A new realty company in Clarkston is focused on saving money for buyers and sellers.
H.O.M.E. Realty Team, which stands for Helping Owners Maintain Equity, was started in October by three real estate professionals, Sherry Goss, Maureen Martin and Sheila O’Brien.
The three brokers are now putting their experience, which combined is more than 25 years, to work at their new office on 5905 S. Main in Clarkston. Martin and O’Brien have been licensed since 1996, while Goss has been licensed since 1990.
In addition, O’Brien and Martin are Accredited Buyer Agents, and Goss has a Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation.
“We realize there are changes going on in the real estate industry and we couldn’t do business the way we wanted with a franchise,” Martin said in explaining why the three started their own business. “We’re a fee-for-service company, so we do things a little differently. We can save you thousands of dollars.”
H.O.M.E. Realty Team offers a Seller Agency, Buyer Agency and Exclusive Agency.
Martin believes the company’s fees and their service set them apart from other real estate companies. “We are not a discout real estate company — we are a full-service company,” she said.
She also noted H.O.M.E. Realty Team works together for their clients, as opposed to traditional firms where only one realtor works with a client. “We are a team and we operate in a true team fashion,” Martin said. “You have three licensed brokers working for you.”
The three brokers believe the real estate landscape is rapidly changing. Previously, a homeowner had only one choice — the traditional realtor, who would charge a set percentage of the sales price, regardless of the price of the home, to close the sale. Then came the discount brokers, who would offer a lower fee, but provide little service for the seller. In addtion, the “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) route was always available, but the three brokers contend this is a difficult route, even with the Internet assistance that is now available.
H.O.M.E. Realty Team differs from that approach, since their goal is to help the seller keep as much of their investment as possible.
The company services all of Oakland County, as well as southern Genesee County, parts of Livingston County and “pretty much anyplace people want us to go,” Martin said.
The company is affliated with the National Association of Realtors, Michigan Association of Realtors, North Oakland County Board of Realtors and Realcomp II, and are members of R.P.A.C. of Michigan.
H.O.M.E. Realty Team is located at 5905 S. Main, Clarkston, MI 48346. Their phone number is 248-620-0500, and their fax number is 248-620-0522. Their office hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (by appointment). The realtors’ cell phone numbers are: Sherry Goss, 248-425-2429; Maureen Martin, 248-909-7336; Sheila O’Brien, 248-431-3245. Their Web site is www.homerealtyteam.net and their E-mail address is info@homerealtyteam.net.