New Real Estate Agency Opens In Downtown Pittsfield
Nocher Realty opened at 34 Depot St., using the same parking lot as Tito's.
He'd buy them, fix them up, and re-sell them. He also ran a restaurant and a tanning salon. And then he started working part time as a real estate agent.
But, as time went on, he found he was the most passionate about real estate and that had been taking up more and more of his time.
"This is all we do. We love it. And when you love it, it doesn't feel like work," Nocher said.
He was working with Steepleview Realty and the more time and energy he was putting into it, the more his sales grew. Two years ago, it became so overwhelming that his wife, Jennifer, quit her job to help manage it all.
Now, the couple is going all in. He quit his full-time job at Holland Co. in Adams and opened up his own real estate agency in downtown Pittsfield.
"I love Steepleview. I love the team. We already miss them. It was just our time for our family to grow and develop something on our own," Nocher said.
In February, Nocher Realty opened in a 1,000 square-foot space at 34 Depot St. The location is centrally located in Pittsfield, with parking available, and will serve as the hub for what will be a 10-agent company by the end of the year.
"Pittsfield's growth has been the best. From five years ago until today, the values have really increased in Pittsfield," Nocher said. "It just seems like Pittsfield property values have increased significantly compared to other towns and cities so why not plant yourself where it is growing."
Upon opening, he ramped up the marketing and last week an open house drew some 110 people to see the new space.
"We're already up to 20 listings in three, four weeks. The buzz has been good," Nocher said.
He and his wife have since hired one staff member and an agent. He has another agent joining next week, and three more scheduled for April. He said he provides training, marketing material and a computer for all agents, which particularly helps new agents entering the field.
"We provide everything -- signs and computers. They don't have to provide anything. If they are a new agent coming in and need a place to fit, they don't need to spend a lot of money," Nocher said.
"I kind of want green people. I don't want seasoned agents. They have their own systems. I don't want to mess with their systems."
Nocher himself has become a seasoned veteran in the real estate business and has his own system. Particularly, he has found his marketing to a strong point and now with his own agency, he can do that his way.
"I can grow it myself instead of helping somebody grow theirs. I'm a young guy. I've got two kids that I'm hoping to send through college. So, it was a financial decision," Nocher said. "And we do something a little different. I'm great at marketing. I sold 46 houses last year just because I market a little bit differently."
Nocher said about half of his sales are first-time homebuyers. He is particularly drawn to those buyers because he likes the excitement they have entering the market and helping those who may not even know they are able to purchase a home.
"My niche is the first-time home buyers. I love putting a first-time homebuyer into a house. It is exciting. It is new," Nocher said.
That's not to say that's all he'll sell. He said he already has half-million dollar homes listed. They work throughout Berkshire County with both residential and commercial properties.
"We'll list that trailer or we'll list that million dollar mansion. We have a few listing right now, one in Richmond a half million dollars, one in Lanesborough half million dollars. Really, in Berkshire County, you are looking at a median of $200,000 price point so that is the most of our sales. But we are going to help anybody. We're not going to say no to anything," Nocher said.
While Nocher may be expanding into Pittsfield, he said he isn't going to let go of his North County connections.
"We plan on opening an agency there, probably North Adams because that's the city. We would like another hub in August," Nocher said.
Nocher Realty can be reached at 413-442-0200 or nocherrealty@gmail.com.
Tags: new business, Real Estate,
