Herb Koch has been a Realtor with Century 21 A1A Realty in St. Augustine at Crescent Beach for two years.
BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
Koch owned Morey Moving & Storage in St. Augustine for seven years. He sold the moving company to his son and got into real estate. Before that he worked for Bank of America for 17 years. His last position with Bank of America was as the senior vice president and north region credit manager for dealer financial services. Before Bank of America, he worked for General Motors Acceptance Corporation for 13 years. He was also in the Air Force for seven years and is a Vietnam veteran.
WHY GET INTO REAL ESTATE?
He wanted a change and wanted to give his son an opportunity to run the moving company. “I had known John Evans, broker of Century 21 A1A Realty, for eight years through the Chamber of Commerce.” He had his real estate license in the 1970’s, and decided he would like to try it again. “I had done it before and it gives you the freedom to set your own schedule. I’m probably my worse task master. I work myself quite hard. I enjoy helping and working with people.”
HOW DID HIS PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP HIM IN REAL ESTATE?
“It helps me to understand the financial end to assist my buyers through the mortgage process.
MOST CHALLENGING THING?
“Building customer loyalty. It is challenging and satisfying when you have loyal customers, but you have to work at it.”
WON AWARD RECENLTY?
Koch won a Quality Service Award at Century 21’s annual awards banquet last month. To receive the award, the agent has to receive 90 percent favorable responses from their customers. “I did it by working diligently with my customers and taking a personal interest in finding them what they needed. I worked closely with my customers not only during the sale, but I kept in touch afterwards. I helped them with any issues they had with transition to their new home. I thought it was quite an honor and I was really pleased with it.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“Not to fall into the trap of what you like, but listen to what they like.”
ADVICE FOR NEW REALTORS?
Koch said to work hard everyday, persevere and don’t let rejection get you down - look at it as an opportunity.
PET PEEVES
“My pet peeve is that after working with someone that you feel you developed a good relationship with, they suddenly stop returning phone calls.”
AREA HE CONCENTRATES ON?
St. Augustine and Flagler counties.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN ST. AUGUSTINE?
“Prices are astounding and going up everyday.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
St. Augustine/St. Johns County Board of Realtors, Flagler County Board of Realtors, St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of St. Augustine.
PERSONAL SIDE
He has been married to Linda for nine years. Between them they have seven children and 14 grandchildren. When he is not working, he enjoys playing golf, hunting and going camping in his RV. He enjoys going to the mountains and enjoying the peace nature brings. A movie he saw recently was “Ray”. “I loved it. It was excellent.” When dining out, he enjoys South Beach Grill in St. Augustine.
— by Michele Newbern Gillis