Brian Pearl

I'd advise that home buyers stay loyal to one real estate agent when looking to buy a home. Not necessarily the one they are working with, but choose your buyer's agent by interviewing them and not by who shows up first on Zillow. Anyone can pay to get at the top of the list of "recommended agents" on Zillow, but you may not be getting the best representation. Work with a couple of agents at the beginning and go with the one you feel most comfortable with and ask them qualifying questions like how long have they been in the business, how many homes do they sell annually, do they sell real estate full time or part-time (don't work with a part-timer; your agent needs to be available when you need them and not at another job), etc... I would also work with an agent who is tech-savvy and knows how to use the various search engines and real estate apps that are available. If your agent can't use the mobile MLS application, they how are they going to be able to find you a home in an efficient manner? Technology is taking over the business in a big way, so your agent should at the very least be able to use the basics.

Hire ME!! Just kidding, but really, I obviously want to get in front of as many sellers as possible, but not only to get the listing, but to make sure the home sellers in my market area are educated and don't get "fooled" by some of the unethical or inexperienced real estate agents out there. When you've been in the business for as long as I have and have done as much business as I have, you learn from those experiences and transactions, so when a situation arises, I've most likely already experienced it and know how to advise my client on the best way to move forward. If you've only been in the business for a couple of years and don't have an experienced team that you work with, how can you educate your client on something that you haven't experienced yet? So, again, call me if you want to sell your home for top dollar in a reasonable amount of time with the least amount of hassle and stress!

I've worked with just about every type of client, from first time home buyers and sellers, investors who "fix and flip" homes, large corporate investment firms who look for land and develop properties, to growing families who are looking to "move up" and need more space. Every transaction is different which is one of the aspects of this business that I absolutely love! No two days or people are ever the same.

I was happy to help a newly married couple find their first home together. They were renting in Delray Beach and we met by them calling me on another listing I had in an East Boca neighborhood where they were looking. They said they weren't looking to work exclusively with a buyer's agent because they didn't see the value. Well, I took that as a challenge and quickly showed them the value of having a professional Realtor working for them! After searching for about a month or so, we found the perfect home for them in East Boca Raton. I negotiated a huge discount off the listing price for them and we closed about 30 days after; they were able to host their first Thanksgiving at their new home.

I was a senior in college at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and had rented a couple of homes with roommates near campus from a local Realtor whom I became friends with. While looking for my first one bedroom apartment (I was very excited to be living alone for the first time after years of college partying in frat house type properties we had previously rented) and I started asking about her career, what it entails, the income opportunities, etc... Since I wasn't 100% certain what I wanted to do after college, that summer I decided to get my real estate license and give it a shot. My grandfather was a real estate developer and builder in Miami Beach in the 1960's and 1970's and I knew how well he had done and I've always had an interest in the industry, so that following year, I finished school while starting my real estate career. The rest is history.

I've attended many different seminars, training events, and mastermind sessions over the years, primarily when I was with Keller Williams Realty. Keller Williams was very intent on their agents being the most knowledgable and skilled in the industry, which was a great experience. I obtained several designations over the years including the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) which certifies me to assist home owners in the short sale or pre-foreclosure process, and has given me the knowledge needed to assist buyers and investors who seek to purchase short sales and foreclosures or bank-owned (REO) properties for themselves as an investment property. I've also earned the Certified Investment Agent Specialist (CIAS) designation which benefits clients of mine that are investors, large or small. I've attended several mastermind sessions with some of the top real estate agents from around the country, including a private lunch that I was personally invited to in 2013 with Gary Keller himself! I continue to educate myself and desire to learn and do better every day and every year, as the industry changes. I've prided myself on staying atop of the latest technology trends, marketing ideas, and statistical data available to us as Realtors.