Michael Kenny works in partnership with Kenny Realty, Inc. to help clients buy and sell all types of residential real estate in San Mateo County and San Francisco. Mr. Kenny and his associates also have the capabilities to provide a complete range of property management services, from collecting rent and coordinating tenant repairs to handling the leasing process for vacant units.
As a second-generation real estate professional, Mr. Kenny says he understands the importance of developing long-term relationships with his clients. “My father started this business in 1967 and I’ve been here since 1983, so we’ve spent a lot of time helping people in this area with their real estate needs. We believe in treating our clients like family and doing everything we can to make things easy for them.”
Mr. Kenny says Kenny Realty’s small size and local focus give it a distinct advantage in the real estate market. “Our clients know we’ll be available whenever they have questions or concerns, which isn’t always the case with corporate firms. If we have a client who’s in a tough position, we can immediately focus on making the problem go away, which is a huge benefit for them.”
“We want every client to have a positive experience, so we simplify the real estate process for them, keep them well-informed and guide them through any difficulties that arise. Our goal is to build lasting relationships with our clients so they think of us whenever they have real estate needs.”
If you’re planning to buy or sell a home, make sure you know about the industry’s latest technological advancements. Not long ago, home buyers and sellers were completely reliant upon real estate agents for finding new homes. Even if they found a property they liked, the paperwork process was time-consuming and often meant many trips to the agent’s office. Today, the entire process has changed thanks to technological advancements and the rise in prominence of the Internet. Before you decide to buy or sell a property, consider the following tips:
Learn what previous clients have to say. Online reviews can help you find the type of agent you want to work with by telling you what others experienced from their agents. You still need to be cautious about whom you hire regardless of reviews, but the Internet has created a massive forum for consumers to have their say. Some websites may even list how many properties certain agents have sold in their areas, including transaction details that prove whether the agents have experience with properties like yours.
“It’s important to work with knowledgeable realtors who are strong negotiators,” says Michael Kenny, president of Kenny Realty, Inc. in South San Francisco. “The best ones stay on top of what’s going on in the market and treat their clients with respect. Reviews can help real estate professionals see how their clients view them, which can shape the way they run their businesses.”
Do research on your own terms. Today’s real estate websites provide more information than ever before. “In the past, only realtors had access to this information, but that’s no longer the case,” says Mr. Kenny. “Now, the market is more competitive and consumers can take control. They know what they’re looking for and understand their price range. They can set up alerts online so they know the second something goes on the market, and their realtors can move as quickly as possible to beat out other buyers.”
Keep up with advancements in paperwork. If you live outside of the area where you’re buying or selling, or if you happen to be away from home during the transaction, technology can help. “DocuSign is a good example of how today’s technology enables you to do business anywhere,” says Mr. Kenny. “Realtors can draw up deals while their clients are out of town and email them the details, and then the clients can sign and return the documents electronically.”
Maintaining customer satisfaction is crucial for any real estate professional, but it's even more important for agents who have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Michael Kenny, who works in partnership with Kenny Realty, Inc. in South San Francisco, the best way to achieve customer satisfaction is to utilize his agency's small size and local focus to achieve positive results for his clients. "Most of my competitors have joined large firms located in large cities, but we've stayed smaller so we can put our clients first," he says. "If they need extra help or we need to move quickly to solve an issue, we don't have to go to a corporate head to get the OK."
Mr. Kenny has been helping clients buy and sell residential real estate in San Mateo County and San Francisco since 1983, and Kenny Realty has been a fixture in the local real estate industry since 1967. In addition to its real estate expertise, the firm has the capabilities to provide a complete range of property management services, from collecting rent and coordinating tenant repairs to managing the leasing process for vacant units.
Unlike larger real estate firms that take a "one size fits all" approach to every job, Kenny Realty focuses on building relationships that last beyond the initial transaction. "By being friendly, down-to-earth and locally-focused, we're able to develop personal connections with our clients," affirms Mr. Kenny. "Many of them have bought and sold multiple properties through us. They start as a couple, but eventually they start a family and need something larger. Since they've already been through the process with us, they know they can trust us."
Another distinguishing attribute of Kenny Realty is its longstanding reputation within its local community, which Mr. Kenny says goes a long way toward establishing trust with clients. "We have great name recognition, and we're well-known to other real estate firms and inspectors. Personally, I want to carry on the legacy that my dad left behind, so I make sure everyone who works here does a great job for our clients and lives up to our reputation for quality service."