The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1347392
What is the most important thing to look for in a realtor? At our office, what we're doing is changing local real estate-- that's what we're all about. We saw the need in the industry years ago to do more than just take some pictures and put them on the MLS -- anybody can do that; cross their fingers, put it on the MLS, and wait around and hope someone sells it. We take a more proactive approach to our changing local real estate and go far beyond that through our marketing, through our social media, through everything. What made you realize the importance of going above and beyond for your clients? Seeing what could be done and the excitement you can bring. Every day we're looking for buyers. We are constantly looking for innovative ways to advertise and are investing in all of our listings. There has to be a value there. There are so many different ways, but I think that the industry as a whole just became complacent. Everybody just sat back, and even now, in a great market. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT JASON FAILLA PHONE: 973.227.7000 | MOBILE: 973.417.3222 | WWW.CENTURY21WESSEX.COM 8 WHITEHALL RD | TOWACO, NJ 07082 What are some other things to look for in an agent? One thing that we're super proud of is that we have something called the seller-service pledge, which basically says that if you're not happy with our services, you can cancel with us that day and enlist with somebody else. It's a guarantee and something that all Century 21's have. But again, it makes total sense, because the fear from the public was, "This agent isn't going, to be honest with me. They're going to just put a sign in my yard, tell me whatever I want to hear, and they're going to keep that listing for a year, or six months." We are a day-to-day listing, so it's a guarantee that we're going to be there working for you and we're going to deliver on our promises. It also makes us have those tough conversations that most agents shy away from. And if we're not doing our jobs and we're not being honest with you, you can cancel it and move on the next day. What sets you apart from other realtors? I am putting my efforts into a Go Local campaign in order to counteract that non-personal experience that other automated real estate websites are pushing for. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but we're counteracting it, because we know that our agents are the former school teacher, the stay-at- home mom or the kids' baseball coach. That local knowledge of where to get a beer at night or what restaurants have the best burgers, or where to put my kids in daycare-- you can't get that anywhere else. You can't ask Google and get those honest answers. You get reviews, but you can't get that agent who's lived it. Ninety-eight percent of my agents are local, live in that town that they're selling in, or live in an adjacent town. We lean on each other to get the answers that people need. That's that face-to-face interaction that can't be replaced with any business that's going to 'automate' us. They can't give that knowledge that we have, that people count on. V U E N J .C O M 77