Realtors under 30 Remake Real Estate Services

RISMEDIA, June 4, 2007-When most of today’s 20-somethings were born, the Internet was in its infancy, cell phones were the exception rather than the rule, and the closest thing to a virtual home tour would have been a photo album with pictures developed at the local Fotomat. What a difference 30 years make.

In its annual “30 under 30” awards, REALTOR® Magazine recently recognized Realtors® who are using technology and other innovations to remake today’s real estate services. They also demonstrate that building community and client relationships is as important as ever to their success in the real estate industry.

“These Realtors®, with their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm for their chosen profession, are creating and adopting innovations that are revolutionizing the practice of real estate,” said NAR President Pat V. Combs of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and vice president of Coldwell Banker-AJS-Schmidt. “They embrace technology, develop new business models and create unique approaches to client service to add even more value to the real estate transaction.”

Establishing an Internet presence is just the first step for most of these Realtors®. Adam Lee, 28, of Honolulu, developed a site that displays detailed information and images of every property and its surrounding neighborhood listed on the island’s MLS to provide additional resources for his clients. Kristine Partridge, 28, of American Fork, Utah, creates a unique domain name for each of her listings and runs 30-second commercials featuring her listings several times a month on local cable channels. Ryan Zook, 27, of Ashburn, Va., uses a Web page featuring a 3-D floor plan, 360-degree virtual tour and digital slide show for each of his listings.

“Technology has transformed the way Realtors do business, but in real estate, high tech doesn’t come at the expense of high touch,” said Combs. “These Realtors® understand that, at its core, real estate is grounded in relationships.”

Many of these “under-30” professionals are prime examples of how Realtors care about their clients and help build communities. Realtor Jenifer Garcia, 29, of St. Louis, is also a landlord. She educates her tenants about the importance of building a good credit history and helps them understand how to improve their credit ratings, if necessary. She also gives tenants the option to break leases if they decide to become homeowners and use her services. Convinced of the value of homeownership, Michael DiPasquale, 24, of South Lyon, Michigan, focuses his business on apartment dwellers. He promises to find each of his clients at least three homes with mortgage payments that are less than their monthly rent.

Mary Wallace, 24, of Oak Lawn, Ill., has a master’s degree in psychology, and before she entered real estate, she counseled families who were at risk of losing their homes. She now helps clients in need get on a “debt diet,” and continues to devote one day a week to counseling. This personal interaction, despite increased reliance on technological tools and advances, is common among the 30-under-30 winners. Heidi Fore, 28, of Prospect, Ky., coined the term “techno-facing” to describe how she merges high-tech service with a high degree of personal interaction.

Winners of the 2007 “30 under 30” award are:

A.Z. Araujo
Welcome Home Realty
Peoria, Ariz.

Nicole Cline
Scottsdale Luxury Properties
Scottsdale, Ariz.

Chris Close
Close-Converse Commercial & Preferred Properties
Brainerd, Minn.

Brian James Davis
Prudential Northwest Properties
Portland, Ore.

Michael DiPasquale
Real Estate One
South Lyon, Mich.

Herbert T. Dubuisson
Coldwell Banker Alfonso Realty Inc.
Bay St. Louis, Miss.

Heidi Fore
RE/MAX Action First
Prospect, Ky.

Jenifer E. Garcia
Garcia Properties
St. Louis

Rachelle Ginsberg
USA Commercial Inc.
Aventura, Fla.

Shayna Goldstein
Coldwell Banker Premier Realty
Las Vegas

Lorieal Green
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Smyrna, Ga.