Oh, What a Year! Wrapping Up 2022 & Looking Ahead

Whew! … The holidays are over, the resolutions have been made, and the new year is in full gear.

But before we venture too far into 2023, we want reflect with gratitude on a year full of growth, productivity, and community at Patterson-Schwartz (PSA).

Growth

In 2022, our agents showed up in droves for PSA-led marketing strategy sessions, home tours, continuing education classes, business planning workshops, and networking events. But our agents weren’t the only ones to get smarter through professional development, our CMA listing presentations did too. Especially in a shifting real estate landscape, access to on-going education and innovative tools is key to growth in any market and our agents took full advantage of both.

The PSA population also grew, in size as well as strength. In addition to welcoming 60+ new and experienced agents to our sales team, we had the pleasure of congratulating nearly 200 members of the PSA family on their noteworthy anniversaries (10+ years) last year. Our agents, staff, and leadership team possess a remarkable depth of knowledge, experience, and dedication that is a true testament to our legacy of service.

With so many brokerages looking to add to their ranks, we are honored by all of the talented and caring professionals who’ve made the choice to partner and grow with us. PSA remains dedicated to supporting you and your business.

Productivity

In 2022, we were proud to serve the residential real estate needs of approximately 3,756 individuals and families, transferring ownership of properties valued over $1.48 Billion in total. We also proudly assisted over 175 individuals and families through the leasing process to find a rental property. During every single transaction, our sales associates, leadership team, and dedicated support staff worked diligently to meet every challenge and deliver exceptional service.

And with over 75 sales associates and teams from across the company receiving recognition from the Realty Alliance for 2022 top sales performance, and a significant number of that population having earlier ranked nationally among America’s Best, we are confident saying we have some of the most productive agents in the business!  

Community

The PSA Foundation continues to be active and has contributed nearly $1.4 Million to local charities and organizations since its inception in 2001. In addition to giving back through our Foundation in 2022, the PSA community gathered around our peers to support a number of charitable causes, celebrate important milestones and achievements, and launch the Mid-Month Mixer — our very own series of networking events.

We value our family culture and always look for new ways to support and connect with each other and the areas and the industry we serve. Year after year, we are thrilled by what we can accomplish together.

What’s on the horizon?

2023 is already off to a great start, and our sales associates are here for it. The January calendar was dominated by sales meetings, next-level business planning sessions, our first Mid-Month Mixer of the new year, and the debut of our re-imagined and mobile-responsive online business and listing data management system (PS@NET) — a project our technology and in-house focus group worked diligently on for the greater part of 2022.

on left: New PS@NET demonstration at PSA Greenville; on right: January’s Mid-Month Mixer at Miller’s Ale House, Newark

The next few months will bring more new agents through our Successful Start program, back-to-basics marketing sessions for seasoned agents, and more opportunities to better serve clients and get in front of and learn from industry leaders and peers.

Markets change and bring new challenges, but our commitment to serving our clients, agents, and community with integrity stays at the same level of intensity as it did at our company’s founding. Cheers to over six decades strong and the bright future ahead!

About Us

Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate is Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage and offers a full range of services that include residential home sales, purchase and rental, relocation services, and property management. We’ve been guiding home buyers and sellers since 1961, and invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.

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Best of the Best: Our 2022 Realty Alliance Award Honorees

At Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate, our sales associates are always working hard behind the scenes, navigating ever-evolving market conditions, and using their professional know-how to make homeownership dreams a reality. And in an uneasy year marked by low housing inventory, rising interest rates, and historic inflation, it was important to have a local expert to guide you through the buying and selling process.

Celebrating Success

The Realty Alliance is a network of North America’s elite real estate firms. Each year they identify the leading residential sales professionals for their exceptional performance.

The Patterson-Schwartz agents and teams recognized for their efforts in 2022 make up the top 15% of our sales associates in the individual categories of Units and Total Dollar Volume. The qualifying amounts were 16 Units and/or a Total Dollar Volume of $5,900,000.

We are thrilled to congratulate the 75+ Patterson-Schwartz agents and teams for being nationally recognized for their outstanding efforts and accomplishments. These honorees represent the best of the best and epitomize our company’s dedication to providing superior guidance and service in every market. 

2022 Realty Alliance Award recipients, listed by sales office:

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About Us

Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate is Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage and offers a full range of services that include residential home sales, purchase and rental, relocation services, and property management. We’ve been guiding home buyers and sellers since 1961, and invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.

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A little office, a lot of heart: a visit with PSA Brandywine

“I have an important update, friends,” says Tim Carter as he greets the late October Lunch & Learn crowd at the North Wilmington office of Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate. “Before we start our meeting, I want to share photos from the local mom we helped back in April… a lot of them featuring outfits you so generously gifted. She wants you all to know baby Skylar is doing well and how grateful she continues to be for all of your help.”

As sales manager of PSA Brandywine, Tim Carter’s strength is bringing people together, whether it’s for a training session, a celebration, or, as is often the case, a charitable cause. The office roster is small compared to others in the organization yet the agents are a mighty force when sharing their ideas, time, and resources.

Tim Carter, PSA Brandywine Sales Manager outside the North Wilmington office

Before April 2022, the mother they helped was just a stranger, struggling with a disability and with limited access to support or resources. Her story reached a member of the PSA Brandywine office and Tim dropped a call-to-action in his weekly communication. In less than two weeks, the office had amassed enough donations of diapers, clothes, and baby supplies to fill four car loads and to keep the little girl outfitted for at least two years.

“We saw a need, spread the word, and came together,” says Tim about the donation effort. “It’s just what we do.”

Where good things happen

The Brandywine office of Patterson-Schwartz is tucked in a quiet corner of a bustling commercial plaza off Silverside Road and is home to about 40 full-time sales associates. The two-story brick building is well-equipped for real estate business with the usual desks, conference areas, and a glassed-in board room. But upstairs, the cubicle walls give way to a bright, open space with three large farmhouse tables scattered with chairs.

“It’s a collaborative space,” says Tim when asked about the break with tradition. “Previously, we didn’t have a place for our agents to gather that didn’t feel cramped or formal. One day something came over me and I walked upstairs and just started tearing down a cluster of unused cubicles. Then I went to IKEA.”

The re-imagined space works — and not just for sales meetings or holiday parties. Earlier in the month, agents and partners from Fairway Mortgage used the space to put together over 250 bagged lunches for Ministry of Caring. In September, it was used to sort toiletry donations for Ronald McDonald House. And months before that, it was filled with baby shower gifts for someone they had never met.

It’s a comfortable space where conversation and laughter flows, and good things happen.

  • Bagged lunches for Ministry of Caring
  • Four carloads of baby gifts

A generous spirit

“We have a great family here. We’re supportive of each other professionally and personally, and at the heart of everything is this spirit of generosity,” says Tim. “It’s no wonder we often find ways to get together that also give back.”

And give back they do. The office has a monthly commitment going back 20+ years with Meals on Wheels Delaware and members regularly volunteer for the Delaware Food Bank, but a lot of outreach happens organically as needs develop in the community.

It’s these “pop-up” needs that brought their attention to organizations like Urban Promise of Wilmington who needed water bottles for their summer camp program; and the Friendship House Clothing bank who put out an urgent call for winter coats.

It’s also what brought them to a stranger’s doorstep with baby gifts.

#CountingOurBlessings

After the October Lunch & Learn in the collaborative space, Tim walks back to his office to add the baby photos he received to his window of collages. It’s a big collection of happy faces and moments from gatherings and charitable events his office has been a part of.

He has a special memory and story to go with each photo, like a social media feed come to life.

Tim’s collage display on his office window

“If you ask, my group isn’t really fond of getting their pictures taken. They don’t do any of this for recognition, but I’ve never seen a group of people so generous with their time and resources. I document it to remind us just how truly blessed we are.”

About Us

The Patterson-Schwartz Brandywine sales center is located at 2211 Silverside Road. As proud members of the North Wilmington community, the PSA Brandywine staff, sales associates, and mortgage professionals are area experts who care about the people and communities they serve. You’re invited to reach out to Tim, his team, or any of our local offices when you need assistance with your real estate goals.

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It’s all About the People: PSA’s Jason Giles

Meet Jason Giles, Executive Vice-President of Brokerage Operations at Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate. This year officially marks his 27th year with PSA, although he has been part of the organization much longer. We sat down with Jason to learn a little more about him, his early exposure to real estate, and what Patterson-Schwartz means to him. 

How have your years at PSA impacted you?

I have been with Patterson-Schwartz for 27 years and have been blessed to have had numerous mentors throughout my career, including one of our founders, Charlie Schwartz Sr., also known as “The Bear.” I would like to think that I have taken a little piece of each mentor and created my own sense of style while having the foundation and integrity of all of the wonderful people that I have worked with during this 27-year journey.

How did you grow with the company?

My journey began in the early 80s at 913 Delaware Ave in the sign room. My father, Jack, who was the managing broker, would buy my lunch and let me sit in on meetings and talk to agents like Fred Connell, Elmond Stausbach, Jane Garnett, and Ruthie Tingle. I would wander the office and cross paths with the heavy-hitters of the industry like Bill Patterson, a young Charlie Schwartz, and Dick Christopher. This could only happen once my cleaning and organizing of the sign room was thoroughly complete. Looking back, this is where my father’s real estate mentoring of me truly began.   

In 1995, I was hired as one of the first employees of the Patterson-Schwartz Appointment Center. I set appointments for agents and brushed up with numerous agents in the industry and I began to take aim at obtaining my license. Yes, this was my intended path all along. PSA was more than just a company to me from the very beginning.   

Listing and selling real estate in the Limestone office came natural to me, especially under the tutelage of Gerry Dougherty and his son, Neil, who have truly been like family to me. Life-long relationships with the Bachmans, Iliffs, Felicettis, Moffetts, and, of course, Sal Sedita and a plethora of families and individuals only reinforced why I was here and part of this real estate family.   

In the year 2000, I became a broker at the age of 28. Thanks to Joe Pluscht, I began training and educating agents in our Hockessin office and I later became his assistant manager. Little did I know I would work arm-and-arm with a true friend and mentor for the next 22 years.   

I have worked as a manager/broker at our Delaware Avenue, Greenville, Hockessin, Rehoboth Beach, and Ocean View offices. I have the pleasure to work with our current leadership team that includes property management, financial services, and relocation.  

What does Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate mean to you?

I firmly believe that Patterson-Schwartz is not about the offices or titles we have. It is about the people, the relationships, and the overall compassion that we have for each other and our customers.

These beliefs have been instilled in me by many people, many of which are no longer with us. My father/mentor is certainly the one I miss most. I can’t tell you how thankful I am to have had him as a father and mentor. I am sure he and many others are looking down proud of what we have accomplished, but even more proud that we have followed through on what their vision was for a local real estate company.   

  • Jason celebrated his 25yr PSA Anniversary w/his father, Jack Giles
  • Jason’s dog, Dude, on one of his many PSA office visits
  • Jason & his wife, Debbie
  • (from left to right) PSA’s Sal Sedita, Jason, Lori Davis, and Joe Pluscht, Jr.
Do you have a motto that you follow for your business, real estate, or in general?

The mantra I follow in my day-to-day business is, “There is no limit to what someone can do or where he or she can go when they are not driven by who gets the credit.”  

What sets PSA apart as a company? How would you describe the culture?

I am a firm believer that the money one makes is a by-product of taking care of people. Care for people like family and they will not only buy or sell from you but will refer you to everyone they know. You will become family to them. I’m proud of the culture that Patterson-Schwartz fosters. I’m proud that we truly are a local brand that gives back and supports the local community through its agents and employees. It is certainly unique in today’s world.  As you can see, family means the world to me both in work and at home.  

Where do you find inspiration and support?

I am blessed to have a loving wife, Debbie, and two sons, Jack and Joe (19 and 17), that support me in everything I do. I am extremely fortunate to have my mother, Gail, who is the real foundation of our entire family at 87-years-old. When I look at the company I work for, the friends I work with, and the family that surrounds me, “blessed” is an understatement. Thanks to all who make Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate home for so many.  

Ready to grow with us? 

As you can tell, Jason believes truly caring for people like family — whether they’re a client or a co-worker — is how you build a strong community. If you’re intrigued by how you’ll be supported and cherished like family, we’d love to chat with you about a career with Patterson-Schwartz! 

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Fresh on the scene: Mid-Month Mixers hit networking circuit

Live music and laughter fill the air as a friendly game of cornhole gets underway in the parking lot of a seemingly quiet Hockessin office park. It’s late-afternoon on a crisp fall day and there’s not a starched suit in sight.

Business networking never looked so relaxed and fun.

October’s Mid-Month Mixer event at Patterson-Schwartz of Hockessin

The right event for right now

“We’ve been deprived of so much socialization over the past couple of years,” says Juan Fuentes, Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate agent, assistant sales manager of PSA Greenville, and networking event committee co-chair. “Without a doubt, we are loving the return to office gatherings and in-person celebrations within the organization. The time seemed right to create opportunities to connect with the local real estate community at large. Our Mid-Month Mixer is meant to feel like a fun night out and not a straight-laced business meeting.”

Patterson-Schwartz hosted its first Mid-Month Mixer in September 2022 at Timothy’s Pub in Newark with great success. Over 100 attendees came out to enjoy drinks and mingle with colleagues and peers from the local real estate industry and its affiliates.

Fairway Independent Mortgage Company of Delaware partnered with Patterson-Schwartz to sponsor the event and played a big role in the launch by promoting the mixer, providing refreshments, and donating a generous raffle basket. Held in the late afternoon on a Wednesday, the bar was busy and the space was abuzz with lively conversation and the exchange of business cards.

  • Fairway friends
  • Kathryn Matic (2nd from left)
Photos from the September Mid-Month Mixer at Timothy’s of Newark

A network of support

October’s Mid-Month Mixer was a more casual outdoor affair that put the spotlight on the company’s largest office and its hospitable spirit.

The back parking lot was transformed into a picnic area with tables, lawn games, and a makeshift bandstand. Friendly smiles welcomed everyone from new and experienced agents, to local lenders and home service providers. There were raffle and cornhole tournament prizes for a few lucky winners and special branded can koozies available to all attendees. But for many, the real reward was something not so tangible.

“These Mid-Month Mixers have been awesome!” Says first-year Patterson-Schwartz Greenville agent Kathryn Matic, who has attended both events.

“I’ve been introduced to and formed relationships with several agents in and outside the organization… and I think these connections and having that support from each other are crucial when doing business. All different types of agents coming together in a cool setting has resulted in some great conversations. Hearing about events like these, even my non-industry friends want to get their license and be a part of the real estate scene.”

  • Angela Allen & Juan Fuentes
October’s event featured cornhole games and live music

Save the date

Future Mid-Month Mixer events for Patterson-Schwartz are in the works, including one in November on the Wilmington Riverfront.

“We love what we have started here,” says Angela Allen, Patterson-Schwartz agent, Assistant Sales Manager of PSA Hockessin, and Mid-Month Mixer co-chair. “It’s been great to see people interacting, forming new relationships, and sharing ideas.

“We look forward to continuing this effort with many creative variations and more partners in the upcoming months… Stay tuned!”

In the local real estate industry as an agent or affiliate? Follow Patterson-Schwartz on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to learn about our Mid-Month Mixer events or send an email to midmonthmixer@psre.com to be added to our distribution list.

About Us

Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate is Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage and offers a full range of services that include residential home sales, purchase and rental, relocation services, and property management. We’ve been guiding home buyers and sellers since 1961, and invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.

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Head of the Class: Q&A with Justin Kierstead

Justin Kierstead knows what it is like to grow with a company that helps you succeed. As someone who joined PSA a little over three years ago, his newest role as the Director of Recruiting & Career Development positions him to lead agents — new and experienced — to the next level. Justin tells us a little bit about himself and what he loves most about being a part of the PSA family.

What do you love about your newest role and why?

I joined PSA as their Director of Marketing in January of 2019 after coming from an office manager role in the industry. I jumped into leading our internal and external marketing efforts right away, educating our agents (and sometimes myself!) on our marketing tools and resources. Getting in front of agents and helping them use these tools and resources to enhance their business was one of my favorite aspects of my job. 

When an opportunity opened up to transition into recruiting and career development, I saw it as an expansion of the education efforts I’d already been heavily involved with. I love supporting our agents and educating them to become better today than they were yesterday. 

One of our primary goals as an organization is to exceed our clients’ expectations. If I can assist our agents in achieving that level of success with their customers, there’s great satisfaction in that for me!  

What sets our training apart?

At Patterson-Schwartz, you don’t have just one person teaching you real estate; you have an entire organization working together to educate you. Whether it’s me, our office managers, our seasoned sales associates, or our administrative staff; there are SO many people invested in doing all we can to create a robust learning environment for our agents. 

Our new agent education program includes a Q&A session with productive PSA agents from across the company and at different levels of experience
Best advice for someone new to the industry? Students in pre-licensing classes?

Don’t try to become a real estate expert overnight, and don’t reinvent the wheel. There’s already a proven method for success, just lean into that process, and leverage your past experiences to complement your journey. 

Also, don’t be a “secret agent” — share your journey with your network. Don’t be afraid to get in front of people while you’re still learning. There’s always someone here to assist you when opportunity arises! 

For those in pre-licensing, there’s no doubt you’ll be given a LOT of information. My advice is to stay dialed in during your classes, review the content on a regular basis, leverage exam prep materials, and take your exams as soon as possible once class is done! 

Do you have a motto that you follow for education/real estate or in general?

Your level of success is in direct proportion to the number of positive daily habits you create.

And always be a consumer of information. No matter how long you’ve been doing something, you can always get better, and there’s always more to learn! 

Ready to grow with us?

Justin Kierstead has been a REALTOR® since 2006 and is licensed in DE & PA. Throughout his career, Justin developed an extremely successful marketing plan and action guides for buyers and sellers in all market conditions. He is also deeply rooted in training and education from his years as an office manager. His professional style combined with his integrity and knowledge of the real estate business allows new and seasoned agents to learn first-hand from a “true professional”. 

Justin has a passion for life and helping others achieve success through learning. If you’re just as passionate about your real estate career, he’d love to chat! You can reach Justin at 302-239-3466, JKierstead@psre.com, or by clicking the button below. 

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What our agents & staff are saying #lovewhereyouwork

You might be curious — and may have even asked one of our agents — about what it’s really like at Patterson-Schwartz. With such remarkable retention of highly tenured agents at PSA, what makes an agent choose us on day one, day 7,300, and every day in between? We recently spoke with three agents and employees based in our Hockessin office. Here is what they had to say.

Why did you choose PSA?

Dan Logan joined PSA Hockessin in 2004 and is the leader of the Dan Logan Group. Voted Best Real Estate Agent in Delaware by News Journal readers every year since 2014, Dan and his team assist clients across DE, PA, and MD. His dog, Isabelle, is his constant companion and honorary team member, accompanying him on settlement & listing appointments

This is a company that redefines integrity. If they say it, it happens.

“My quest to find the right broker took some time. I was new, dressed in a suit, with a resume in hand. The first broker spent a fair amount of time telling me how great they were. The second broker cared nothing about what I might say or offer and tried to get me to sign a paper to join within the first five minutes. Feeling somewhat dejected, I tried the third broker: Patterson-Schwartz. Talk about day and night. I met with Joe Pluscht, the Sales Manager at the time, and he spent over two hours with me. He showed me all the numbers that I later learned he is so famous for, but, more importantly, I felt at home and at ease. Questions were asked of me, something I never experienced before.”  

“Joe is now the CEO and what I have seen is that his leadership style, ease of accessibility, and genuineness has clearly flowed throughout the organization. Joining this family was the best decision I ever made. This is a company that redefines integrity. If they say it, it happens.”

What sets PSA apart as a company? 

Gail Sawdon recently celebrated 15 years with PSA as a property manager and the assistant to the Director of Property Management. In addition to her portfolio of residential properties, Gail has managed properties for the National Park Service, Brandywine Conservancy, Winterthur, and Salesianum School. 

The company’s strong leadership has guided us through market downturns and we came out better and stronger.

“What I appreciate about working for Patterson Schwartz is the strong leadership and support. Even though Patterson Schwartz is a large company the owners are always accessible. If you see them in the hallway they always stop and ask about you and your family. The company’s strong leadership has guided us through market downturns and we came out better and stronger.”

What keeps you here? 

MaryBeth Tribbitt hit her milestone 25-year anniversary this year. She is the team leader for The Tribbitt Group and has handled virtually every type of home from small condos to large estates. MaryBeth is based in New Castle County, but grew up in Lewes and has extensive knowledge of the coastal areas of southern Delaware. 

The Patterson-Schwartz leadership never waivers in its support of its agents -whether it’s dealing with a difficult transaction, making career choices, or sharing personal situations, they are there for us!

“I am often asked why I – and many other agents and staff – have stayed with the Patterson-Schwartz organization for so long. Simply put, Patterson-Schwartz exceeds expectations on all levels. First of all, Patterson-Schwartz provides its agents with the finest tools and resources that enable them to grow their practices and hone their skills. The knowledgeable technical staff, the innovative marketing department, and the administrative and support personnel all work together to ensure agents are receiving on-going guidance and tutelage. The Patterson-Schwartz leadership never waivers in its support of its agents -whether it’s dealing with a difficult transaction, making career choices, or sharing personal situations, they are there for us! They acknowledge that we are all in this together and that our combined efforts make for a strong company with a well-respected presence in the industry and in the community. I cherish the many personal and business relationships I have formed at Patterson-Schwartz over the past 25 years, and I am looking forward to many more productive years with this preeminent company. Thank you, Patterson-Schwartz… it has been my pleasure to be associated with you!”

About Us

Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate is Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage and offers a full range of services that include residential home sales, purchase and rental, relocation services, and property management. We’ve been guiding home buyers and sellers since 1961, and invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.

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Real Local, Real People: PSA’s Angela Allen

Meet Angela Allen, the assistant manager of the Hockessin office and team lead for The Angela Allen Group! From assisting clients across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland to patiently coaching new agents with business planning and education sessions, Angela knows the ingredients for success and applies it to everything she does. We sat down with Angela to learn a little more about her, what she does at Patterson-Schwartz, and why she loves her job.

How did you choose your career in real estate?

I have always had a love of real estate. When I was little, I would always take the paper flyer for the homes on the market in my neighborhood. I would study every fact about the home. Neighbors would see a “for sale” sign and they would call me to ask the price and details about the home — I was their go-to for real estate information! My husband is in the home building and land development side of real estate. He was the one that pushed me off the fence to get my license.

How long have you been at PSA?

I have happily been with PSA my entire career. I will be celebrating my 11th year in real estate in the fall! As a new agent, I was drawn to PSA for education as well as further career development training. The entire organization welcomed me with open arms and I felt like I was at home… at work!

What keeps you here?

The family-friendly atmosphere.  Everyone is cheering for everyone else to succeed. The management and office support are second to none.

Tell us what you love about your job.

I love helping buyers find their first home or maybe their dream home. I enjoy assisting sellers close one chapter and move on to the next one. As an assistant manager, I thoroughly enjoy the interaction I have with our amazing family of agents. Watching them succeed and celebrating the big and little victories makes me love my job!

How do you like to spend a relaxing day?

My ideal relaxing day is spent on my boat on the river with my husband and son.  With our phones attached to our hip, we are on call 24/7.  Being on the water is my way of decompressing. 

Ready to grow with us?

As you can tell, Angela believes helping and supporting others — whether they’re a client or a co-worker — is how we all succeed. If you’re intrigued by how you’ll be supported beyond your expectations, we’d love to chat with you about a career with Patterson-Schwartz!

About Us

Headquartered in the town of Hockessin, Delaware, Patterson-Schwartz has been lighting the way home for over 60 years. We are Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage with ten offices and over 550 sales associates and staff. We offer a full range of services including residential home sales and rentals, relocation services, and property management. We invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.

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Singer, Dancer, Super-Agent: Who do you want by your side?

Contributing blogger Charlie Schwartz, II, shares industry insight and the importance of having the guidance of a true real estate professional in the July 2022 Schwartz Report.

The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee voted in June to raise the fed-funds rate* by three quarters of a point, the steepest single rate rise since 1994. Mortgage rates hovered around 3% at the beginning of the year but are now double that and likely climbing. Clearly, we are in a transitioning real estate market for the first time in more than a decade.

Expert guidance for a song?

I’ll start a bit tongue-in-cheek with the old joke about the fellow who goes into a pet store to buy a canary. He hears a beautiful song coming from one of the cages and goes over to investigate. He’s enchanted by the melody but notices after a bit that the bird with the beautiful song is missing a leg. So he calls the pet store owner over and says, “This bird has a wonderful song but look, it only has one leg.”  The owner doesn’t miss a beat: “What do you want: a singer or a dancer?” Stick with me folks, I’m going somewhere with this.

We have seen the subject pop up countless times about whether it makes sense in any market to pay full real estate commissions to your real estate agent to manage the sale of your home.  “Why should I pay so much to hire an expert when houses have been selling themselves and a mere posting anywhere will generate multiple and escalating offers?” Even the downtrodden buyers of late might ask, “why should I pay a fee to my buyer’s agent to find me the right home when everything is online?” The answer is straightforward but has gotten little attention lately —because you are depending on this person and his or her company to help you reach your goals in a sale or purchase.  Going forward, you need an expert guide if you are traveling an unmarked and even dangerous road.

You see, selling or buying is not an event. It is a process. Frequently, it proves to be a long process. So when contemplating either a purchase or a sale, you’ll need a committed guide who has both product knowledge and process skill to get you where you need to go. Finding a buyer willing and able to pay market value at a time of mass uncertainty takes a true professional. A minor miscalculation in trying to time the market could cost thousands. Finding reasonable financing alternatives at affordable rates isn’t a walk in the park today either. A superior agent will be there working for you right up until the closing and will stay with you long after that as well.

“Shopping” for the right agent

So, choosing the right agent to represent your interests is definitely not like going to the pet store.  There are many more choices than just singers or dancers. I’ll set down here four criteria to judge by and then one bottom-line question when making that choice in the upcoming market.

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About Patterson-Schwartz

At Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate we are proud of our 60+ year legacy that proves we are prepared for any market challenge and only getting stronger. As Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage, we are represented by ten offices and over 550 highly-skilled sales associates and staff. Our full range of services include residential home sales and rentals, relocation services, and property management. We invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local super-agent.

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A Homecoming Celebration: PSA Chesapeake City 1 Year Later

On her birthday in 2021, Amber Durand received a call from her former Patterson-Schwartz sales manager, Chris Cashman. As calls with old friends typically go, once the well-wishes were expressed, the two got to chatting. Amber, who then-managed her own boutique brokerage, told Chris she was looking for a change.  

Welcome home

Amber launched her real estate career in 2010 and spent ten years with Patterson-Schwartz as a member of the PSA Elkton and Newark offices. During that time, she successfully grew her business and established The Durand Group with a dedicated team of her PSA colleagues. Looking to expand into a different market, she decided to relocate her team to Chesapeake City and set up a shop as a small, independent brand with a different brokerage. 

“I was proud of what I had launched in Chesapeake City, but I was ready to take things to another level,” says Amber. When Chris called her, she was already entertaining partnership offers from two well-established real estate companies.  

“Talking to Chris, I realized I missed all of the good people and good systems in place at Patterson-Schwartz. He knew my style and history, and it wasn’t long before we were discussing a new opportunity to merge everything I had created on my own with the independent brokerage.” Summer 2022 will mark the one-year anniversary of Amber and the Durand Group’s return to Patterson-Schwartz. 

  • 2021 Ribbon cutting with Amber, her team, and members of the PSA family
  • Chris Cashman, Amber Durand, & Joe Pluscht
Patterson-Schwartz Chesapeake City Grand Opening Celebration August 2021 with Amber Durand

A thriving team 

Amber Durand and her 15-member (and growing) office have a diverse background and serve Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. They are a close-knit group with core members who have been involved since the beginning. Amber met her colleague, Dale Jackson, in pre-licensing school; the two quickly connected and joined Patterson-Schwartz as new agents together. Alison Adams was a team member with the Durand Group at PSA Elkton, and became Amber’s first independent agent to be hired when she opened her brokerage in 2019. And as often happens in real estate, Jill Lively was a former client who became a friend; she came onboard to assist with marketing & administrative support in 2014 before pursuing her real estate license with Amber’s guidance.

Amber likes to regularly gather the office for fun things like happy hours and community events, but she remains focused on creating career development opportunities for the Chesapeake City agents through sales meetings and “lunch and learn” workshops. She describes her management style as very hands-on and is eager to give her team an edge when it comes to the local market.

“Running my office independently, I find myself invested more than ever in the training and development of my agents,” says Amber. “I truly enjoy teaching and I pull a lot from my own experience. I want new agents to benefit right away from the knowledge I had to gain over years and years in the industry.” 

  • Patterson-Schwartz Chesapeake City decorated for Memorial Day 2022

Love where you live

Located off State Route 213 along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, Chesapeake City features many historic homes, shops, galleries, fine restaurants, bed & breakfasts, and boating amenities. And while it is within easy driving distance of several large cities, the charming town maintains a “miles-away” feel.  

“I was instantly drawn to this little waterfront village and knew it would be an excellent place to grow my brand,” says Amber, who lives within walking distance to her office, serves on the Chamber of Commerce, and recently decided to run for town council. “There’s a lot of exciting development opportunities here along with a strong sense of community. Our office loves participating in local events like the Sip & Stroll, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the car show.” 

Originally intended to be Amber’s personal residence, 327 Bohemia Avenue serves as her team’s home-base. The restored historic home, built in 1874, has an inviting front porch, first floor meeting and lounge areas, upstairs office space, and a detached garage that houses an inventory of lawn signage and a curated collection of home staging items. 

It’s as special and unique a space as the town itself.  

About Patterson-Schwartz

Patterson-Schwartz is proud to have Amber back as a member of the PSA family. We’ve been lighting the way home for over 60 years and are thrilled to expand our services in Cecil County with the help of Amber and her Chesapeake City team. We are Delaware’s largest independent real estate brokerage with ten offices and over 550 sales associates and staff. We offer a full range of services including residential home sales and rentals, relocation services, and property management. We invite you to connect with us when you’re ready to partner with a local real estate expert.

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