What I Wish More Clients Asked Before Hiring an Agent

The Question That Protects You

"If I work with you, am I really just getting you, or is there more behind it?"

The honest answer is both. When a client hires me, they get me. I am the one sitting across the table, the one they call, the one who walks them through the decisions that matter. That does not change. What also does not change is that I have spent years building a team around that relationship, so a client gets my personal attention and the depth of a full team supporting it.

Why This Distinction Matters for Your Listing or Purchase?

A lot of the transactions I am part of are not casual ones. They are clients relocating to be closer to family, settling into a home that fits the next chapter of their life, or managing an estate with care and discretion. These are not transactions you get a do-over on, and they often involve more moving pieces than a typical sale.

For a move like that, you want a relationship you can trust, and you want that relationship backed by real expertise. That is what the Greenwich Streets Team is for. Dena Zarra, Mark Pruner, Tim Agro,  Felipe Dutra and I are each lifelong Greenwich residents who bring their own strengths to a client's transaction; financing, neighborhood detail, contract language, paired with a referral network of top agents across the country that matters most if you are relocating from somewhere like New York City. Most of our business comes from repeat clients and friends who were referred to us. That is something that has to be earned, client by client, neighborhood by neighborhood, over years.

What It Means That the Team Is RealTrends Verified

This is the part I think is worth explaining, because it is easy to misunderstand. RealTrends Verified, an unbiased third party, audits actual closed transaction data for the team rather than relying on what agents choose to report. It is one of the few standards in this industry that cannot be talked into a better number.

For a client, what that means in practice is simple: the support behind me is not just a claim, it is backed by a verified track record. You are not taking my word for it that this team gets results. There is an outside, audited standard behind it. That matters most for clients making a decision they cannot easily undo, where trust has to be earned more than just making a good first impression.

Why I Bring This Up

I want clients to know exactly what they are getting when they work with me: a personal relationship with someone who has spent over 40 years in this market, backed by a team whose collective track record is verified, not just pulled out of thin air. Neither piece replaces the other. Together, they are what I think a significant decision actually deserves.

If you are weighing a significant move in Greenwich, Old Greenwich, Riverside, Co Cob or Stamford, I would welcome the chance to talk through what you are looking for in an agent/team, and what working with me and the Greenwich Streets Team would look like for you

FAQ

What should I ask a real estate agent before hiring them?

Ask whether you are working with an individual alone, or with someone who has a team behind them, and whether that team's track record is independently verified or simply self-reported.

Does working with a team mean I won't get personal attention from my agent?

Not if the structure is right. With the Greenwich Streets Team, clients work directly with me throughout the process. The team adds depth and faster answers behind that relationship, it does not replace it.

What is RealTrends Verified?

A third-party ranking system that audits actual closed transaction data for agents and teams, rather than relying on self-reported figures. It applies to the team's collective results here. The Greenwich Street Teams are real trends verified; #7 small team in Greenwich, #5 small team in the Greenwich Compass Office and #15 small team in Connecticut. 

Why does a verified team track record matter for a significant move?

Significant moves, like relocating for family or managing an estate, deserve more than a confident pitch. A verified track record gives you something concrete to base that trust on, rather than taking it on faith.

How is the Greenwich Streets Team structured?

I am the primary point of contact for my clients, supported by Dena Zarra, Mark Pruner, Tim Agro, and Felipe Dutra, each bringing additional strengths to the team's combined work.

Is Russell Pruner and the Greenwich Streets Team the right choice to represent you, a loved one or friend? 

This is one way to find out - contact me today at 203-524-4998 or at [email protected] 

Russell is a realtor with Compass Connecticut. He can be reached at 203-524-4998 or [email protected].