By Colette Connolly
“Buyers and sellers need to be diligent when selecting an agent to represent them, you need an agent who is knowledgeable of the community, has excellent negotiation skills and can adequately service clients through the often prolonged process of buying or selling a home,” states Ted Holmes of Douglas Elliman in Chappaqua.
Holmes, who is a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker at Douglas Elliman, adds this too: “Finding a home is easy. Getting the home–that’s where experience and knowledge comes into play.”
Holmes, who has a combined 20 years of experience in both the real estate and mortgage industries, is certainly no stranger to the business. His father, Bill Holmes, founder of Holmes & Kennedy, was instrumental in his early training in the complexities of both the residential and commercial markets and the highest level of service Holmes & Kennedy was famous for.
Holmes & Kennedy was acquired by Douglas Elliman in 2011. Douglas Elliman is the largest broker in New York with over 4,000 agents, serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, The North Shore, The Hamptons, Florida and Westchester/Putnam.
But even with that, Holmes said there is still much to learn.”Being in the real estate business is different today from years ago,” he explains, referring to the increased marketing and technology skills that agents must have to survive in a competitive marketplace.
Holmes, a Chappaqua native, began his career as a mortgage loan officer, eventually co-owning The Asset Center, Inc., a mortgage brokerage firm in Armonk. Due to that industry’s “transactional” nature, Holmes felt he was more suited to real estate, a job that would give him the opportunity to work with clients hands-on.
His career began at Holmes & Kennedy in 2000 as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, with Holmes working his way up to the position of manager and director of operations for the Douglas Elliman Westchester market, a position he acquired in 2011.
What sets Holmes apart from other agents is his deep connection to the local community. “When a buyer comes to work with me, I have the knowledge and experience of being here my whole life,” he says.
But more importantly, it’s his desire to help clients find not only a home but a lifestyle and a community they can feel comfortable in. Holmes gets a lot of satisfaction from working with clients who know very little about Westchester and then matching them up with the most suitable properties.
“It’s not about telling them what’s right for them,” says Holmes, “It’s about giving them the information so that they can eventually make a connection with a community and home that is the right fit for them.”
During what can sometimes be a long and drawn-out process, Holmes says he is there every step of the way for his clients, from answering questions on tax-related matters, permits, the moving process, even septic tanks, which is especially valuable for people who are new to suburban living.
What also distinguishes Holmes is the “after-sale program” he implements after every successful transaction. It’s his way of staying in contact with clients long after a sale or purchase has taken place, he adds. Whether they need assistance moving out of the area, a trusted plumber or other service provider, Holmes says it’s important to provide a referral network that homeowners can trust.
“I provide a superior skill set to meet the real estate needs of my clients. The greatest satisfaction for me is helping buyers and sellers alike with one the biggest transitions in their lives.”
To contact Holmes, call 914-548-6179, email him at ted.holmes@elliman.com or view his profile at the Douglas Elliman website, www.elliman.com/tedholmes.
