About Karen
Karen grew up in Millburn and works just one mile from where she graduated from high school 40 years ago. She got her start in real estate at an early age. Her mother, a top producer in the Millburn/Short Hills area of New Jersey, became a Realtor when Karen was 9 years old. She maintained her mother’s multiple listing books throughout the 1970’s. Her parents invested in both residential and commercial rental properties, Karen spent many years managing a 13-tenant retail/office building in Downtown Millburn. She also partnered with her mother in residential real estate for many years.
During her career, Karen has listed/sold/rented over 1,000 properties, transacted almost $1 billion, and run her own boutique real estate and referral company since 2006. She launched half a dozen Facebook pages and groups, which now have over 20,000 fans and followers and was recognized with a Social Media Savvy award. Leveraging her social media following into over $100 million in sales and referrals has set her apart from the rest and has helped her to cultivate global ties to real estate experts around the world.
Interview
Lucy Edwards: Karen, it is a pleasure to work with you and know you personally. You are such an outgoing broker, very professional, involved in the community, and always ready to help others.
Under the current circumstances with COVID-19, the question is simple: How are you dealing with today’s situation?
Karen Bigos: It’s heartbreaking. Our friends and family are struggling, people are dying … This is a tough thing to go through, and it is tougher than any of the setbacks we’ve suffered before. It feels inescapable as it’s all everyone talks about on social media, TV, the radio, and even the everyday conversations we have.
LE: How have you and your team adapted your business since the pandemic outbreak?
KB: During the initial shut down in March, Towne respected the #StayAtHome initiative and did not attempt to list or show homes. Now that real estate services have been deemed essential in New Jersey, we’ve proceeded with new precautions, focusing on a Swipe, Click & Virtual Tour style of showing our properties to remain socially distant. We are signing new listings, showing homes while taking precautions, using technology to offer more exposure, and working on our sixth closing since the lockdown.
We have initiated new guidelines and policies to protect clients, customers, and colleagues, with contact-free closings, electronic signatures, and wired funds. Being able to adapt, pivot, provide hand-sanitizer, shoe booties, wipes, and move quickly with new forms and procedures assures that our current inventory of listings can be seen online. Towne is in the process of staging and preparing other properties for sale and rent, providing Matterport 3D tours, and offering more photos of hard-to-see areas in the homes. We expect more homes on the market in May/June, so in the meantime, we continue to support the business community and share inspiring posts on social media.
LE: Looking back on your experience, how would you say the COVID-19 outbreak compares to past events?
KB: I’ve been selling real estate for 36 years and have been through the 1987 stock market crash, the 2008 financial crisis, and Hurricanes Floyd, Irene, and Sandy. We have been through a lot, but this is the toughest by far. This is more complicated because it is not just a financial crisis. This is a health crisis.
We miss going to work, seeing people in person, warm greetings, all of it. For now, we’re lucky to at least have technology that helps recreate those experiences.
LE: What do you think tomorrow will look like?
KB: The fear of getting sick is looming around all of us. It creates a tremendous amount of anxiety.
Thinking toward the future, nothing will be the same – that’s for certain. Personally, I don’t think I will ever use buffets or salad bars the same way. I think we’re all going to be thinking twice about how we interact in public spaces.
LE: How do you think real estate marketing will change going forward?
KB: It will continue to advance technically and digitally. I always use professional photography, drone, etc. I’ll certainly think “what if” going forward and be one step ahead.
LE: Karen, you are so active in your community. How do you participate now?
KB: We started our Facebook business pages about eight years ago, and we have over 15,000 followers between the two pages. They’re called 365 Things To Do in Millburn & Short Hills, NJ and 365 Summit & New Providence, NJ. We share birthdays, anniversaries, local school events, and all kinds of celebrations and awards ceremonies. I also interview local people of interest, like seniors and veterans. It’s all about the town, its history, and current happenings.
We’re fortunate to be this integrated on social media with our community during a time like this. Our followers are already engaged with our content.
LE: What do you wish your colleagues and friends at this time?
KB: We have to stay home. Follow orders. Be safe and patient. We are in this together! But for now, we just must stay home.
LE: Karen, thank you for your time. It is always a pleasure reconnecting with you.
VHT’s number one priority is the well-being of our clients and team members. We will continue to communicate our revised service and safety procedures as new information develops.
