Reeka Christmann

I urge those in a position to buy a house to look for someone who will have their back, and not simply look to add another sale to their portfolio. When evaluating a potential realtor, there are several key factors to consider. Firtsly, local market knowledge is crucial; Availability, communication and transparency. Ask questions such as "Will I be passed on to an assistant or junior agent"? ... Proficiency in understanding property disclosures and inspection reports is vital. Homes are more than what you see in an initial showing. The history of these properties is critical to know. Your real estate agent should be able to look at these documents to highlight what you need to know to make an educated decision about whether the home is a good investment or not. Being able to identify discrepancies between seller-provided inspections and buyer inspections can save buyers from costly suprises down the the line. Exeptional negotiation skills are also on top of the list. Being honest and fully transparent in all the dealings you have and that inlcudes fellow realtors and all people that are part of the transaction. Understanding local city assessments, tax implications, homestead exemptions, future developments that may impact the homes value down the road, flood zones and previous damage to the property from hurricanes. Local connections to trusted and verified vendors including inspectors, lenders, insurance brokers, title companies, moving companies, cleaners... I understand how big of a decision buying a home can be, so I emphatize with my clients, putting myself in their shoes to understand their presepective; I want to be someone who will support them towards the right decisions to eventually find the right home, no matter the time frame.

Selling your home can be extremely emotional so finding the right realtor is critical in ensuring you have a seamless transaction. We have developed a custom guide "9 critical questions to ask before hiring a Real Estate Agent" after witnessing too many sellers falling victim to agents that have inadequate experience. It's definetely easy to be compelled to put all your faith in the first realtor you find, but it should take more dilligence than that. It's up to the homeowner to do their research and shortlist. Multiple times, I've seen out-of-area agents list a home for way too low. A seasoned realtor with a track record should be able to walk the seller through a multi-touch marketing plan. How much of that marketing will focus on promoting the home versus just promoting the agent. Do they have text-capture technology, dedicated property websites, what steps does the agent take to highlight the neighborhood and surrounding area to potential buyers. Does the agent include custom print marketing to feature details of the home to local homebuyers. Online/social media marketing presence. Top notch professional HD magazine quality photography and videography. What is the strategy for setting the price for the home right out of the gate and what tools does the agent utilize to determine the ideal listing price. Weekly marketing updates. Be investigative, be curious, and be heistant-it is one of your most valuable assets.

It is safe to say that during my 14 years, I have worked with all types of clients. From first-time to seasoned investors, first-time homebuyers to seasoned sellers and buyers of all price ranges, re-location, luxury, off-market proprties, for sale by owners, probate, divorce situations and international clients seeking a vacation home.

The most recent transaction was a sale for one of our investor clients. The agent on the other side (Buyer's agent) was completely incompetent and the lender of that buyer dropped the ball numerous times. It took endless hours into the late evenings providing "hand-holding" and education to the other agent and lender to get this transaction to the closing table. We were able to negotiate a full price offer after only being on the market for 4 days, zero inspection itmes for our seller, zero appraisal issues (local market knowledge is crucial) and for the buyer to forfeit his earnest money deposit in case of default. We had our seller's back no matter what.

My first taste of real estate was in my early childhood helping my father in germany prepping for Open Houses. He was a real estate developer and custom home builder. My first true hands-on experience however, was when I purchased my first home in the United States when I was in my twenties. The realtor that represented me was referred to me as a "Top Producer". That same realtor left me stranded with barely any communication and absolute poor to no representation, resulting in close to $12K in inspection itmes that she failed to point out and negotiate on my behalf. My first house was a money pit and it was then that I decided that I wanted to make a difference. I obtained my real estate license years later and never looked back.

I constantly stay informed through ongoing education. You need to adapt and be innovative. The digital landscape is always evolving and you need to stay open to new technologies and trends in the buisness in order to stay ahead of the competition which will ultimately benfir the client and their bottom line. I hold a BS and MA. I am a certified negotiation specialist and am privilged to have received many other accolades. I do speak fluent German but most importantly, my upbringing in germany has tought me work ethics, honesty and transparency.