Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Drawert
Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Here’s the story of how I quit Deloitte after 12 years as a successful business leader to become a General Contractor with my own home renovation business! My first home renovation was actually my childhood home in Atlanta. My mom, who was a single working parent when I was growing up, had battled breast cancer off and on for 20 years and was suddenly given 3 months to live when the cancer spread to her brain. She needed money to help pay for medical bills, but she had no savings, and her only financial asset was her home. Unfortunately, her home was a time capsule out of the 70’s, severely out of date and in disrepair. I had an appraisal and was told she would likely only get $100K at most from an investor, which was not even enough to cover the $140K she still owed on the home. My friend was a realtor in Atlanta and told me that if I updated the home, it would be worth so much more, especially in that school district. So I took a personal leave of absence from my job at Deloitte and began the process of updating the home with all the latest design choices that buyers want, as advised by my realtor friend. I spent $85K and my completely refreshed childhood home got an offer for $323K! I was able to use the money to pay off what my Mom owed, and move her to my home in Dallas, where she received the latest cancer treatments at Southwest Medical Center and lived 18 more months. Now I’ve spent the last 3 years helping others like my Mom to increase the value of their homes through strategic and affordable cosmetic renovations.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I began my business I discovered four things I would have to overcome:
1.) The Market – Dallas is a very difficult market for selling pre-sale home renovations, because updates are not needed. As one of the fastest growing markets, the inventory of homes for sale is very low. So sellers can take advantage of desperate competing buyers and put their home on the market as is, even with out of date features, and still get offers from people desperate to find a home. So I knew my job was not necessarily to help the homes sell faster but to sell for a higher price than they would without updates.
2.) Realtors – Many realtors do not think about home renovations as a way to increase the price point of a home. They are focused on getting the home on the market quickly, using marketing techniques to highlight the best parts of each home. Renovations are perceived as risky, expensive, and delay time to market, creating nothing but unnecessary headaches for Realtors and their clients. So I knew I would need to assure them that I can move quickly, affordably, and make sure the updates are as stress free as possible for them.
3.) Homeowners – So many people have pride in their homes, and all of the unique design choices and personal stamps they have made. It can be difficult to convince sensitive homeowners that new buyers will want more neutral timeless updates that allow them to see the home as their own. Not to mention moving is stressful, and there was likely a stressful life event causing the need for that move. So stressful home renovations are the last thing they need in their lives at this moment, and they don’t often see that updates need to be made. So my ability to earn trust in my first conversations with homeowners would be key to success.
4.) Competition – I discovered there were so many other companies and general contractors who did not have a very good reputation or track record. It seems everyone has heard of a bad renovation story, so as a general contractor, getting realtors and homeowners to trust you is an uphill battle that takes time. So it would be important to build strong referral relationships with realtors and homeowners over time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in strategic cosmetic renovations. My goal is to identify the most affordable and impactful ways to add value to a home. I would say I am known for five key strengths:
1.) Speed – I am super fast. I have a readily available team of amazing craftsmen and craftswomen who have been working for me for 3 years and know what it takes to get a job done quickly so we can get homes on the market without wasting any time. My projects are only 2-4 weeks on average. And I can even do smaller projects like kitchen refreshes in as little as four days.
2.) Design – My design choices are neutral, timeless, elegant, high quality and impactful. My goal is to help attract the most buyers to imagine themselves in that home. And to make sure they remember that home among the others they are looking at.
3.) Project Managment – My years leading projects and teams in the corporate world have made me an excellent project manager. I keep my clients informed daily on progress, and I complete my projects on time, within budget, and do whatever I can to avoid any surprises or stress for my clients who are already facing enough stress from their move and whatever life event caused the need for that move.
4.) Relationships – I look beyond the single project transaction and instead approach each client as a lifelong relationship. This is why I work with the same realtors over and over again, and why homeowners call me back for future projects and refer me to their family and friends.
5.) Focus – I quit corporate America to have time to spend with my family, church, and community. As a result I do not take on more than 1-2 projects at a time. I limit my projects to be sure I am moving quickly and efficiently and giving the personal attention and focus that each of my clients deserve.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Not necessarily a book, app, or podcast, but I am obsessed with home tours in Dallas. I especially love seeing how older homes are restored, and how smaller homes find strategic use of space. My favorite is the Hollywood Heights home tour, but you’ll find me at as many other home tours as I can get to throughout the year.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sarahdrawert
Image Credits
Stephen Simmons
Photographer
Vantage Point Photography, LLC
