A veteran REALTOR® of more than 35 years and an active industry advocate, Charlie Oppler has a unique vantage point: he lives and breathes the business from both the grass-roots and big-picture level. As COO of Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, Oppler and his partner—CEO Randy Lyn Ketive—have taken a back-to-basics philosophy and a strong commitment to agent support to bring their firm to iconic status in Northern New Jersey’s luxury arena. Meanwhile, Oppler found time to serve on and chair dozens of committees at the local, state and national level, including his recent role as 2017 REALTOR® Party Director for the National Association of REALTORS®. Here, Oppler shares how he’s managed to grow a firm while supporting the good of the industry as a whole.
Maria Patterson: Tell us a little bit about your path in real estate, Charlie.
Charlie Oppler: I began my professional career after graduating The College of New Jersey in 1980. I worked for the March of Dimes and recruited Joe Murphy (Murphy Realty Better Homes and Gardens) and Dick Schlott to co-chair a charity event. They both accepted, and by Nov. 1, 1981, I went to work for Joe Murphy in the Saddle River. I left Murphy in November 1984 and went to manage for Schlott, REALTORS® in December. I worked for Dick Schlott until May 1989 and then went back to Murphy as a manager of the Fort Lee office until December 1991.
In January 1992, Randy Lyn Ketive and I became partners, and we began building our company. She had one office in Fort Lee with about eight agents. We affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty in 2009, after being an independent (Classic Realty Group) for 17 years. We just celebrated our 25th anniversary as partners.
MP: How many offices and agents does the firm have today?
CO: We currently have 12 offices with about 630 agents and 40 employees.
MP: How has being part of the Sotheby’s brand played a role in your success and growth over the years?
CO: The biggest reason why being part of Sotheby’s has contributed to our growth is that it creates market credibility and presence. We’re in a vibrant bedroom community of New York City, and it’s a lot easier for somebody to look to our brand than an independent. That said, while being part of Sotheby’s International Realty has played a part in our growth because of the reputation of the brand, it still comes down to the local operation, which is true for any franchisee.
Randy Lyn Ketive: The fact that we’ve been consistent—and in the market for so long—allowed us to grow our company. The international presence of Sotheby’s is also an important factor when marketing a property.
MP: How do you differentiate your firm in the market?
CO: Our company is the premier luxury brand throughout Northern New Jersey. We have had the highest average price in New Jersey for the past seven years, and we’re consistently No. 1, 2 or 3 in most markets. We’re ranked No. 1 in many individual …read more
From:: Real Estate News