Real Estate Industry In Orange County
First of all, I…read moreencourage Yelpers to recognize that the real estate business is more cutthroat than most and maintaining a healthy skepticism about reviews that fail to actually describe a real personal experience with the Harcourts or its agents.
Manners, Manors and Man
As a client, I can honestly state that the agents with whom I just met with--in person-- were not pushy, did not insult me or tell me how much my home needed to change amd ultimately did not make any -romises or overextend themselves in any way. In short, meeting with Bill Pasqualino and Chad Whitfeldt specificially went much better than anticipated, was more informative than any meetings Ive had regarding this property to date. In the end, I decided their unique nuts and bolts approach was a great fit and I am looking forward to a successful sale in the near term future.
Here is my recent consumer experience with Bill Pasqualino and Chad Whitfeldt... as a current and ongoing client.
"Well, You Got A Better Idea"-
For starters, Bill and Chad are both very experienced in the luxury property market and it shows. In my search for the right Agents, I previously met with an Agent who asked me if I would give him $35k... before ever setting foot through the front door. Nexxxxxt. Thankfully with Harcourt's, I was left scratching my head when Bill was explaining that there was a couple items I would be responsible for paying at a cost a few hundred total. Yesss. My gut tells me they were checking my financial flexibility, because the amount they were asking about was far too low to need to have a conversation over...and especially for what their team was willing to do for me, which is ALOT. Listen to this...
It should go without saying that like all Agents, Harcourts routinely creates traditional listings with your typical "list it and leave it" manner... and if you are Lucky enough... they may choose to go above and beyond the typical parameters of occasional showings and open houses...and set up, market, and advertise a property auction. Seems scary right? Its Not. Heres why...
"What are the three most important things in Real Estate today?
Innovation, Innovation, Innovation!" -(Atias '24?)
How exactly can Harcourt's Monarch Beach succeed where other agents have not? It's genius really, but they spent time explaining the "auction" option and process and because I am not one of these brainless 1 star review types littering all over Yelp, I actually grasped the concept and agree that holding a reserve price auction for my property while unorthodox, is actually
the best method generating a ton of buzz, exactly what I need. Do you? Fortunately, for Bill, Chad and the Harcourts brand, this is business as usual.
A well planned & time sensitive auction preceded by few high traffic, limited engagement showings with a very attractive Initial bid price, is anything if not effective.
"One Ping at a Time is the new Foundation underlying Every Empire"
I realized after meeting with them, the only reason otherd fail to do so, is because they do not want to put in the effort needed to increase the probability of getting competitive bidders (in any market) and will at the least get more feet to traipse across my new distressed, wire brushed, WOCA UV Oil Finished, European White Oak Wide Plank floors. All of this with a reserve price, and a market lacking meaningful supply plus a 12 week commitment, as opposed to the more stringent 6 month clause found in the majority of your typical listing agreements.
Let me tell you what I did not experience... overpromising sales figures, hiding the ball with the essential contract terms, bad mouthing any other agents or industry tycoons, foul odors. That last one was just a test. Still reading?
"IMHO--True as a Beam On Grade"
I don't need more than a few hours speaking with anyone to make a judgment call regarding their business ethos and integrity. Harcourts has one of the best reputations amongst locals for agents who can produce results for both parties. In OC, it's not uncommon to find an agent who simply makes too much money to really care about an individual listing. As a homeowner with a property that is an outlier in terms of both the size and the location relative to my neighbor' homes, I believe and have faith that at the very least more than four people will see the property in person".