We are pleased to introduce Slava Zborovsky, the contributing writer of Pascack Valley Lifestyle's real estate marketing report. Slava is the Broker Associate, Manager, and Broker of Record for the Pascack Valley Regional Sales Gallery of Christie's Real Estate Group. He serves both residential and commercial real estate clients and works hard to ensure every client receives the full Christie's experience.
Slava is our contributing writer for Pascack Valley Lifestyle's real estate marketing report and will introduce insightful topics such as how to stage your home, new developments in the real estate market, and what the boom in new developments means to local homeowners. For this Men's issue, we'd like to introduce Slava to our readers.
Your name hints otherwise, but you really are a local guy.
I was born in Ukraine. My parents came to the U.S. with nothing and settled in Brooklyn. We later moved to Hillsdale. They were the true essence of the American dream, having that old-school mentality of working hard to be successful.
My father would drive from Brooklyn to Rockland to cut fabric in a textile warehouse. He opened and closed the shop and drove a limo at night. My mom worked at a bakery and went to school to be a programmer. She was a music teacher in Russia. They did what they had to do.
How did you get into real estate?
I graduated from Pascack Valley High School in 1994. I was working in my father's business, living in Florida, and I met someone selling pre-construction real estate. He took me under his wing. I got my real estate license and began my career in the housing market. However, I wasn't very familiar with the area. From that experience, I learned that the value of a realtor is based on the amount of knowledge and experience you can offer to your clients. It's not just pointing out the living room and the kitchen.
I've been back in the Pascack Valley for many years now. It's my stomping ground. I sell well here because of my knowledge and my positive relationships with other realtors. I'm vested and knowledgeable about this community.
What is your real estate philosophy?
I don't like to just "sell" homes. It's not just about a beautiful kitchen or yard. I make a point to share the possibilities of the property, both the negatives and the positives. It's important to value the client and prove to them that you have their best interests in mind. I create a comfort zone with my clients, share my honest opinions about the listing, and am realistic about estimating the selling price of a house. Some agents inflate the listing price in order to get the listing. That’s not right. I firmly believe that you’re only as good as your reputation!
Can you share an example of looking out for a client's best interests?
I was representing a buyer for a property in Saddle River. They loved the house, but they wanted a pool. The listing agent told them a pool would fit in the yard. I was doubtful, so I personally hired a wetlands delineation expert to check it out. Guess what? You could not put a pool there. I later found the couple another home that was a better fit for them and already had a beautiful pool and cabana!
What are some of the trends you are seeing in the market?
I have never seen inventory as low as it is now. Homes are selling for far more than their asking price, and people are getting priced out of the market. It's so difficult.
We’ve also all noticed the new developments going up throughout our area, which are changing the infrastructure of our towns. The rising generation tends to be more transient. People want to rent so that they have the option to move at will. They don't want to worry about snow plowing or spending their weekends fixing up a home.
Tell us about your family.
I live in Saddle River with my wife, Dr. Lana Benim, and my three children. When the kids were small, we decided that rather than paying for daycare, she would open up her own! Now, she has two centers in Rockland County, New York. We have two sons, Jake and Blake, 15 and 11, respectively, and a daughter, Ava, who is 10.
I stay busy volunteering on the Highlands Travel Baseball organization board and have coached baseball and basketball for years. I just love helping people. I enjoy it when people pick my brains when they have questions or need ideas. I want to be that local go-to guy!
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It's important to value the client and prove to them that you have their best interests in mind.