Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Island Properties Agent, John O'Mara
In our latest 5 Questions With, we sat down with Island Properties Sales & Rental Agent, John O’Mara to discuss how being born and raised on Nantucket, coupled with his experience as a carpenter, has helped to create a better customer experience for his clients. Whether they’re looking for home rentals on Nantucket or their next dream home, John explains why his knowledge allows his clients to see each property from a unique point of view.
Keep reading to hear more on the value John brings to the client relationship. And an update on Mac's (John’s six-week-old son) summer plans!
Can you tell us a little about what you were doing prior to your career in real estate and how it has changed your perspective on working in this industry?
After finishing college, I moved back to Nantucket and really got into carpentry work. I focused on custom cabinetry where I learned the skills and art of the profession and all the elements that go into into housing design and construction. That background gives me an appreciation on how structures are built from the ground up. It helps me to recognize truly well made homes as well as spot any issues before they become a problem for my buyers and my sellers. Having an eye for the finer details allows me to find the right home for a client that has a certain discerning taste as well as advise my clients on how they can make modifications to an existing property to meet their long term goals.
In what ways has growing up on Nantucket helped to create a more enriched customer experience for your clients?
I can be a uniquely valuable resource because I know the island probably better than most. I know all the areas, roads and what you’re going to run into during the high season, the quiet season and everything in between. Whether that is traffic in the summer, flooding during the spring or wildlife traipsing through your yard in January. The island changes from season to season and a property or location may be very different in the dead of winter than in the summer.
I try to share that with my clients to help them make the best decisions. I also have a good handle on which location may fit a client’s needs in terms of family size, lifestyle and interests. Growing up on the island has given me a keen understanding of the geographic and topographic of the island. And being an outdoorsy person, I find myself on roads and within areas that many people may not know exist on the island. I understand and appreciate what makes Nantucket so incredibly special for both locals and visitors.
It's pretty well known that you come from a "real estate family." What advice, if any, did you receive when first starting out in this career?
That it’s going to take a while to build your business. Be patient. A lot of my future clients are going to come from building relationships and earning people’s trust. And to stay the course, learn as much as you can. Really understanding the island’s zoning and land usage is significant in the work we do at Island Properties. It’s part of the unique knowledge we bring to our client relationships.
How has working within the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices family helped your client's the most?
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) is a well respected name and people have a lot of trust in it. As someone representing the brand, there is a lot that is expected of you. This really keeps you on your toes. You want to perform for your clients as best you can and live up to its reputation. Exposure, like the national press coverage you often see, keeps our brand top of mind, which is always valuable. And the resources that come with BHHS are extremely helpful for our clients. We have a wide referral list that is a key aspect of the value we bring to our clients.
Congratulations on the birth of your adorable son Mac! How do you plan to spend his first summer on Nantucket?
We want to get outside and enjoy the island as much as we can with an infant and 2 year old. My wife Molly (who is also an agent here at BHHS Island Properties) and I plan on spending a lot of time at the beach with Mac and his older sister Eleanor. Our favorite spots are Polpis Harbor, Pocomo and of course Great Point. With all its incredible wildlife, Great Point is a great spot for kids. We’ll be having barbecues and family time hanging with all the cousins, aunts and uncles. And hopefully spend the summer like I did growing up here. This includes being on the beach, fishing, clamming and enjoying what a family-style Nantucket summer has to offer.