Bernard FarrellExperience: 27 years Specializations: Veterans and Active Military Northern Virginia - Residential Sales, Distressed Properties, Foreclosure Avoidance, and specific branches of all areas of real estate from real estate investment. Areas Served: All of Northern Virginia, Counties of Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier, Prince William, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park, and all of Arlington. Q: What made you become interested in real estate? A: I had such a bad experience when I bought my first home in '89, I decided to get my license. Licensed as I was, I represented myself in selling our existing home and negotiating in buying our move-up home. I initially worked in real estate part-time, neighbors then sought me out, as did co-workers, and family. It came naturally to me. I get along with people of all backgrounds and cultures growing up overseas as I did, and when that company I worked folded, I went full time. I have never looked back. Q: What is the most interesting thing that happened during an open house you hosted? A: During one open house, a prospect brought to my attention a family of skunks living under the decking surrounding the above ground pool. The next day, the owner and I called animal control to come relocate them and was told that they only responded to "rabid" animal situations. We were on our own. We were able to borrow a large cage trap and covered it with a section of tarp on all six sides. We baited the trap with cat food, and the next morning they were all caught. Decked out in just painting overalls, skull caps, and face masks, we gingerly placed the cage in my truck and went out to the woods and released them. Of course, the kids wanted to keep them as pets. Q: What was your favorite moment in your career so far? A: My proudest moment happened last year. I was able to successfully relocate a Vietnam veteran, purple heart two times over, retired air traffic controller, now diminished capacity, saddled with monthly bills leaving him and his wife with literally $100 in his bank account every month after paying all the medical bills. I reviewed our objectives where to get the biggest bang for our buck and funded the completion of their home's lower level, adding a bath. We listed the home, successfully sold the home well above ask, cashing them out with tens of thousands of dollars, and then I was able to find a handicapped ADA-compliant brand new condo for them to lease. Pete, the vet, was a changed man with money in the bank and into a handicapped friendly condo less than the mortgage he had been paying. He broke through his chronic depression and now enjoys life. Q: What do you wish you had known when you first got your real estate license? A: I should have majored in marketing and finance at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, where I earned my engineering degree. Q: In what ways have you seen the real estate industry change since you started? A: Access to information has changed the entire nature of the process. Families have never been as informed as they are now. From HGTV type channels, to school websites, to police complaints, sexual offenders lists, and ease of transportation to and fro work. As the conductor of the transaction, I provide a complete understanding and a worry-free transition. Q: What’s the most challenging part of your job? A: The most challenging part of my profession is encouraging sellers and buyers through this complex process in ENTRUSTING that process into my hands. It is of extreme importance that a home seller or home buyer "click" with their REALTOR on a personal AND professional level. Only then can trust be built. Emotions ride high as I solve problems along the way. Sellers and buyers are literally risking everything with their choice in a REALTOR. Q: If you could sum up being a real estate agent in five words or less, what would you say? A: Fountain of knowledge, ingrained experience.
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