Darrin Friedman and Jason Sherman have grown accustomed to making waves in the Washington residential real estate world; so it should come as no surprise to learn that they have taken their innovative approach to a whole new level.
Friedman, 38, and Sherman, 34, are poised to open the area’s first franchise under the brand name Real Living. With offices in Chevy Chase and Dupont Circle, Real Living | At Home boldly brings a new yet highly successful and proven approach to the residential real estate industry as they target one of the fastest-growing home-buyer audience segments in the nation - 24-to-44 year olds.
CEO Friedman is a fourth generation Washington, D.C. real estate professional, while his partner and COO Sherman is a sixth generation Washingtonian. Both energetic, pioneering and highly-accomplished real estate professionals, Friedman and Sherman fully embrace the view that residential realty in the National Capital area needs a far more dynamic and integrated approach, one that provides clients with a deeply comprehensive and intensely integrated home buying – or selling – experience.
“I was hired by the Chevy Chase office of a top national relator that was the lowest performing office in the Washington market, literally on the verge of shutting down,” Friedman says. “They gave me a clean slate and allowed me to implement my own unique approach, even though it meant a complete departure from the traditional real estate model. They were willing to take a chance… and it worked to perfection.”
The result? Friedman’s office increased sales by nearly 40 percent in two years, transforming both his philosophy and approach into a recognized industry success story.
“But it’s more than just our approach to sales that makes the difference,” says Sherman, who Friedman described as his ‘legal brain and partner’ during the entire overhaul process. “We have essentially broken the mold when it comes to both our workplace philosophy and office environment.
The evidence can be found in the company’s flagship Chevy Chase offices (4600 N. Park Avenue, Suite 400) which officially opens their doors for business this month. With an emphasis on technology and communal work spaces, Real Living | At Home’s corporate headquarters will function unlike any other in the Washington-area. And when they open their second location in downtown D.C. later this fall, they will continue to deploy that philosophy.
“By incorporating social media, mobile technologies, online connections and the Internet to leverage relationships, we intend to change the way our partner associates approach and interact with clients,” Sherman says. “Our goal is not simply to sell houses … it’s to create a positive experience for our clients … throughout every step of the process.
“After all, it’s just as much about the journey as it is the destination.”
This approach clearly carries a significant level of allure, as evidenced by Real Living’s decision to engage the duo as franchise owners. “Real Living does not grow by leaps and bounds,” Friedman says. “They grow slowly and methodically by engaging only franchise owners who represent their vision, passion and commitment. In selecting us, Real Living recognized us as a team that can introduce their brand in a powerful and memorable way to an extremely important market, and do so under conditions that are wholly consistent with the way they do business.”
For additional information visit www.rlathome.com or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Real-Living-At-Home/393533667375961.
Jason Sherman, COO -RealLiving-AtHome
