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BUSINESS
Real estate company aims to ease buyers' woes
Brad Sanford stands outside Open Sky Realty on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008. Open Sky Realty has been open since April 11, and offers services such as selling real estate, some property management, and the training of new agents.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- In light of the national housing crisis, many approach buying real estate warily, but Brad and Sheila Sanford say their business can help ease the process.
"Buying a home is the most important investment a person will ever make, and our goal is to help people make the best choice," Brad Sanford said of Open Sky Real Estate.
Open Sky Real Estate has been open since April 11 and offers many services such as selling real estate, some property management and the training of new agents.
Brad and Sheila pride themselves on their ability to find their clients a home at a price they can afford, while training their agents in marketable skills and customer satisfaction.
"I'm a social person, and I truly enjoy the relationships I'm able to build through my business," Brad Sanford said.
A big part of his job is to counter some of the perceptions that have popped up during the national housing crisis by pointing out some of the advantages of the situation, such as low mortgage rates.
The Sanfords say they stress open communications with their agents and the varied talents that they bring to the business.
"Brad is the social one and easily communicates face to face with clients, while I enjoy attending to the behind-the-scenes details," Sheila Sanford said.
Opening a business comes with challenges. Creating the face of the company has been both a challenge and a reward for Brad Sanford as he worked through designing a Web site and logo.
Real estate is naturally a very competitive field, and Sanford explained that the only thing worse than a housing crisis is an influx of real estate agents in the area. The influx, Brad explained, is usually due to people taking on real estate as a second job and therefore not making real estate their main priority.
The agents at Open Sky see themselves as experts that devote all their time and energy to customer satisfaction.
"A full-time agent is something you want," said Brad.
To contact Open Sky, call 304-302-4663, or visit 5698 U.S. Route 60 East.
