RCUSA Insider | Fall Edition 2020

Latest Trends In Real Estate with an In Depth Market Report & Projections | 1

President & Owner, John Fitzgerald, Welcomes You to the Inaugural RCUSA Insider | 1

The Best of the Best! Check Out Our 3rd Quarter Agent Spotlights | 2

BY JOHN FITZGERALD I've always found such meaning in being able to connect individuals and families to a house that becomes a home. The work we do really does help to make the world a better place, and never before has it been as

important as it is now in 2020, to make the world a better place. The perfect word for that is Connect; connect with each other and support each other. What I love most about what we do is being part of something greater than one’s self. Real Estate is the backbone of our economy and we have an obligation to bring our communities and local businesses back. What we do and how much we care makes all the difference in the lives of our customers, clients, and the communities we service. Let's always give more than we get and be the best at what we do. You are an incredible group of people and I'm blessed to work with all of you.

BY MICHAEL ARDOLINO | BROKER & OWNER

What Happened: From September 2019 through June 2020, housing affordability was on a steady rise going from 92% all the way to 98% respectively. However, the emergence of coronavirus created pent up demand and released an explosion of activity in the marketplace. With interest rates so low, buyers from New York City flooded the market with more purchasing power than ever before and shopped based on monthly cost rather than price of home. The resulting bidding wars triggered a 6-10% increase in home values across Long Island.

The Market is Now Shifting. Where Are We Now: In the past three months, we have seen housing affordability dip down to 89%. As salaries on Long Island have not increased the way home values have. The good news… the United States economy depends heavily on the real estate economy, which will stay strong. As the markets shifts, prices will begin to level off and affordability will increase once again.

How to Prepare for What’s Next: Being prepared for this shifting market is vital to your business. With the market leveling off, you must be aware of home values in your target market areas.

The keys to success in this market are being the expert in the industry and making sure homes are priced properly.

Revitalize your negotiating tactics, price reduction strategies and creative ways to put transactions together, as these are essential skills in a level market. And lastly, take control of every appraisal and make sure they come in properly.

Running your own comparable properties and giving them to the Appraiser as well as advocating for full interior and exterior appraisals, rather than drive by appraisals, will help them see the true value of the home.

Realty Connect USA is excited to announce another great addition to your technology toolbox, RCUSA’s New Transaction Management System powered by SkySlope! With a streamlined transaction process, fully integrated forms, and a digital signature platform, you can be more efficient and compliant in your business.

RCUSA’s New Transaction Management System allows you to view and submit paperwork to customized office checklists from any device, so you always know what forms you will need to complete your file. The “Real-Time” Compliance Tracking creates a digital footprint for the life of the transaction including text messages, email and more. DigiSign Integration makes getting signatures from your clients easy by selecting from templates or uploading your forms to send to your client for e-Signature.

The September 2020 launch included LIVE SkySlope Training Classes as well as an introduction to the 24/7 Support Team guaranteed to assist you quickly and effectively. This is just the latest tool in your Realty Connect USA platform, and it is available to you for FREE! Visit the RCUSA Portal and watch the required training video to get access to your account today!

*Gabrielle Binler | Coldwell Banker WIlliam (Bill) Restmeyer | Coldwell Banker Bonnie Sulz | Keller Williams JoAnn Spatola | Coldwell Banker Mary Rutigliano | Gateway to the Hamptons Paul Salvatore | Signature Premier Properties Robert Lanieri | Unique Homes Steven Brodesser | Bay Realty Corinne Bubolo | Coldwell Banker Maria (Clara) Ramalho | Joined Team Perrone Mohamed Elbaroudy | Mary Lou Swan Realty Earnest Brown Anthony Aiello Ayse (Shay) Ergun | Unique Home Sales of LI Ruby Delgado Michael Miranda | Living New York Luis Mendez | Concorde Real Estate Services Ana DeLuca | Unique Homes Sales of LI Frank Antonelli | Keller Williams *Albert Pignataro | Coldwell Banker Betsy Schwartz | Redfin Realty Signoreth Restrepo Jeanie Justinvil | House Hunt NY Brian Dollard | Little Bay Realty Dylan Hine Richard Weiderman | Shea & Sanders Desiree Nelson | Douglas Elliman Dawn Madigan | Coach Realtors Tom Orifici John Norberto Carmen Terrero | Cruz Network Destinee Nelson | Seal the Deal *Christina Hillman | Referral Realty Douglas Segall | Joined Team Musso Jessica Odierno | Coldwell Banker Fatbardha Sinamati Jessica Giuliano | Century 21 Juan Villaherrera Edward Bellacera | Joined Team Musso Julie Vitrano | Listing Pro Realty Vikram Singh | EXIT Realty Island Elite Deirdre Prosseda | Keller Williams Sarah Fox | H&G Realty NY Peter Feldman | Re/Max Best Lily Narvaez | Universal Homes Realty Sergio Balza | Premium Group Realty Lisa Balducci | Charles Rutenberg Candice Golio | Century 21 Bays Edge Christopher Pendl *Joseph Zavesky Genis Orozco | Fave Realty *Alyssa DiMartino Patrick Quick | Bay Harbor Realty Monique Jetter | Coldwell Banker Wilfred Hamlet Merlyn Viera | Joined Team Perrone Melissa Specce | Douglas Elliman Welcome to| Douglas the RCUSA Family!

Samantha LaPella Elliman *Deysi Valenzuela William Bettinelli | Coldwell Banker Jose Martinez Michael Benvenutti | DH Citadel Real Estate Jessica Taggart | DH Citadel Real Estate Michael Behrens | Coldwell Banker *Elizabeth Record | Coldwell Banker Krystle Bone | Referral Realty Peter Schmol | Joined Team Calcaterra Catherine Romano | Prime Properties Jessica Rivera | DH Citadel Real Estate Brenden Burns | Coldwell Banker Esada Ljesnjanin | Coldwell Banker Jocelyn Minier Judy Karazim | Joined The Antonelli Team John Lewis | Signature Premier Properties (*) Welcome Back!

Our first ever Drive-In Meeting & A Movie was a SUCCESS! This one of a kind Real Estate meeting brought together our Realty Connect family from the comfort and safety of their cars. Following our company meeting, led by John Fitzgerald & Michael Ardolino, our families shared laughter, smiles, and endless movie snacks as we watched Monsters Inc. on the big screen!

JUAN VALDIVIEZO

Known for his “Client First Approach,” it is no surprise Juan Valdiviezo is Realty Connect USA’s Agent Spotlight! With sixty eight 5 STAR reviews on Zillow, Juan is known for his expertise and stellar client relationships.

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14 UNITS CLOSED

Realty Connect USA is excited to announce that our RCUSA Family has been nominated in the Best Real Estate Agency category.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to cast your vote once a day, everyday until December 15th!

Link to Vote is on the Portal!

14 UNITS CLOSED

$6,797,636 IN VOLUME