Each office is run and operated as a local branch
By Staff Report
Photo courtesy Coldwell Banker
Coldwell Banker agents in front of their Tennant Station office.
Coldwell Banker began in 1906, rising from the ashes of the San Francisco earthquake. As the rebuilding began, Colbert Coldwell and Benjamin Banker recognized the need for a real estate company that would provide honest, reliable, trustworthy and innovative service to clients.
As the company grew, Coldwell Banker expanded its operations throughout the Bay Area and in the late 1970s opened an office in Morgan Hill as Valley of California, which later became Coldwell Banker. Today both the Morgan Hill and Gilroy offices have nearly 100 agents who serve South County. Morgan Hill Life asked John Agresta, manager of the Morgan Hill Coldwell Banker office, about the company and how it fits with local real estate scene.
How would you describe the company’s style of serving customers?
Though Coldwell Banker is both a national and global brand, each office is run and operated as a local branch. Each client is treated with personal, professional service that is customized to the person, the family and the community. Each transaction is approached with the utmost emphasis on service. Selling and or buying a home is the biggest financial decision in most people’s lives. Coldwell Banker sales associates know that their guidance, advice and expertise are key helping buyers and sellers achieve their ultimate goals.
How is Coldwell Banker different in its service from other real estate companies?
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is a rare entity in real estate — a firm that combines the clout of a major company with the spirit of a locally focused boutique. Coldwell Banker is big enough to provide powerful programs to assist clients with marketing their homes, but the marketing, however, is created for local markets. Our managers neither list nor sell properties and so do not compete with their agents. The manager’s role is to solely provide leadership and guidance and education to agents.
What non-profit organizations does the Morgan Hill office support and why is the company involved with these groups?
The Morgan Office and agents support a myriad of charities and organizations. Among these are Habitat for Humanity, The American Red Cross, The American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Awareness, and Support for Overseas Combat Troops.
Many of the Coldwell Banker agents are involved with the reading program at the El Toro Youth Center run by the Silicon Valley Boys and Girls Club. Why is this a special project for the agents?
Cindy Miller, an agent in the Morgan Hill office, is a former teacher at Live Oak High School. The reading project is very dear to her heart and she has been instrumental in encouraging her fellow agents to donate their time. All agree that it has been a very rewarding experience working with these young boys and girls.
What simple advice would you give people in finding a real estate agent they will like to work with?
The relationship between client and agent is a very special one indeed. Often a transaction can take up to 60 days from beginning to end — with the client working on a daily basis with his or her agent. In selecting an agent, it is very important to find someone who is trustworthy, experienced and honest. In addition, that agent should be respected for their knowledge of the escrow process.
Conversely, it is the agent’s responsibility to always listen carefully to clients so that their ultimate goals are achieved. Selecting the right agent should be a serious process, one where both the agent and the client bring to the table an honest and productive dialogue and clear cut goals and objectives.
