You know what they say about real estate — location, location, location.
Circle Real Estate has perhaps the perfect location to serve the people of Carmel. In the Carmel Arts & Design District, Circle is easily recognizable by the iconic Brickhead Human sculpture by New York artist James Tyler.
“Our location is a billboard,” says Jason O’Neil, Circle founder and president. “It involves us in the community, but it also lets people know that we are at the heart of Carmel.”
In 2021, O’Neil acquired the former fine art gallery at 30 W. Main St. A residential real estate agent for 18 years, O’Neil recognizes that living and working spaces are more than simply structures — they reflect personal style and passion.
“We were very thoughtful with the design of the space in maintaining the gallery,” he says.
Circle has continued to welcome art connoisseurs and buyers into the fine art gallery and even offer art staging services when listing and selling homes.
They also support talented artists and city-wide events. This continued investment in the local community plays a part in what makes Circle Real Estate the premier boutique real estate firm in the area.
So what does “boutique” mean when it comes to a real estate firm?
Contrary to what some might think, it doesn’t necessarily mean small or expensive. Rather, boutique brokers offer bespoke services focused on a specific market — certain types of homes, neighborhoods and price points.
“Your local boutique broker costs roughly the same price,” O’Neil states. “The only difference is that they are not going to sell every home under the sun like the other guys. They’re not going to attract every type of buyer or seller.”
For example, rather than spreading themselves thin, Realtors at Circle pride themselves on helping clients find premier six- and seven-figure homes. They study that market and cultivate a holistic understanding of it.
“I like to tell our folks we want to be an inch wide and a mile deep,” O’Neil says.
Most people think that real estate agents find homes, show homes and manage paperwork. Indeed, that’s the extent of what many do. O’Neil calls these the “easy things.”
He says Circle agents do what is much harder, working to mitigate risks and fiercely advocate for what their clients want and need.
"Buying and selling a home is not just complex — it’s a big deal in people’s lives,” O’Neil says. “There is a lot at stake financially and emotionally. At some point in the transaction people face tough decisions — something they didn’t expect. Having a trusted advisor that did expect it or has been there before can save the transaction and your sanity.”
Circle Real Estate offers home alerts and can give potential clients an automated equity evaluation on the value of their home, similar to what financial advisors may provide.
However, according to O’Neil, the home buying and selling experience is unique to every situation and should be treated as such. Elements such as price, timing and urgency mean that no two transactions are alike. Nevertheless, many real estate agents treat clients as if one size fits all.
“Realtors should bring clarity to an otherwise unclear situation,” O’Neil says. “They should instill confidence in the process, and they should commit themselves to your unique situation.”
Chances are that if Realtors work for a boutique brokerage they receive the best in training, courses and conferences across the country.
“As a result, their professional habits and systems are far more successful than outdated corporate systems,” O’Neil says.
A broker who handles hundreds of deals every day often comes with a wait time in resolving issues, according to O’Neil. On the other hand, boutique brokers and their teams are able to jump in immediately and help with any issues that might derail a deal.
Circle agents recognize that buying or selling a home is more than a business transaction.
“Your home is an investment in your happiness,” O’Neil says. “It’s where you make memories and where you go on good or bad days.”
O’Neil and his agents keep that in mind when sitting down with buyers and sellers.
“You don’t just pick up your life and move it somewhere else without being intentional,” he says. “We go through a lengthy series of conversations about what our clients’ motivations are, what their timing is, where they’re going and why.”
In the case of selling a home, these in-depth conversations help Circle agents put together a marketing business plan to put a property on the market and get it in front of the most likely buyers. With those looking to purchase, O’Neil says he will often lead his clients through visualization exercises to help them determine if homes they like are really the right fit for their lifestyle.
Circle Real Estate not only aims to protect their clients’ money but also to protect their sanity and peace of mind.
“This leads to a better broker-client relationship,” O’Neil says, “one that can continue for years to come rather than for one single transaction.”
INNER CIRCLE GALLERY | QUINN JOHNSON, DIRECTOR
The gallery displays around 35 pieces of artwork at any given time from local, national and international artists. All art is for sale, and the gallery is open to the public by appointment. Johnson was instrumental in bringing the Carmel Arts & Design District and much of Carmel’s public art to fruition.
“Realtors should bring clarity to an otherwise unclear situation. They should instill confidence in the process, and they should commit themselves to your unique situation.”