Real estate brokers and agents are applauding a move by an upscale community development to extend sales hours, negating the need for appointments and being available for open house six days a week and by appointment on Sundays.
The idea of making it convenient for agents and brokers to show property was introduced by Zachary ‘Zack’ Bonczek when he took on the role of director of sales and marketing at Palm Cay in January.
The open house, open door policy is sparking interest among agents in the $200 million community of residential lots, private homes, beachfront and interior townhomes with clubhouse, pool, wide beaches and 194-slip marina on Nassau’s southeastern shore.
“I spent years in real estate before taking on this position, so I know what it is like to have an interested client but you have to call, make an appointment to show a property, wait around, and hope that the client is still interested,” said Bonczek. “Sometimes you have to wait a day or two before an agent can get in to see a certain property. In this day and age when we are accustomed to everything on an instantaneous basis, waiting does not work.”
Bahama Islands Realty estate agent Marilyn Ayearst said Palm Cay’s policy has made a huge difference.
“The convenience of showing the Palm Cay community any time of the week and sometimes on short notice makes for a happy agent and potential buyer,” said Ayearst who was the leading agent in the growing firm in 2011. “It’s all about timing. The easier the access to show properties can make a difference in a real estate agent’s busy schedule. Palm Cay ‘s door is always open.”
BREA Vice President and Colonial Realty Ltd. agent Gino Maycock agrees.
“Palm Cay’s agent friendly policy was recently proven and applauded when a BREA Certified broker received a call from Mr. Bonczek stating that they are soon to receive a commission on a second purchase from the sale of a client they introduced to Palm Cay more than a year ago, and they had no knowledge of the second purchase. While it’s not unique, it is a rare practice by developers, and this simply proves that Palm Cay stands by what they say,” Maycock said.
“I like to think that what we are doing is to the real estate industry what the walk-in clinic is for medicine,” said Bonczek. “We’re here and our doors are open.”
