About Steve Koerber
Why write a blog about Remuera’s Southern Slopes? Because I sell lots of homes in this part of Remuera and I love what I do!
When I first started working in Remuera in 1998 I knew very little about the suburb, its houses and its people. I looked around and got a feel for the streets that I liked. Initially I drove around the whole suburb photographing every house for sale. I also photographed and recorded details of every home that had sold during the previous 12 months. This was my way of becoming “an instant area expert”. Many years later, most people acknowledge me as an area expert. Valuers often phone me when they are trying to value homes in Remuera. These days, when new agents come to me for advice, I tell them to do exactly as I did when I started. Few actually do it. Many fail, few succeed.
During the tough market conditions between 1998 and 2001 my career started to take off and I became much busier. I needed to reduce the area in which I wanted to be known as ‘the area expert’. During this period I started to focus on an area in which I had enjoyed most of my success - Remuera South. Initially I knocked on hundreds of doors and delivered 2000 flyers to homes every week. In 2005 I published my first ‘Who’s Moving’ newsletter. I compile it monthly now and it details every southern slopes listing and sale. The task of compiling it keeps me several steps ahead of any agents that try to list and sell in my area. Luckily for me, through hard work and years of experience and knowledge, I’ve sold many homes three times over. In one street, for example Armadale Rd, I’ll likely make my 50th sale in that street during 2008.
I have so many stories that demonstrate why being ‘an area expert’ is vitally important. The little things like knowing (on a first name basis) most people who visit my open homes…knowing which homes in which streets are likley to come on the market soon…knowing the local school principals and teachers…knowing how CVs relate to sale prices in individual streets…etc, etc.
Recently I sold a southern slopes home to a new immigrant. He was the brother of someone whom I had sold a home for in the same street 3 years earlier. An instant trust factor existed between myself and the brother because of the previous good relationship. When the deal being negotiated became a bit complicated and a title amendment required approval from a neighbour, the neighbour was someone I knew very well and who also liked and trusted me. This seemingly difficult deal was done with much diplomacy and goodwill. The owner was delighted to have sold and felt very lucky to have me on his side.
I always wish new real estate salespeople much success, but without the contacts, rapport and local knowledge described above, most newer agents with limited area knowledge couldn’t put together many of the deals that I can and do.
I don’t want this blog to be all about me and how good I think I am. If it achieves anything, I’d like it to demonstrate the incredible power of local knowledge and reputation in real estate. Too many people don’t understand how important this is.
I really do love what I do and I am very proud to be your area expert. I’ve worked hard for my success and I work even harder for the success of my buyer and seller clients.
