New real estate options

Two local realtors have launched their own real estate firms in downtown Birmingham recently. Ashley Crain has opened Crain Homes at 320 Martin Street, Suite 200, along with partner Jill Laskey. They realized they had the entrepreneur fire while working as realtors at The Agency Hall & Hunter. “It was great being there, but we wanted to have our own firm,” Crain said. “We felt there was a niche in the market to fill. A lot of our clients have a very curated experience, and we wanted to provide that bespoke experience.” While most of their listings are in the Birmingham/Bloomfield market, they also work in Royal Oak, Rochester, recently sold a couple of Lions players homes in Northville, and have a few listings Up North. Crain said what sets them up from others is the six realtors at Crain Homes work in different areas of the market, with fingers on different pulse points. “Between country clubs, sports teams, the younger market – that’s our superpower,” she said, noting they’ve done a lot of off-market deals in the last few years. Dade DiMaggio has also opened a new firm in downtown Birmingham, as principal broker/owner of House of May at 191 N. Old Woodward Avenue, above Paris Baguette. “We look to differentiate ourselves in the market by providing all the amenities the other agencies do at a much lower cost,” DiMaggio said. DiMaggio, who was a realtor with KW Domain for 11 years before becoming managing partner of ReMax Eclipse, decided to open House of May because he wanted “build on why I was successful as an independent broker.” House of May currently has five licensed agents besides himself, and DiMaggio said he does not hire anyone without at least three years of experience or $3 million in sales volume. “We are creating a firm of quality agents. We like to keep agents close to their clients. I believe in having real relationships with my clients.” He has invested in an in-house media company that will provide all marketing and social media for the agents. “I’m looking to create a niche market to elevate my team.”

Business Matters for the Birmingham - Bloomfield area are reported by Lisa Brody. Send items for consideration to LisaBrody@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.