Both Dilip and Sara Varghese were born in India, and migrated to the United States some 15 years ago, in pursuit of better opportunities. Both of them have worked in the corporate sector, but then chose to join forces and create their own real estate business.  They joined the Keller Williams realty in 2004, where they formed the Varghese Team. Dilip and Sara have three daughters, Rebecca, Hannah and Abigail . They spoke to Lokvani as how they came to be " Partners in Life, Partners in Real Estate"

Why did you decide to move from the corporate sector to real estate careers?
Dilip: Well, When we had our third daughter, Abigail, it did not make sense for Sara to continue with her “quality assurance job” and we were exploring other opportunities where she could work part-time and with a flexible schedule.  We had already moved into our third home and we had some idea about buying and selling homes, and that prompted us to explore “real estate” as an option that would meet our needs…When I came to know that my job in IT was being outsourced to Chennai, India, it was easier for me to transition to my new career in real estate, I just joined Sara..

 Is Keller Williams Realty your own business? What is the best way for clients to contact you?
Dilip:  Keller Williams Realty is another realty franchise just like Century 21 and REMax. In fact it is the 6th largest in the U.S.  Keller Williams Realty was voted the “most innovative” real estate company by Inman News. It is making a big move into New England; currently there are about 10 offices in Massachusetts.
It is a unique setup because of the fact that we run our business independently; even though we are employed by Keller Williams…it is like having a business within a business.
The best way for customers to contact us is by calling us at (978) 821-4494. They can also go to our website at http://www.thevargheseteam.com and contact us from there.

What towns do you specialize in? I notice a lot of them on the website.
 Dilip:  Well, we serve our clients most of the Greater Boston area.  Our primary focus is in Middlesex, Essex, Worchester and Norfolk counties.

Your website says 'Dilip Varghese utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to meet your expectations'. Can you explain?
  Yes, with the internet boom, so came a lot of client resources, and sometimes with so much information available, people can find it cumbersome to sift through them. Each property is unique with its pluses and minuses. We try to make the information as plain as possible. We help our clients analyze the risks; we give them relevant information so that they can make a wise decision. Its just like being their coach We will give them the “best possible opportunity”..…they have to make the final decision.

What are the advantages of hiring a real estate agent for selling your home?
Sara:  There are many advantages to that…The real estate agent has the required experience in selling homes, he or she has a better knowledge of the market conditions and has access to the Multiple Listing Service, from where 95% of the buyers come. He or she has a marketing program which will give top visibility to your property and hopefully drive qualified buyers to your property. In short, the key is to find a real estate agent whom you can trust to see your needs and get the job done in the shortest amount of time and netting you top dollars.

Can you share a human interest story about a house you sold? Or even about a family that was pleased with your service?
Sara: Certainly. This was around the time where the market had peaked and was on the decline for a few months…Inventory was on the rise and the price had started coming down. There were 2 more houses on the street, that on sale for about 45 days.  During the initial interview with the family, we had given them the different options when it came to pricing..as well as suggested some basic repairs/ value updates that would help to present their property over  its competitor. My clients had already found a place to move in, so it was imperative that we had a quick sale. Once the house was on the market, we quickly re-adjusted the price and the staging according to realtor feedbacks, and we had their property sold in 40 days. (The other 2 properties were still there for sale!) I think our clients were quite impressed!

What is your advice to all those who are looking for a career in real estate?
Dilip: I would say that it  a very rewarding career. If you are successful, it does help you pay the bills. But best of all, it gives great personal satisfaction because you are helping people achieve their American Dream of owning their home, and in the process make friends for life. Some transactions are more painstaking, but at the end of the day, people really appreciate your hard work.

 What does it mean to work as a team couple? Does it require many adjustments at home?
   Dilip: We work as a team, so our clients get service of two agents for the price of one!! It works out pretty good. Sara brings a different perspective to the business; I think it is a tremendous plus for our clients. You know that just like most men, I am data oriented. just give me the data…But ladies have more insight into the fine points of a property. Sara helps in bringing out points that are intricate and a woman’s take.
Like with any other job, there are   adjustments to be made in the family. Our jobs require time during evenings and weekends. This runs opposite to any other traditional work hours.
 
Do your daughters assist you with the business?
  Sara: No..not yet..(smiles) ..We have been blessed with three wonderful daughters. They have been very understanding when it comes to our business. They are for the most part well behaved whenever they are with us and we are showing properties. They do not hesitate to point out properties for sale by owners and want us to call them up!! So, I would say, they are having “on the job training” and maybe when they are old enough, we would love them to help us out with our business.

Can you share some tips for first time home buyers?
 Sara:  The first step is to sit down and write down your needs. Prioritize them
Agree on what are most important. Next step would be to figure out the general towns/neighborhood they would like to live. Talk to a mortgage company to figure out the loan amount they would qualify for. Use a mortgage calculator to do a rough calculation of their monthly payments.  Finally select a real estate professional whom you can trust with probably your biggest investment.

 What unique services do you offer that sets you apart from other agents?
 Dilip: We make sure our clients get the best possible opportunity to fulfill their real estate dreams. We teach and coach so that our clients can make the best possible decision for themselves. We are very particular that our clients only buy a property that is easily saleable in future, and will keep up value in future. Every transaction is going to be different, but our clients can have piece of mind knowing that we make sure that at each step of the process, everything goes smooth and nothing  slips through the cracks.

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