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| Oct 30, 2011 |
1stdibs launches Fine Homes & designer picks
Boh staff
By Staff

“1stdibs has a big following among the world’s most affluent consumers—who buy big-ticket items on a regular basis—and among designers and architects, who are all secretly real estate junkies like me,” said 1stdibs founder Michael Bruno, who began his career as a real estate agent. In fact, the inspiration for 1stdibs over a decade ago with high-end antiques came from the multiple listing serving used in the real estate industry.

Fine Homes launched this week, adding to the existing business of antiques (furniture, jewelry and fashion) and fine art. “This search brings those elements together, giving designers a pipeline to hot new properties on the market and enticing 1stdibs visitors to buy a house they didn’t even know they were looking for," said Bruno.

Currently, 1stdibs real estate listings are selected from Corcoran and Coldwell Banker Previews, and Bruno plans to expand to other firms in time.

1stdibs shoppers can search by traditional terms such as location, bedrooms and price, but beyond that they can search by 'designers picks' and use design style as an additional filter.

"Most of the great houses that get sold are to people who are not in the market to buy a house," Bruno told the Wall Street Journal. "There's something emotional when you come across a new piece of property; it's like a new lover. You get carried away."

Nineteen designers including Amy Lau, Campion Platt, Kathryn Ireland, Kelly Wearstler, Vicente Wolf have selected their 'Hot Property Picks' to accompany their project archive, product designs and custom designs, which reside in their new Style Compass page. Part of 1stdibs' 'favorite designers', each of these designers now has a profile from which to display images of  project and product designs, as well as promote their blogs, books, events, and more.

According to Corcoran president and CEO, Pamela Liebman, “High-end properties belong on 1stdibs as real estate is the ultimate collector’s purchase.  Showcasing Corcoran homes among the superb 1stdibs inventory is an extraordinary opportunity to feature the best among the best. 1stdibs visitors now have the final item on their shopping list--a home to live in with their beautiful purchases.”

“I have long admired Michael Bruno and the success of 1stdibs,” adds Betty Graham, president of NRT’s Coldwell Banker Previews International division.  “We are thrilled to provide 1stdibs with luxury real estate content that further complements the desire of today’s luxury consumer—to have a one-stop shop for the most beautiful things on earth.”

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