By Michelle Moskowitz
Sentinel Correspondent
Since 1986, top-selling real estate agent Curtis Wood has been going above and beyond the role of a typical broker—benefitting Greenwich buyers, sellers and renters in myriad ways.
Beyond the requisite market listing and showing of homes to prospective buyers, Wood has made it his mantra to deeply engage with his clients so that he can fully understand their needs, desires and capabilities, as well as manage their expectations when it comes to generating the best possible outcome—a happy home.
Wood said recently after spending just a few hours with a new client, “I really get to know them and am able to earn their trust.” He says it’s his people skills that allow him to work quickly and swiftly as he “monitors his computer hourly for updated listings to find the perfect fit.”
While Wood attested to the fact that the real estate market is saturated with brokers (approximately 1,000 in the area), many whom are cutthroat, he said that building solid relationships over the years has been the key to his lasting success.
But perhaps even more than his amiability, it’s his honesty and integrity that shine through. “I have to assure a client what can and can’t be done (to a home),” said Wood. “Buying a home that needs major renovations can be a daunting process, and I help clients to understand all that is involved.”
Wood’s background in engineering coupled with years of experience in renovating homes for his own family benefits his clients greatly.
“Of course, it also helps that I was an engineer and am quite handy, as it’s hard to know what’s entailed in a job if one is not mechanically inclined themselves,” said Wood.
For anxious sellers, Wood artfully calls upon his carefully vetted vendors to “give a home a much-needed face-lift” before being placed on the market—including staging services, updating appliances, as well as beautifying the landscaping design to make the house most attractive to buyers.
Wood is also instrumental in setting up buyers on the path of “creating their dream homes” by developing renovation plans, as well as forming vendor partnerships on behalf of his clients, which he often checks in on throughout the project.
Wood also serves as many of his clients’ property managers if they are out of state (such as in Florida for the winter), or are simply unable to manage it themselves.
“I often take the spot of the owner and make sure the vendor is doing a good job, as I know it’s not easy.”
Not only does Wood perform these tasks with the utmost diligence, he does so as a courtesy to his clients, free of charge. “I truly love people and helping them out,” said Wood. “My expertise is in being a people person and having the ability to work well with them.”
It could be said that the art of real estate is in his genes. After all, Wood, a lifelong resident of Greenwich, comes from many generations residing in historic homes throughout the community.
His late mother, Dorothy Wood, started her career as a salesperson at Bloomingdales, but found the work unsatisfying and admitted “she needed more of a challenge.” So she channeled her love of architecture by entering the real estate market. And she rose to the top.
Mrs. Wood went on to become a highly regarded—and top-selling—real estate broker and managing partner of Thomas N. Cook, the oldest and most established real estate firm in Greenwich.
In 1985, she sold the firm to William Raveis Real Estate, where Wood is an agent.
“It’s safe to say that I know more people in Greenwich than anyone else,” chuckled Wood.
Over the years, Wood has earned every accolade in real estate: top-selling agent, top-producing agent, and property management specialist.
That said, even with a full schedule, Wood possesses an easy-going manner and carefree sensibility—a bit unorthodox in such a competitive field in a geographically desirable town.
“You just can’t stress over things,” said Wood. “People work with people they like.”
Perhaps his breezy nature emanates from his adventurous side and daredevil ways, to which he allots his free time (when not spending time with his 10-year old twins)–such as flying planes, skydiving and racing sailboats.
His father, Hadden Wood, who was very successful in the field of aviation, took him flying at a young age; and since the age of 16, Wood began flying and skydiving himself.
Wood, who contemplated a career in aviation, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
On Jan. 5, 1974, Wood took his first jump, and even after performing thousands of jumps since, he still marvels at that first-time experience with crystal clarity.
“The clear, blue, sunny day—the crisp, cold January air—and the breathtaking view of our beautiful farm country from 2,500 feet: the beauty was so intense, it was a true sense of euphoria,” recalled Wood.
While many of his colleagues and clients may not know much about Wood’s aviation and skydiving acumen, he draws a comparison to his love of “moving fast, in a very focused manner,” to his success in real estate.
“I move quickly and have a lot of energy,” said Wood. “Like in skydiving, you don’t have a second chance, so you need to do things right the first time.”
Even jokingly, it is apparent that Wood has his clients’ interests at the top of his mind. He referred to his business partner Agi Zwierz, who is an accomplished agent and fluent in Polish, as providing their clients with added leverage when communicating with certain builders in the area.
“When they hear Agi on the phone (speaking Polish with them), they know we need to get things done right away,” Wood said affably.
With approximately 1,200 current homes for sale, Wood says it’s a buyer’s market right now. “Prices are going down, especially backcountry, but it’s about finding the right place for each person and understanding one’s current needs—such as empty-nesters, who want to be close to town and require a property that is low-maintenance.”
When asked what he loves most about the community that he has lived and worked in his entire life, he said, “I just love the peacefulness here, especially after rush hour.”
Then he paused thoughtfully and smiled. “To quote my mother, ‘Good will goes a long, long way.’”
