The Artist's Eye in Brooklyn Real Estate: Tim Stanard's Creative Approach to Property Sales

Written by:

Steve Marcinuk

Date:

30 Jan 2025

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When Tim Stanard transitioned from creative production and art direction to real estate in 2001, he brought with him an artist’s eye that would become his signature advantage in Brooklyn’s competitive market. Now, after more than two decades as a licensed associate broker with Corcoran in Park Slope, Stanard has built a reputation for seeing potential where others might miss it, particularly in Brooklyn’s historic properties.

“I can walk into a room and hang pictures in a way that’s appealing, or set up furniture in a way that creates flow,” Stanard explains, describing how his background in creative direction influences his approach to real estate. This isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about helping clients envision possibilities in spaces that might otherwise seem challenging.

What truly sets Stanard apart is his hands-on approach to property presentation. While many brokers in Manhattan rely on expensive professional staging services, Stanard offers complimentary staging for his listings, drawing from his own carefully curated collection of furniture and accessories. “We have storage units filled with furniture, accessories, rugs, pictures, and lamps,” he says. “There’s a sonic kind of cohesion to the look and feel of the space.”

This attention to detail pays off, particularly in New York’s notoriously compact spaces. “In small spaces, people walk into an empty room and wonder, ‘Where am I going to put my table?'” Stanard notes. “But if you stage it with a couch here, a dining set there, and a little home office setup over here, that’s the only way they can see that it’s possible.”

His process begins with an initial walkthrough where he advises clients on necessary improvements. “We’ll do an initial walk through and say, ‘Okay, you need to paint,’ either because it’s worn or because of the colors,” he explains. These thoughtful touches help properties stand out in a market where renovation costs have skyrocketed since COVID.

Stanard’s creative background also influences how he markets properties. Rather than relying on AI or templates, he writes all his own listing descriptions, forcing himself to really think about what makes each space special. “When it comes time to work on the description, I’m forcing myself to really think about that space, what is special, and the way the light comes in at a certain time of day,” he says. “If everything’s by rote, then you’re not thinking about what makes each property unique.”

This attention to detail and creative approach has earned Stanard numerous high-profile sales, including recent record-breaking transactions in Park Slope. But perhaps more importantly, it’s earned him a reputation for honesty and straightforward dealing. “Nothing’s perfect,” he notes. “I want to be real because people can instantly sniff out when you’re not. There’s nothing worse than walking into a tiny apartment saying ‘look how spacious it is.'”

After more than two decades in the business, Stanard continues to bring his unique creative vision to every property he represents, whether it’s a historic brownstone or a pre-war co-op. His success proves that in real estate, sometimes it takes an artist’s eye to help clients see the true potential of a space.