Steve deGuzman

"Real Estate Reinvented"

I'm a:	Real Estate Professional
Company:	rehava ~ Real Estate Store
Location:	Charleston
Web sites:	rēhava ~ Real Estate Store
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Phone:	(843) 864-3432

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The rehava Real Estate Store Announces Grand Opening in July

Although fully operational and open, the rehava ~ Real Estate Store has scheduled a Grand Opening date for July 10, 2008.

Charleston, SC (PRWEB) May 19, 2008 -- From its store front office in one of the busiest mall locations in the state, to its state-of-the-art technology, to the buyer's rebate it offers, the rehava ~ Real Estate Store (http://www.rehava.com/) is reinventing home buying and selling and aiming for complete customer satisfaction.

The company was founded last year by Broker-In-Charge Steve deGuzman (http://www.stevedeguzman.com/) and opened its doors in the spring of this year at 5060 International Boulevard. Although the Grand Opening is in July, business is well underway.

"Essentially this is a retail residential real estate store," says deGuzman. "We have a high-end gallery in front of the Tanger Outlet Center, and we focus on the residential real estate market."

Following a Department of Justice lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors over competition and commissions, deGuzman says it is not legal to give a commission to anyone who is not a licensed agent, but since June of 2006, it has been legal in South Carolina to offer a rebate to the home buyer. On the west coast, companies have been rebating their clients for years. rehava has taken this idea to the next level with the only retail store front of its kind in the United States.

One of the more innovative aspects is the buyers rebate. "You receive a check at closing for 50% of the buyer's agent's commission when you use one of our licensed Client Advocates to buy your next home," he says. "But if you buy AND sell your home with rehava, you can receive up to 70% of the total seller's fees back in rebates and commission reductions."

deGuzman says the company further sets itself apart from the standard real estate agency by paying the Client Advocates a salary rather than commission. "It's a real focus on service to the client."

"All of our Client Advocates are licensed agents and realtors, but they're non-commissioned," he explains. "That's how we can best advocate our client's position. In fact, we don't go to the closing. In South Carolina, the attorney represents you at the closing. And in this case, the buyer is the one who receives the rehava rebate check."

The company has developed its own technology, with a real estate search tool and videos, which deGuzman says helps keep the costs down.

"We are search engine marketing experts," he says. "I am not aware of anyone who offers more distribution channels for selling your home than rehava. Our clients see their listings on search engines like Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Realtor.com, Craigslist, Trulia, Zillow and others. We furnish this data as an XML feed that automatically updates when the local MLS board updates its information. According to the NAR, more than 80% of the people who buy a home, initiate their search online. We make that process easier and we are rewarding the consumer financially for starting the search online."

During the grand opening period, rehava is offering to sell its first 100 buyer's homes for free.

"rehava is a foundational change in the way real estate is transacted. By giving the consumer some of their equity back, we are making a real impact on their personal financial position, sometimes as much as 2.5 percent of the sales price," said deGuzman.

The rehava ~ Real Estate Store intends to grow regionally before seeking national expansion. deGuzman says that future growth plans have become attractive as more Brokers and Agents are introduced to the concept. Saying he has been 'encouraged' by the overwhelming support from the local business community, deGuzman hopes to announce new locations soon.

About the rehava ~ Real Estate Store (http://www.rehava.com/)

The rehava ~ Real Estate Store offers an innovative 50% buyer's commission rebate to home buyers when they purchase their primary residence using one of our Client Advocates. Located in Charleston, SC (http://www.rehava.com/), the rehava ~ Real Estate Store is a full service residential real estate Broker.

For more information contact:

rehava ~ Real Estate Store

steve.deguzman @ realtor.com

843.864.3432

Fax: 866.745.5718

###

Contact Information
Steve deGuzman
http://www.rehava.com
843-864-3432

Testimonials

"I will be using them when im ready to sell my home in a few months."
anonymous Wed Jun 25

"I have accepted several contracts with Rehava and am very satisfied."
Chris P Wed Jun 25

"I just closed on a house with Rehava and got back $10,725.00."
Frank I Mon Jun 16

My Q&A View all >>

Steve deGuzm…'s Questions (2)

Steve deGuzm…'s Answers (6)

We are looking for interested partners in launching a new real estate concept in Charlotte., NC

Asked Thu Sep 4 2008, 08:51 by Steve deGuzm… - Charlotte - Home Buying - 7 answers

Steve deGuzman answered:

You can learn more about our concept by viewing the video link provided. - Fri Sep 5 2008, 07:10

You can get more info on the concept from our site.

Looking for "Hurting Edge" technology wired Brokers or Broker Associates.

Degree preferred in Real Estate or CCIM designate.

Brokers receive competitive base salery and 10% of store cash flow (like Outback MPP).

We offer Agents competitive base salaries plus Buyers Satisfaction Bonus.

Licensing info follows at http://www.rehava.com/licensing - Fri Sep 5 2008, 07:01

I hear people say a lot of northeners are moving to Charleston. Does anyone have any statistic about this?

Asked Mon Jun 23 2008, 15:47 by Cesar - Charleston - General Area - 6 answers

Steve deGuzman answered:

The migration trend of moving to SC is ever increasing. SC was ranked 15th in the Country in total population change. Our stats over the years are:

Population, 1960-2000
1960 278,961
1970 336,036 change = 57,075
1980 430,462 change = 94,426
1990 506,875 change = 76,413
2000 549,033 change = 57,075 - Fri Jun 27 2008, 12:38

Finding a new home on my how without the help of my agent.

Asked Fri Jun 27 2008, 10:29 by Jack - Duluth - Home Buying - 25 answers

Steve deGuzman answered:

If you are happy with your agent, I am not sure why you wouldnt use them to close and negotiate the new home. Whether they found it our not really isnt what a great REALTOR can do. In the last five years almost all my clients found their homes first and I negotiated the contract.

We are differnt because we do offer a rebate to buyers of 50% whether you find the home or not. It is working well so far. - Fri Jun 27 2008, 12:25

Redfin v. full-service agents

Asked Wed Jul 25 2007, 15:15 by Cranky - San Francisco - Home Buying - 62 answers

Steve deGuzman answered:

Better than redfin

We are open for business.
http://www.rehava.com.

Thanks to all of you that have been following us. We are anxious to help those of you that have been waiting patiently. - Mon Mar 17 2008, 06:38

I will take a 50% refund of your hard work finding the magic bean I told you about online as long as that is the same magic bean that I have a significant amount of my money invested in. Would this be the same magic bean?

Fair enough? - Sat Nov 3 2007, 03:55

Today’s agent would be confused to believe that they will prevent the paradigm shift occurring in our Industry by the continued practice of preventing competition. The analogy of what NAR has done is like the one where your Mommy keeps the better players away from her child to protect them from being dominated. By simply preventing competition no one gets better and eventually your child will have to play with kids who are as good or (heaven forbid) better than you. And once you let the more skilled kids into the game the weaker ones will end up out of the game or at best on the sidelines until they can elevate their skills.

It has only been by the illegal legislation of States (encouraged by NAR) that has propped up the 6% commission and prevented business savvy agents from laying waste to those of us that can not compete . The same change that effected Wall Street commissions by the likes of Charles Schwab are now occurring on in markets across America. The days of colluding to protect the 6% commission are over. It is now time for some competition amongst Agents.

I say “Let the games begin”.

Now, what say you? - Sat Nov 3 2007, 03:47

I am in line with the Depatrment of Justice about Real Estate as an Industry. (REALTORS--make sure you are up to date on the issues by reading all about it at the link I provided).

I have developed a model very close to Redfin's and it will be laucnhing in 2008. I have successfully reduced my operating costs by over 70% by leveraging multiple technologies across many many channels of distribution. I am passing these savings on to my clients as rebates and I am confident that we will generate significant business by offering this new Model of Real Estate.

In additon, we will be offering a fixed fee full service Sellers program that many of the local big boy franchises will have to play catch up to compete.

I sat in one of our recent staff meetings right after the 60 Minutes program about Redfin aired on CBS and was only slightly suprised to hear one of our supposed "Top Producers" say (and I quote) "I think this whole redfin thing is a fad."

WOW!

What say you? - Mon Oct 22 2007, 04:45

What is a fair real estate brokers fee?

Asked Fri Jul 13 2007, 10:39 by sandlapper42 - 29412 - Home Selling - 26 answers

Steve deGuzman answered:

Any lawyers here that can settle this?

I dont know where you are getting your info. Which asnwer are you referring to? No one here is setting a price. Colluding together to set a price IS a violation.

Everyone is answering the question.

I have a fixed listing fee of $3,000 and I rebate 50% of my buyers commission paid by the seller to my buyer clients.

The Feds encourage competion.

See the attached link. It makes it easier. - Thu Jul 26 2007, 09:29

Technology has mad selling homes easier than ever.

Check out this model:

http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/sell-how-it-works?direct-s… - Thu Jul 26 2007, 08:36

The answer is whatever the market will bear. I know I can reduce my costs by as much as 70% of the local Brokers fees and actually offer more or better services than any of my competitors and still make a handsome profit.

The cost of doing business in residential real estate has never been lower than it is right now. Unfortunately many agents and brokers will try and tell you that anything less than full market commission is discount service. Many of these so called professionals just don't know how to utilize these new and improved technologies to drive down costs.

I am eager to see what others have to say. - Sat Jul 14 2007, 06:28

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