The Office is VITALity

by Sr. Staff Writer & Graphic Designer,Melanie Robitaille

The true irony of brokerages closing their doors, and the rise of no-brokerage models is that it all negates human connection. Without it, there can be no collaboration, no serendipitous meeting of the minds or like-minded people, and in Franchisee, Benny Diasparra’s and Jeff Mistretta’s case, they may have never gotten to where they are today without it.

They recently created office greatness with their new, EXIT Realty Premier location that just opened. It’s their testament to what offices could and should be in today’s real estate markets, and what they see agents in the business craving.

“Many people in the industry believe real estate agents don’t need an office any longer. That’s like saying human beings thrive without community or interacting with other humans. Sorry, but that’s not biologically accurate,” Jeff unabashedly pointed out in a recent Facebook post that caught many people’s attention.

The real reason real estate brokers have convinced themselves that their agents don’t need community is because building a community in an industry where everyone is an independent contractor isn’t easy. It takes commitment. It’s endless hours each week, each month, each year, providing endless value and endless support.

Despite facing some obstacles in finding that Goldilocks space, Benny finally found the one, though it needed a total overhaul. Both are proud of this new location that exemplifies their shared visions, which directly align with EXIT’s values, and are a big part of how they both ended up under the teal banner. They were brought together as strangers who each found their way to EXIT at different times but for similar reasons. Benny and his past partner, Rob Leggat owned an independent and were looking to make the switch to a franchise model that would help them and their agents all grow together when they met EXIT Realty New York Metro Regional Owner, Hector Castillo.

“The EXIT model and Formula was perfect for us,” Benny recalled. “Within a few short years, we became a dominant force in the Bronx, and in 2015 I was able to purchase EXIT Realty Premier in Massapequa, a successful office with amazing agents.”

At the same time, Jeff was interviewing with EXIT Realty Achieve Franchisee, Susan Hamblen, after learning about EXIT from a friend and colleague, Michael Keirsey who made the switch from another brand for a better company culture. After doing some research of his own, and only hearing good things about EXIT around town, he too made the switch, and went from agent to office manager, and then onto part owner in only a few years’ time.

The three would meet a few years later and a seed was planted in Benny in that moment, he explained, saying, “I met Jeff through Susan, who was an incredible broker at EXIT Realty Achieve. I knew that I wanted to align myself with these two individuals at some point in the future.” So, when Benny’s partner decided he wanted to slow down, Jeff was invited and ready to join forces at EXIT Realty Premier. Together Jeff and Benny have created a winning combination of collaborative work environment and continuous support for agents, where they remain committed to their number one priority of growing their professionals, because as Jeff explained, “The greatest impact you can have on individuals has been, and will always be, face to face.”

So many people, all tied to one place, but these relationships would likely not have been possible without an organization that believes in the vital power of both human connection and spirit.

The EXIT Realty Premier staff and agents at their recent grand opening.