Giving back has guided agent in his career, personal life
Posted: Dec. 13, 2009
Maggie Richardson and Bob Pelzmann, with their dog Dempsey, own and operate Assist 2 Sell Right Price Realty in Muskego.
Giving back has guided agent in his career, personal life
Posted: Dec. 13, 2009
Bob Pelzmann has been selling real estate for more than 25 years. It’s provided a good life for his family and, because of that, he gives back to those less fortunate.
“I got my license in the early 1980s. I worked real estate while I had another job and in 1984 I went full time,” Pelzmann said.
In 1990 he opened his own real estate company with a partner. When the two decided to part ways in 2000, Pelzmann and his wife, Maggie Richardson, bought the Assist 2 Sell franchise, naming it Assist 2 Sell Right Price Realty.
“We saw the market changing and the biggest change I saw was the traditional six-percent real estate companies were having a harder and harder time with the Internet. The Internet opened up a new business model and I looked around at the available franchises and the only one out there that combined a flat fee with full service was Assist 2 Sell,” he said.
His firm has been successful, ranking in the top 10% of the 500 Assist 2 Sell franchises nationwide each year they’ve been open. Pelzmann said he sees some advantages to running a smaller office, with himself, one other broker and Richardson and another person providing support.
“There are some real pluses to the size of our business. When a customer calls, we know who they are and where their house is, it’s not just a number. We’re personally involved with their life and everybody on staff knows them,” he said.
Richardson also likes the idea of charging less for their services. “One of the biggest things is we both really enjoy helping people and that’s pretty much the reason Bob wanted to go to Assist 2 Sell — to help people save money. It’s giving back,” she said.
Even though the commission is less than traditional brokers, Assist 2 Sell is full service, offering everything from market analysis, the showings, arrange for the inspection and through to the closing.
Pelzmann and Richardson also volunteer as part of their approach to giving back.
“We’re involved with Human Concerns and the south side meal program. I’ve been pretty involved with our church to begin with, but this is something Bob and I believe in is giving back because God has been good to us. We’ve Helped Human Concerns with donating turkeys and in a couple of weeks we’ll be part of an entertainment night. We’re providing some gifts that Santa can bring and we’re going to entertain people who are needy through the south side meal program. They will do crafts and have a meal. It all just makes you appreciate what you have. It’s giving back,” she said.
In their free time, the couple spends time with their dog, Dempsey, who goes to the office so he doesn’t get lonely. “We visit our son, Drew, who has a degree in chemical engineering and runs a chemical plant in Chicago. I like hunting and fishing a lot and boating” Pelzmann said.
Richardson added that they are both dedicated to their customers. “Our life revolves around this business, we’re always available. I think it’s very important and so often you get voicemail and I’m all about being available. If you’re smaller, you work harder,” she said.
