Being a real estate agent in New York is tough. There’s a lot of competition, and everyone is doing their own thing.
However, for Tracey May, that’s all she knows. Originally from Massachusetts, Tracey had always loved NYC, so that’s where she decided to get her real estate license. She moved to the city as soon as she finished school and currently works with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Rand Realty.
Tracey has learned a thing or two about the real estate market in NYC over the past 18 years.
It’s a sellers market right now, and Tracey used that to her client’s advantage when she sold her home at a $50k premium over the desired listing price, and then helped her client settle into a new condo in the Bronx.
In October 2018, Tracey claimed what she thought was a buyer-only referral from Opcity. However, during their first conversation, Tracey learned that her client wished to sell her current home first. Two referrals in one!
Tracey didn’t take this opportunity for granted. She met with her new client as quickly as possible to continue building rapport and learn more about what she was looking for. Tracey’s efforts to meet with the client as soon as possible and preparation led the client to choose Tracey over other agents and sign a listing agreement.
She learned that her client had previously listed her home for $439,000 five years ago, but that listing had expired. This time her client’s goal was to sell at $450,000, but Tracey was confident she could get more than that.
“I was already working with a buyer. I brought that buyer into her house before it was even on the market. The buyer I brought in was willing to purchase the home at $450K, however, the buyer backed out. I asked the client to let me list the property on the market. From the beginning, I felt like we would get multiple offers. And that’s what happened. I listed the place for $480K and ended up getting $490K through a bit of a bidding war.”
Fifty thousand dollars over the original listing price! Needless to say, her client was very satisfied. The icing on the cake…
Tracey hosted an open house and ended up finding the buyer who ultimately purchased the house there, so she got the buyer side and the seller side for that transaction as well!
And of course, a realtor’s work is never done.
“I finished selling this home for my client, and after we sold her home we started the hunt for a new condo for her. I originally recommended that she wait until after she sold her home to put an offer in on a new one. There are so many offers going on right now, and being a cash buyer really put us in a nice competitive position. I told her that she wouldn’t need a bank, or an appraisal, you would just take the funds and go right in and purchase in all cash. She beat out some other offers and competition and found a perfect place.”
From one Opcity introduction, Tracey closed three transactions.
“These were quick closes. My phone dinged from Opcity. I clicked “accept” on the lead alert, and got the call from the Opcity rep who introduced me to my client. I met with her right away, and as soon as I met her in person she felt confident enough in me to use me as her listing agent. I listed and got the job done for her with a quick turnaround.”
“The client gave me a 5-star review, so I believe I will work with them again in the future!”
Opcity has impacted my business in a very positive way. I’ve got so many different buyers that I’m working with at all times. I make the calls, connect with my new clients, and take it from there.
I’m hands on. I take every lead that comes through Opcity. They’re all good. I love that buyers are ready and that some of them even come through preapproved from Opcity. Everything is very straight; very cut and dry.
Opcity referrals resulting from online leads come in all different varieties, including price points that may seem low for the client’s desired market. Tracey’s story illustrates how the value of one introduction can far outweigh the price point displayed on the referral alert, and by meeting a client in-person as soon as possible can turn into a lot of business.
In 90% of the closes that happen through Opcity introductions, the agent met with the client face to face within 12 days of the introduction.
Not only does Tracey accept Opcity leads, but she also knocks on doors, sends out mailing, makes phone calls and goes door to door. If she notices a house go up on the market, she’ll give the neighbors a call letting them know and asks if they would like a a free market evaluation done on their home.
People often think, “Oh, my neighbor was able to sell. I wonder what my place is worth.”
Even if they’re not ready to sell now, Tracey makes sure they know that she’s available when they are ready.
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