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Headquartered at 600 North Broadway in White Plains, their original location, the firm added locations in Bronxville in 2012 with their merger with Deed Real Estate, and most recently in Thornwood in 2014 with their merger with Newbauer Realty. These were the most recent in a series of mergers and acquisitions that has spanned the last dozen years, even at times when other companies were consolidating and tightening their belts. Now 100 agents and 3 offices strong and celebrating its 30-year history and 1st anniversary of serving the Mt. Pleasant market, the Budettis shared some of what has helped them succeed.
Lou Budetti credits several factors to their long-term success. “We have to make sure we deliver value, both to our clients as well as our agents. We can’t just deliver information. We have to use our experience and resources to make sure people are making good, sound decisions,” says Budetti. In addition, being flexible and diversified are other essential components of long-term success. “Our business model is very diversified. In addition to residential sales, we also have a residential rental division and a corporate relocation division,” he explains.
As in most sales organizations, an essential component to success is the salespeople. ERA Insite’s outstanding reputation is a credit to their team of highly experienced sales and rental agents, most of whom have been with them for 10+ years. “Acquiring and maintaining the right agent talent is always top of mind for us, as well as a quality staff to support them,” says Debra.
Wendy Topper, an associate broker and part of the “Topper Team” with her sister Dana, joined ERA Insite more than 20 years ago. “What I love most about the company is they have a tremendous staff. Whatever it is, they’ll take care of it,” she says.
Topper adds that Lou and Debra’s responsiveness and accessibility, to both agents and clients, sets it apart as well. “You have access to the owners. They are very visible and available for whatever the agents need. You can sit down and have a conversation. That’s huge in this industry.”
Operating the business as a husband-and-wife team requires the Budetti’s to maintain a balance. “We split the responsibilities. We have different roles and different strengths,” says Lou.
The acquisition of Newbauer Realty in Thornwood helped the Budettis expand their geographic footprint, become more diversified, and add agent talent. It also helped them further develop their niche as a mid-sized business, landing in the sweet spot between the corporate giants and the smaller boutique firms. “We’re not corporate owned so we can retain our local flavor and flexibility, yet we have all the resources of the big-box real estate firms. That’s one of the central things that differentiates us,” Lou states.
For more information about ERA Insite Realty, click here to visit the agency’s website.
