If the universal real estate mantra “location, location, location!” applies locally, then real estate broker Mark Causby has an edge over competitors in serving home buyers and sellers in the ɫ area. A native North Carolinian who has lived his whole life where he lists and sells homes, Causby very well knows “location.” And as a member of the Burke County Chamber of Commerce and the ɫ Downtown Development Association, he has deep ties to the community and understands the importance of promoting not only houses but himself.
In the following interview, Causby discusses why he became a broker and how his qualifications serve home sellers and buyers alike.
You earned your real estate license two years ago. What did you do before and what role has that played in your early success listing and selling houses?
For the past 28 years I’ve owned and operated a very successful disaster restoration company, and before that I managed restaurants. In dealing with people, there's not much difference between real estate and the restaurant and disaster restoration businesses. It's all about building relationships and understanding customers’ needs.
I bring a lot to the table as the local guy who knows the neighborhoods and schools and even specific houses. Recently, a woman called from Arizona about a listing and asked how far the house was from churches, schools and shopping. I knew the house and neighborhood and was able to answer her questions and address her needs.
Why real estate as a next career, and why with Coldwell Banker Real Estate?
I’ve been in the people business my whole life, working in houses and alongside brokers, and I view real estate as the next chapter in my career.
As for Coldwell Banker, a lot of real estate offices have opened here in the last two years and in another two years they may be gone. But this is one of the oldest firms in the area, and that kind of stability appealed to me. Plus, we are the market leader in units sold in Burke County.
What do you consider your greatest strengths in helping customers find their dream home?
My greatest strength is being able to deal with different people in different circumstances and with different needs. The key is being able to assess those needs quickly and efficiently. Besides, a lot of Realtors have moved here from other places in the past two years and they don't know how to get across town. But again, I’m from here, I know the area, and I'm planning on staying here.
In a hot real estate market, what are you advising your clients to do to increase their chances of getting the house they want?
We have an unbelievable market here where the average house is on the market literally for a few days before it’s sold. I advise my customers to be prepared, have approval letters from their bank in hand, and be ready to make an offer as soon as they find the house they want. Because if they wait to think about it over the weekend, on Monday morning it will be gone.
To learn about the ɫ, North Carolina, area market or for a comparative market analysis of your home, call real estate broker Mark Causby at 828.205.3531 or visit .
Causby invites you to come by to talk to him at Coldwell Banker Newton Real Estate at 203 East Union Street, ɫ, North Carolina.
