The Client Is Always Right - Chappaqua NY 10514

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Fresh Eyes For Your Home

I have been working for almost a year and a half with a lovely young couple from Chappaqua.  While I have not yet taken photos of the house as it is not completely finished (furniture ordered but not delivered), I was incredibly surprised and delighted to find the following testimonial (and I have abridged it for you) on HOUZZ:

 

"We have been working with Joanna for over a year on a major renovation of our new house (e.g., layout, the kitchen, master bathroom/ closet, powder room usefulness, living room continuity, floors, lights). She was involved from the initial design to picking out furniture. Joanna has been THE SINGLE BEST PERSON that we have hired through this process. She has been a pleasure to work with, very available, and instrumental in helping us get to a beautiful AND functional solution. I am also convinced that we are getting exceptional value. She has been exceptional in the areas of: Collaboration: I appreciated the way Joanna listened, understood our preferences, and recommended options to help us narrow down an (at times) overwhelming array of choices. Joanna helps weave a great design between both my wife and my (often differing) preferences. Insight: Joanna came up with creative options for our home design, such as: adding a new powder room, inserting French doors to our pool area and opening up our kitchen, and creating a more open and flowing space between kitchen, eating area and living room. 

 

Joanna is constantly looking to work within our budget, find perfect options that also save us money, passing on her discounts to us, and at times encouraging us to “lean in” on a bigger buy that really makes a difference. She seems to treat our budget as if it is her own money and looks to maximize its impact on our house. Available: She is available and easy to engage over email (nice if you are a professional) or in person. All in all, I cannot recommend Joanna more highly."

Looking forward to sharing photos but I have to say, I am very very proud!

Comments (22)

William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Great testimonial from a client.  WE don't get to many good ones from clients

Dec 16, 2016 06:07 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The right Charlotte REALTOR!

Hi Joanna Cohlan - what a fabulous testimonial!  I love that you are easily accessible and so responsive as well as looking out for their wallets!  Great job and I'm sure this was a well-deserved testimonial!

Dec 16, 2016 07:56 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Joanna,

What a stellar testimonial.  It is such a great feeling when someone appreciates your hard work and dedication.  Bravo, and I am glad you shared this kudo with us.  I am not surprised, I was certain that you are a stellar designer.  A

Dec 16, 2016 08:04 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Joanna.  With testimonials like that I can't imagine anyone looking for a home in your neck of the woods that would not use you

Dec 17, 2016 02:34 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Good morning James Dray and Ron and Alexandra Seigel and Debe Maxwell and Patricia Kennedy and William Feela - I can't tell you how good it feels to get such a glowing testimonial.  I am particularly appreciative that my client took the time to write this and in truth, what they posted to HOUZZ is the long version!!!

Dec 17, 2016 06:48 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Hi there Hannah Williams - so giving you a big hug for a happy new year and good holidays to you and the family!

Dec 17, 2016 06:49 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Joanna. I read the title and thought, I don't think so. Then I read your testimonial. You should be very proud.

Dec 17, 2016 07:20 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

I really am Sheila Anderson - this was  a big project so it is important to me that they will be great referers!

Dec 17, 2016 09:49 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hi Joanna -- a real WOW testimonial.   She seems to treat our money as if it were her own money and looks to maximize its impact...that statement along with the word collaboration your client used speaks volumes of the amazing value you bring to any project.    I look forward to seeing the final product.  

Dec 17, 2016 10:28 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Joanna Cohlan - what you did was quite amazing. Not many have a vision and can clearly see what needs to be done and then it's done right! You are truly credible. The decisions you made were all for your clients best interest and you listened to their needs. One of the great attributes that came out in that testimonial was this: 

She has been a pleasure to work with, very available, and instrumental in helping us get to a beautiful AND functional solution.

The process took time but the rewards were worth it! There is no greater gift for our efforts than sincere appreciation and you got it!!!

Dec 17, 2016 10:49 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Thanks so much Michael Jacobs and Patricia Feager .  I look forward to taking photos when the furniture is delivered and, giving you a glimpse into the "befores" as well.

Dec 17, 2016 11:55 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

That is a simply awesome review.  How nice.  And, it's so true, too.  You do look out for the client every step of the way.

Dec 17, 2016 05:32 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Joanna Cohlan ,

You should be proud! What a wonderful testimonial! They really feel your conscious effort to attend to every detail for them and I can't wait to see photos!!

Dec 18, 2016 12:42 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Testimonials like that are priceless. I especially like that he said you listened and understood. No doubt these clients will be passing your name on to others. Congrats.

Dec 18, 2016 01:25 PM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Good morning Debbie Gartner and Debbie Reynolds and Dorie Dillard - I had to answer the three D's this morning-thank you all for stopping by and reading thru this.  I rarely post a testimonial as this was special and there were lots of moving parts-we are not finished with the house and there is more to go but the big construction project is out of the way.  I look forward to getting photos for you and wishing you all a healthy and happy holiday season!

Dec 20, 2016 06:37 AM
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

Well Joanna, I believe awesomeness must be noticed and obviously it was in your case. I'm not surprised of course, and you deserve to feel proud. Can't wait to see the photos. 

Dec 20, 2016 03:38 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Cudos....great place for well deserved praise !

Dec 21, 2016 05:38 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-755-2905

AND, well you should be, my dear, perfect designer extraordinaire! What a glorious and spot-on review of your way-beyond-expectations service. Heck, I'm not the least bit surprised at all of the superlatives mentioned in this. And your attention to money, which some designers don't think of in terms as if they are spending their own--that definitely takes on a different tone than if it weren't--was one of the many compliments that will resonate (to use a very over-used phrase) with future would-be clients. 

Sorry for being so verbose, but you ARE at the top of your market!

Dec 25, 2016 04:13 PM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

You are never verbose Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905 - I love hearing from you and hope we will catch up on the phone.  Wishing you a wonderful new year my dear.

Thank you Sally K. & David L. Hanson and Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD - it always feels great when your client validates you agrees to spend the time to write such a review.  Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year.

Dec 27, 2016 06:05 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

A great testimonial Joanna! But, no surprise to me! Of course you did a wonderful job!

Dec 30, 2016 08:52 AM