Amy Jo Kinyon
If there is one thing Rick Spaulding knows, it is the real estate business. You might even say it is in his blood. His father, Larry Spaulding recently retired from the industry and Rick witnessed first-hand how to be successful in the field.
After working more than 20 years in the industry himself, Rick has forged out on his own to form Advance Track Real Estate in Bellevue. Learned from those years of experience, and following the example of his father, Rick said the most important aspect of the business is connecting with customers and helping them find the right property.
“I got into this business at 19 years old and it’s about building trust with clients. They are making the biggest purchase of their life and they need to be comfortable,” said Rick.
His daughter, Alexandria is in the final stages of earning her licensure and will be joining the business soon, helping to carry on the family tradition.
Rick said the housing market has bounced back since the recession and websites such as Zillow and Trulia have made it easier for buyers to be more informed right from the beginning of their search.
“They have created huge exposure compared to what it was a couple of years ago,” remarked Rick.
Gone are the days when realtors received a bi-weekly printed book listing each house for sale. Now, with a smartphone, Rick is able to stay in touch with customers and access information faster than ever before.
“Now, when someone calls, they have already seen pictures of the properties, so it has made it a little bit easier and with the detailed search criteria they have more information,” said Rick.
Having worked with a franchise, Rick is certain that opening an independent agency gives his clients the best customer service.
“That’s the nice thing about a small company. When you call with a question, I can answer right away. You won’t get a secretary or someone unlicensed who can’t give out information,” assured Rick.
Rick is a 2010 graduate of Reppert School of Auctioneering and a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Michigan. He is a member of the Michigan, National and Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors.
Currently, Rick explained, the market is favorable toward sellers with reasonably priced homes moving fast. His best advice for anyone looking to sell their home is to have a realtor take a look at the property and give tips on how to best show the property. That insight can be a valuable tool in the selling process. A tool Rick has decades of experience using.
