“Biggest Savings for Homebuyers”

McKinley Jones (RA)
ABR, AHWD, BPOR, CRS, GRI, SFR
Vice President
SRE Matrix, Inc.

SRE Matrix Inc., launched in Hawaii on June 1, 2014, stands for “Smart Real Estate” and also represents a unique concept in the sale and marketing of real property, a concept with relevance for both the industry and the consumer.

Buyers who utilize the services of SRE Matrix real estate agents can reap a substantial savings after closing a transaction, equivalent to the 3% commission normally paid to a buyer’s agent. As salaried employees of SRE Matrix, the sales agents waive the commission, which is returned to the buyer at the close of escrow. For example, a $500,000 home purchase would normally represent a commission of 6%, or $30,000, to be divided equally between the real estate agents representing the buyer and the seller. So a buyer could expect to receive $15,000 to be used or applied at their discretion. Registration on the website is required for refund eligibility and the customer must hire an SRE agent to represent them as the buyer’s’ agent. The seller’s agent would be compensated on the traditional commission basis.

Licensed agents who join SRE Matrix as independent contractors rather than salaried employees, known as “Alliance Agents,” are able to negotiate their commission when representing sellers in a transaction. As the seller’s agent, they receive 100% of the seller’s side of the commission. Alliance Agents are compensated for representing buyers, but SRE Matrix will still refund 100% of the buyer’s agent commission to the buyer.

Sellers, buyers, and industry members as well can benefit from SRE’s comprehensive listing system that filters all available residential properties statewide into the SRE Matrix Platform, accessible on the internet at SREMatrix.com. The format is user-friendly with various paths and parameters that can be utilized in a property search.

SR E Matrix currently employs 11 salaried real estate agents and is continuing to hire. The company emphasizes that quality is a priority in their hiring criteria, which would not necessarily entail long experience in the business, so much as achievement and high standards.

According to SRE Matrix Vice President McKinley Jones (RA), ABR, AHWD, BPOR, CRS, GRI, SFR the company plans to duplicate the SRE Matrix Platform nationwide and has already made plans to open an office in Brentwood, California. As of September 2014, all listings on the Platform totaled 10,916 real estate properties. Various industry-related vendors, such as lenders, insurance companies, escrow companies, and appraisers, will also be included on the Platform, which SRE describes as a “one-stop-shop” for all real estate related matters.

Jones is the principal speaker at the SRE Matrix seminars which have been presented weekly on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Vintage Cave Honolulu in Ala Moana Center. Currently on hiatus until Saturday, January 17, the seminars are free and include a complimentary lunch.

“Everyone is welcome, buyers, sellers, real estate agents, lenders…anyone in the industry who wants to learn more about our unique system, and, of course, buy or sell properties,” Jones said. “We believe the refund and negotiable commission system, plus the added exposure available properties receive on our Platform, can only serve to stimulate the market. To register for a free luncheon seminar, customers may call our office at (808) 440-1066 or click on our ad at www.staradvertiser.com.

SRE Matrix was founded by Takeshi Sekiguchi, who has a long history of involvement and investment in business in Hawaii. He was a co-developer of Ko Olina and is currently a fifty percent owner of Shirokiya in Ala Moana Center. In 2012, he opened the Vintage Cave Honolulu located beneath the Shirokiya store.