The Big EZ

The EZ Sales Team at Keller Williams Realty, named for founders Greg Erlanger and Mike Zinicola, sold over 150 homes in 2009, placing them in the top 1% of all Realtors in Greater Cleveland.

By: Beth Newcomb
Date: 01/14/2010
It’s no secret; the real estate market is tough right now.

Nobody wants to list a home only to have it languish on the market or suffer the inevitable “dramatic price reduction” time and again because there is no activity.

It goes without saying that determining which real estate agent you choose to represent your interests is the single most important decision you’ll make when you decide to sell. And if you’re a buyer, you’ll want to be sure the person handling the negotiations knows their way around a contract.

“It’s impossible for a single Realtor to offer every tool he or she needs to effectively and efficiently market a home,” says Mike Zinicola, a Team Leader of The EZ Sales Team at Keller Williams Realty, in Westlake. “By offering our clients a ‘team’ approach, we’re able to do much more for them than any single agent could.”
Mike’s business partner, Greg Erlanger, agrees.

“I bring the internet marketing piece, Mike is our problem solver and deal manager. The rest of our team brings talents in technology, graphic art, staging and their own strengths to assist in home sales ,” he says of the 15-member EZ Sales Team. “We each have specific talents and we make them available to all team members’ clients, whether we’re working with him or her directly, or not.

In 2006, Greg was named among the top 50 real estate agents in the U.S. and was the number four ranked sales associate at a local agency. Mike, a former real estate attorney, worked in the same office. He was ranked number three.

Both men say they came to realize that the system they were working within was flawed, promoting corporate brand recognition instead of placing an emphasis on selling homes.

The dynamic sales duo left the agency they’d been working for and joined forces to form The EZ Sales Team under the Keller Williams umbrella. Since then, they’ve quickly become one of the largest group of agents in the Greater Cleveland area, selling a whopping 150 homes in 2009 alone.

 “We function under the Keller Williams name, but The EZ Sales Team has its own system in place to ensure your home will get the maximum exposure,” Greg says. “When clients list their home with us, they give their keys to an agent, not a company. It’s a very personal thing to buy or sell a home.”

According to Mike, The EZ Sales Team marketing is focused on selling your home, not the company.
 Each month, the team markets its listings through more than 200 internet portals and media channels.

Marketing dollars are also invested on premium memberships to the top three real estate websites in the country: Homes.com, Realtor.com and HarmonHomes.com.

The team also offers a unique “Hassle-Free Listing Program,” which includes a 60-day cancellation policy, a promise of no junk fees, a 50-50 commission split, and a no-gimmick guarantee.

“If you’re not happy with how we’re marketing your home, you can cancel after the first 60 days—just by calling,” Mike elaborates. “We never charge administrative service fees like other local agencies; we promise to split the commission with the other agent equally; and we promise never to mislead you with silly marketing gimmicks and empty promises.”

In addition to offering what the guys say is a proven system, they also have a support staff to handle things like paperwork, installing lock boxes and planting signs. “We need to be out selling your home,” Greg stresses. But he also notes that every member of the team, regardless of his or her role, is a licensed Realtor.

“We have over 100 years of experience between us,” Mike adds. “It doesn’t really matter what logo is on the building; what matters is how your agent is handling your listing. We’re not interested in selling anything but your home.”

To reach any member of The EZ Sales Team at Keller Williams, call 216-916-7778. The office is located at 30400 Detroit Road, in Westlake. Visit the website at www.EZSalesTeam.com.

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