Shorewest, REALTORS® is a third-generation real estate company, and currently Wisconsin’s largest home seller with 23 offices and close to 1,000 agents. Brothers Joe and John P. Horning lead the Milwaukee-based company, which first started in 1946.
“We’re a full-service family of companies, providing mortgage, title and insurance, basically offering a one-stop shopping experience,” says Executive Vice President John P. Horning. “Our mission statement starts with ‘we are a team,’ and that’s an important part of our culture. As far as services we offer our agents, we’re always looking to make their job easier, providing them with the latest tools, technology and services.”
One of those tools comes from Shorewest’s relationship with HSA Home Warranty, which has been ongoing for more than 25 years.
“The main reason we’ve stayed with HSA Home Warranty is because of the service,” says Horning. “And when an issue comes up—be it a service request or question on a contract—they’re very quick to respond. In addition, their management team contacts us on a regular basis to see if there’s anything that needs to be done to better serve the needs of our customers and agent team.”
“We talk to our agents about the benefit of the warranty and help the customer after the transaction so there’s not a bad taste left if something were to go wrong,” says Joe Horning, president of Shorewest, REALTORS®. “We explain the value and that helps our agents understand that they’re helping their customers with expenses that may have come out of their pocket.”
Each of the past two years, HSA has paid out over $1 million in covered repairs and replacements to Shorewest’s customers, and many of its clients renew when the one-year contract term is up. Last year, approximately 35 percent of closings took a home warranty. In fact, one office placed 623 warranties—the No. 1 office in the nation for HSA.
“Sellers value the home warranty because they get coverage for themselves during the listing period and buyers like it because it offers budget protection when they’re buying a home,” Joe Horning says. “Our agents see value because it decreases their liability and post-closing hassles.”
Although competitors have approached Shorewest over the decades, neither Horning brother has seen a reason to end the successful relationship.
“HSA has provided a strong level of service over the years, and we don’t see a reason to change,” John P. Horning says. “It’s also about a sense of loyalty. Not only have they been loyal to us, they’ve been loyal to our agents by always doing the right thing.”
That includes the HSA local sales representatives, Aleena Heldt, Michelle Glen and Dan Puckett, taking the time to visit one of Shorewest’s offices each week. They even attend the company’s office award events to show their support. Burke Smith, HSA’s vice president of sales, holds engaging presentations with the company’s agents regarding how to use social media to help grow their business.
Joe Horning concludes, “HSA offers an important service and we value the benefits their home warranty provides to our clients.”
For more information, visit www.onlinehsa.com.
