Small Real Estate Company Has Big Ideas

Vision Real Estate owner Paul Stepka has brightened, streamlined and modernized the old quilt shop space at the end of the Riversedge Plaza in Unionville.

The floors have been stripped down to the concrete and buffed; the high ceilings have been exposed and painted white. Large blue banners and window posters with the Vision Real Estate (VRE) logo are unmistakable.

“We moved here for the exposure,” Stepka said Tuesday from his office. “It’s more expensive, but people can’t miss us.”

Stepka opened the office at the beginning of the summer, when he launched VRE. Before that, Stepka managed a franchise of Realty Executives, which he bought in 2005 after getting his real estate license in 1995.

He opened his own company to do things his own way.

“We’re trying to build an atmosphere of family,” Stepka said.

Though a young company, it’s not a small family.

VRE includes offices in Torrington, Plainville and Southington with 70 real estate agents. In addition, the Unionville office houses representatives from Liberty Mutual, Wells Fargo and a full-time paralegal for Richard Witt LLC.

“A buyer could come in, find a house, get a mortgage, insurance and close the deal all in one location. Typically, buyers have to run all over,” he said.

One could opt to use outside services, too, Stepka said, but providing the option is part of his policy to offer optimal customer service. 

“We’re one of very few [realtor’s offices] that do. Some companies have their own in-house company but we offer well-known and respected independent companies. And all three offer discounted services to our clients.”

The real estate agents who work for VRE are of all different experience levels from Farmington High School boys soccer coach Steve Waters, a broker with 27 plus years, to newly minted agents.

“We offer training programs for new agents – and to any agents – who want to learn,” Stepka said. “Particularly in regard to the internet.”

The internet, Stepka said, has become a major source of real estate business, with many potential buyers scanning properties online. 

Facebook, too, is a powerful tool, he said, and the company also offers some virtual tours. And director Rick Naples airs “The Real Estate Show” Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Nutmeg TV, discussing various aspects of the industry and taking questions from viewers.

It’s one of the many ways the company is reaching out to the community.

Another way is a meet and greet, to be held Thursdays at the office. Tuesday Stepka was putting the finishing touches on the office in preparation for the company’s first meet and greet, planned for today at 5:30 p.m.

“It’s for anyone who’s interested in learning about and getting to know Vision Real Estate,” he said. That could be potential buyers, sellers, other real estate agents or mortgage and insurance professionals.

“The hard part about real estate is you have to find your own business. Real estate agents don’t sell houses. They are really selling their knowledge base to their clients. They don’t need to sell houses. Houses sell themselves; they just open the door,” he said.

Stepka acknowledged that in a business where an agent’s income is based off commission, it’s not always easy to know whom to trust.

“That’s why we’re trying to change the industry… we’re trying to build a family atmosphere and help people find their home.”

Stepka recounted a few stories in which they had reduced the company’s potential profits to see a deal go through. And with no franchise fees or the overhead costs of larger corporations, more of the profit goes to the agents.

Stepka, in addition to running VRE, is also a realtor himself, teaming up with Jen Kaczynski and Julie Nearing to list and show properties.

The team has been named top 5 percent of realtors for customer service in Connecticut for 2009, 2010 and 2011 by 5 Star Professional and Connecticut Magazine.

As to how the company is faring in this difficult market, Stepka said, “I have never been busier. We’ve put a lot of effort in and gotten a lot of good results.

Find Vision Real Estate on the web, on Facebook or at 860-677-8883.