Owners of the
Month
PHOTO Andrew Hutchins
INTERVIEW Dan Mathers
Brad Moore and Alison Maguire of Keller Williams make sure buying or selling your home isn’t a scary process. Why’d you decide to become partners? B: We’d both worked at another local real estate company since we started, about six or seven years ago. About a year and half, two years ago we met again at a Keller Williams training done at Penn State in Malvern. Neither of us knew the other person was going to be there. A: It was like, “Oh... you’re here, so am I…” B: ...and we thought to start a team. What interested you in this field? A: I had always been interest in real estate. I went into law school figuring, “If I don’t like this, I can go into real estate.” Then I thought, “Why am I spending money on law school when I can just pursue what I’ve always wanted?” I love architecture and design, I majored in business at West Chester University, and I love the fun of negotiations. The three of those together made real estate perfect for me. That’s a tough answer to follow. Brad, do you have something half that good? B: Well, before I started, I was going to be a doctor… [laughing] No, I got my license because I wanted to pursue real estate as an investment opportunity, but once I got into it I realized I enjoyed helping people find and sell their homes. I found it’s really fulfilling. Plus, my parents owned a hardware store for 24 years, so I grew up in retail and sales, and I’m a business management major from WCU, so I had a good skill set right from the beginning. You both stressed that you’re WCU grads. Is being part of this community a big deal to you? A: We’re both alumns, and we both live in the borough. I can’t imagine living outside of town, given all the awesome stuff it offers—from restaurants, to parks, to businesses and all the events we really like to support and attend. I love being part of this
community and love the opportunity to help other people become a part of it. And you’re a lifelong WC guy, right Brad? B: Absolutely. West Chester is a very strong, vibrant community that’s always growing, and it’s got a great, bustling downtown—shops, restaurants. It’s a destination, but it’s also great for families. Do you feel lucky to be working here? B: I think we’re very fortunate. A: The downturns have been less dramatic here, especially in the borough—there’s been less volatility than in other places. Forgive how corny this question is, but it is the Halloween issue. How can you make real estate a little less scary? B: The first thing we do is meet with clients to go over their wants and needs,
then analyze and discuss their goals from a price-point perspective. We drill down into the process to make sure our clients are as educated as possible, so we’re certain they can make an informed decision. A: Brad and I bring different strengths to the table; we’re a really strong package deal. Depending on who’s the better fit, we tailor the experience to the client. So, what are your strengths? A: I like looking at the numbers and the contracts—it’s something I’m naturally drawn to. Brad is really awesome at creatively finding solutions on tough deals, and he’s really awesome at marketing. He’s got a great eye for it, and he’s very involved in that part of the business. B: Really, we’re great at everything!
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