DMAR offers customers flexibility in pricing, contracts

Commentary By Mark Bollin, Green Valley News

Donna Marshall came to Green Valley 18 years ago. An experienced veteran of the mental health industry, Donna credits that experience as one factor that has made her successful in real estate.

My crooked smile gave away what would have been my next retort. But she saw it coming and continued ... “listening skills and the powers of observation are critical to understanding what clients are looking for. It’s easy for me to open a window on what they like, and dislike,” she said.

Having worked for large real estate organizations for many years, she launched Donna Marshall and Associates Realty (DMAR) in October of 2005 with one thing in mind - satisfying the customer.

“It's not that larger corporate structures aren’t effective,” she said. “After all, a client is searching for the best representation, no matter if they are in a large - or smaller organization.”

What she does find different is her ability to deliver more flexibility in contracts and pricing, and focus her organization quickly on research, problem solving, and the details of the business without being encumbered by a large corporate structure. Of course, a lower overhead cost structure is also a plus.

I asked how the real estate business had changed over the last 18 years in Green Valley. What had been a friendly “group” of 75 or so Realtors, is now grown to 400-plus agents. And home prices— even in today’s changing market — have risen over that time span, some rising over four times their original value.

It is no secret that the housing market has slowed across the nation and, in some markets it has almost come to a complete stop. The Green Valley marketplace is different, according to Marshall.

“Our numbers were good in February,” says Marshall. “Its almost what we used to consider as normal volume … we have been very fortunate to have experienced tremendous sales volume over the last four years,” she continued.

In looking at the future, Donna Marshall is already anticipating those elements that are and will continue to influence the way Realtors do business.

The Internet, for example, has changed the way people research markets, collect data on area statistics, and they tend to come to a market better informed and better educated.

“Still, people buy their most important purchase from a Realtor they trust and know will work for them every step of the way. That’s what DMAR is all about, and that is our commitment to our customers.” Marshall said.

Details

What: Donna Marshall and

Associates Realty

Donna Marshall,

Owner / Broker

Phone: 906-1525