Sun, The (Lowell, MA)

October 18, 2002
Section: Business

'Time to Go Out on My Own' DENISE MARCHIONDA

Sun Correspondent TYNGSBORO A crooked shelf, a gothic trim with Victorian accents and an art-deco desk are among the furnishings that greet visitors as they walk into Tyngsboro's newest real estate office. Homes by Christine can be described as, in a word, eclectic.

" I wanted to break away from the norm, and be a little bit different from the rest," said broker/owner Christine Metros, who hired Ins and outs of Pelham to achieve the desired effect.

It's a style that matches Metros' business approach, she said.

" I want a more personal business, to cater to customers' needs," Metros said. "I am very service-oriented and want my office to reflect that feeling warm and inviting, not stuffy or pretentious. A home is usually the biggest purchase people make and they need to be comfortable."

After 18 years working as a top producer at big franchises like Century 21 and RE/MAX, she found herself wanting to create a small office with a hometown feel. The deciding moment came after her last office changed its management.

" It was time to go out on my own," said Metros, who opened her Westford Road office last month. "I have a good customer following. Most of my agents are former customers, lots of my customers become friends."

Besides herself, the office employs three agents and two office staffers. Metros believes she can provide a higher level of service in a smaller office.

Metros uses the Internet to conduct much of her business, saying it has changed the way real estate is sold. Her Web site, www.HomesbyChristine.com , has direct access to the multiple listing service, (MLS), and people can browse such listings from the comfort of their homes. Another other site, www.tyngsborohomes.com , is dedicated solely to homes for sale in Tyngsboro. Both sites have a free service that provides automatic e-mail on a daily basis with any new listing that becomes available.

Metros says she is in constant contact with customers through e-mail.

" This saves time for the customer and myself," she said. "If they are interested in a property it is easy to follow up." Mortgage information is on the site, and customers can also get pre-approval for a loan online.

" These days lots of people go to the Internet first," said Metros. "It streamlines things. The Internet is great for a source of knowledge and information." But she emphasizes that personal contact and customer satisfaction is essential.

As a single parent, Metros is happy her daughter Alexandra Belleville, 12, can see her success and that a woman is capable of owning her own business and learn a good work ethic. While balancing home and business can be difficult at times, Metros said that "business is important, but not more than her." Metros schedules her hours to accommodate her daughter's schedule.

" People understand that family comes first and moms have to work," she said. "Sometimes I work more than I should, but it is usually a good balance."

Metros, who is a licensed broker in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, said that not only is the current market strong, but that real estate is essentially "economy proof." Real estate is a great investment at any time, she said, and Greater Lowell is a desirable location. She is a new construction expert, and will soon have a new development available.

" I want to be different from the others," she said.

(c) 2002 The Sun (Lowell, MA). All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.