May 1, 2019
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Downtown Saratoga boutique real estate brokerage, Cartier Real Estate Group, celebrates one-year since its ribbon cutting this Friday, May 3rd marking a year of notable success alongside the significantly larger brokerages in town, many of which are franchises.
“Our sales this first year surpassed my expectations, but it hasn’t been a surprise to me that people have responded favorably to our boutique brokerage concept,” explained Melissa Cartier, Broker/Owner. “The transparency of the real estate market over the past several years has leveled the playing field among brokers, and I was confident our listing clients would appreciate our elevated levels of service, strategic marketing expertise, and community commitment. There’s nothing a larger brokerage offers that we can’t. And, I believe we offer more.”
The group strives to stand out among stiff competition in Saratoga by producing stunning marketing materials, creating buzz about listings through strategic marketing, networking with fellow realtors through social media and unique broker events, using creative methods to find homes for buyers all while working proactively and ethically for clients with budgets of all sizes.
“Over the past year we’ve closed deals for land ranging from $12,000 - $410,000 and homes from $92,000 to $1,100,000 and all of these clients received the same level of attention and care from us,” Cartier noted. “We focus on the people and their goals, not the potential commission.”
Cartier, who was with RealtyUSA/Howard Hanna for eleven years prior, launched the company in December 2018 with a marketing/administrative manager and was joined by one additional realtor, Colleen Cameron, also previously with Howard Hanna.
“Colleen and I share the same commitment to ethics, hard work, and exceptional service to our clients so I was thrilled to have her on board,” Cartier explained. “Colleen moved her business here for the marketing support and positive atmosphere which she only adds to with her incredibly upbeat attitude and professionalism.”
Cameron increased her sales from $3.5 to just over $5.7 million in 2018, and Cartier increased her sales from $10 to $12.2 million. Together, the two completed 61 transactions for buyers and sellers for a total of $17.9 million in sales from January – December 2018, ranking the company 12thin total sales in their core market throughout Saratoga, Greenfield, Ballston and Wilton towns, and 4th for total sales in the Town of Greenfield, where Cartier and Cameron both reside.
“While I’m thrilled with the total business our clients trusted us with this year, my goal in launching wasn’t to hit sales marks,” Cartier added. “I set out to continue serving my clients as I always have while building a brokerage of like-minded, hardworking realtors that appreciate a creative and supportive atmosphere to grow their businesses. I feel like we’ve succeeded there too.”
Since the launch two other agents have joined the Group: Nicole Mazzotti, formerly with Howard Hanna, and Jaime Pritchard started as a new agent and just recently closed her first two transactions in 2019. In addition, this month Tanya Walkup, the Group’s marketing manager, completed her licensing and is now the fifth licensed agent in the firm.
Founded with the simple principles of hard work and an unwavering commitment to ethical standards, Cartier leads the company with marketing prowess and the intent to maintain a positive environment in the office –and with clients and fellow professionals. The brand’s hummingbird logo symbolizes the endless energy, focused attention, and positivity she believes a good Realtor® embodies.
The year ahead will be one focused on thoughtful growth in both the team, and in the space with an expansion planned to their office in the Blackmer Building at 28 Clinton St., Cartier reports. The Group also added commercial real estate to its list of specialties this year and has since brokered transactions for a restaurant, fitness trainer, and a law practice.
“I’m excited to continue working for my own clients and to assist my fellow agents here in growing their businesses,” Cartier said in closing. By maintaining their commitment to doing right by clients and fellow agents she is hopeful their success will continue in this busy greater Saratoga market.
The Group is civic-minded as well, maintaining memberships with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association, and supports several local nonprofits including the Greenfield Lions Club, Saratoga Lions Club, Upstate NY Autism Alliance, Greenfield Historical Society, The Incredible Teddy Foundation, Proctors, Saratoga County Children’s Committee, HopeClub of Capital Region, Saratoga Regional YMCA, Dake Foundation for Children and several school events and local sports teams. In addition, they make a donation annually to Shelters of Saratoga each December for each house they represent during the year.
Cartier is also the wife of local builder and remodeler, Cohen Cartier of Cartier Construction Co., where she participates in the home design process with clients building on private lots and in the subdivision Belle Estates of Greenfield. This relationship affords mutual clients a seamless, full-service experience with uniquely qualified insights into new construction and renovations balanced with real estate expertise and advice on resale value.
Cartier Real Estate Group is a boutique brokerage based in downtown Saratoga Springs, New York, serving clients throughout Saratoga and surrounding counties with a fierce commitment to ethical standards, a proactive, marketing-driven approach, and Realtors® that stay ahead of the market and make things happen for their residential and commercial real estate clients.