As Southern Vermont’s top real estate agent since 2010, Adam Palmiter knows what it means to pay attention to what his community and clients truly want when it comes to finding their dream property.
The real estate world is constantly changing and developing. In order to feel confident in buying or selling one’s property, finding the right real estate agent is integral.
Adam Palmiter has been Southern Vermont’s top real estate agent since 2010, and he holds that title with pride, especially knowing how many people he’s been able to help find their dream property while cultivating the community.
Recently, Palmiter was interviewed by Real Estate Agent Magazine where he discussed how he got to the position he is today by utilizing innovative strategies and keeping community impact at the forefront. However, growing up surrounded by real estate agents, Palmiter actually never envisioned himself on the path he’s on today.
“Real estate was a family business. I never thought I would get into it, but in 2004 after college, I was looking at moving to Boston, and it seemed like a way to get into the city working right away, without getting into finance, since I was an econ minor, which was much more uncertain at the time,” he told the magazine.
“I got licensed in Vermont to learn the ropes, but ended up doing so well that I never left. I took a real estate CRS class very early on and asked the instructor if I was selling myself short getting into an industry which required no secondary education. He said something that stuck with me ever since.
‘Since you have so much education and training, you can figure out how to use that to your advantage to do things that others in the field cannot. This is what will set you apart.’”
“This is what prompted me to create my own website and do my own marketing, photography, etc, to not only use the skills that I enjoyed, but to make them work in this new field. I think this statement can be applied to almost any industry crossover.”
Palmiter also credits his background in marketing and computer technology to his unique approach to the real estate industry, claiming that his knowledge allows him to “stay ahead of the curve and stay on top.”
“By paying constant attention to what others are doing, and what I can do better, I can keep topical, current, and creative.”
Since Palmiter has been in the industry for so long, he’s seen first hand just how much the housing market in the US has changed and how unpredictable it can be.
“When the market inclined dramatically during covid, I had already seen enough market shifts to be prepared to shift again to meet the new demands of clients. I started doing full tour videos of properties that people could not view in person, and adapting to allow my remote clientele to feel more comfortable pursuing options without needing to make long drives over and over again.
Every year I try to incorporate at least one thing new to my arsenal, both for buyers and sellers, that will improve my business and also enhance my offerings,” he said.
As previously mentioned, Palmiter’s involvement with the community and how much he values it is a key piece to his success, and drives him in his work everyday.
“I try to always be involved in ways that allow me to use my skills to maximize return. This isn’t always grunt labor, but often is more macro, as that is where my interest and skillset shine.
I have created websites, organizations, and chaired boards on various charities including Vermont flood relief, raising $500k for local businesses, golf tournaments for athletes with life altering injuries, the chamber of commerce and local realtor board, and have participated in numerous fundraising events for causes that I am passionate about.
Now I am chairing a local rec board to help enhance local athletic programs as my kids are at an age where that can be so impactful. I tell people that the most important part of volunteer work and fundraising is being involved in any way you can, but ideally in something that you are passionate about so that you don’t burn out or get lazy with it.
There is no shame in doing something for a while, and then handing it off to someone else, so that you can find excitement in something new. This is what keeps these organizations stimulating and not diminishing. My Mom always drilled into us that having a positive impact on other’s lives is one of the best things we can do as people,” Palmiter explained.
“I love being creative, and staying at the top just helps to drive that creativity. When you’re not #1 it’s easy to just emulate what the top people do. When I see others do that to me, that just pushes me to try something new.”
New up and coming agents can learn a lot from Palmiter, who emphasizes that proper communication and the building of relationships with your clients is one of the most important aspects of the job.
“I have heard from clients that they really appreciate that I am never trying to ‘sell’ them on something. I consider my goal to be helping buyers to find applicable properties by paying attention to their needs, and then giving them the pros and cons of their top options.
Ultimately, they make the decision, and if I have done my job only then do I get paid. This way they never feel the salesman vibe that so many people get put off by. With Sellers, I approach the process honestly and up front with pricing, and then use every tool at my disposal to present their property in the best and most honest light. In the past I have lost listings to other agents who gave unrealistic pricing just to “get” the listing. Those sellers often come back to me when that listing expires, as they realize that I was actually just being honest and looking out for them. Being honest and up front with my clients is what helps to build that trust for a long lasting relationship, rather than just looking at one singular paycheck,” he stated.
Looking towards the future, Palmiter says he will continue to do the hard work solely while continuing to streamline his projects to provide even more services for his clients, past, present, and future.
“I have always worked alone and pride myself on being the sole contact for clients so that they know they are getting me, and not an assistant or team. As I move ahead, I think I can continue to streamline my programs to provide even more services. I have also started being more discerning with clients to ensure that I don’t take on more than I can handle.
At a certain level you lose quality if you grow unchecked. I now have some great agents that have learned from me, and I give them some business to help the next generation grow and improve.
Outside of work I am quite light-hearted. My friends know me as very goofy and not taking things too seriously. I love dancing and singing with my kids, enjoying every fleeting moment in this limited time we have, and helping others,” Palmiter concluded.
To read the full interview with Adam Palmiter for Real Estate Magazine, click here!
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
