October 2017 by Featured Agent

October 2017

Warm up — Fall home staging tips

Real estate designations —

What you need to know

Lori Jacobson also featured:

Kelly Bastman The Elite Group New Jersey

contents

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professionals 4

Warm up — Fall home staging tips

Ramping up — Is it time to hire a real estate coach?

Top 10 Traits of successful real estate agents

t featured cover agent

Lori Jacobson q featured agent

Kelly Bastman

q featured agents

The Elite Group New Jersey

buyers&sellers 7

Real Estate Designations â&#x20AC;&#x201D; What you need to know

Should you rent or buy? Ask yourself these 5 questions

18 Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Warm up — Fall home staging tips

As the days get shorter, the air gets cooler, and the leaves start crunching underfoot, there’s no mistaking it — fall has arrived! That means it’s time to get back to creating cozy, inviting spaces when staging your listings — so put away the nautical accents and sunbleached colors and break out the decorative pumpkins and spicy scented candles. Here are several ways you can stage a home for fall.

Start Outside — Creating a fall feeling begins before you even open the front door. Place a pumpkin on the porch, create a grouping of potted fall flowers such as mums, coneflowers and asters, and hang a beautiful fall wreath on the door to establish an autumn mood from the very start. Add a new welcome mat 4

to catch moisture and mud and keep the yard looking neat and tidy by making sure leaves are raked and gutters are clear.

Shift the Color Palette — This fall’s color trends are a comforting mix of earth and sky. Worldwide color authority Pantone points to medium blues, mid-tone golds, and rustic reds, grounded by deep grays and warm taupe, as the colors of the season. Incorporate these hues into accent pieces, wall art, throw rugs, bed linens and towels to create an on-trend look.

Add Touchable Textures — While summer is all about keeping cool, fall is time to get cozy. Bring out the throw blankets and add extra decorative pillows Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Quick Fall Staging Tips • Incorporate on-trend colors including medium blue, gold, deep gray & taupe • Bring back cozy textures like corduroy, tweed & faux fur • Showcase arrangements of autumn leaves, fruits & vegetables • Add a special touch with fall home fragrance • Don’t overdo Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations

pears, gourds or ornamental pumpkins are an easy, inexpensive way to add a fall feeling to any room. Soaking pumpkins and gourds in a mix of warm water and dish soap for 10 minutes, then letting them dry thoroughly in a warm, sunny window before putting them on display will help them last longer.

in rich fabrics like corduroy, brocade, faux fur, and microfiber suede. Just like we layer clothing this time of year, layering textiles creates a feeling of stylish warmth.

Incorporate Seasonal Scents — Pumpkin spice, warm vanilla, energizing cinnamon, juicy pomegranate — fall is filled with delicious scents that create a warm and welcoming feeling. Place candles or reed diffusers in strategic places throughout the home to subtly scent the air with these evocative aromas. For an extra luxurious touch, add similarly scented hand soaps to each bathroom.

Embrace the Harvest — Decorative ceramic, wooden, or enameled metal bowls filled with apples,

Remember, fall isn’t just a season, it’s a state of mind. Now you’re ready to stage a home for fall, even if you live a climate that still feels more like summer.

Rearrange the Room — Shift the focus from the outside and bring it back into the heart of the home. Arrange clustered groupings of furniture to create areas that are conducive to conservation. If the room has a fireplace, make that the focal point by directing seating toward it and enhancing the mantle with a garland of fall foliage.

Light it Up — Fall’s shorter days and softer light means you’ll want to make sure the home’s interior is well-lit for showings in the afternoon and evening. Make sure to turn on lights in every room and have warm light visible in the front windows to create an inviting glow.

featuredagent Kelly Bastman magazine

As the daughter of a commercial developer, Kelly Bastman grew up fascinated by the real estate industry. After completing her service with the U.S. Navy in 2000, she earned her real estate license in Virginia and set out to help fellow sailors as they disembarked from their journeys and pursued homeownership. All the while, she was balancing two young children and overcoming her fair share of hurdles. But when finally given the opportunity to shine in her first office role, she quickly proved to be an asset and earned the Rookie of the Year Award in only nine short months. In 2005, she earned her license in California and went on to establish her own practice, Bastman Properties, which formally opened its doors in 2017. Applying the same tenacity that jump-started her career, Kelly has cultivated a sterling professional reputation built on excellent service, intrepid negotiating skills, and an abiding commitment to integrity.

Serving the Southern California region — from Los Angeles to San Diego and all the counties in between — Kelly specializes in both residential and commercial sales. What’s more, Kelly and her office proudly cater to the area’s vibrant LGBT community. With half of her business driven by repeat and referral clientele, Kelly’s no-nonsense approach and fierce negotiating power have proven to be both effective and memorable. To alleviate the stress of a milestone transaction like buying or selling a home, Kelly maintains clear and steady communication with her clients throughout a transaction. “I keep clients very informed throughout the process,” Kelly says. “If I can demystify something scary like purchasing a home and turn it into a positive experience, I can set families up for a lifetime of real estate investing and ownership. It’s my goal to make every client feel like they’re my only client.”

When it comes to selling a property, Kelly takes a proactive approach to stay ahead of the industry curve. For instance, her office was among the first in the area to utilize drones to bolster the marketing of their listings. Likewise, Kelly’s office is an approved government contractor, adding distinct value to their services. Altogether, Kelly’s well-rounded experience in the industry affords her keen

insight when it comes to negotiating — a skill that puts her clients in the best possible position when it comes to hammering out a contract’s details. She counts her strategic approach to closing a deal as one of the greatest values she offers to clients. “Real estate is not a cookie cutter business and all agents aren’t created equal,” she says. “To represent a seller, the focus has to be on efficiency and productivity. It has to be done in a strategic way and I pride myself on calculating the strategy behind it all.”

While her ability to deliver is proven, Kelly never loses sight of the person or family at the heart of each home that’s bought or sold. “My clients know that they can count on me and that I’ll work on their behalf long after the transaction is over,” she explains. “I don’t treat or make my clients feel like they’re just a number. I work extremely hard to do whatever needs to be done during the transaction — whether I’m working on a land deal, a giant commercial building, or a house of any size. And the relationship doesn’t end just because the transaction closes.” Beyond the lasting relationships forged while working with clients, Kelly relishes the day-to-day changes inherent in the real estate world. “I love that every single day is different and the opportunity to learn and grow is never-ending. This job is a tremendous way to have time for and provide for a family and to do exciting work and not be stuck behind a desk.”

To give back to her community, Kelly and her family are very active in supporting research efforts for Type 1 Diabetes, a condition her son suffers from. In their free hours, she and her family enjoy staying active — from paddle boarding and scuba diving, to skiing, riding motorcycles in the desert, and camping.

As for the future, Kelly has plans to mindfully grow her business, taking the time to add team members year-byyear as she builds a well-vetted roster. She also hopes to one day expand her business into additional areas. Today, Kelly continues on at her thriving enterprise, equipped with nearly two decades of experience and an enduring passion for her industry. Fueled by integrity and a genuine investment in her clients’ successes, the road ahead is bound to be bright for Kelly Bastman and her team.

Kelly Bastman Bastman Properties | Lake Elsinore, CA 951.236.0176 | kelly@bastmanproperties.com | www.bastmanproperties.com 6

Real estate designations — What you need to know The real estate industry is laden with opportunities for professionals within the field to continue their education for a lifetime. In fact, any agent identifying as a professional REALTOR,® has committed to abide by a very strict Code of Ethics, as mandated by the National Association of REALTORS.® In addition to adhering to these standards of professionalism, many real estate agents choose to earn additional certifications in specialized fields within real estate.

From a consumer’s standpoint, these extra-mile efforts signify a real estate professional’s dedication to education and a true desire to serve as an advocate for buyers and sellers. Here is a look at some of the many designations that real estate agents opt to earn through the Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

National Association of REALTORS,® and other real estate associations. Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) When an agent has the initials ABR after their name, this indicates they have earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation through the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council. Agents with the ABR designation have completed the requirements which focus on working directly with buyers through all stages of buying a home. Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) — Real estate professionals who boast the initials CCIM after their name have earned this 7

Although agents are not required to earn any of these specific designations, when you find an agent who has multiple initials after their name, you can rely on the fact that the agent has invested his or her own money to continue their education and sharpen their skills, all in effort to best serve you as a consumer. designation after 200 hours of classroom and professional experiential requirements. The Certified Commercial Investment Member designation is earned through the CCIM Institute. REALTORS,® brokers, property managers, developers, asset managers, leasing professionals and others choose to earn this degree as the education and training involved yields realworld expertise in negotiation, along with financial, market and investment analysis.

the Military Relocation Professional certification aims to educate real estate professionals on the unique needs that current and former military service members may have, and how to best serve military clients.

Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) — Agents who have earned the CIPS designation through the National Association of REALTORS® successfully attended and completed five full-day courses which focus on vital and unique aspects of international real estate transactions.

Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) — The SRS designation is earned through the Real Estate Business Institute, and is considered a premier credential for listing and selling agents. Requirements to earn this designation include specific educational and practical experiences. Achieving the Seller Representative Specialist designation denotes that agents have dedicated themselves to elevating professional standards, and demonstrate that they maintain the knowledge and skills vital to professionally, and ethically represent home sellers.

e-Pro — The e-Pro designation is earned through the National Association of REALTORS.® This program focuses on sophisticated technology and digital initiatives, and how to apply tech to real estate, as a means of better serving clients’ needs.

Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR) These initials indicate that a real estate professional has successfully completed a program designed to work with distressed sellers, in conjunction with finance tax and legal professionals to help them through a short sale. Agents who have earned this are also seasoned in negotiating with lenders, and protecting buyers.

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) — The CRS designation is the highest credential a residential sales agent, manager, or broker can earn, and is offered through the Council of Residential Specialists. Out of more than 1 million REALTORS,® less than 3% have earned the designation of Certified Residential Specialist. Agents who earn this designation, complete nearly twice as many transactions annually, compared to other agents.

Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) — Offered through the National Association of REALTORS,® agents who have earned the GRI designation have gone through additional education and training in legal and regulatory issues, along with an emphasis on technology, sales processes, and professional standards. Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Presented by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council, 8

Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) — The fastest growing market in real estate continues to be clients over the age of 50. The SRES Designation program is an educational program which teaches real estate professionals how to ethically serve this specific market. The SRES designation is available

It’s worth noting that individual state real estate associations often offer additional designations, which REALTORS® may also opt to earn. Although agents are not required to earn any of these specific designations, when you find an agent who has multiple initials after their name, you can rely on the fact that the agent has invested his or her own money to continue their education and sharpen their skills, all in effort to best serve you as a consumer.

Ramping up —

Is it time to hire a real estate coach? When you consider that even professional athletes earning tens of millions of dollars a year rely on a coach to help them perform their best, it is clear that everyone can benefit from a coach. Indeed, the argument can be made and supported that even those at the top of their career can benefit from the mentorship, guidance, and insight that a coach can provide. This is certainly true in real estate. But how do you know if you’re ready to ramp up your business and hire a real estate coach? Here are three signs that it may be time to hire a coach, along with reasons why they are worth the investment. You Have a Positive Attitude Towards Both Personal and Professional Growth — It has been said time and again that the only constant in real Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

estate is change. Though this is often referring to the changing cycle of real estate markets, it applies to professionals in the space as well. That is, if you’re not changing by way of growing as a real estate agent, you’re setting the stage for stagnation. On the other hand, if you welcome the opportunity to learn new ways to attract clients, better methods for negotiation, savvier means of generating referrals, and you’re willing to put forth the work to do these things, you’re ready to grow under the guidance of a coach. You Know That You Need Help in Certain Areas — Hiring a coach is only going to be useful if you are coachable (AKA teachable). In order to make the most of your experience with a real estate coach, you must be willing to look at your shortcomings, 9

When you consider that even professional athletes earning tens of millions of dollars a year rely on a coach to help them perform their best, it is clear that everyone can benefit from a coach.

and/or areas of strength. If you think there is nothing left for you to learn, hiring a real estate coach will only waste time and money. You’re Prepared for the Financial Investment ‘You have to spend money to make money,’ is a timetested truism in real estate. Just like you need to spend money on marketing listings, or marketing yourself as an agent, in order to make money via commission, it’s a good idea to invest in coaching.

If you know you need help, have a positive attitude about growth and learning, and are willing and able to make the financial investment into your long-term success, you’re in a great position to hire a real estate coach. After all, real estate coaches can help to: • Assist you in sharpening your tech skills

• Engage in role-playing to manage and serve clients with a higher level of professionalism • Guide you through proven prospecting methods • Help you learn to set and maintain a budget

• Hold you accountable to your sales, marketing, and lead generation goals

• Offer alternative viewpoints on any areas of conflict with clients or colleagues

• Provide you with feedback on various sales strategies

• Walk you through fear of failure (or success)

Real estate coaches can clearly be worth their weight in gold when it comes to taking your business to new 10

heights, but how do you find the right real estate coach? Here are four tips to help you find the coach best suited to your needs.

Ask for Referrals — Just like your buyers or sellers can be an unlimited source of potential income for you, your fellow REALTORS® can offer the same through referring you to a real estate coach who has helped them. Consider asking some of the top producers in your region who they count on for guidance and coaching. Research and Research Some More Compare the various programs offered by coaches to determine which offerings seem to be the best fit for your needs. Read reviews, watch videos, and reach out to others who have used specific coaches and/or coaching services.

Confirm the Coach’s Experience — It’s vital that your coach has practical experience, and a proven track record of success in real estate, so you can be sure you’re hiring a true professional who knows how to succeed.

Schedule a Consultation — It’s important that you and your coach are compatible. Scheduling a quick consultation to assure that your personalities mesh, and that you feel comfortable both talking and listening to your coach is crucial for a successful relationship and ensuing success.

When you’re ready to finesse your skills, identify and improve upon weaknesses, and see your business reach new heights, it’s time to hire a real estate coach. By following these best practices, you’ll be well positioned to accomplish your short-term goals, while laying a solid foundation for achieving long-term professional goals you have in mind. Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Lori Jacobson

Lori Jacobson was born with real estate in her blood. As far back as she can remember, Lori was attending open houses and tagging along at the office with her mother, a successful agent and business-owner. At the young age of 16, she began working as her mother’s assistant, and in 2008, Lori made the auspicious transition to take over the family practice, with years of insider experience already under her belt. Finally, in 2011, Lori accomplished a lifelong dream: to open her own boutique firm. Today, with decades of passion and experience funneled into her enterprise, Lori finds herself at the helm of a flourishing career as broker and owner of DFW Legacy Real Estate Group. Having built a memorably superior experience for each client she serves, Lori’s endeavor has built a reputation grounded by familyfriendly and team-oriented values. 12

Spearheading her work in the Dallas - Fort Worth area, Lori works with her team, acting as the main touchpoint for all of her clients. She offers her expertise to sellers and buyers alike, favoring a personal approach applied to all transactions. From the outset, Lori goes the extra mile to establish trust with those she serves — taking the time to learn about their lives, family, hobbies, and overarching goals. “You walk into my office as a client, but you leave as my friend,” she reflects. No matter the circumstances, Lori always prioritizes her clients’ needs and best interests, making herself readily accessible throughout the buying or selling processes. Ultimately, it is Lori’s commitment to lasting interpersonal connections that energizes her daily work. “I am in this business to help people,” she explains. “It’s important to me that I build long-term relationships, and I treat my clients Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

“I love meeting different families, connecting with them and helping them find a new home. For me, that brings me all the joy and satisfaction in the world.” and fellow agents like I would my family.” Lori’s consistent dedication to client-centric care has earned her an impressive rate of repeat and referral clientele — a staggering 90% of her business. Placing a high premium on forthright communication and responsiveness, Lori not only keeps clients in the loop during a deal, but also stays in contact long after a transaction is complete, to act as a resource in service of her clients’ needs.

To market her listings, Lori utilizes a variety of online resources to reach the widest possible audience, Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

incorporating social media and digital listing platforms to ensure maximum exposure. To display listings in their best light, Lori personally lends a hand to her clients — helping them clean-up the yard, or complete paint touch-ups. As a longstanding member of her tight-knit community, she has established a reputation for her office as a prominent local branch, progressively becoming more wellknown all across town. What’s more, keeping in touch with past clients comes naturally to Lori, as she tends to build lasting friendships with many of her clients. In fact, considering what she loves most 13

about her work, Lori says, “I love meeting different families, connecting with them and helping them find a new home. For me, that brings me all the joy and satisfaction in the world.” Following wise career advice she once received, Lori approaches each day knowing that while she can’t control all matter of events, she always has the ability to turn it into a win. Thus, she approaches all challenges with a can-do attitude, undaunted by obstacles.

Beyond the office, Lori is actively engaged in her local community. She can be found at every high school football game giving away hotdogs, hamburgers and t-shirts. At every closing, a percentage of the sale goes to an organization called Caring for Community, which supports local police in getting

new bullet-proof uniforms. During Christmas time, Lori is involved with Everybody Loves Everybody, a local toy drive for children in low income areas. As for her free hours, she loves spending quality time with her four children, attending their sporting events all year round.

Considering the future of her business, Lori has plans to open up to two more boutique offices in the Dallas – Fort Worth metro region. She also has plans to mentor up-and-coming agents, passing along her seasoned expertise to fellow professionals getting their start. Now, already in possession of a lifetime’s worth of keen insight, practical experience, and client-driven inspiration, the years to come are sure to yield continued promise for Lori Jacobson.

Lori Jacobson DFW Legacy Real Estate Group | Roanoke, TX 817.797.6875 | Lori@DFWLegacyGroup.com | www.DFWLegacyGroup.com 14

Top 10 Traits of

successful real estate agents

It takes a special person to become a successful real estate agent. Succeeding in the business requires a unique set of qualities and skills that not everyone has. But when they all come together, the result is someone who is perfectly suited to the ups and downs of a life in real estate. These are the Top 10 traits real estate agents need.

Friendliness — As an agent, you have to be able to talk to all kinds of people about a wide range of topics. Being open and friendly is a must for real estate professionals.

Empathy — Agents deal with people at some of the highest — and lowest — points in their lives. Being able to empathize and understand what clients are going through is essential.

Listening Skills — Successful real estate agents are great listeners. It’s an important part of finding out what your clients true wants and needs are.

Sense of Humor — Weathering the ups and downs inherent to real estate is going to be easier — and more fun — for agents who are able to laugh at themselves and maintain a sense of humor when faced with adversity. Tenacity — Great real estate agents possess a mental toughness that may not always be on display, but is definitely there. They are tenacious, committed and goal-oriented.

Desire to Learn — With markets and technology changing at an ever-increasing pace, it’s essential for agents to want to learn more and continue their education throughout their careers.

Assertiveness — You want what’s best for your clients, and sometimes, you’ll have to fight for it. Being assertive while remaining professional is a balancing act the best agents have down pat.

Attention to Detail — When it comes to real estate, the devil really is in the details. When you’re working with contracts and figures, having a good eye for detail is essential.

Honesty — No agent lasts in this business without developing a reputation for honesty and integrity. Real estate agents must be committed to doing the right thing at the right time — every time.

Self-Starter — Perhaps the most important trait successful real estate agents share is the ability to motivate themselves. Without it, agents won’t last long in this business. You have to have the drive and desire to succeed. Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Should you rent or buy? Ask yourself these 5 questions

Any milestone life event, such as getting married or divorced, having a baby, relocating for a new job, or sending adult children out into the world, can put you in the position of having to choose whether to rent or buy your residence. There was a time when conventional wisdom dictated that buying was always the better choice, but the ’08 housing crash changed that. Now, experts advise that people make the decision to rent or buy based on more than whether or not they can afford a mortgage payment, and take several other factors into account as well. Here are five questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to rent or buy the next place you call home.

How Stable is Your Life? — None of us can

predict the future, but before choosing to buy a home, you need to have a general idea of where you see yourself in the next five years. Do you have a good job that you enjoy and plan on keeping? Is your relationship status likely to change? Will you be adding to your family — or will it be shrinking when kids move out? Are you making plans to travel extensively? The way you answer all these questions will factor into your decision to buy or rent. Bottom line: If your life is reasonably stable and you foresee it staying that way, buying a home may be the way to go. If not, continue to rent until things settle down. Have You Saved for a Down Payment? While in some cases it’s possible to purchase a home Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

You may find that as your life changes, you end up being both a renter and homeowner at different points along the way.

a larger space and using more water. Making sure you’re financially prepared before buying a house will help ensure you get to enjoy your new home and not struggle with being “house poor.” Are You Prepared to Furnish and Decorate? Furnishing and decorating a home takes vision, time, effort and, of course, money. Even the most committed minimalist doesn’t want to live in a space that’s devoid of personality (or furniture). And really, at least half the fun of owning a home is making it your own with paint, décor and furnishings. When you’re working out your financials, don’t forget to factor in the cost of decorating the home.

without a down payment, most financial experts advise against it for a number of reasons. For one, buying a home without a down payment means a higher mortgage payment and will also require private mortgage insurance. Additionally, sellers are more likely to accept an offer that includes a down payment, especially in competitive markets.

Can You Afford the Monthly Costs? — As a renter, monthly housing costs are generally limited to rent, utilities and perhaps, renter’s insurance. When you buy a home, your monthly costs on top of the mortgage payment can include property taxes, HOA fees, yard maintenance, and higher utility bills than you’re used to because you’re heating or cooling Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Do You Really Want to Own a Home? This may seem like an obvious question, but it’s worth doing some soul searching to figure out if you’re really ready to be a homeowner. Many people buy a home because they feel it’s the logical “next step,” or because friends and family pressure them into making an investment, only to find it wasn’t what they really wanted. Spend some time really thinking about your needs, your goals, and the life you want to live. If you come out of it feeling energized and excited about the prospect of owning your piece of the American Dream, go for it! If not, keep renting until you feel differently.

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer for whether anyone should rent or buy their home. It’s a decision entirely based on each person’s unique set of circumstances. And remember, nothing is forever. You may find that as your life changes, you end up being both a renter and homeowner at different points along the way. 17

featuredagent

magazine

When three powerhouse real estate experts

team up to bring together their individual strengths in construction, development and traditional real estate transactions, the outcome is the creation of an entirely new type of real estate team. That is precisely what happened when Paul Carpio, Derik Palmieri and Christopher Pillari decided to join forces. They launched the aptly named Elite Group New Jersey out of Keller Williams City Life JC, and focus on both Bergen County and Hudson County, with a special emphasis on residential new construction and redevelopment, and commercial development.

According to Derik, Paul Carpio was already a household name in terms of success in construction and development. Concurrent with his work with traditional buyers and sellers, Derik originally served as Paul’s agent, helping to find flips for him, along with other developers. In time, they brought their licenses to Keller Williams City Life and formed The Carpio Palmieri Group. Meanwhile at Keller Williams City Life, Christopher had built a thriving, and highly regarded business as Pillari Properties, and had established himself as the real estate agent of choice for countless buyers, sellers and veteran reputable builders. 18

Having heard about each other’s respective groups and having mutual builder contacts, it became increasingly clear that they shared a common goal that set them apart from others. When they started discussing the idea of forming an entirely new type of real estate team, a whole lot of planning went into the decision. “Our goals are long term,” explains Derik. “We are big picture by design.” Paul elaborates, “We are looking to get into bigger developments for ourselves, while building a large book of builders to represent. It’s what the three of us are best at, so our business plan revolves around developing real estate.” Christopher agrees, “Paul, Derik and I share a vision that I instantly recognized after meeting them. I knew that the three of us could build something that no other traditional agent had done, and create an experience for the client that encompasses all aspects of real estate.” Paul explains further, “A majority of builders and developers don’t feel comfortable with most agents, wholesalers or anyone bringing a project to the table because they feel their interests aren’t being considered. We understand their concerns since we build and redevelop ourselves. We want to build lasting relationships. Our vision is to build a business that lasts for generations and becomes a respected leader in the real estate industry.”

The Elite Group New Jersey “We want to build lasting relationships. Our vision is to build a business that lasts for generations and becomes a respected leader in the real estate industry.” Their reputation for integrity indeed precedes them in many of their meetings with buyers, sellers, builders, and developers. “Recently, we advised one of our developers to pass on three different properties,” Derik explains. “A $1 Million sale isn’t worth it to us if it’s only going to be a one-off. Our success is contingent on our clients’ success, and we’re more interested in protecting that than getting an immediate commission. We are looking for long-term relationships by doing what is in the best interest of our clients.”

Paul adds, “We understand that side of the business more than most agents, from construction budgets to financing placement and cost. We provide a unique model that changes the misconception builders and developers have. We are in the trenches every day finding great opportunities for our team to build and develop. We practice what we preach which makes it advantageous and convenient for others to work with us, as our vision and needs are the same.”

This unique model includes a detailed OM that includes financial, construction and market analyses, presented in a builder/developer language. Derik explains, “We have been doing this long enough to where we can break down project costs to a high degree of accuracy, which is the first step to impressing these types of clients.”

While the team is committed to helping developers and builders, they remain steadfastly dedicated to continuing to provide premium service to traditional buyers and sellers as well. “We spend an enormous amount of time, money and effort marketing our clients’ listings,” Derik says proudly. “Our marketing is top-notch.”

In addition, the three top producing agents take their

role as mentors to newer agents very seriously and have been selectively adding to their team. Those who aren’t interested in learning the construction and development side of the business need not apply. “We want agents who see the bigger picture and are committed to learning the other aspects of the business. It is a huge advantage in real estate to understand construction,” says Derik. The Elite Group New Jersey currently consists of its three founders, Paul, Derik and Christopher, along with three young, successful and growing agents: Steven Betancurth, Elizabeth Ocampo, and Ekaterina Marciante. Rounding out the team is their full-time admin/team manager, Daniela De Bari. “Everyone on our team has excelled in the industry and represents what we are building in a brand,” Paul explains. “We also wouldn’t be where we are today without the great support of Keller Williams. The leaders of the company provide us with great opportunities to succeed and expand our business much quicker than at other brokerages.”

Not surprisingly, as far as the future is concerned for Paul, Derik and Christopher, the sky is the limit in terms of where the team is headed. “We love real estate, both the residential and investment aspects. It’s challenging and every day is different. We are looking forward to continuing to establish ourselves as both the residential and construction real estate team of choice in New Jersey,” says Derik. “We are looking to build a business that can be tailored to every individual client, whether it is helping sell a home, finding or building a home, consulting with investors, or simply assisting with a new kitchen renovation,” Christopher continues. “We are also looking to expand into larger development projects and having a property management division to help service some of our larger apartment building projects. We are looking ahead and we are all passionate about our vision.”

The Elite Group New Jersey Keller Williams City Life JC | Jersey City, NJ 201.685.4244 | www.theelitegroupnj.com Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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