We spend the entire summer and winter in Aspen. We do this because it is important for our clients to have access to us and to keep up with the market on a daily basis; it is our full-time job. We are fortunate and love the opportunity to spend time in Aspen Snowmass and call this place home. When the off-season does come though, we are ready to get out of the valley for a siesta and a change of scenery. Every chance I get, I head to NYC during our downtime. It's an opportunity to see friends, meet clients for drinks or dinner, and soak in the greatest city in the world. I also take the time to meet with our NYC partners, learn a little bit about the market, and see their listings.
While there, I spent time at this listing on the west side and also got to see a remarkable 25,000 SqFt townhouse on the Upper East Side on the park. One of the brokers I met with encouraged me to get my license in New York and a handful of other markets where our clients exist. It was a thoughtful idea, but I politely told him that it would be a disservice to our clients. If I don't live there, have relationships with other brokers, architects, contractors, and designers, and am not intimate with the intricacies of the market, then what value do I bring to the table? It would only enhance some people's false sentiments about our industry.
The quality of a broker is similar to the quality of a neighborhood; it's the ability to deliver value that transcends the transaction. There are plenty of homes that, from pictures or a price per square foot, look appealing, but how are the location, opportunity, neighborhood, and surrounding community? The same holds true for the professionals you decide to use. Their reputation, their experience, their ability to deliver value, their work ethic, their personality, and their ability to understand your needs and execute on them should be of the utmost importance. Do not settle for anything less.
Please reach out when you are here this summer; we would love to have you be a part of our community.
