By Chéye Roberson
Sentinel Correspondent
Linda Michonski, a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman, knows there are different approaches to helping a buyer or seller complete a transaction. Sometimes that includes re-strategizing your game plan along the way.
“It is asking questions and understanding their needs, listening to them. People change their needs and wishes over the period of a transaction. It is important to listen to them each and every week,” Linda said.
A good real estate agent becomes adept at revaluating the market’s climate in order to weather what lies ahead.
“You first have to know if it is a seller’s market or a buyer’s market,” Linda said. “That changes the way you approach a buy or a sell. Second, you need to know the average days on market, again so you can advise clients. Third, you have to stay constantly on top of the market. It changes hourly, daily. New product comes on and older product is gone. It is a little like watching an old fashioned ticker tape for the stock market. I am constantly on alert for competition for my sellers, or for opportunities for my buyers.”
Linda likes to update her clients on their progress regularly, as it enhances the feeling of partnership during a transaction and creates a basis for making informed decisions.
“I give them an update letter weekly and sometimes after that receipt they change direction,” said Linda. “I also advise my client during the process of buying or selling as to what I think. It is always a communal decision as to what to do next.”
That sense of communality is also a part of Linda’s personal life. She has devoted her time as a member of Christ Church in Greenwich. She received an award in honor of her service as a vestry member for four years, and she contributed to the church’s ushering program.
“The usher program is a ministry that welcomes new and existing parishioners each Sunday. They are the first people parishioners see every week,” said Linda.
Linda is also a dog lover in her spare time. She has had four Samoyeds over the years.
“I’m always helping friends and clients with questions about their dogs and where to get services for them,” said Linda.
Linda’s mother raised and trained Labradors when Linda was a child.
“She always felt it was good for us as children to accept responsibility for animals and learn the amount of time and care it takes to raise an animal,” Linda said.
While raising dogs helped Linda form a helpful set of principles at a young age, she and her husband, David, later outlined a set of power marketing principles to guide luxury homeowners toward obtaining higher prices in their book, “Getting the Highest Price: Power Marketing for Luxury Homeowners.” In the book, Linda describes how to set a price, choose an agent, what makes luxury markets different, and how creating competition can solve most marketing problems.
For Linda, the best thing about being a real estate agent is helping other people reach their goals.
“I enjoy meeting new people and helping them with their dream to own something for the first time or to sell and move on to something that fits their needs. It’s all about helping people achieve their dreams.”
Here is one of Linda’s current listings:
- 31 Forest Avenue, Old Greenwich, $1,499,000.
Linda D. Michonski
Douglas Elliman
88 Field Point Road
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-622-4900 work
203-561-0694 cell
