#COMMUNITYOVEREVERYTHING: Charlie Crane’s Tips on Surviving the Pandemic

While many lives have been flipped upside down by COVID-19, CityCentral has continued to focus on the well-being and concerns of our community. As part of our #CommunityOverEverything campaign, we aim to provide our community with advice on managing the current situation by giving a platform to those members who feel emboldened to lend their insight. We have been fortunate enough to have a chat with Charlie Crane, broker and owner of NextHome Town and Country. Charlie takes some time to tell us about his business and offers great personal and professional advice during this uncertain time.

NextHome Town and Country has been in business since September of 2019, but Charlie has been in the real estate business since 2012. Charlie, and all those at NextHome, are extremely dedicated to customer service. Since the brand and franchise are relatively new, they are very brand specific in order to stand out. Everyone is used to seeing lawn signs when looking at homes for sale, but NextHome’s unique signage and the addition of their mascot, Luke the bulldog, really catch the eye! They strive to cater to their clientele using tools such as a Virtual 3D walk throughs of each property they list, and by providing incredible customer service. Charlie has a passion for his business and his clients, and it is very evident when speaking with him! Here are a few highlights from the conversation!

Tip #1: Go The Extra Mile -  Your Efforts Will Pay Off!

A lot of companies say their main focus is on customer service, but Charlie definitely takes it to the next level. He believes that real estate is a business where if you take care of your clients and go above and beyond that they will pay you back times ten. Buying a house is usually the biggest transaction or financial decision that most people make in their lifetime. Using tools like the virtual 3D walk through and fleixble availability for client help really sets Charlie and his team apart! And Charlies opinion on the most rewarding part of his job? Helping his clients and providing incredible customer service!

Tip #2: Never Underestimate Any Piece of a Transaction

Charlie knows the weight of buying a house, and knows the value of a first impression. One piece of advice Charlie has for those in the real estate industry is to always remember that every transaction is different so never be complacent. All interactions and transactions can have twists and turns. Charlie also says “Stay on your toes and be passionate about what you do! It’s a great world to be a part of.”

Tip #3: Put Safety First

This pandemic has caused many businesses and individuals to take a hit. According to Charlie, one of the biggest questions that people have for him is, is it still a good time to buy a house on the market? Charlie’s answer to that question is yes and no. There are still people buying and selling properties.  However, It’s important to keep everyone safe by following the guidelines set by the CDC for social distancing. Charlie is taking those guidelines very seriously in order to keep his clients and his family safe. Charlie says, “You can still conduct business, you can still do things in a safe manner and I think safety is paramount”. Keeping safety in the forefront of what you do is the way to get through this. 

 Final Advice: “Figure It Out As You Go”

While sitting down with Charlie, we also got a great piece of personal advice from him. He says he is inspired by a quote from Richard Branson. Charlie paraphrased, “If someone gives you an amazing opportunity, and you don’t know what to do, say yes and then figure it out.”  The idea behind this quote is to have an open approach to every opportunity that comes your way especially in these times. Charlie says, “No matter how overwhelming something seems, if it’s a great opportunity, jump on it!” You can always figure out what to do as you go.

We want to thank Charlie for taking the time to sit down and chat with us!