Special Advertising Feature
Associate Broker | Long & Foster Real Estate
Meet Cornelia C Heckenbach. Cornelia is a dedicated award-winning real estate agent among the Top 100 leveraging, for her clients, 30+ years of unparalleled expertise, leading-edge marketing talent, persuasive advocacy at the negotiation table, and eye for detail. Sophisticated, warm, and accomplished, Cornelia’s outstanding real estate achievements extend from farmland, historic homes to stunning multimillion-dollar waterfront estates in the St Michaels, Easton and Oxford market. Cornelia is a gifted communicator, her unyielding dedication, integrity, and business savvy lead sellers to top-dollar results, and, her buyers, to the Eastern Shore home of their dreams. Cornelia is available to provide premier service to local, national, or international clients.
Please tell us about your professional journey in the real estate industry and how you developed your passion.
I grew up in Germany and travelled widely with my family. We spoke multiple languages and it helped us fully appreciate each culture or region. My father instilled my early interest in real estate and architecture. After WWII, my family began investing in real estate because the post-war generation believed it would be the most stable and profitable investment. After college, I worked for a large German corporation, then was offered the opportunity to sell real estate for a company with a niche investment focus. I met my husband, a German engineer, architect, and developer in various European countries, and we became a strong team in our private and professional lives (we’ve been married 37 years). In 1989, we decided to pursue a dream and purchase property in the USA. We sold our business in Germany to move to Maryland and live on a waterfront farm. I pursued my real estate career here. I love what I do! I love to match people with the property that they are dreaming of and take great pride in earning their trust, referrals, and repeated business.
What housing trends are you seeing on the Shore in terms of inventory and pricing?
In my opinion, property values had been underrated for quite some time, but Covid changed that. On the Shore, we received buyers from areas that have much higher price tags, but who were willing to pay more than the local offering prices. At the time, the high demand and low inventory contributed to the increased pricing. But because our county has limited supply, pricing should remain steady, although elapsed purchase time may now vary. Sellers who price too ambitiously will realize that the Covid buying frenzy has come to an end. Current buyers no longer feel rushed to make quick decisions. They are looking for excellent investments. If properties are priced fairly and offer good value, they will still move steadily. Times have changed and we are seeing this sequence again.
The proximity of the greater Washington, D.C. area and Philadelphia will always assure second home buyers’ interest. And environmental regulations, which strive to assure the health of the Eastern Shore by not allowing big box, wholesale subdivision, are also regulating all property values—not only those with waterfrontage. I came here as a buyer after traveling the world, and the same things that attracted me and my husband, and made me fall in love with this area, will continue to attract others.
Please explain your approach to serving clients and what they should expect from the experience.
As a real estate professional, I am part of a service industry. I believe in first class service. When someone hires me to represent them, either as a seller or buyer, I will exceed their expectations because I know what I expect of a professional. When representing sellers, I will arrange to have their house staged, and I will attend the photo shoot because I know from experience how a home will look through the lens. Buyers will also profit from my experience in land development and my knowledge of zoning laws and the appropriate contacts that are needed. I will guide my sellers and buyers through all aspects of a transaction. I am a communicator and tough negotiator and have a genuine passion for guiding others to success. I will always listen closely and make myself personally available.
My clients and customers communicate with me because, simply put, I am the professional they hired. I look forward to providing more years of excellent service and welcoming new owners to their wonderful, new Eastern Shore life!
Long & Foster Real Estate StMichaelsMdWaterfront.com 410-310-1229
