The Alternative Press

SHORT HILLS, NJ - With 11 locations throughout New Jersey, Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty opened its newest one Wednesday afternoon on Millburn Avenue in Short Hills.

According to their website their vision is “to provide remarkably outstanding service and skills to our clients; foster a culture of ethics, collegiality, community, and diversity; while simultaneously seeking to optimize the career potential for our associates, administrative staff and management team." They have the highest average sales price of any company in the state and this office will serve as a regional hub for several towns in NJ.  

Many businesspeople, elected officials and employees attended the ribbon cutting. Formerly a bank, the property  is now a spacious two floor building with numerous offices and even a large training room for sales agents.

Alan Dalton, the president and director of coaching, and Michael Oppler, a sales associate and vice president of career development, said they are excited about moving to Short Hills.

“Short Hills is an illustrious town,” Oppler said. “To be here is a wonderful opportunity for us.”

Dalton said their goal is to cater to their clients' needs. They want to create good relationships, so their customers trust them, he said.

He explained they are a brand name that expands to communities whose lifestyles and socio-economic statuses are a match for them. With the tough economy, they are one of the few real estate businesses that have been able to expand and he credits his hard working staff.  

“It’s very telling that in a time when very few real estate companies in the country are expanding we’re strategically expanding because we’re culturally expanding," he said. “This marketplace is a natural for our brand. We like to say that our brand is like no other and this community is like no other.”

While the office is new, the staff is deep with leadership and experience.

He said they also plan to be immersed in the community, get to know people and be active in the Chamber of Commerce.

“The office has to be an extension of the ambiance of the community,” he said. “We don’t view ourselves as elite, but we view the properties as elite.”

Sales agent Marc Alterio, who just started, said it has been a new experience, but he loves it so far. After spending many years in Chicago and Georgia, Short Hills is definitely a change of pace, he said.

“I have been a here a week and I know that the Sotheby’s name is going to be the thing that really puts things over the edge here in Short Hills,” Alterio said. “When I heard Sotheby’s was opening up, I thought this would be a good fit for me.”