David Simonini

By Jody Rookstool | February 20, 2019 | Category Interview, Real Estate

David Simonini is an important figure in the real estate world in the American South. His company, the Simonini Group, designs and builds luxury single family homes, neighborhood design and construction as well as affordable housing. He is responsible for bringing European style and influence to the architecture in Charlotte, North Carolina. Simonini’s architectural vision and sense of style make his luxury homes much sought-after in the market.

Simonini creates an exciting vision for new developments in the Carolinas. All of his housing units, including his affordable units, have architectural innovations that set them apart from the crowd. His modern farmhouse style townhouses are becoming popular, drawing on current trends in real estate and interior design.

David Simonini has been able to take advantage of the recently enacted Trump Opportunity Zones, using a program which rewards businesses for investing in high-poverty areas. His development in Lancaster, South Carolina comprises 72 brand new apartments with 2- and 3-bedroom options. The project is expected to be fully occupied, helping to ease the strain on the affordable housing market in Lancaster.

Simonini is an expert builder with an exciting vision. He will continue to be an influential figure in real estate circles in the Carolinas.

What do you know about the real estate industry?

I am well-versed in the real estate industry. My company focuses on new construction that will enhance the beauty of the location .

Have you ever sold real estate? How did you make it happen?

I sell real estate frequently. Often, I work with custom building clients to create their dream home. I also sell finished properties to a wider audience. Selling real estate is easy when you have high-quality housing stock and when you have nothing to hide from the buyer. I can imagine that it would be harder if you were trying to sell existing homes which have their own problems.

I feel that my homes sell themselves. With a little bit of promotion, we are able to draw in a discerning set of buyers.

How much experience do you have in buying or selling real estate?

I am very experienced. I have been selling homes in the Carolinas since the 1990s. I built the first million-dollar spec home in Charlotte.

Have you ever made a sale or a purchase you have regretted?

There are very few instances where I have felt like I didn’t get the best part of a real estate deal. I do remember one incident when the buyer balked at the price and we lowered it more than we should have. It’s difficult to bounce back from an error like that, and we haven’t made the same mistake since.

What advice would you give inexperienced people who are wanting to buy or sell?

I would tell inexperienced people to be sure they have a realtor and a real estate lawyer who are on their side and truly ready to fight for them. It’s a mistake to use a realtor who isn’t fully vested with your concerns. Don’t expect the seller’s realtor to help you; they have the seller’s interests in mind. Build a solid relationship with a real estate lawyer as well. They can help you with closing and with other difficult aspects of buying and selling a home.

What have you found to be the best way to market property?

I have found that social media is a great way to bring attention to housing. I use social media as a supplement to more traditional kinds of marketing. The nice thing about social media is that posts often go viral, with people sharing them with their friends. That helps to drive interest in our homes.