When Angele Ekert approached her neighbor Tisha Neborsky in 2002 for some career advice, the two women could never have foreseen the impact the conversation would have on their lives and the real estate marketplace in Ridgewood.
Since partnering together in the fall of 2004, under the name Your "Home" Team at the Ridgewood branch of Coldwell Banker, the women have shot up the ranks of the Ridgewood real estate market to become first in total transactions in 2007, second overall in 2008, and are currently first overall this year through the end of August.
"I was successful during my first year alone, and then we decided that rather than competing we would be a stronger force together," Ekert said. "We have a great working relationship. It complements, it works, and gets stronger every year."
Seven years ago, when Ekert spoke with Neborsky, their main connection was simply being parents of children at Somerville Elementary School and having the same circle of friends. Ekert had been a trader on Wall Street for 17 years, but when she watched the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001 at her trading desk, she knew her life would never be the same. Upon realizing "what was important in my life," Ekert decided she wanted to be closer to her family and her two children, Kelley and Kenny, and believed real estate would give her some "flexibility." Neborsky was in her second year in the real estate field; her prior professional background had been in retail before she became a stay-at-home mother to her two children, Summer and Slater.
A few months after their conversation, Neborsky joined Coldwell Banker; within the next year Ekert received her real estate license and joined the firm. Not only did Neborsky prove a "great help" in getting her started, but Ekert said they worked so well together that the partnership "seemed like a natural thing to do."
Their partnership, according to Ekert, works as "we have different strengths in various areas," and because they maintain constant communication to make sure every base is covered for their clients. While Ekert said she excels on the computer and working with sellers, she admits Neborsky is better with the buyers and keeps everything very organized for the tandem.
Neborsky stops short of saying who does what better, as she believes their most important attribute is that "we can each do each others’ job, and [often] will do that." The woman each admit they entered the profession thinking it would give them leeway to come and go as they please in order to raise their children, but found it a full-time job rather than one to just dabble in.
"It’s a customer service business. People these days have high expectations and want constant availability to you," Neborsky said. "It’s a seven day a week job."
Approximately 80 percent of their business consists of properties in Ridgewood, with 90 percent coming from personal referrals. The women strive to not only be personable and always accessible, but to be knowledgeable about everything related to the village. Clients often inquire about Ridgewood’s best attorneys, restaurants, doctors, and places like nail salons, Ekert said. The biggest draw to the village for clients, according to Neborsky, are the services the town offers, the many sports groups available to children, the library, the YMCA, the shops and restaurants, and most importantly, the accessibility to New York City.
To maintain their profile in town, the women have not only joined the Chamber of Commerce to have a say in what is going on in the business community, but also volunteer whenever they can and sponsor a number of sports teams. They have also become infamous to many children in town, as they have an advertisement that appears in previews shown at the Warner Quad Theatre. The combination of all this exposure has resulted in the women always running into their clients throughout the village.
"When you work in the community that you live, your reputation is essential, because it’s not like you can go out and not see these people," Neborsky said. "We see them everywhere you go, whether it’s the supermarket or the post office … I saw one today in Dunkin Donuts."
With the real estate market currently down throughout the country, Ekert said business has been better than some may expect. Buyers have a great opportunity to buy in the village since prices are at a "historical level, which we haven’t seen these prices in a long time," she said.
Due to the first-time buyer $8,000 tax credit, the women said they are seeing a higher percentage of those purchasing their first home in Ridgewood, and continue to have clients who are trading up to bigger homes. They also sell and provide rentals to many transferees, with the bulk of this work done by e-mail, Ekert said.
Neborsky and Ekert each said that working for Coldwell Banker has proven a great boost to their business, especially in the competitive Ridgewood marketplace. They specifically praise office manager Marty McNichols, who is supportive and motivates them both with his enthusiasm, as well as the "great administrative staff" at the office.
"We base our business on integrity and professionalism; that has gotten us through and will continue," Neborsky said.
Your "Home" Team, Angele Ekert/Tisha Neborsky of Coldwell Banker. 44 Franklin Ave. 201-493-2998. www.teamridgewood.com