Five Questions With: John Hodnett
The Providence Business News, May 14, 2010 by Chris Barrett, PBN Staff Writer
Lila Delman announced in April that it would open a satellite office on Block Island. The office will become the Narragansett-based company's fifth location and join a handful of independent agencies already on the island. The office will be located in the Figurehead Building along the main drive and a few hundred feet from the island's main ferry dock.
John Hodnett, the company 's principal broker, recently took some time to speak with Providence Business News about the decision to open an office on the island 13 miles from the mainland.
PBN: What led to the decision to open an office on Block Island?
HODNETT: I have summered on Block Island for many years and have always appreciated the natural beauty and desirability of it as a destination. We have received several inquiries over the years from residents on the island who were looking to utilize our international marketing reach to help them expose their property to the highest number of prospective buyers as possible. It was always a challenge to provide these clients with the full benefits of working with our company due to the logistical difficulties of getting over to the island on short notice.
Recently, we had received several inquiries from owners on the island looking for us to represent them combined with the fact that we had two agents within our firm who had Block Island connections who wanted to open an office out there. Thus, we decided the time was right. We can now offer the property owners of Block Island an on-island presence with the international reach of Lila Delman Real Estate. Additionally, we will be the only company on the island to offer the tremendous Web benefits of the State Wide Multiple Listing Service.
PBN: What kinds of transactions will the office handle?
HODNETT: We will handle all aspects of real estate from rentals to sales.
PBN: Why keep the office open year round?
HODNETT: In order to properly serve both our rental and sales clients, we feel it is important to have a year-round presence on the island. Many people come out to the island during the fall and spring to look for property to purchase and the rental season begins on Jan. 2 for bookings. Thus, to do it right, we must be our there year round.
PBN: Why did Lila Delman pick the two agents you did to run the office?
HODNETT: Don Huggins' family has been on the island for generations. Many of his relatives still live on the island and he has tremendous knowledge of the island. Additionally, Don has been involved in real estate development and sales [for more] than 20 years.
Kay McAleer is moving to the island as she is recently engaged to a full-time island resident and her family has summered on the island for many years.
PBN: What has been the reaction from the island's existing agents? From the mainland competitors?
HODNETT: We recently had a broker's open house on the island for one of our listings and it was very well attended by the island's brokerage community. Additionally, we are in the process of working with the island firms to place their listings on our website for further exposure. At this point, I would have to say it has been very positive.
As far as our mainland competitors, the word is just starting to spread around, but I do believe that most of our competitors aren't paying attention to the island. However, I have heard that one of our competitors has hired an agent who lives on the island, but I am not sure that they are taking the step of declaring that they have opened an office there. [Editor's note: Since Hodnett spoke with Providence Business News, Gustave White Sotheby's International Realty confirmed it is operating an office on the island. ..]
The Providence Business News, May 14, 2010
Chris Barrett, PBN Staff Writer
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