Mager Homes Brings 15 Years Of Realty Expertise To New Jersey

Coldwell Banker realtor Kristina Mager believes that knowledge is power. A Middletown resident, Mager bridges the gap between community and commerce by specializing in the same area that she's laid her roots, with 25 New Jersey communities under her belt.

Patch: Tell us about your beginnings. When did you come to realize that marketing homes was the career for you?

Mager: I started in real estate back in 2003. I was about to turn 25 years old and was managing a very successful restaurant in Staten Island. I knew I didn't want to be in the restaurant business forever, and I had always been extremely interested in real estate. I decided, if I was going to make the transition from the restaurant business to real estate, it was the right time. It was a scary time for me, leaving something that I knew and was successful at for a career that I really had no knowledge about, but was drawn to. In the beginning, I devoted most of my time to planning and prospecting. I also learned from the older and experienced agents that were more then happy to show me the ropes. I learned from some of the best in the business.

Patch: What are your areas of expertise?

Mager: Monmouth County, primarily Middletown, Holmdel, Hazlet, Atlantic Highlands and Red Bank. I also have a lot of experience in short sales.

Patch: What sets one realtor apart from another?

Mager: As realtors, people are trusting us with what usually is the biggest financial investment of their lives. It’s important to not only find a realtor who is experienced and going to be able to direct you properly, but also someone who works tirelessly to help you find that perfect fit for you. At the end of the day, this is about you, and as a realtor, I get that. I spend a lot of time getting to know my clients and what they want and don’t want, and in the end, that relationship really makes all the difference. It is also crucial to have an agent that is an expert in the area.

Patch: How do you maintain a competitive edge in the real-estate industry?

Mager: Referrals are a huge part of my business. Many of my clients have come just through networking and referrals of past happy clients. Also, I have lived in the area over 30 years and have a huge circle of local family and friends that help to promote my business and listings [through] word of mouth. I can name quite a few times I have sold a listing through networking. I have become one of the top agents in the Coldwell Banker Middletown office through very hard work and determination!

Another huge part of my business is marketing. I advertise my listings heavily on Coldwell Banker's multiple websites, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Facebook and, of course, Patch! I work for a company that has been in the business for well over 100 years, and its main concept is integrity and customer satisfaction.

Patch: What is the most unusual or otherwise most memorable event to happen to you while showing a house?

Mager: I have so many stories! Once, I met a new buyer at a foreclosed property in Holmdel. It was very close to Holmdel Cemetery, and this buyer swore the house was haunted. I've been in many scary-looking vacant houses, so that usually doesn't bother me at all. But for some reason, this guy was so nervous that he started to make me nervous, too. When we walked upstairs from the basement, he said, "I have to get out of this house," and as he said it, the door swung open. Perfect timing. I never saw him again after that. Oh—and he didn't buy the house.

Patch: How are you involved in the community?

Mager: I am a member of St. Mary's Parish in New Monmouth, and my children go to St. Mary's School. I am involved in school events as much as I can be. I love to be there for the kids. Also, I routinely take in foster animals for different animal rescues. Most recently, [I] fostered two puppies and a kitten, and they are both still living with me now. I guess I am what many people consider a foster failure!

Aside from that, I’m just a regular mom and we love this community! We go to the beach club in the summer, love eating out and enjoying the many great restaurants around. My husband and I love going to see shows at Count Basie Theatre, and we enjoy spending time with our friends.

Patch: What are three tips you can offer to first-time buyers?

Mager: Make sure you have an experienced agent that knows the area.

Obtain a preapproval prior to beginning your search. You may be able to afford more or less than you think. Interest rates are constantly changing, so it's good to have a broker looking out for your best interests from the start.

Don't wait for an open house! Houses that are priced correctly and show well usually sell before they make it to the open house, so you may be missing out. As soon as you see something you are interested in become available, call your agent immediately to get in, and your agent can set you up on automatic listings so that you know as soon as something hits MLS and you don't have to wait for the feed to hit the websites.

Patch: What are the more common mistakes you’ve seen when it comes to putting one’s home on the market?

Mager: My biggest pet peeve is bad pictures and improper staging. It is so important to have stunning pictures that make people want to make an appointment to see your home. Too much clutter in a shot can take away from the room and make the home look messy. Prior to my listings being photographed, I go room to room with my clients and advise what they should do to make the house photo-ready. The photographer I use is one of the top photographers in Monmouth County, and she also has a sheet to help prepare the home prior to our shoot.

De-clutter. I tell my clients that for every box of stuff they pack , the more money they put in their pocket. Guaranteed. People come to look at the house and they want to visualize their own stuff in the home.

Don't overprice. It's never smart to "see what happens." The clock starts ticking the minute the house hits MLS. Buyers do pay attention to days on market; the more days a home sits on the market, the more likely a buyer will present a lower offer.

Patch: You specialize in six communities throughout central New Jersey. What is the draw to these areas?

Mager: These areas are all incredible places with great schools, Monmouth County Park System—which is one of the top park systems in the entire country—and lots of options for commuting into NYC with incredible proximity to the beach. I absolutely love this area! It has so much to offer and the communities are all very unique!

Patch: How can Patch readers contact and learn more about you?

Mager: If you have any real-estate-related questions, I would be happy to answer them! Please call me directly at (917) 414-7807 or email me. If you are considering moving this year, I can provide you a complimentary market analysis of your home. Inventory is currently extremely low, and it is a great time to sell! Check me out on Facebook at Mager Homes or my website.

Contact Kris and find out what your home is worth today.

Learn more about Kristin Mager through her Facebook, Zillow, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Photo credit: Kristina Mager