The Maria Sims Group - ERA Sunrise Realty

Your Hometown Realtor

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Maria Sims says that becoming the founder and lead agent of her full-service real estate group began as a bit of a fluke.

I was always intrigued with real estate, Sims recalls. I started during the recession, looking for personal investments, but when I learned of other peoples bad experiences, I just knew I could fix their problems.

This passion for helping other people make smart investments and find their dream homes is now the core of the Maria Sims Group of Canton, an affiliate of the national ERA Sunrise Realty.

Proud of being Your Hometown Realtor, the team of experienced real estate professionals works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, making it their business to help their clients.
Heart is the center of our business, says Agent Kate Huller.

With over 50 years of combined experience, the Maria Sims Group includes Sims, Agents Huller, Jaime Brock, Sheri Lamb, and Zack Bobo; Stager Suzanna Alsobrook; and Transaction Coordinator Faith Castagner.

Were real people. Were hometown. And we do everything for our clients, Sims emphasizes.

Keenly aware that they are assisting people make major life decisions, Sims says, We are working with our clients largest financial investment. It should be an experience the client chooses.

In the 10 years since she founded her group, Sims says, Weve never had a home that we staged and priced according to current market values that didnt sell. That success adds up to over 2,500 homes sold, involving billions of dollars.

Experience, knowledge of the market, and a personal touch help ensure this success. The group doesnt list a house until Sims has researched the home, the neighborhood, and its market trends. She then visits each home before sharing her expertise, and she listens to clients needs before coming up with a winning market plan.

So confident is the group of their ability to find and/or sell homes for their clientele, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If we dont sell your home, ERA will buy it, says Sims.
With roots in Cherokee and Pickens Counties, team members know and love their northern Georgia territory.

This area is booming right now, says Huller. Everything is new and clean. Downtown Canton has great restaurants that rival Atlanta and Woodstock, but the strong sense of community still exists.

Group members agree that the area offers the best of all worlds: Cherokee Countys excellent schools, easy access to Hartsfield-Jackson airport, and only 20 miles to the mountains. And, Sims emphasizes, The price per square foot in the area is phenomenal, and seniors over 62 receive a substantial break on their property taxes.

Being a cohesive group allows every member to know the buyers, sellers, and properties their colleagues are serving. Were small, but we like to stay small, says Sims. We are a one-touch company that guarantees big company services. Our goal is simple: 100% satisfaction for each client.

I could never do it without each and every member of my team, Sims adds. Each agent has special expertise, but they all work together for the good of our clients.

Matching each client to an agent based on personalities and client needs ensures that clients have the most positive experience. With 13 years in new housing, Lamb knows that market, while Bobo, who bought his first investment property when he was only 18, knows investment opportunities. Huller is bilingual and can assist Spanish-speaking clients.

Touch Me Tuesdays, a weekly confab, brings all members of the group together to further ensure this awareness and personal touch happen. Sitting around the conference table, team members share updates, brainstorm ideas, and most importantly contact clients by phone.

We dont just rely on texts and emails to communicate with our clients, says Lamb. We need to make frequent connections with people. Its a relationship business. We have flourished from that philosophy.

There is no greater calling than helping a family find the perfect home for each stage of their life, Sims says. I love helping people find their homes.

Preparing Your Home To Sell

Every home should look its best, says Maria Sims. Staging at no extra cost is part of the groups personal touch.

Declutter and Depersonalize
Dust baseboards and blinds, put away laundry, trash and toys. Organize closets, pantries, and storage areas.

Toss anything you arent keeping.
Minimize personal art and photos.

Paint
A fresh coat inside and out in a bright neutral color wakes up your house.

Add Curb Appeal
Spread new mulch, trim shrubs, and clear walkways.

Kitchens and Bathrooms
Add new hardware, shower curtains, grout,
towels, and rugs.

Bonus
Dont forget the textiles. Rugs, curtains, throw pillows, blankets, and matching bedding cost little and add dimension to spaces.

157 Reinhardt College Parkway, Suite 100, Canton, GA 30114
404-805-0673
MariaSimsGroup.com