Any Realtor® worth their salt is going to work to find the right home for you, probably talking about its “potential”, “good bones”, “move-in ready”, etc. They’ll likely weave a narrative about its features, what the house could be under your care, and how it could be a dream come true for your family. They’ll also act as your personal location scout, taking into account proximity to schools, neighborhood type, and any other logistical considerations that you’ve asked them to keep in mind.
What you probably don’t expect is more like a “home sales concierge”, as one client once described Joe Charles.
In fact, it’s Joe’s vision in “potential” (along with in partnering with the right builder and a client who was open to dream) that took a decrepit, broken-down home with no working plumbing fixtures, a sagging, hole-filled roof, and studs masquerading as walls from an impossible afterthought to a record-breaking sale.
And it was his attention to detail and direct personal involvement that led to a client who found out why it takes more than good bones to make a house a dream home.
Like most places in Wayne, this is a great neighborhood, but it’s not one where you’d typically think to find million-dollar homes, although there are some to be found. There were doubters that thought that this home could sell anywhere near the asking price, but the design choices overcame that.
In his mind’s eye, Joe saw a homeowner’s future utopia, despite the challenges.
“It was very important to us that the home fit the neighborhood,” Joe explains. “We didn’t want it to look like a spaceship dropped into a mature residential area. The builder and I actually drove around this part of town looking for a home to model the design after, and we found one that felt like the perfect fit. I provided the data and some suggestions, but the builder was the one who created the masterpiece. He constructed an amazing home. He truly puts a lot of care into his builds, which certainly showed in this home.”
“Throughout the project, I was there to bounce ideas with my client and the builder, offering suggestions to the floor plan, paint colors, and other details. I also acted as the project manager between the builder and the town - making sure the project kept moving forward and that the town had what they needed. This builder moves fast so it was very important that nothing would slow down the project. I think we kept a great relationship with the town and everyone was happy.”
Who hires a realtor and gets a project manager - and design consultant? A very lucky one, it turns out.
“Over the years there were quite a few times a client - usually a seller - needed an extra hand,” Joe relates. “I've walked pets, helped move furniture, taken trash out to the curb, performed routine checks on a vacant property when a client lived far away, and a few other things that just made the day a little less stressful for my client.”
Joe takes pride in his reliability - and honesty, even when it might not be in his own best interest.
“Sometimes, there are other options that might align better with their goals that they might not have been aware of. Maybe they’re stressing over selling but didn't think that renovating the home would be the better option than selling. I'd rather help show them how to reconfigure their home to work for their current needs then find out they regret selling. I pride myself on offering honest advice and providing them with the most current data so they can make the most informed decision for themselves.”
Joe remembers his own homebuying experience. “I remember what it was like to be pushed into homes I didn't want to see, been told to spend more than I can afford, and getting delayed responses where I ended up missing a property I really wanted to see.”
It’s that sort of memory that fuels what he does. But he also brings a unique background to bear that many lifelong realtors don’t.
“I began my career building computers, working on communication networks and project management before I became a realtor. My background was in problem solving, which translated well into real estate where no challenge is the same. Moreover, my technical background has allowed me to keep pace with new technology, such as AI and digital marketing so I can keep up with the modern buyers’ experience in how they look for properties. I also bring a lot of patience and can break down information in a simple, easy to understand way.”
A realtor that’s plugged into cutting edge tech and AI, can be a de facto project manager, and is willing to walk your dog in a pinch? That’s the real find in the neighborhood.
Joseph D. Charles is a Realtor® with Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty, generally covering an area within a 30-minute drive surrounding Wayne to personally serve his clients most effectively. He can be reached at 973-715-8766 to learn about how he can be the right realtor for you.
It was very important to us that the home fit the neighborhood. We didn’t want it to look like a spaceship dropped into a mature residential area.