Ellie Johnson, Michael J. Romer, Michael Feldman

New York Real Estate Center, the leading platform for virtual continuing education courses, was proud to feature Ellie Johnson, President of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New York Properties, on February 3, 2021. Hosted by real estate attorneys Michael J. Romer and Michael Feldman, the webcast offered pro-tips and insights to help real estate professionals successfully transact in the current residential real estate market.

Examining how the real estate industry and transactions have changed, the participants pointed to the increased role of and dependance on technology.

“There are so many changes, and a lot of them have been quite positive,” shared Ms. Johnson. “Technology for the real estate industry, especially in the residential environment, existed for quite some time prior to the pandemic, however our industry was not quite embracing it as rapidly as we in management would have liked to. The pandemic accelerated that.”

Ms. Johnson outlined several of the essential agent tasks, emphasizing utilization of technology for all aspects of communication – from listing presentations to showings, negotiations, and closings.

“We have had success in holding virtual showings, in presenting full offers, and doing closings completely remote where the buyer only saw the property through a video, or a live Zoom walk-through with the broker being on the premises,” Ms. Johnson said. “I think that is something that will continue.”

On the legal side, Mr. Feldman noted that the closing process itself has been the most impacted.

“The traditional sit-down closing is something of a past event at this point,” he said, sharing that closings are now largely remotely either through power of attorney or document execution and exchange with a socially distanced closing agent.

For more than 30 years, Ms. Johnson has dedicated her career to teaching and training real estate agents, earning acclaim as “one of the finest and most charismatic brokers in the industry.” In 2017, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices turned to Ms. Johnson to launch and lead their first-ever New York City office. Serving as President, she is responsible for preserving and enhancing the world-class brand by recruiting and nurturing agents aligned with the company’s core values of integrity and unwavering client service. In just three years, Ms. Johnson has recruited 60 sales associates, and in September 2020 her office represented the buyer of a $63 million property, taking its rank as New York City’s fourth largest transaction.

New York Real Estate Center is a dynamic platform that serves as a resource for the residential and commercial real estate community. Subscribers have access to a full catalog of courses and information taught by leading real estate professionals, including Michael J. Romer and Pierre E. Debbas, managing partners of Romer Debbas, LLP and principals of New York Real Estate Center. The innovative courses offered through New York Real Estate Center satisfy state real estate agent and broker licensing requirements.

The latest in the popular Legal Hotline series, the webcast is available on the school’s website, nyrecenter.com.

About New York Real Estate Center, LLC (www.nyrecenter.com)

New York Real Estate Center, LLC, was launched by Michael J. Romer and Pierre E. Debbas as an extension of Romer Debbas, LLP’s commitment to education in the real estate community. An affiliated and licensed School for Continuing Education, New York Real Estate Center, LLC, offers a wide variety of accredited continuing education classes which satisfy real estate agent and broker licensing requirements. Several of the firm’s attorneys are Certified Instructors by New York Department of State.

About Romer Debbas, LLP (www.romerdebbas.com)

Led by Michael J. Romer and Pierre E. Debbas, Romer Debbas, LLP is a New York City-based law firm uniquely focused on commercial and residential real estate transactions, development projects and litigation, with clients in local, national and international markets. Their practice also extends to include Bankruptcy, Corporate and Business Law, Immigration, Litigation, Taxation, Trusts and Estates.