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Before the pandemic, the “Million Dollar Listing” star Fredrik Eklund and his fellow listing agent Ben Bacal had a problem.
A $32 million estate in Beverly Hills had sat on the market for three years. How were they to rekindle interest in a high-end home that had languished on the market for far too long?
Eklund is well-known to fans of “MDL: New York” for the outrageous, crowd-packed parties he’s held at posh properties he represents. But this time, he chose a different direction.
He and Bacal made an irreverent video that’s part “Star Wars” homage and part property promo.
“It was about standing out and having fun, and making something memorable through digital media. It’s fun and warm,” Eklund says.
Fast forward to the present day. California has gone into lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Real estate agents have pivoted to digital showings, Instagram live open houses, and online notaries to close deals.
So Eklund and Bacal’s virtual sales pitch was (unfortunately) prescient. Right now, it’s the only way to see the home in action while maintaining social distance guidelines. Potential buyers can simply press play. So far, the YouTube video has received almost 16,000 views.
“I can honestly say that the developments in these past seven days were truly the turning point, with the implementation of social distancing pivoting all normal [home-selling] procedures,” Bacal told us in an email.
“With that said, despite the changing climate, we felt positive that the video concept itself was so playful and the home itself is so stunning, we all decided to move forward [with the release], no matter what.”
Titled “May the Sale Be With You,” the clip takes place in a SoCal galaxy in a time that already seems long, long ago.
The scene opens with Eklund, in Jedi white, awaking in the master wing of the house, and taking in the views from his private balcony. On an opposing balcony, Bacal, as a Darth Vader-like figure in black, glowers back.
Eklund enjoys a bubble bath, Bacal grills red meat. Eklund glides across the pool, Bacal strides by a fire feature.
The two finally confront each other, and joust with light sabers. Then, the fantasy snaps to reality, and cuts to the two agents playing on the lawn to amuse kids at a children’s birthday party (Eklund’s twins have a cameo). The green space is large enough to accommodate a bouncy house easily.
While not big enough for a galaxy, the home could certainly house a family and plenty of friends—of all ages.
“We wanted to really emphasize that particular contemporary estate offers a luxurious family lifestyle experience,” says Bacal.
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With 12,800 square feet, the layout includes seven bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. Built in 2016, the home has never been lived in and is “made for entertaining,” according to the listing details.
The large space spans two stories with floating staircases, walls of glass, and a sumptuous indoor-outdoor flow. The living room opens out to the backyard, and the gourmet kitchen includes a center island that doubles as a breakfast bar.
The master suite has a walk-out balcony and en suite bathroom with a deep soaking tub big enough even for the long-legged Eklund.
Outside, the acre lot includes a swimming pool, grassy lawn, dining area, as well as water and fire features. The outdoor space can easily host parties, whether for adults or children, as well as sports practices and barbecues.
Jedi or not, sales strategies have changed.
“We have taken all our showings to Instagram live open houses and have already had multiple offers come in. We will continue to show the home as much as possible, while ensuring the safety of ourselves and our clients,” says Bacal.
The post Fredrik Eklund Markets $32M Home With ‘Star Wars’ Homage Video appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
source https://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/fredrik-eklund-markets-32m-home-with-star-wars-homage-video/
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