What happens when you mix rehabbing experience with realtors? You get Detroit Property Brothers. Owned by twin brothers Jon and Scott Wilcox, Detroit Property Brothers is a Southeast Michigan real estate company that works a bit differently than most– in a good way.
Not only do their clients get two realtors for the price of one, but Jon and Scott are able to use their rehabbing knowledge to guide clients while making decisions about remodeling and discuss what might be feasible for them. Additionally, the brothers’ experience lends itself to identifying leverage that helps their clients get the best price when they’re looking to buy or sell.
Jon and Scott’s grandfather had owned rental properties in the Lansing area when the two brothers were children. Although they were not too fond of assisting during the cleanup process after a tenant left, a passion for investing was seemingly instilled.
“After college, we began flipping homes and running rentals,” Scott explained. “We’ve been doing it for a total of 15 years now.”
However, it was during the selling of their rehabs when he and Jon began realizing that although there are many great realtors out there, not many of them have the experience to foresee problems within homes and know how to avoid future issues, many of which end up surfacing on a much larger scale than the problem was originally.
“Most agents are good realtors, but that is as far as it goes,” Jon said. “They know the job of a realtor, can write contracts, show houses, and input a listing on the MLS, but they don’t offer much more. Our rehabbing experience adds a lot of value to our roles as realtors.”
That said, the brothers are in agreement that it takes well-rounded experience to be a great agent, knowing real estate from many different angles.
“If you were going to court,” Jon explained, “you would want the best attorney to help you. It should be the same for a real estate sale or purchase. A good agent can save you a lot of money, stress and time.”
An example of advice that Jon and Scott could pass on to clients based on their well-rounded experience could be tips on what to keep in mind while trying to sell a home. They agreed that flow, curb appeal, the kitchen, the bathrooms and staging are, by far, the most important to buyers, and not only can they explain why buyers care so much about these, but they are also able to coordinate solutions if these five tips have not been met before the home is listed.
“Curb appeal is the first impression a buyer gets regarding a property for sale,” Jon said. “It can set the mood for the whole showing, and a bad first impression can be hard to overcome.”
As for the kitchen and bathrooms, the brothers said that these two room types need to be inviting. Small additions like fruit, flowers or small plants and herbs can make a big difference in the kitchen, and they said that the bathrooms should be kept clean and fresh while selling.
Staging and decluttering are also crucial, according to the brothers. Buyers need to be able to picture themselves living there, which is why Jon and Scott spend time going through homes with clients before they are listed.
And, finally, flow. This may not seem like a priority when selling a home, but the brothers believe it’s extremely important. If a couple pieces of furniture are moved, a room is reorganized or a wall gets removed, it can change a home completely, thus increasing value.
The brothers’ sole goal is their clients’ success and said they will always protect their clients through a strong focus on detail, customer service and high ethical standards; in other words, their clients’ interests are at the forefront of what they do.
“The realtor space is very competitive,” Jon said. “Our rehabbing experience adds another layer of value and knowledge that other realtors aren’t able to offer.”
Whether you’re looking to upsize, downsize or just make a change, Detroit Property Brothers can definitely help. For more information about their service offerings, visit detroitpropertybrothers.com or call Scott’s cell at (248)-915-9894 or Jon’s cell at (248)-854-1932. They are also on social media, including both Facebook and Instagram.
