Friday, January 15, 2016

Let's Do This!

When I started The Burkhardt Group back in 2007 as an alternative approach to renting apartments (and paying less commission), I never imagined where we would be today. We continue to grow with zero advertising, I opted to grow organically by just focusing on providing an exceptional customer experience while adding back quantifiable value (dollars!). Then let word of mouth drive the bus!

It was the early Streeteasy discussions in their very much read forum that got my wheels turning. There was a loud, persistent voice that wanted an alternative way to engage with their real estate broker/agent. What we are doing has been fine tuned over the last 8 years and we now function like a well oiled machine. Funny thing happened as well. I would say that clients equally value our guidance along with the rebate component!

Next stop is expansion. I want to reach more buyers, there is no reason why someone purchasing a $20,000,000 home is not calling us. On that note we have continued to expand, to date the largest closed deal has been $5,665,000.  We have had the pleasure to work with some very demanding, sophisticated buyers who have enjoyed working within our model. Take a look at some of the recent testimonials. We are also ready to begin listing properties, please call or email me for more information on how we can assist you with selling your property.

Thank you to the over 50 people who purchased with us last year! Let's get the word out about The Burkhardt Group!

Best,

Keith Burkhardt
917.770.4951

Saturday, January 9, 2016

This Testimonial Blew Our Minds!

Just more proof that what we offer is not limited service, discounted or in anyway less effective. We just work differently; disruptive by design and built on a platform of integrity. Whether you are purchasing a $400,000 studio or a $10,000,000 penthouse, we will provide you with a rewarding, efficient, knowledgeable and 100% transparent experience.

"Thank you Keith. In a process that was filled with frustrating variables caused by several parties, I am happy to say that each of you guys were a positive constant. You were quick to respond at all hours (xxx and I remarked more than once that your availability and responsiveness reminded us of...well, us), Christian was very thorough with the board package, the walk through and ongoing advice, and Christian and Lance were always available throughout the summer when we needed an escort to visit certain apartments.

I told Christian the other day that in our view your business model is a welcome disruption to the traditional NY RE paradigm. In the internet age, the barriers to discovery of inventory that the large brokerage houses were able to erect that forced a buyer to use them no longer exist in any meaningful way (i remember those barriers were still a problem when i bought my old place back in 2005). And for people like XXXXX and I that amassed our capital by being intelligent in the first place—well, we would only ever deploy it in a way that is also intelligent. So there is therefore NO way we would move forward on the biggest financial decision of our lives (bigger than all others COMBINED) without doing full independent diligence.  Therefore, the traditional model makes absolutely no sense for people like us relative to yours. I’m, going to forego a 2% return for the “benefit” of having some junior broker of a large firm that has been in the business for six months pound the pavement with us as we trapise around the city offering advice that one could find on page 1 of a Real Estate 101 pamphlet, and the additional “benefit” of having some large firm offer to find inventory that I know I am going to find myself? Please—its  a no brainer.

To echo what XXXX said, we are friends with like-minded people, and intend to recommend you in the first instance to those that indicate they may be interested in looking around themselves. I can assure you of that."

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Off to a Rough Start!

Happy new year! I spent the last 8 days in the beautiful city of Alamos, Mexico where my daughter was married in her Grandfathers home. If you want to explore a beautiful, historic colonial city in Mexico...start here.

It would appear that the softening in the market we experienced starting in August will be the continued theme. According to Streeteasy there has been a substantial decline in inventory. They tell a story of homes being sold quicker and closer to ask over the last quarter, that has been our experience as well. However it's been because it has been much easier to get to home plate for buyers. After being beat up for the past several years, paying ask or close to it was perfectly acceptable. The perk was not having to compete against many other bidders.

We'll know more come the end of the month....
From left: My wife, daugter (Zoey), daughter (Kirtana), me and Lance