Navigating the Home-Buying and -Selling Process in a Competitive Market

HSASM Home Warranty goes above and beyond for today’s buyers and sellers

by John Voket

When he’s not making music himself or directing young musicians at the Minnesota Youth Jazz Ensemble, Edina Realty Broker/Manager Phil Holm is helping clients navigate the ins and outs associated with the home-buying and -selling process.

After 17 years in the real es- to explain that the home intate industry, Holm under- spector discovered that it stands that virtually any was a Montgomery Ward house that has experi- product that had lasted enced some length of oc- over 40 years. “While that cupancy can also generate was certainly evidence of an occasional sour note in the form of an appliHolm the quality materials of its day, I knew it could go ance or system breakdown. That’s any time, so it was a no-brainer for why Holm has always advocated that seller to add a one-year home that his buyer and seller clients in- warranty to their contract,” adds corporate a home warranty as part Holm. of their contract before closing. “Back when I started, I was writ-

“In one house I was showing, I ing in the home warranty option by saw a water heater with no label- hand on a case-by-case basis, but ing at all,” says Holm, who goes on now there’s a whole home warranty section included in our purchase agreements, which puts sellers in a position of power,” says Holm.

“Those warranties have helped countless sellers avoid angry phone calls when something serious went wrong with a furnace, home appliance or other critical element within a home’s infrastructure,” he explains.

Given the older housing stock around Chanhassen, Minn., while the structures themselves have great potential, their appliances, heating and cooling systems have high potential for breakdowns.

Today, with Edina Realty capturing nearly 25 percent of the local marketshare, Holm says that more than a quarter of his clients are using HSA home warranties—and HSA is a pleasure for his clients to work with.

“I like that HSA notifies me every time a client of mine has a service call, because it provides me a chance to touch base with them,” says Holm.

“And on the occasion when a client is caught off guard by a major breakdown, dealing with the HSA team has been a positive experience. They are willing to talk with a buyer or seller to get their covered issue resolved quickly. The warranty is pretty inclusive, and the communication and response time are great.”

Most of the time, his clients choose to include a home warranty. “Once a client sees the potential of what could go wrong, they want to negotiate it right into the contract,” concludes Holm. “It’s all about explaining the benefit so that when they see the value, adding a home warranty is a no-brainer.” RE

For more information, please visit www.onlinehsa.com.

A Change in Company and Brand Can Result in a Better You

Commentary by Susan Spahr

Evolve or be extinct. It’s a mantra in business, and for me, it led to a turning point in my life and my real estate career. And, despite many successes and multiple sales achievements, a voice kept ringing in my head. Is there more for me as a solo agent? Do I need more for the future? Can I be making more of a difference?

Some 18 months ago, armed with “yes” answers to the questions above, I decided to move from my brokerage and my team and join the ranks of the relentless at CENTURY 21 Core Partners in York, Penn. The team there, led by broker Michael Segarra, put me at ease, and by the end of the day, I realized that I was now part of a family of like-minded professionals with a shared desire for cooperation and success—and a level of accountability I had not experienced in all my years in real estate.

My decision to change companies and move to operate as a solo agent with a new brand has provided me with clarity of purpose and has afforded me the opportunity to become a better me for my family, friends, home-buying and -selling customers and clients. There are three reasons why:

1. Management. The genuine care and support of the owners and my broker has been a gamechanger. Knowing that there is always someone available to answer questions and/or give encouragement is critical. Additionally, leadership encourages suggestions to improve the company, and they aren’t afraid of change. They constantly add new resources,

programs and offerings to help us grow and better serve our clients. 2. Resources. The productivity platform and additional resources that the CENTURY 21® brand provides are comprehensive and allow for personalization. For example, the

CENTURY 21 University® courses, the lead page, the marketing opportunities and the online social community directly impact my ability to secure leads, build relationships and close more deals. Plus, the modern-looking branding and signage are clear indicators that the CENTURY 21 brand is as relevant today as it was in the past and will be in the future.

3. Culture. Having a culture that focuses on quality service, giving 121 percent and holding myself and others in the office accountable matches my mindset exactly to this business. The mission to deliver extraordinary experiences and serve our clients in the best way possible, instead of selling as many properties as possible, helps me focus on relationship building.

My decision to change brokerages and move from a team to a solo agent helped me see my life from different perspectives, gain more clarity and focus on long-term objectives, from both a personal and professional level. I’m now serving my clients and customers with a greater degree of understanding and empathy for them and their real estate decisions, with a team of supportive friends and family at work. And while I’m closing more deals, I have more healthy time for life outside of work. RE

Susan Spahr is an agent with CENTURY 21 Core Partners. For more information, please visit www.century21core.com.