3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Diane Silva, Real Estate Broker and Owner of Diane Silva Realty & Associates

Diane Silva, Real Estate Broker and Owner of Diane Silva Realty & Associates tells the Patch about the best piece of sales advice she has ever been given and talks about her favorite aspect about working in the real estate industry.

Patch: If you had to recommend someone three books what would they be and why?

Diane: I tend to think positively and have a happy life. It has become contagious and I love helping others do the same! I find the Golden Rule prevails always! Hence, three books I share a lot are: "The Secret - The Law of Attraction" by Rhonda Byrne; "The Happiness Project" by Grethen Rubin and "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch.

Patch: What’s the best piece of sales advice you’ve ever been given?

Diane: The best piece of sales advice to me came from an experienced agent who told me to remember, “it’s not about the money. Do your job well and the money will follow.” I have taken her advice, help my clients completely and the referrals come to me many times over! One other bit of advice I learned along the way is to have good systems in place in my office. I have a great team at my office and we are always up-to-date with the latest real estate classes and work hard to do the job right! I just returned from a CRS event where many of the best agents in the country got together to learn more and network together. It was amazing! Also, know your market....this is priceless advice.

Patch: What’s the best thing about selling homes in Portsmouth?

Diane: Portsmouth makes people happy (Here’s that theme again!). It is a wonderful city with a superb downtown and lots to see and do. From Strawbery Banke to Prescott Park to eating and shopping downtown and all the neighborhoods too....the list goes on and on. It is a wonderful city and I am extremely proud to be part of it and have my real estate office located here!! Everyone loves Portsmouth. It has become a destination city for all ages!

Patch: What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you when showing a house?

Diane Silva: I have had many strange things happen to me showing homes in the 20+ years I have worked showing them. I will admit some humerous happenings have involved sellers’ pets. They outsmart me at times. I often say that you cannot make up the things that actually happen while selling real estate! And, it’s true.

Patch: How’s the market in town these days?

Diane: The market is hot, hot, hot. If a house is priced correctly and marketed correctly it will sell within days in Portsmouth! Since we have had a mild winter, the spring market is already upon us and our house inventory is low. Hence there are multiple offers on houses and many of us have sold all or most of our listings. If you are contemplating selling, now is a great time to put your home on the market!

Patch: What is your favorite part about working the real estate industry?

Diane: There is never a dull moment and each real estate deal is different! I get along with just about everyone, so I enjoy hearing each buyer's or seller's story. We have to listen well to be good at this business. I also try to make each client feel special! After all, they are!

Patch: What sets one real estate broker apart from another? And how are you unique?

Diane: Good question! I still believe that good old fashioned customer service prevails. And, in order to give good service, you need to work this job full-time and give it your all. I do this day in and day out. I always have. And, again, the client is the most important part of the equation when selling or buying a home, not us. I am unique because I have the experience, the time and the personality to give great Customer Service. Hence, my business has flourished from the many referrals I receive from past clients!! I also make it a point to know what is happening in the city to better service my clients.

Patch: What’s your advice to someone who’s looking to a buy a new home right now?

Diane: My advice is to get pre-approved through a local lender in the area you are looking to buy. Then, ask a Real Estate agent to help you get through the process...to make it a pleasant one for you. New federal regulations have changed our industry and it is difficult to get from the contract to the closing without a real estate agent on your side! Again, we are here to help you! And, I try to make your experience a fun one! Speaking of new homes, I also sell a lot of new construction and enjoy the challenge of creating a house that a builder and I imagine with a buyer. This is a longer process, yet well worth it if a buyer has the time and right mindset for it! Again, I will help you find the land and build your dream home or find a multi-family to create condos....whether you are upsizing or downsizing!

Patch: What advice would you give to someone trying to sell his or her house?

Diane: Hire a full time real estate agent. There is a lot of research to be done when listing your home along with making sure you stage your home correctly to get the best price possible. I can usually get sellers more money than they can get on their own due to all the tips I have learned along the years on how to show a house and sell a house. I once had a house receive 7 offers on it, within a short period on the market, due to me “talking up the house” to my peers and marketing it properly. And, these days, that means a lot of social media advertising too.

Patch: How can readers contact you?

Diane: My office number at Diane Silva Realty & Associates is 603-686-2733. My website is DianeSilvaRealty.com; my email is DSilva@DianeSilvaRealty.com and I am constantly on FaceBook and LinkedIn too. Of course, look for me on “The Portsmouth Patch”! You will also often see me in downtown Portsmouth at a Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce event, at a Music Hall show or with the Seacoast Board of Realtors. I can also often be found at Portsmouth City Hall attending Planning Board Meetings. I look forward to talking with you soon!