PERFECT PROPERTIES: “We’re a boutique real estate firm because we are a privately-owned company and are not associated with a franchise or large corporate organization.” This offers Addison Wolfe Real Estate more freedom and flexibility in decision-making and operation, points out founding partner Art Mazzei.

By Jean Stratton

That interesting new career opportunities can always be in one’s future is certainly evidenced by the experience of Art Mazzei.

After 30 years teaching English in the New York School system, he is now founding partner of Addison Wolfe Real Estate, the company he established in 2006.

Located at 550 Union Square in New Hope, Pa., it is a boutique company with 50 realtors on the roster, covering an area including New Hope, all of Bucks County, the Lehigh Valley, Center City Philadelphia, and parts of New Jersey.

How did such a dramatic change transpire? As Art Mazzei recalls, “When I was in my childhood, I guess that the first makings of a realtor developed. My father was a contractor, and nothing to me was more exciting than visiting a new home under construction and the smell of pine.”

“Kingdom for a Horse”

But then, as he points out, his life took a different turn when he launched a career in teaching. As he says, however, “While I graded compositions and listened to Richard III rant about a ‘kingdom for a horse,’ I reflected on my past and knew that salesmanship needed to be in my future. Then my real estate career began, and, somehow, I managed to juggle my educational career with the world of real estate ‘metes and bounds.’”

He was able to work in real estate on the weekends while still teaching. Then, his real estate career took off as he rose to the No. 2 position in a prominent Bucks County real estate firm, and ultimately to the No. 1 sales position in the company with 80 agents.

The opportunity to establish his own firm arose, and, in 2006, he opened Addison Wolfe.

The name has a special significance for the former English teacher, and, as he explains, “Since I was creating a totally new office, I wanted to create instant sophistication and provenance. Having been an English teacher in New York for many years, I selected Addison as a literary name and Wolfe because it was more aggressive than a fox (which was already used in real estate). I added an ‘e’ to Wolfe to give an Old-World impression. It caught on immediately with the public because it sounded like an office that had been here for a long time.”

Addison Wolfe is considered a boutique firm, he adds, because of its size, with 50 realtors, as compared to the larger companies with as many or more than 200 agents. This also affords him more flexibility.
“We can change the style and frequency of our ads,” says Mazzei. “l look for new and ‘edgy’ ways of advertising; I can change brochures according to the style of the house, etc. without getting permission from a corporate office. I could also establish the logo, branding, interior design, and so on just as I wanted.”

All Sizes and Styles

The company’s focus is primarily residential, but Mazzei also has listed and sold restaurants and large commercial complexes. “There are many agents in the office who have a number of commercial properties, and most of the agents in New Jersey deal with residential and commercial,” he notes.

Residential properties of all sizes, styles, and price ranges are part of Addison Wolfe’s purview. “We will list properties that are $100,000 to $10,000,000,” he reports. “We have listed some of the most expensive properties in the area. Since we cover all of Bucks County and the Jersey side of the river, New Hope is the nucleus of the area and where the high-end calls come in. We are also able to place all of our listings in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) in Western Europe, Asia, and South America.”

Listing and selling properties is what Mazzei likes to do best, along with the chance to meet and interact with a diverse group of clients.

“I personally cover from Yardley through Northampton County and Lehigh,” he says. “I enjoy being with my clients and the ‘thrill of the hunt’ to find them a home. Because I taught high school for so many years, being with people who are asking questions and are a challenge is something I thrive on.

“Also, being a teacher created a sense of the unexpected, adjusting to personalities, tremendous patience, appreciation of details, and a camaraderie with other people.”

“Virtual Viewing”

The challenges in the real estate industry, while always a factor, are exacerbated today with the coronavirus. The anxiety of not knowing when things will return to a “kind” of normalcy has created uncertainty. Visiting houses in person is not an option now, and as Mazzei points out “virtual viewing” is the norm.

“All offices have been closed, and we are not permitted to show properties,” he says. “Instead, we have been doing virtual tours, YouTube videos, etc. to keep in touch both with buyers and sellers. They are looking online and emailing or texting with questions. They are not permitted to visit the office or houses as of today.”

Once people can actually go into a house, Mazzei believes the outlook will improve. “I think the market will be brisk once the ban is lifted. People who have been looking online will want to go see the property firsthand. You can only look through the shop window for so long before you crave to sample the product!”

Helping people to find that special house that is just right for them is Art Mazzei’s priority. In these times, as people are challenged to “stay put,” the environment and comfort of one’s home is even more important.

Riverfront Hamlet

“The challenge is educating people about the values of properties,” he explains. In respect to Bucks County, that is a significant issue, and pricing is a factor.

“It takes a while for people to realize that Bucks County is perfect if you need to travel to New York, the Princeton area, or Center City Philadelphia. What was once a sleepy riverfront hamlet is now bustling with restaurants, major hotels, a famous theater, and galleries.

“In a way, I know that it will never be ‘normal’ again as we remember. But when the original grist mill burned down in the late 1700s, the new one was rechristened ‘new hope.’ There will always be an exciting and effervescent soul to this town.”

Mazzei is referring to the fact that the current New Hope name (the town was known by several different names in its early history) came into use following a fire in 1790 that destroyed several mills in the area. Their reconstruction was considered a “new hope.”

As he looks forward to continuing to help clients in their quest for a new home, he wants to remind them, “Working with you will be my pleasure and developing a reciprocity of understanding with each other will also be a significant part of our relationship. I assure you that I will not bore you with the introspection of Hamlet, but I can guarantee that I will be more of a salesman than Willy Loman.”

Addison Wolfe Real Estate can be reached at (215) 862-5500. Website: AddisonWolfe.com.