Hometown News and Views

By Phyllis J. Neuberger
PELICAN STAFF
Bubbling with enthusiasm, Regional Manager in Broward County Malissa Bellavigna says, “We just opened this office in June in the Galleria Professional Building, at 915 Middle Drive, just west of the Galleria, and we already have 24 agents. They’ve come to us from well known local agencies because of our fine reputation.  We do training and meetings here three times a week, giving our Realtors valuable tools that they have not had available in previous franchises.”
She describes Weichert Realtors-Hallmark Properties as an up-to-the-minute, paperless Real Estate company with 19 offices in Florida and three more coming to Broward County soon.  “We’re on line and our Realtors have full access to everything including properties, company documents and transactions. There are no folders or stacks of papers on our desks. Instead we have computers and large screens to take buyers and sellers on a virtual trip to every property in their price range in South Florida and anywhere in the world where properties are bought and sold. If a property has appeal, we do in-person visits. Even though we believe that technology is the way of the future, we still believe in face to face, and therefore our Realtors have actual beautiful physical listing presentations that are both professional and appealing to help a client with buying and selling.”
Hallmark Properties has been a successful Florida Realty company since 1978. Owned by broker, Steve Pilchick, the company joined Weichert Realtors umbrella eight years ago. Weichert is a very well known franchisee in New Jersey and New York where it has been very successful since 1969.  We found it to our advantage to  team up with Weichert because so many of our customers come from the northeast.”
Weichert offers  an array of tools to help agents be successful. We’re globally involved and knowledgeable locally. We give our team members real leads to people who are ready to buy and sell. We’re a one stop shop with our own mortgage and title company which makes transactions simple and uncomplicated. In addition we offer optional packages including insurance, home warranties, moving and utility assistance and more.”
Asked how the Real Estate Market is, Bellavigna is enthusiastic.  “It’s coming back . Prices are going up. Interest rates remain amazingly low and inventory is low which makes it an exciting time for sellers.  I feel we are on the cusp of a seller’s market which means that buyers should move quickly while conditions are so favorable.”
Their slogan is “Our favorite word is sold.” Bellavigna believes that Weichert Realtors-Hallmark Properties has raised the standard of professionalism, giving their Realtors an edge. “ We hold Weichert’s top award, The Pinnacle,” she says. “We’ve been their biggest producing franchisee for all of the eight years we have been under their umbrella.”
Here’s what some clients say
The Pelican spoke with Sandra Brandt in New Jersey who had just helped her sick brother sell his home in Fort Lauderdale. She found Weichert’s local office in Fort Lauderdale on the internet, and had an in person meeting with Malissa. She says, “I was sold on her interest in us and her understanding of our position. We had several offers and she was so willing and accommodating about evaluating each offer and helping us decide on the right buyer. I think the human interaction between the client and the Realtor is all important and Malissa has been a perfect match for us.”
Cheryl Gregg lives outside of Philadelphia and also had to sell a property remotely. She says, “I looked up Weichert in Fort Lauderdale because I have had satisfactory dealings with them up here. I found Malissa  and was quickly confident enough to list the property with her. My brother and I traveled back and forth a few times and found her to be a real advocate who went way beyond expectations to help us. We had an offer on our house within two weeks, but it fell through because of the buyer’s finances. A second offer came shortly after and we sold to that buyer for even more than we had anticipated.  Malissa was helpful in every way. Dealing with her was more than satisfactory, especially considering we were out of town most of the time.”
A former upstate New Yorker, Malissa Bellavigna came to Florida 20 years ago and has spent much of her time in Vero Beach. She says she loves Florida and finds life in Fort Lauderdale very exciting. For further information, call 954-990-6497.