Celebrity in the House of Green

By Jim Fitzpatrick

Holly Schwartz, media producer and marketing director, Torelli RealtyGreen ladies and gentleman, I would like to introduce Holly Schwartz. Holly most recently spent six years as a producer for HGTV on hit shows like “House Hunters,” a television show that helps people find a new house that fits them. The show explores questions such as what buyers would pay for improvements, and they receive expert feedback. Holly followed people’s stories, when not everyone was selling. In 2006, everything people did – the value went up. Iin 2008, the market changed and all efforts were focused on holding value.

Holly received her education from Boston University ... no wonder she is so smart.

Life after HGTV brought Holly and her husband to Costa Mesa, reflecting an outcome of every city’s ultimate desire to attract young couples intent on finding a community environment conducive to raising a family.

“My husband and I love it here ... great weather. We have met so many great people and there’s less traffic than LA,” beams Holly, and thenfurther demonstrates that life is relative.

Holly now works for Torelli Realty as media producer and marketing director. In my opinion, Realtors play an important role by investing energy to improve communities, and I like this bold move to invest in a youthful energy that will carry a green and sustainable message. Holly will be focused on ramping up her blog and helping Torelli get out their green message of community support and creating awareness of events.

First time I heard of Torelli, I was over in Mesa Verde, and every turn, there it was, a sign advertising a neighborhood garage sale. First I thought, brilliant marketing to further solidify market leadership by circulating potential buyers and sellers in a neighborhood with 150 billboards. Then the true brilliance was evidenced in that garage sales provide an important role in the cycle of Reduce, ReUse and Recycle, while adding economic stimulus within a neighborhood tradition. This Saturday, May 15 is the Mesa Verde Annual Garage Sale. Check it out.

Much of Holly’s endeavors will occur online. That in and of itself is green. Yes, you save lots of trees, but what really makes green initiatives successful and those that experience wide adoption are green in terms of dollars. Electronic marketing saves on printing, and is effective by providing two-way communication with a way to measure a campaign. You go girl!

Time for a transfer of all that green knowledge and experience, from Holly to you:
• Sellers, don't consider doing something that is not eco-friendly … good point.
• Buyers interested in green features represent a hot trend.
• Prioritize features that pay off, don’t over personalize.
• Replacing windows is a no brainer.
• Significant rebates exist to encourage topgrading appliances to Energy Star.
• If targeting a younger buyer, green is appealing. Example: Low maintenance landscaping that is also environmentally friendly.
• Solar has a potentially limited appeal, based on a return from a new buyer.
• If there's a green feature, but at a cost, unlikely interest. If a green feature delivers comfort, and also costs, then yes, there is likely a new buyer.
• Best for last. Contact Mesa Consolidated Water District at (949) 631-1200 to come to your home to perform a water conservation audit. They will convert you over to low flow shower heads and optimize your irrigation to result in meaningful savings. A $40 a month savings is realized as a $14,000 saving on a 30-year note.

Here is a great example of what Holly is bringing to the green table: Torelli is partnering with the world-famous Michael “Recycle” Carey from the 40-year-old OCC Recycling facility on Adams Avenue. “Cans for Kids” is a trend-setting fundraiser for Adams Elementary School the week of June 7. Kids bring in their cans. and the school will share in the redemptions. Torelli will wrap up the week by continuing the recycling efforts at the big Costa Mesa Community Picnic on June 12. Soon, everyone will be doing this.

At the recent Costa Mesa United Golf Tournament fundraiser held at Mesa Verde Country Club, Torelli bought the fire hydrant donated by Mesa Consolidated Water District. MCWD creatively “recycles” the hydrants they replace, and donates them to help raise money. Great idea, and thank you Torelli Realty for recognizing that fact with your wallet. I say paint that sucker green or blue to have this unique piece stimulate a dialogue about water.

Jim Fitzpatrick is a contributing writer to the Daily Voice. His Green Living column appears every Friday.

Comments

[jim fisler]

thanks Jim for the article. We at Torelli Realty are blessed to have Holly on our team, she is getting all of us involved in many different activities. Besides being a Realtor for Torelli, I am on the Board of Directors for Mesa Consolidated Water District so double thanks for mentioning us also. An all gold fire hydrant looks cool too, check out the one in our district offices. Keep up the good work Jim

[Ginn]

Keep up the good informative work. All the best.

[Jose Fernandez]

Nice.

[Denise]

I like hearing about local folks and activities.

[Eric B. Boyd]

I am glad to read your article, very intere-Refills for salesting.Hope there have more good article published.