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Agent Feature-Nick Baldwin of Just Married Real Estate

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Nick Baldwin, Founder of Just Married Real Estate

 

I connected a few years ago with Nick Baldwin.  He was a fairly new agent with Keller Williams in Montclair, NJ.

I have noticed him over the past year or so, really standing out over other agents.   He seemed to connect with people in such a way that his business has grown tremendously.  

  

I recently interview him on his most recent venture is Just Married Real EstateSM .    I recently interviewed him on his new venture.  The future looks promising!

 

 1. When was JMRE started?

Just Married Real EstateSM  just sort of came to me about a year ago. Actually, right around the time that my wife, Anne, and I were    getting married.

2.  Whats your background in real estate?

I am coming up on my third year in real estate this year. There are a couple of reasons I started my career as a Realtor. One, is because my mother, Roberta Baldwin, has been a Realtor for 15 years and she already had a very established team called The Baldwin Dream Team. We are now working out of Keller Williams Realty in Montclair, NJ. The other reason was, as my relationship with my now wife grew more serious, she wanted me to pick a career path that had more of a solid future. Needless to say, three years later, I’m still doing this. I entered the job at a very shaky time for the country financially, and I managed to close 13 transactions my first year.

3.  What areas/communities to you currently serve?
Right now, I’m primarily serving all of Essex, and parts of Morris, Union, and Bergen Counties in New Jersey.
4.  How did the idea of JMRE come to fruition?
 
My wife and I noticed that many of her friends that were getting married in Michigan (her home state) were buying homes very soon after the wedding. Not to mention, about 60% of my client base is young couples in their late 20′s to early to mid 30′s, who have been married two years or less. Then it dawned on me that there should be a real estate service geared towards them, and only them, to help them step by step through the home buying process. As a newlywed myself, I can totally relate to them on this level. 
5.  What products and services to you offer
 
We don’t offer physical products, although I may be giving away some coffee mugs. HAHA!!! This service is focused on helping the newlywed make smart choices in today’s market, especially financially. A wedding can be draining on the bank account, so buying a home that still gives you room to breathe is very important. On the website we have mortgage calculators to help them make these wise decisions. Also, chosing the town that they are most comfortable with, with a school district that’s right for their children is something else that I will guide them through. I also have a full MLS feature on the site that will give them up to the minute info on any property currently listed for sale in the Garden State MLS. Or, if they are still planning their wedding at the same time as their home search, I have a feature on the site where they can fill out a short questionnaire about what they are looking for in a new home, and I will take that information and search for homes for them so they can be focused on planning their big day.
6. Why focus on couples that are getting married or are just married?
The reason I am focusing on these couples is because these are people who are going through a big moment in their lives. They are making a lifelong commitment to each other and they deserve the extra attention from a service that is meant for them. There are Realtors out there that brand themselves so many different things. “The Millionaire Realtor,” “The Celebrity Realtor,” and whatever else you can come up with. Newlyweds are a huge market. A lot of people get married and they deserve someone who is basically their  Realtor.  
 7 . What do yo think sets you apart from your competition
 
I believe the fact that I am in the same boat as they are gives me the upper hand. Granted, I won’t be a newlywed forever, but when the average age if a Realtor is 51, I’ve got many, many years of JMRE ahead of me.
8. What technology tools do you use as part of the business
I am huge on my BlackBerry usage, so smart phones are a must. In a world of texting, BBM, e-mail, instant message, Facebook, twitter…the list goes on…I am always quick to respond. The new BlackBerry Tablet is being released soon as well, so I will be able to take the MLS with me on the go when I’m with clients. Technology is evolving everyday and it’s important for me to keep up with it to help the business grow.
9.  What does the future look like for JMRE
The future looks very bright! In the short time that the service has been out there, it’s been getting a lot of positive, local attention. I officially trade marked the name and the logo, so I am now able to give it the big push I have been waiting for. My goal for the service is to expand nationally – to have a network of Realtors connected to the Just Married Real EstateSM service. People get married all over the USA, so why not have a Just Married Real EstateSM in every major housing market? It just makes sense!
10. Anything else you would like to share?
Just that this is the perfect time for newlywed couples to buy. Interest rates are low and the country is “on sale.” In some cases, you can own for the same price as renting. Sometimes less. Like a marriage, buying a house takes a lot of compromise, so couples should be ready to give and take. ”You Found the Key to Your Heart, Now Find the Key to Your Home,”
with Just Married Real Estate SM
In my opinion, Nick’s idea is brilliant.   Not only is he marketing to a continually growing niche, but he is doing it in an innovative way.   He is branding himself as the expert in the area of newlyweds.  Not only that, but he owns rights to the name, “Just Married Real Estate“ .  This in its self gives him an edge.   It also has the potential for national franchising/networking.  
This is another great case for branding.   Nick completely understands the needs and wants of his costumers.  He’s creating an identity.  He is also being real.  He can directly relate to his consumer and will understand the challenges and fears his consumers have.  This is always something to remember. 

Finding people that support you professionally

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One important lesson that I have learned lately, is that you can’t always find support in your office.   When I moved to Edina Realty a few years back, I knew the majority of the agents in my office.   I thought, hey this will be a great office for me to work in.   But just like many offices, people are generally more geared towards support their own business.  

I started to look else where.   I found the YoPro’s through the Minneapolis Association of Realtors and that has been a tremendous help!  

I also found a huge network of people throughout the Twin Cities tat all support each other.   I found these people through Twitter.    This proves that social media does work.   My opportunities have grown so much because of the people I have chosen to connect with.   It amazing how my business and my focus has changed.