Gail Petersen Bell
Broker & Senior Vice President at Compass
18 Shipyard Drive, Suite 3C, Hingham 781-844-3277 [email protected] gailpetersenbell.com
What sets you apart as a realtor?
I’ve been a regional top-producing broker for a very long time and have worked on many types of transactions, but I specialize in luxury properties, new construction, antique homes and my exclusive Transitions for Rightsizers program. I am the only broker on the South Shore to be certified by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to market unique and antique properties and I host regular seminars on downsizing. Additionally, I was formerly the President of the Board of Realtors, a Realtor of the Year and producer of the award-winning cable show, “The Home Center with Gail Bell.” I have learned so many aspects of the business that now help me to best serve my clients.
What inspired you to join Compass?
I’ve worked in real estate for 35 years. My mother was a realtor, so I grew up with dinner discussions about all things real estate. I was taught how to calculate mortgage payments while in junior high school! After owning Home Center Real Estate for 25 years, I affiliated my two offices in Hingham and Cohasset with Sotheby’s. After I sold the company, I was interested in affiliating with a forward-thinking firm. Compass was the only company offering unique and revolutionary thinking, products, support and philosophy. It has been life-changing for me. Compass’ Concierge Program is the best thing that has happened in real estate for years. I now am growing my own team—The Gail Bell Group—at Compass. It’s currently a team of seven!
What is Transitions and who does it serve?
Transitions is a company that I formed over 20 years ago to guide empty-nesters and seniors through the process of downsizing from their family homes to a more manageable lifestyle. I watched my own mother struggle through the downsizing process, despite her experience helping others, and that showed me that there was a strong need to design a specialized program for this growing group of baby-boomers! We take a holistic approach that not only oversees the preparation for market, it also focuses on the emotional magnitude and complexity of selling a family home. It uniquely serves anyone navigating the somewhat daunting process of downsizing.
What advice would you give to sellers who want to avoid having their home sit on the market?
I always stress to my clients the importance of decluttering, depersonalizing, staging, and doing necessary repairs. In other words, fully preparing the home for the marketplace and then pricing it correctly, right out of the gate.
What do you love most about your job?
I actually don’t consider assisting people during their real estate experience a job. To me, it is a privilege.