3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Emmy Sarica and Andreas Senie

Business partners Emmy Sarica, who specializes in residential real estate, and Andreas Senie, who specializes in commercial real estate, emailed the Patch about the best piece of sales advice they have ever received and explain how EAC Properties stands out from the competition.

Patch: What is your definition of success?

Emmy Sarica: Doing what I love doing, and doing it well; knowing that I have helped people along the way.

Andreas Senie: Providing value to my clients, creating lasting mutually beneficial relationships.

Patch: What’s the best piece of sales advice you’ve ever been given?

Emmy Sarica: Under promise and over deliver. Be invested in your client’s needs.

Andreas Senie: Excel in whatever you do. In commercial real estate, or sales of any kind, this may mean passing on clients who have unrealistic goals. (Such as wanting Main St. retail space in Westport for $15.00 a square foot.) Taking such a customer would only lead to frustration on everyone’s part rather than success. But be sure to preserve the relationship even if you pass on the business.

Patch: If you had to recommend someone three books what would they be and why?

Emmy Sarica: "The Power of Positive Thinking," "The Millionaire Realtor" and "The Bible."

Patch: What’s the best thing about selling properties in the Fairfield area?

Emmy Sarica: Knowing that you are helping people live in safe, family-oriented areas with good schools, beaches, history and proximity to New York City.

Andreas Senie: Commercial real estate in the North East is least affected by recession, having a highly-specialized workforce, consistently improving infrastructure, and having wonderful economic development directors diligently working to improve our communities.

Patch: What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened to you when showing a home?

Emmy Sarica: We had a confirmed appointment, yet we announced ourselves, as always. My clients, their parents, and two young children walk in only to see a naked man get out of the shower and slowly walk by us to his room, without a word.

Patch: How’s the market these days?

Emmy Sarica: The residential markets are full of opportunities.

Andreas Senie: Commercial real estate has seen a consistent decline in vacancy in Fairfield County, specific to the I-95 corridor. This correlates to an overall increase in rental rates with many new projects underway or being completed. The new projects are often more desirable, which is causing some older buildings to choose to renovate or lower their rents to compete, but the overall market is stronger than ever.

Patch: What is your favorite part about working the real estate industry?

Emmy Sarica: Finding creative solutions to source win-win scenarios.

Andreas Senie: Consistently seeing the value generated by our endeavors on behalf of our clients and helping our communities prosper.

Patch: What sets one real estate broker apart from another? And how are you unique?

Emmy Sarica: Every agent is unique in personality, communication skills, and marketing techniques. My goal is to have clients understand that I am a genuine person who has been through both ends of the process many times. I understand the stress and challenges each transaction brings and I want to make the process as easy as possible.

Andreas Senie: Blending both technology and traditional sales methods, makes us unique in our ability to accurately track the market, limit risk, and advise our clients with information and creative solutions to maximize their returns in the shortest amount of time.

Patch: What three questions should readers ask when trying to find a reputable realtor?

Emmy Sarica: What is one creative solution you’ve used to get a property sold? Are you committed to honestly communicating with me even it isn’t what I want to hear? How will you source buyers and/or properties for my sale/purchase?

Patch: What’s your advice to someone who’s looking to a buy a new home right now?

Emmy Sarica: First of all, find someone you like, someone with whom you can discuss any issues. Be honest with your realtor – they are working for you. Ask for information on the neighborhood where you are looking to purchase. Be open to your agent’s input; they have experience that may suggest a solution that you haven’t considered. Communicate!

Patch: What advice would you give to someone trying to sell his or her house?

Emmy Sarica: First of all, declutter, declutter, declutter! Make rooms look bigger by removing unneeded furniture, and pack away personal belongings, such as collections and pictures. We ask this, so the potential buyers can picture themselves in the home. As difficult as it is, once you decide to sell, you must stop seeing it as your home and start seeing it as a product for sale to be presented in the best way to appeal to more people. Find a realtor who has time for your listing. It’s not about flash and wowing you – it’s about hard work and drawing in buyers by marketing to the correct audience.

Patch: What are your current goals for EAC residential?

Emmy Sarica: My passion is teaching and coaching. I am looking for full time agents to join my team. I really enjoy helping people succeed. I will provide leads and work with agents whenever help is needed. We use a collaborative approach and brainstorm together to offer each client the best possible service. If an agent is new, we’ll help them start on the right foot. Higgins Group is the best possible place to be and the least costly for agents. Our owner, Rick Higgins, wants to help his agents succeed. We are a family. Training and technology at Higgins is the best out there and the addition of EAC’s one on one coaching, will give new or agents who are trying to jump start their business, the edge to stand out in a very large group of professionals

Patch: What are your current goals for EAC Commercial?

Andreas Senie: Continue to expand on the relationships we are building, grow our market share, expand our off market inventory exponentially, continue to drive value to our clients.

Patch: How can readers contact you or learn more about EAC Properties?

Emmy Sarica: If your needs are residential, or if you would like to talk about joining us, call Emmy at 203-556-1608.

Andreas Senie: If you have you have any commercial needs or questions, reach out to Andreas at 203-259-2172. We’re happy just to talk anytime you need advice. We are always happy to pay a referral to agents who don’t work commercial. Please do not hesitate to visit our website at www.EAC-Properties.com or follow us on Twitter @EACProps.