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"All Shades Up. Light is Money." As an Agent, Will You Give this Advice?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Home Buyers Realty, LLC-Manchester, Bolton. Vernon,Ellington 0788174

 

Do you enjoy watching movies that is relatable to your profession? In "Five Flights Up", Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton portrayed the couple who found themselves warped in a zone of indecisiveness. 

 

Their physical state was starting to warn them that 5 flights of stairs to get in and out of their apartment building is getting too much for their age. The building had no elevator.

 

Then Cynthia Nixon came into the picture as their agent who was related to Diane by consanguinity. Cynthia is an epitome of a great sales person. She knew how to showcase the house in its best light. 

 

"ALL SHADES UP. LIGHT IS MONEY, " were the words she told Diane while she walked throughout the house picking up some items here and there. "LESS IS MORE," she added. DECLUTTER. 

 

Cynthia turned the stove on and started boiling water. Then she put cinnamon into the pot. She told Diane to do the same before the OPEN HOUSE because it gives the place the HOMEY feel.

 

Could you, somehow, relate to this movie? Don't we highlight "Bright, Natural Light," in our listing remarks. A brighter home does make the property more marketable. It does not give additional money but it ushers in a quicker sale than a lackluster home.

 

The couple lived in their Brooklyn apartment since they were young lovebirds. Hence, the movie showed the viewers flashbacks of the sweet and not-so-sweet memories to intensify that feeling of how special this home was to the couple.

 

Moreover, Morgan narrated how the neighborhood transformed and gentrified over the course of years... and this retrospection elicited that emotion he was not too keen to make the move.

 

When Cynthia was about to step out of the apartment, Morgan was already by the door. He asked what was the smell about coming from the inside. Cynthia said it was the cinnamon. "It gives the house that homey feel." Morgan said it smelled more like a whore house. 

 

There were scenes in the movie that were added just to make it more interesting and amusing. Like a female guest at the Open Houses who would lie down on the bed to get whatever vibe she was searching for. 

 

Morgan and Diane said that they were just testing the water but consequently, they found themselves hunting for their new nest.  They went to Open Houses and made a verbal offer on a property without their agent. Cynthia, the couple's agent, was not too happy about it but after hearing that the verbal offer was accepted, she maneuvered a way to get also a piece of the action from the purchase side.

 

Anyway the plot led the couple into a situation wherein they felt compelled to make a decision which they realized.... they were not ready to make. They got overwhelmed with how quick the turn of events unfolded.

 

At the end where Morgan was forced to sign the contract, he refused and walked away. "We can do whatever the hell we want to do," was what he told Cynthia when she reminded the couple, "You can't back out now."

 

It is a feel-good movie despite life's intricacies and idiosyncrasies.. and real estate's too. I hope you watch it. There are some life's lessons here to be learned.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by

        Maria Gilda Racelis 

      "I Always Strive to Make a Difference."

         Serving Hartford, Tolland and Middlesex Counties

Phone: 860-995-9473

Email: mariagracelis@gmail.com

mariaracelis.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments(23)

Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Maria. I never saw this but it sounds like fun. I can picture the characters.

Jan 11, 2016 11:33 PM
Maria Gilda Racelis

Sheila Anderson - there are also scenes when their compassion for their furry baby was featured. being an animal lover yourself, you will be touched too.

Jan 11, 2016 11:57 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Oh...I do not do TV...so no HBO...hmmmm....maybe they will have it as a rental some HBO stuff is available.

Jan 11, 2016 11:34 PM
Maria Gilda Racelis

you better see it Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 www.SpaceCoastHomesNow.com 


 

Jan 11, 2016 11:58 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Maria. What a wonderful movie that was, would see it again, as there were lots of lessons to be learned. The real estate agent was a riot, she has a little to learn.

Jan 11, 2016 11:47 PM
Maria Gilda Racelis

Joe Petrowsky -- Oh my.. am I surprised to find out that you have already seen this movie? Not at all. There were many movies that you and I talked about in the past. And most of them are touching movies. You are a compassionate and passionate person for sure. Gail Petrowsky will agree.

Jan 12, 2016 12:02 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Maria,  I enjoyed reading your movie review.  It sould like a light-hearted movie about life and a pinch of real estate.  I will certainly see the movie when I can rent it on cable. I prefer the comfort of my own home watching a movie

Jan 11, 2016 11:49 PM
Maria Gilda Racelis

Hi Kathleen Daniels -- it is available on HBO. I hope you will find time to see it.

Jan 12, 2016 12:03 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I have not heard of that movie, but it sounds like something I would really enjoy!  I need to find it and watch it soon.  I hope that your day is being enjoyed my friend!

Jan 12, 2016 01:02 AM
Maria Gilda Racelis

Ahhh. my friend Brian England . This you got to see. I will be disappointed at you if you don't watch it. :)

Jan 12, 2016 01:26 AM
Brian England

I don't watch many movies, especially during college basketball season, but I will make a point to try and watch this movie!

Jan 12, 2016 01:32 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Maria, never even heard of this movie, but enjoy Morgan Freeman.  Will have to check it out. 

Jan 12, 2016 02:52 AM
Maria Gilda Racelis

I hope you do check it out Joan Cox . Some scenes are exaggerated but there are lessons to learn on personal and professional level.

Jan 12, 2016 04:26 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

That statement about the smell was not a wise one for Morgan to make.  Had I said the house smelled like a whore house, my wife would want to know how I knew that smell.

Jan 12, 2016 03:26 AM
Maria Gilda Racelis

Ed Silva -Diane actually made that inquisition. How do you know what a whore house smells like?


I think you knew better.

Jan 12, 2016 04:24 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Thanks for the synoposis, I have been wondering if this movie would be worth the time - sounds as if it might. 

Jan 12, 2016 06:25 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Maria sounds like a movie I would enjoy seeing.  Love the comment about the "whore House" :)

Jan 12, 2016 07:18 AM
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

Great blog Maria Maria Gilda Racelis . Had not seen you around in a while. You updated your photo... looks great...!! Ho la la

Jan 12, 2016 07:41 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Maria, what a great way to share some valuable tips for real estate agents.

I have not heard of this movie, but I will find it now.

Great post, thanks.

Jan 12, 2016 12:48 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Hi Maria.  Sounds like an interesting movie.  I'll add this to my list to see, thanks.

Jan 12, 2016 08:16 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Thanks for the movie review - on my list to watch one evening at home.

Jan 13, 2016 12:25 AM
Keith Whited
RE/MAX Gateway - Alexandria, VA

Sounds like an interesting movie. Think I will have to add it to my short list.

Jan 13, 2016 01:27 AM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Think I'll be looking up this movie and adding to my "I want to see" list.  So many of these "common sense" pieces of advice are important and every agent should be utilizing their expertise in what helps and makes a property more prone to sell.  For sure decluttering and brightening up the room help!

Jan 13, 2016 02:35 AM
Robin Smith
Pine Knoll Shores Realty - Pine Knoll Shores, NC
It's a beautiful day on the Crystal Coast!

Loved this movie! I think the advice about light and decluttering was exactly right, and I can't say I've ever been to a whore house, but I like the smell of cinnamon!

Jan 13, 2016 02:43 AM
Christi Farrington
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
~ Your representative in Fairfield County, CT

Maria, Maria, Maria ... how are you?!  Thank you for the movie review; I will have to check it out. Morgan Freeman is the best, and the movie sounds very interesting!

Yes, shades up for light and declutter for space. I also like Bob Ratliff's use of vanilla in the oven!

Happy New Year! 

Jan 13, 2016 04:01 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I had not even heard of that movie.  But I will keep my eye open for it.  It sounds interesting.

Jan 13, 2016 08:25 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Maria-You are a great story teller and movie reviewer. Thanks for the review.

Jan 13, 2016 10:50 AM
MaryBeth Mills Muldowney
TradeWinds Realty Group LLC - Braintree, MA
Massachusetts Broker Owner

Maria Gilda - I have never viewed this movie but will look for it now, you made me want to watch it.  I am sure you provide buyers and sellers with the desire to move forward too, many thanks.

Jan 13, 2016 11:33 AM