RCUSA Insider Spring 2021

We’re Excited to Highlight Some of Our Outstanding Agents & Their Involvement In Their CommuniNes

Broker & Owner John Fitzgerald Announces Realty Connect USA’s Expansion

We Discuss The Latest Trends In Real Estate & How to Navigate An Ever-Changing Market

BY JOHN FITZGERALD | BROKER & OWNER

“Life is our resume. It is our story to tell, and the choices we make write the chapters. Can we live in a way where we look forward to looking back?” - MaBhew McConaughey In an uncertain world, we get the opportunity to help people write the next chapter of their story. As a company, we have the ability to update their resume, sebng up a story of success for our clients to look back on one day, with admira+on, pride, and gra+tude. With so many people needing a place to call home, a sanctuary of security and comfort, our job has become even more important. Not only do we take great care to find the perfect home, but we must realize we are part of a bigger picture. A story they will one day tell their kids. “The first house I ever bought…” or “I once lived in a small place before I moved into the home of my dreams…” Go ahead and write the story with them.

BY MICHAEL ARDOLINO | BROKER & OWNER

What Happened: As we transi+oned out of the 2020 Real Estate Market, Interest rates remained the lowest they’ve ever been, and the Long Island market was s+ll flooded with buyers from ManhaBan leading to mul+ple offer situa+ons, bidding wars & the highest home prices. However, we have now started to see a slight shiI in the market.

How To Prepare For What’s Next: It looks as though the economy will con+nue to open up. In the short term, a new S+mulus Bill creates hope for more spending but causes concern for investors across the na+on for a transitory rise in the infla+on rate. In the long term, moratoriums on evic+ons are set to end in the SpringWhere Are We Now: Interest Rates are star+ng to +ck up and projec+ons Summer of 2021 which may lead to more foreclosure and show that they will con+nue to rise throughout the year and into 2022. short sale inventory.

Bidding wars are star+ng to slow down as buyers are back in ManhaBan Taking lis+ngs is always the best way to prepare for a shiIing looking for bargains, essen+ally taking them out of our Long Island market. U+lize your lead genera+on tools such as Home Value Market. The bond market has also bounced back signaling an economic Tool, Market Report Generator & Marke+ng Tools to generate turn. What does this all mean? Now is the best +me to sell and buy; lis+ng leads. Buyer prepara+on is also essen+al during this sellers are gebng the highest prices for their home while buyers are transi+oning market, by making sure they are aware of the saving with low interest rates and high purchasing power. rising interest rates and, as a result, their fluctua+ng purchasing power. Adding new nego+a+on skills to your repertoire will help you navigate the shiIing 2021 market.

BY BRANDON GERARDI | VP OF OPERATIONS

BY PHIL OKUN | EXECUTIVE VP, COMMERCIAL PARTNERS

There is no ques+on that COVID has changed the face of commercial real estate. Although certain sectors like retail and office are seeing current challenges, there is no ques+on that these areas will morph into something new. We will see repurposing and re-posi+oning as big box retailers that close will be reu+lized for other uses such as medical and educa+on. All of this spells opportunity for those of us that get crea+ve. Further, the industrial sector is on fire as e-commerce gobbles up space across the country for logis+cs and especially “the last mile”. Commercial real estate is alive and well and we will all witness this genesis.

The QR Code will be the most recognizable symbol in 2021. First u+lized back in 1994, the QR code could only be read by special devices. With iPhone and Android adding the ability to read QR Codes through the phone’s camera, they can be used for just about anything…and every industry is jumping on board.

Visit any restaurant and you’ll take a picture of their QR Code with your phone to view the menu, crea+ng a faster, touch-free experience. Realty Connect USA is now transla+ng this easy-to-use technology into Real Estate Marke+ng, offering agents custom QR codes that direct consumers to our lead genera+on tools. We’ve even partnered with Freedom Mortgage to create postcard mailers with QR Codes for your marke+ng!

Daniel Clayton, Joined Team Perrone Lindsay Navas, Coldwell Banker Livia Bartlau, Charles Rutenberg Marcia Burgos, Arvy Realty Shazia Khwaja Reynaldo OrGz Michelle Bergin, Dominion RE Group Robert Marfoglio, Keller Williams Realty Elite Tina Szybillo Iveth Bedoya, Arvy Realty Loraine Keach, Keller Williams Elite Jessica Tomasulo Arleen Willman, Baker Realty Michael Page, Re/Max Sparrow Realty Michael Ade, Joined Team Kroncke Jeffrey Bass, Re/Max Integrity Leaders Therese Grucci, Coldwell Banker Jennifer Moresco Kateema Wright, Coldwell Banker Khamnauth Budhu Faith Diaz-Bates Carrie Branch, Berkshire Hathaway Steven Torres, Exit Realty Giuseppe Montana, Joined Team Musso Felicity Zergebel Karina Lujan, Island Advantage Stephanie Alvarado, Daniel Gale Jack Murphy *Stacie Gerena, Douglas Elliman Frank DiGiglio *Joseph Zavesky William Neubauer Ricardo Melara, Empire Home Realty Fiona Gabel, Joined Team Meigel & LaCava Amanda Haeffer, Coach Realtors Jeff Neckonoff, HomeSmart Premier *Maria Mancia, Keller Williams Ahmed Elsammak, Keller Williams Liberty Patricia Chiaramonte, Century 21 Castle Jennifer Gates, Joined Team Kroncke Lauren McDonnell, Lucky to Live Here Realty Ashley Czarnecki Olivia Lipponer, Joined Kevin Collins Team Robyn Romanoff, Hampton Estates Realty

We’re extremely excited to announce our expansion into a newer and larger space in Hauppauge! This custom designed facility with private offices for teams will create a powerful environment of success for all! We can’t wait for you to see it!

In a compeGGve market such The road to becoming a as the Hamptons, Thomas successful real estate Panebianco has been able to agent is full of learning differenGate himself with his curves and Sarah Fox professionalism, knowledge, seems to have mastered them in her first year of real estate. and dedicaGon. His concierge-like service and Sarah’s willingness to learn is one of her market experGse translates to tremendous best a`ributes for growing her business value for his clients. The Panebianco name and with the help of her mentor Kevin Iglesias, is becoming synonymous with Hamptons real Sarah has had an amazing start to her career! estate and we can’t wait to see what’s in store!

Congratula@ons Tommy!

Congratula@ons Sarah | 9 Lis@ngs in 1st Year

Long Island is now home to the world’s first 3D printed home to receive a cerGficate of occupancy. RCUSA’s own Stephen King represents this historic property built in under forty-eight hours of print Gme by construcGon firm SQ4D. The home has garnered naGonal and internaGonal a`enGon but this partnership with SQ4D started right here at home! SQ4D is a Patchogue based firm and its only fihng they would choose Stephen King as their agent. From his involvement in the annual Shark Tank compeGGon with Pat-Med students to his work with Patchogue Young Professionals, its no surprise King is a NAR 30 Under 30 Winner!

50 of our President's Elite Award Winners gathered to explore strategies, market trends & predicGons to keep Realty Connect USA ahead of the market as leaders in the industry. Check out the portal where we'll share ideas & strategies from the meeGng featuring guest speakers in wealth management, real estate law, and more!

BY MARJORIE GARCIA | TRANSACTION COORDINATOR

(*) Welcome Back!

BY SUE FORD | GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

We conGnue to grow because of you and we are so proud of everyone here at Realty Connect USA! The more I speak with agents within the industry, the more raving reviews I receive about how professional you all are.

Help us conGnue to grow while holding ourselves to the highest possible standards by referring like-minded agents to join our family. Let's make their lives be`er!

631-877-8200 | SFord@RealtyConnectUSA.com

Realty Connect USA has always been about giving our agents the tools they need to grow their business! In the last year we have been perfecGng our new transacGon management system SkySlope, creaGng a faster, easier, and more organized way to submit paperwork and get signatures from your clients! Since launching in 2020, agents have been talking non-stop about SkySlope.

“Thanks to Skyslope my team and I have been able to have more seamless transacGons!

From paperwork to electronic signatures, Skyslope is the plagorm we were waiGng for!”

“I am not the most tech savy realtor on the planet but Skyslope has made me a believer. Once you get past the iniGal learning curve it is very user friendly!”

“Thanks to RCUSA for always providing us with the best tool out there so we can stay sharp on the field and provide the best customer service to those who need us most.”