Michelle Berriman

I read the recent article in The Post about how“quick-fix” renovations can be so profitable. And I smiled a little. Because I wish some of those houses were “quick fixes.” The truth is, the homes I buy are rarely glossy before-and-afters waiting to happen. They are usually cold. Dark. Tired. Sometimes neglected for decades. Often with layouts that simply don’t work for modern life. They are the homes people walk into and say, “It’s just too much.” The House No One Wanted I remember standing...

Let’s be honest. Saying no to someone is uncomfortable, especially when they have taken the time to come out, walk the job, and prepare a quote. For many people, this is the very reason they avoid getting multiple quotes in the first place. It feels easier to just say yes than to have the awkward conversation. But here is the mindset shift that changed everything for me. I am not choosing against you. I am choosing for me. And that changes the energy completely. When I choose one trade over...

A conversation I had recently really stayed with me. Another property trader told me she doesn’t like asking trades for quotes, especially the ones she uses regularly. “It feels like I’m wasting their time,” she said. “And if I get more than one, how do I say no to the others?” I understood exactly what she meant. When you work with good people, you don’t want it to feel transactional, and you don’t want to damage the relationship. But here’s what I’ve learned after years of renovating. A...