Our 10th Anniversary

Our 10th Anniversary

January 30th, 2011

Looking back at our beginnings on January 29, 2001, it seems like such a long time ago. We opened our Wildwood Crest real estate office that day. We didn't know what to expect. We had no idea if our "Modern Technology, Old-Fashioned Service" philosophy would work. Would people even care? Could we compete with the chain franchises in a decidedly down market?

Well, Jewell Real Estate Agency was a success right away. The combination of the local vacation home real estate market taking off in 2001 and people really appreciating the personal service of a mom-and-pop realty company was a hit. We doubled our anticipated sales earnings the first year and by 2005 City Girl herself sold $27 million worth of real estate properties.

Our laid back demeanor and knowledge of the market, land use, zoning, and latest trends gave us a very loyal client base. Because we so enjoy meeting people and establishing lasting relationships, we lived up to our motto "...Where you're more than a customer, you're a friend".

Then the hard times hit. In 2006, it was like turning off a water spicket. Our entire vacation home market went from very busy to totally dead. The phones stopped ringing at our agency and every agency in the Wildwoods. What just happened?

While local real estate agencies began to go out of business, close satellite offices, or shrink their staffs, we adopted a business plan to keep our advertising at the 2005 levels. Perception is everything in our business and we had to maintain our presence. Our plan was sound and we survived the devastating years of 2006 through 2009. Additional keys were undoubtably our continuing to answer our phones 6am to 9pm, 365 days a year and our popular newsletter, composed by Mountain Man (a retired writer) and published six times a year. We mail out about 5,000 a month, plus over 900 are sent free by email to subscribers.

In 2010, the real estate market turned around. Folks who had been sitting on the sidelines the past four years seemed to lose their apprehension, much of it induced and prolonged by the media. They figured that they had survived the recession and now it was time to live out their dream to own a second home. Prices were about 40% less than the highs of 2005 and interest rates were under 5%, giving added incentive.

Now, in 2011, with buyer traffic like we haven't seen since 2001, we are expanding our Wildwood Crest office. We are currently hiring sales agents, enlarging our rental department, and have opened a cleaning company - all housed in the building next door that we've purchased.

With 10 years under our belts, we look forward to the next 10 years. We're excited. That's living the American dream!