Jay Smith, sales associate at the Hopewell branch office of Weidel Realtors, decided that after 17 years working in college administration, he needed a change.
“I thought ‘Well, maybe I’ll sell real estate,’ because my parents also sold real estate,” he said. “I decided that I didn’t want something so structured. Real estate gives flexibility. Every day is doing something different.”
Smith has worked at the same Weidel branch for 15 years. He deals primarily with buyers and sellers in the Hiltonia, Cadwalader Heights, Glen Afton, The Island, Mill Hill and Berkeley Square neighborhoods in Trenton.
He grew up in Pennsylvania, but moved to New Jersey while attending Westminster Choir College. Smith worked there as the director of continuing education for 12 years and went on to serve as assistant concert manager at Princeton University for five years. It was during his time working with the schools that he discovered what Trenton had to offer.
“I always wanted a large, older home with a lot of character and architectural integrity,” he said. “I found out that Trenton has many beautiful neighborhoods with wonderful homes, and I decided with my partner that we would move to Trenton. We certainly have enjoyed all 25 years that we’ve been here.”
Smith is involved with many civic associations within the community. He is so active that buyers and sellers from the communities he deals with seek him out specifically to help them with their homes.
“Probably 70 percent of my business in a year is from referrals by people that I know in the area,” he said. Those who work directly with Smith attribute this to his work ethic.
Cathy Smith has worked with him for all of the four years she has been at Weidel, and she calls him “a pleasure to work with.”
“He is extremely professional, he’s extremely knowledgeable and he’s really good at what he does,” she said. “Jay is the consummate professional.”
Smith generally deals with about 8 to 10 buyers and sellers per week, and no situation is ever the same.
With sellers, Smith said that he has to work with them to ensure that the home is priced correctly and that it “shows well.” Working with buyers requires knowledge of prices, trends and a general ability to realize client needs.
Smith said that “dealing with the various people involved with the transaction” is the most fulfilling part of his job.
He previously worked with another real estate agency for half a year before he transferred to Weidel. Once he moved, there was no looking back.
“I just felt that Weidel was the place I wanted to be,” he said. “It has the market share, and it’s family-run. Clients can expect a full service company and all the amenities that go with it.”
After 15 years with Weidel, Smith knows that he made the right decision. He said selling real estate, specifically with Weidel, is fulfilling, and it is clear that he loves what he does and the company he works for.
“Everybody knows that red Weidel sign after 95 years,” he said. “It’s everywhere. It’s very familiar, and it’s comforting for people that are looking to sell their homes.”
To contact Jay Smith, go online to jjaysmith.com, or call him in the office at (609) 737-1500 Ext. 214.
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