Sotheby’s | Robin Williams at Home

From groundbreaking stand-up comedy to beloved performances in movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire and Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams captivated audiences for decades.

This October, Sotheby’s will offer works from the personal collection of the iconic entertainer and his wife of over 20 years, film producer and philanthropist Marsha Garces Williams. Creating a Stage: The Collection of Marsha and Robin Williams will feature memorabilia, timepieces, bicycles, as well as contemporary art. Highlights include sculpture by Niki de Saint-Phalle and street art by Banksy.

Franck Muller | A Fine White Gold Tonneau-Form Minute Repeating Tourbillon Wristwatch Ref 6850 Rmt No 06 Imperial Tourbillon Minute Repeater Circa, 1998 | Estimate $25,000 — $35,000 USD

A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit organizations championed by both Marsha and Robin, including The Juilliard School, Wounded Warrior Project, the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

SOURCE: Sotheby's Blog

Video of the Week: The Majestic Gronsveld Castle in Gronsveld, Limburg, Netherlands

Video of the Week: The Majestic Gronsveld Castle in Gronsveld, Limburg, Netherlands

Gronsveld, Limburg, Netherlands

A stone’s throw away from Maastricht, Gronsveld castle is perched majestically in the rolling landscape. A grand little castle, built in various phases between 1250 and 1880, Gronsveld castle combines historical living with 21st century comfort on almost three acres of land. It’s not only Limburg’s most exquisite, but also best-preserved castle, making a lasting impression. Gronsveld castle is an ideal place to enjoy the life outdoors, an escape from the hustle and bustle of the day, combining the best of city life and country life.

Source: Sotheby's Extraordinary Living

Sotheby’s International Realty is Named America’s Most Trusted Residential Real Estate Brokerage for Second Consecutive Year

Brand News, Sotheby's International Realty

For the second year in a row, Lifestory Research named Sotheby’s International Realty America’s Most Trusted® Residential Real Estate Brokerage. The study, which compiled the opinions of nearly 6,300 participants, was conducted over the course of 12 months in the United States. Results were then compared to peer organizations “of like size and complexity” in order to garner highly reliable statistical rankings of home builders, laundry appliances, faucets, paints, kitchen appliances, residential real estate brokerages, HVAC systems, and active adult resort builders.

“Trust is the very fabric of our business: our brokers give it to their clients, it endures generation after generation, and it allows us to create meaningful relationships that last beyond and into many transactions,” reflected Stacy Jones, Vice President of Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty. “I am so proud to be part of the renown legacy of the Sotheby’s brand heritage and to be connected to wonderful people from our firm and the global network that live up to that trust every single day.”

As the Lifestory Research website describes, “Trust is calculated based on the Lifestory Research Net Trust Quotient Score.” It breaks the score into three levels of a consumer’s trust: 1) “advocates” or clients that feel strong trust toward a brand; 2) “neutrals” or those that have a balanced trust of the brand; and 3) “antagonists” or those that do not trust the brand at all.

“Our research shows brands with high-trust are profitable, create high levels of recommendation, lift employee engagement, and much more,” Eric Snider, President of Lifestory Research, said in a press release. “Trust is at the forefront of the decisions we make every day about people, products, and brands. Successful brands and companies understand it all comes down to trust.”

Trust and the power of an historic legacy were among topics in a recent conversation between BuzzBuzzNews and Philip White, CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates. In an interview, White touched on a global strategy that helped the brand grow to $108 billion in annual sales last year, and the way in which the company’s rich heritage provides a backdrop over which “we have been able to be innovative in marketing and technology, providing the best-in-class tools and support for our agents and brokers around the world.”

When asked about what separates Sotheby’s from other luxury real estate brands, White placed the strength in the “professionalism of our agents who, in 2017, led the way in terms of the largest number of agents ranked by REAL Trends/The Wall Street Journal ‘The Thousand’ in the category of individual sales volume and the highest average sales price.”

HOW ART STAGING CAN IMPACT THE SALE OF YOUR HOME

There is a perception paradox that sometimes exists within real estate: the idea that an empty minimalist home offers a blank slate for potential buyers to imagine their perfect home. While a small slice of the general population may have the unique vision to picture a space with cascading light features, warm and inviting furniture arrangements, or eye-catching objets d’art, the majority of buyers look to experts in interior design for help. The truth is, the benefits of staging your home are extensive. Properly staged homes spend substantially less time on the market, routinely sell for more money, and frequently end up on must-see lists.

Now, how-to-stage-your-home lists are plenty, with most touching on curb appeal, making the most of challenging spaces, and striking that perfect balance between clean and lived-in, not to mention an emphasis on neutral, approachable décor. But, not all will mention the unparalleled impact of adding artwork—a fairly crucial element to a staging environment, since it can cue subconscious feelings and connections in buyers and create emotional attachment to your space. Here’s how to use art staging to create allure and further impact the sale of your home.

Know Your Audience

This may not be the time to hang up a politically-charged Basquiat or that powerful original Mapplethorpe. While it’s true that you never know someone’s particular tastes, erring on the side of caution is wise. Steer away from family photographs and images of people, leaning instead to abstract work, nature images and landscapes, and interpretive silhouettes or figurative renderings to appeal to a wider set of buyers.

Work With the Architecture

Many homeowners have a tendency to hang art too high, which can mean people pass right by the work. The point is to have buyers pause in your space, and to do that, they need to have a direct eye line to it. Follow the unspoken gallery rule of matching the center lines of your artwork if you have pieces close together. Most galleries will hang bigger works with ample space around them at 58-or-so inches off the ground. Use beaming, feature paint walls, and any kind of architectural framing as prime space for your artwork.

Complement the Décor

Consider the mood for each room—is it a relaxed and inviting sitting area? A studious and productive study? A bright and buzzing kitchen? Color plays a very important role in home staging, with neutrals ruling in most cases, but don’t hesitate to mirror the punches of color found around your rooms in pillows or accessories.

Allow the Eye to Travel

How do you want buyers to feel leaving your home? While they will of course be evaluating many aspects of the property, it’s likely that your home may have extra appeal for a particular subset of buyers. Have a fantastic wine cellar to show off? An abstract work with a spiraling stroke pointing to it will let the eye bounce into the next beautiful space. Outdoor infinity pool a big draw? Complement its tone with pale blue washes on the walls in surrounding rooms or with striking outdoor sculptures.

Many buyers may not consider the art outright when viewing a home — after all, it doesn’t come with it as part of the sale — but creating a mood and feeling of positivity, relaxation, and an overall inviting mood will stay with them far longer than they realize, and likely result in less selling time and more offers coming through your door.

Source: RSIR