If there’s one thing that Pasadena Realtor Bryan Martin understands, it is going the extra mile, whether as a Realtor or a neighbor or a friend.
As he pointed out in a recent interview, “You gotta really stand out, especially today when there’s a growing number of agents trying for everyone’s business. You’ve gotta really make you differentiate yourself in the field.”
As Martin explains, sometimes it is just a matter of mathematics.
“It’s a lot of numbers and you need to diversify yourself across a multitude of different marketing strategies,” he said. “You can’t just stick with one, you need to hammer all of them consistently. That’s the key.”
Over the past three months, Martin’s diversification has included his own newsletter distributed to potential customers across the San Gabriel Valley and beyond.
Newsletter subjects vary from ‘What to do when you can’t find a home,” to “How to spruce up the outdoor space of your property,” as well as relocation and expansion ideas to perhaps give a property more of a commercial flavor.
Martin also emphasized that he tries to cater to all real estate owners, both commercial and residential.
With the Pasadena market still exceedingly active even with lowered inventories and higher mortgage rates, Martin assessed the scene, saying, “There are still eager buyers and low inventory, creating this pent up pricing, and there are people just waiting for it to end.”
He admits that he himself can’t really see an end to the rising prices and fervor of the local market.
“There is a housing shortage, and that’s definitely driving this,” he added.
Noting that he had covered the subject in his newsletter, we asked his advice on what to do in a market with such a small inventory as Pasadena’s.
Martin offered, “You just need to be creative in your criteria.”
He continued, “You might be saying, ‘I can’t live without a three bedroom, two bath.’ Maybe that’s not what you really should be focused on. Maybe you should be more focused on the square footage because you might be cutting off a lot of options that have the square footage you need, and you can create that third bedroom.”
He also noted the current popularity of ADUs, and recommends those for owners looking to increase the value of their properties.
But it always comes back to giving a little more, so that you get a little more in return.
“Just always going the extra mile for my clients,” said Martin. “That always pays off, and it comes back for yourself when you’re not looking out for yourself, but looking out for others, and putting others first and their needs.
Bryan Martin is director at Kobeissi Properties. (818) 319-3457. b.martin@kobeissiproperties.
