Greetings from Buyers Advantage Group Realty

"A customer in the beginning, a friend for life...."

This is the watchword that embodies the spirit of our work and the client relationships we are devoted to sustaining. It is the philosophy we have dedicated our lives to pursuing, and we would be honored to have you be a part of it. We sincerely welcome you to become our customer, our Triangle neighbor... and lifelong friend!

Barbara Gressens
Broker, SRES
3737 Glenwood Ave, Suite 100
Raleigh, North Carolina 27612
Office: (919) 573-6150
Voicemail: (919) 573-6156
Fax Number: (919) 573-6151
barbarag@buyersadvantagegroup.net

Formerly a Midwest baby from the snowy banks of Lake Michigan with love for the Cubs coursing through my veins, I have come to love the Triangle's culture and values. Prior to my arrival to the Triangle, I have been privileged to have traveled in and out of the United States, studying architecture, art, various cultures, and at times, a little vino. Originally contemplating a career as a teacher, one semester with eighth graders set me straight. My hat's off to all Teachers everywhere! After re-evaluating my future, I turned to a career in home building. My career in the housing industry started in the early 80's working with builders in the Maryland/Northern Virginia areas. I have experience every aspect of new construction from home design/plan development to site superintendent to purchasing manager to operations and systems management. In all of those 18 plus years in new construction, I never contemplated working in the sales side of the industry. I just could not get past the idea of serving two masters, my employer and the customers who thought I was their sales agent when in fact I only would have been representing my employer (the seller).

While building homes in the Triangle area, I was introduced to the Exclusive Buyers Agency concept and was able to see first hand the exceptional level of service the exclusive agency principals provided their buyer clients. Three years later, I have committed to the Exclusive Buyers Agency through the opening of this firm with my partners. We have proudly put together a professional group of industry leaders to help our clients through the home buying process. Our goal is to provide not only the best buying experience available in the Triangle but also a source of information for any home related services.

Please take the time to review our web site which is full of good information for any person preparing to start the steps in the buying process. Knowing your options and understanding your choices will allow you to make the best decisions for your future. We at Buyers Advantage Group Realty hope to have the opportunity to share our services with you. We are here to be your advocates. Please contact us at anytime if you think we can aid in your home search.

Marge Bish
Broker, CBR, CRS, SRES
3737 Glenwood Ave, Suite 100
Raleigh, North Carolina 27612
Office: (919) 573-6150
Voicemail: (919) 573-6152
Fax Number: (919) 573-6151
marge@buyersadvantagegroup.net

In the early 80's while living in Southern California I became infected with the "Real Estate Bug" and have never recovered. After a couple of years living in California, I returned to Western New York which had been home while raising a family and Arabian horses. This gave me many contacts to pursue in starting real estate again in that area.

In 1988 I relocated to the Raleigh area and again practiced real estate as a traditional agent. When an opportunity arose to do exclusive buyers agency in 1992 I felt I had found my true calling. Just as many agents prefer working with sellers I have always preferred the buyers side, and it was a natural next step for me to achieve certification as a Certified Residential Specialist.

Listening to a buyer’s needs and wants are my prime focus. I strive to obtain for each and every client the right home in the right location to meet their individual requirements. Real estate is an ever changing, always learning career. Each client has unique criteria that warrant understanding and evaluation. Moving is a major life change for anyone and those changes need to be addressed with each individual in mind.

John LaFalaise
Realtor
3737 Glenwood Ave Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27612
Office: (919) 573-6150
Direct: (919) 723-0492
Fax: (919) 573-6151
John@buyersadvantagegroup.net

I am originally from Brooklyn, New York. In 1986 my family and I relocated to south Florida and now here I am in lovely Raleigh, North Carolina. If this sounds familiar, the new team member you met last month in our newsletter is my wife, Fabby. Unlike Fabby, I was dragged kicking and screaming to Florida by my parents. Although I love Brooklyn, I always stated that I would go back, but as you can see, that never happened.

As an adult I had always been intrigued by owning real estate, and in 1999 my wife and I decided to purchase our first home, but we did it with out the help of any real estate professional, a big mistake. The market in Florida then began to grow so fast that the first time home buyer was basically priced out of the opportunity to own.

When my wife and I decided to relocate to North Carolina, with the wonderful help of Barbara Gressens and the team of agents here at Buyers Advantage Group Realty. I knew that I wanted to be a part of making that dream of home ownership a reality for as many people as I could. I greatly appreciate Marge and Barbara allowing me to join the team as a new agent and I look forward to many years of providing the same level of knowledge, professionalism, expertise and service that has come to be what our clients expect and deserve. If you would like to contact me please feel free to call the office at (919) 573-6150 or my mobile phone (919) 723-0492. Hope to hear from you soon.

Robert Lane
Broker
3737 Glenwood Ave Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27612
Office: (919) 573-6150
Direct: (919) 601-0513
Fax: (919) 573-6151
RobertLane@buyersadvantagegroup.net

Born and reared in eastern North Carolina, my first experience in living in the Raleigh area was in a dormitory at NC State University.

After graduation, the next 20 years of my life were spent in South Carolina working primarily in managerial positions in the manufacturing of medical products.

I returned to Raleigh in the 1990s and became involved in real estate, working with both buyers and sellers as an agent and broker, primarily in new home sales. In working with real estate clients, I have found the greatest satisfaction in seeing individuals and families happily settling into residences that meet their needs and have the special feeling of home. For that reason I am so happy to have joined Buyers Advantage Group Realty I enjoy being able to deal exclusively with buyers and their specific lifestyles. With the Research Triangle area offering a multitude of diversified interests, both professional and cultural, I have found living here to be a rewarding experience and hope to be able to help others do the same.

An added bonus for me has been meeting and becoming engaged to my “soul mate”, Norma. If you would like to contact me please feel free to call the office at (919) 573-6150 or my mobile phone (919) 601-0513. Hope to hear from you soon.

Kevin Hagen
Broker
3737 Glenwood Ave Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27612
Office: (919) 573-6150
Direct: (919) 389-9614
Fax: (919) 573-6151
KevinHagen01@yahoo.com

Who knows Raleigh more than a Raleigh Native Realtor? Helping everyone find a place to call home.

There are very few Raleigh natives in the area, that’s why we feel so fortunate to have Raleigh native Kevin Hagen.

Kevin was born in Raleigh, grew up in the Mordecai neighborhood, the family home is still in his and his siblings possession. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School on Hillsborough Street, graduated from Enloe High School in Raleigh and then graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville. Kevin’s career was originally in hotel and restaurant management. He was a manager for an exclusive restaurant in the once four star Velvet Cloak Inn Hotel on Hillsborough Street.

Kevin loves animals, travel, yoga and cycling. Currently Kevin resides in the University Park neighborhood between Oberlin Road and Wade Ave. Kevin has always been able to call Raleigh home. His passion is to help everyone he meets also find a place in Raleigh and the surrounding area, that they too can call home.

M.J. “Javier” deVivero
Realtor
3737 Glenwood Ave Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27612
Office: (919) 573-6150
Direct: (919) 272-5600
Fax: (919) 573-6151
MJdeViero@buyersadvantagegroup.net

I grew up in south Florida and graduated from a college in Texas. With my previous career my wife and I relocated frequently to a number of states in the south and southwest. As you can see I have lots of “moving” experience! For the past seven years my family has been lucky enough to call Raleigh home.

After 15 years in logistics, purchasing and management, I was looking for a change. I wanted the results of my hard work to bring satisfaction at the end of the day instead of sweating bullets over a profit and loss statement. I decided to make a change and become a real estate agent.

I didn’t want to work with just any real estate company. I really liked the fact that Buyers Advantage Group Realty avoids any conflict of interest by representing buyers only. This aspect said “integrity” to me – especially the fact that we will show our clients all the listings out there, unlike some agencies that show only what their agency is currently listing for sale. This makes for a much stronger client relationship. Our clients need advocates who can faithfully act on their behalf, and when called for, protect the client’s interest at all costs.