Our Team
David and Mary Raphael originally established Raphael Realty to meet the real estate needs of the special religious community in Southern California. Over 40 years later, we are still serving the religious community exclusively. Raphael Realty has pioneered services which are unique to the area of religious facilities. Our years of experience in this area make Raphael Realty the best choice for help in buying or selling religious facilities. We are members of the California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. Our agents are well-trained, knowledgeable, and experienced in this special area of real estate. You will enjoy working with Raphael Realty. We are responsive to the needs of all our clients. Call today to get the personal attention you want for your relocation needs from Raphael Realty.
Should we list with a realtor who is a member of our group?
All congregations have members who work in real estate.
Many congregations allow these members to try to sell their church facility. The following are usually the reasons for listing with a church member.
We can save the commission.
Our studies have shown that agents who donate their time and money to marketing a church facility have no idea how time consuming and expensive the process is IF the agent is trying to get fair market value for the facility.
Usually, when the buyer discovers there is no commission involved, they discount their offer by 5 to 10%.
The agent usually does little or no advertising or the expense of advertising is picked up by the congregation and becomes quite costly.
Other agents representing willing buyers take their clients to other facilities where they will be paid commission.
These churches are almost always sold way under market value or more often not sold at all.
We know and trust our member.
Selling a property is not an emotional decision. This decision should not be a way to prove you like your members. This is a business decision.
The overwhelming task of marketing a facility of which you are a member can turn to fighting and arguments among the entire congregation. A gesture of kindness can split the entire group.
Our member is very good at selling houses. Churches are the same.
There is a vast difference between the marketing of a house and a church.
Advertising techniques are completely different. Agents who work with people who buy houses usually do not have contacts with groups that buy churches.
Many legal requirements for churches including following By-Laws, Resolutions to Sell, Notifications to Secretary of State and many others that are unknown to residential Realtors.