RealtyUSA commercial realtor, Jessica Richer
How long have you been in real estate?
“Approximately 15 years. I started my career working for a local private real estate developer in Troy, N.Y. My job was to find locations for senior housing developments get the land under contract and then through the municipal approval process (zoning, planning and town board approvals.) I became affiliated with RealtyUSA in 2007.”
You specialize in commercial real estate. What type of projects do you get involved in?
“My real estate experience includes all aspects of land development, representation of landlords and tenants for leasing of retail, office and warehouse space and selling of real estate property such as mixed-use buildings, multifamily apartment buildings and all types of commercial real estate. Sometimes I will have a business and real estate for sale.”
You’re so well educated on the many obstacles and challenges your client has to consider when selling/buying/leasing property. How does one in your position prepare and educate yourself on the many commercial issues? Or, how do you prepare yourself for the more unique customer requests?
“I am a licensed real estate associate broker in the Commercial Investment Division at RealtyUSA. I am required to take a certain amount of educational training and the Department of State has identified specific topics of educational training that all licensed real estate professional must take. I always try to take classes on topics that will enhance my skill set. For example, this year fall I took a two day session on negotiations and earned a CNE designation as a “Certified Negotiation Expert in Real Estate.” There are many national educational programs on Commercial Issues and I try to take two to three courses a year either in the Regional area or outside of the Northeast. My selection is based on the topic and the instructor and then the geographic location of the educational program.”
How has technology played a role in your job? How has it played a role in enhancing the customer experience?
“Technology has drastically changed the way we do business. When I began my career in Real Estate there was a Multiple Listing System (MLS) book that documented all of the listings with pictures and facts and charts by geographic location. The book was printed in black in white. Technology changed the MLS system to a computer based format and the printed books were phased out.
Technology has changed the way we market our listings and get the information out to multiple users. The internet is a main vehicle for dissemination of information about properties for lease or sale. Real Estate professionals use technology such as virtual tours, YouTube, blogs, webpages and websites to showcase listings.
Technology in the form of data base management and customer relationship and management software have allowed real estate professional to run their business in a more effective and efficient manner. In the “old days” the telephone was the primary source of contacting buyers and sellers. Technology now allows us to communicate with people via the cell phone or iPad or computer.”
Is there anything else you’d like to add that I did not touch upon in my questions to you?
“In the Capital District we are very fortunate to have the Commercial and Industrial Real Estate Brokers, Inc. (CIREB). During 2015, I was the President of CIREB.
CIREB is a professional trade association established in 1967 by a small group of forward thinking commercial realtors. CIREB maintains the country’s oldest and most advanced commercial multiple listing service. Members of CIREB service New York State’s Capital District and its extended Tech Valley and include real estate brokers and salesperson (all of whom hold membership in a local REALTOR® association), property managers, real estate appraisers, attorneys, developers, economic development agencies and financial institutions.
CIREB is unique to our area and allows for the Commercial Realtors to have a separate and distinct commercial MLS. CIREB is a vehicle which helps commercial realtors to sell their listings. It also is an associating which brings together the major commercial professionals together for the purpose of networking and marketing the commercial inventory in the Capital District. This year I will continue as a board member in the role of past president to provide assistance and the historical knowledge on issues that to the president and the CIREB Board.”
— Michael Hallisey