Warwick native opens Eden Valley Properties

Warwick — Dawn Forman’s journey has brought her back home to Warwick. Forman opened her new real estate office, Eden Valley Properties, just last week on Route 94 in the small commercial center that is home to Sneakers To Boots. Forman, 38, said she wanted to open her own agency because she has the customer service background needed to make a difference in the current market. “Customer service was my business,” said Forman, who majored in restaurant management in college after starting out with a major in architecture. “It can be hard to find a realtor you can trust. I got into this industry because I felt I could make a difference.” What sets Eden Valley Properties apart from others, she said, is the menu of services she offers. “For every budget, there is a plan,” Forman said. Her menu starts at the Super Saver Plan, costing three percent of the sale price, and goes up to the Savvy Seller Plan, which costs six percent. All plans list the home on the Multiple Listing Service with full Web exposure, yard sign, brokers’ tour, and custom flyers. As you increase the number of services—open houses, clutter and staging evaluation, neighborhood mailers, virtual tour, house cleaning—the price increases. Eden Valley Properties also offers al a carte services as well, from house cleaning at $25 per hour to a lighted sign for $100 to a home warranty for $500. “Your house has to shine in this competitive market,” said Forman. “We can help people visualize. We offer decluttering and staging evaluations. Home staging is very important, A well-staged house will sell better. Homeowners need really good advice. We’ll help or we’ll find people who can help.” Forman made the switch to real estate in 1997 when she lived on Long Island. While there, she met and worked with Christine Vega, another realtor. The two became friends and are now working together here in Warwick. Forman moved back to Warwick in 2003. Without knowing, Vega moved here last year. The two are together again, working in their well-staged, uncluttered, welcoming office. Raised here since she was just six years old, Forman lived for about 10 years on Long Island before heading back to Warwick in 2003. In addition to her customer service background, Forman comes with a wealth of knowledge in the home industry. She is the daughter of a carpenter, and she has worked with her brother doing roofing and framing. “The progression to real estate was very natural,” she said. Forman also refers some customers to auctioneers. She works with two companies who advertise the home and bring prequalified buyers to bid at the auction. She will preview the house and the auctioneers take it from there. “Your house is only worth what people are willing to pay for it,” said Forman. “This is a buyer’s market. You’ve got to be creative.” Part of that creativity includes helping to educate potential buyers with seminars. For example, she is considering bringing in a mortgage broker for first time buyers. Another is a staging seminar to help homeowners present their homes in an inviting way. Forman is also a registered HUD broker, giving her the ability to handle HUD foreclosures. She is a certified buyer’s representative, a notary, a member of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce, and is in the process of obtaining her license to sell real estate in New Jersey. Eden Valley Properties is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and by appointment. Both Forman and Vega may be reached at 845-986-4888.