, share recipes and attend cooking classes, or host one of your own.

I’m a teacher and writer, so over the years I’ve hosted many seminars in town, and write a blog. If you have a question or need a referral, I’ve got you covered.

Debbi DiMaggio, Highland Partners,

5104146777, debbi@thehighlandpartners.com.

Becoming a neighborhood expert takes a lot of time and hard work.

You learn the history of the neighborhood. When were the homes built? Who built the homes? How many homes were built? What year were the homes built?

What schools serve the neighborhood and what are the test scores and reputation of those schools?

What are the recreational opportunities? Is there a traditional storefront downtown area?

What is the weather like in the neighborhood (any wind or fog)? Are there any specific city requirements when you sell a home?

As a Realtor specializing in a neighborhood, you need to be very wellversed when it comes to current market conditions, recent home sales, and market values of homes in the area.

It is a matter of learning your craft. The more expertise and experience you develop for a given neighborhood, the more homeowners will trust you when it comes to selling what is often their most valuable asset: their home.

In two of neighborhoods where I am known as the real estate expert, I have listed and sold more than 200 and 150 homes respectively. That is a result of having worked those neighborhoods and successfully sold homes in them for three decades.

Jeff LaMont, Coldwell Banker, 6507408808, jlamont@cbnorcal.com.