Frank and Sam Punzi officially entered the real estate industry this past October, but partnering with people on their search for a home is nothing new. The father and son have been extremely active in their church for the better part of their lives, and through its ministry, Frank has spent years matching people with apartments and homes.
“This is something I’ve been doing from the heart for years and now I’m taking those ideals and applying them to the skills of a real estate agent to get people to the next chapter of their life, all by the glory of God,” Frank says.
He credits his son Sam for giving him the push to do it professionally. Along with the ministry work, Frank’s background is in food service and management. “Sam really convinced me that it was time to make a change in both our lives,” he says.
Sam’s inspiration to enter real estate came from a former coach. Last May he graduated with a bachelor’s in business management from Iona College in New York where he played Division I baseball. He’s currently pursuing an MBA and playing baseball at Cedarville University in Ohio.
“It’s been exciting to break into real estate in the midst of this market and I couldn’t wait to get my feet wet,” says Sam. “I’ve learned so much and grown in just a short amount of time but I love what I’m doing. I’m creating relationships with people I never thought I’d have, and helping people who never thought they would own a home.”
Working together comes naturally to them. Growing up, Sam says his dad was involved in all of his activities. “Not everyone can say they have the opportunity to work with their father, but to be honest, I couldn’t ask for a better partner. We look out for each other and I can turn to him when I need something, and on the other side of it, I can find ways to set him up for success.”
To say Frank is proud is an understatement. “A dad is always proud of his kids, but this is one of the most honored things, to be a business partner with him. He’s still going to school and running the business, and if I call him and need something, he’s on top of it,” Frank says. “We bounce everything off of each other and work hand in hand. When he sells a house, it’s us together as one team, and we’ll be one team as long as we’re together in each other’s lives.”
Building trust and honesty with clients is at the core of their philosophy. “Everything we do is for them, and we have to be honest with each other. It’s our job to find them a home or sell their current home, but sometimes I find myself more critical than your typical realtor,” says Frank. If someone wants to try to push a sale without an inspection, they won’t let that slide. “We’ll go in and do our own inspection. I don’t want to sell or buy them a home I wouldn’t want to live in myself. We have to do everything with integrity.”
For the Punzi Team, every client becomes a member of their extended family. “It might be cliché to say, but we don’t do this for the money. Money does help us survive but God has called us to do this,” says Sam. “The look on our clients’ faces when they get the house or accept that top-dollar offer is priceless to us.”
When Thomas Hartkorn needed to look for a home, he was confident in choosing Sam and Frank as his agents. “I knew Sam and Frank from Bible Study so there was already a familiarity,” he says. “Going from renting to being a first-time home buyer, they connected me with the mortgage company and really worked with me. Along the way, everything was God first in every aspect.”
Hartkorn moved into his home in Mount Holly in November and says it was an amazing experience working with the Punzi Team. “They are honest men and do everything by the book. They were always truthful with me and I felt comfortable with them,” he says.
Frank and Sam, who reside in Burlington County, can assist clients from all over New Jersey, and even the world, through EXP Realty. “Not only are we part of one of the biggest team leads in South Jersey, but we have connections on the opposite side of the transaction as well through the EXP network. If you want to move to Texas or Florida, we have resources and can refer you to an EXP agent in that region,” Sam says. “It’s just another way to make sure you’re taken care of like family.”
A free comparative analysis of your home is available through the Punzi Team, which Frank says can identify how much the home is worth and any repairs that need to be addressed before going on the market. It’s just another example of the transparency they offer clients.
“It does matter who you list with and who you decide to put your trust in,” concludes Sam. “Our record speaks for itself and we’re going to take care of you at every step of the way.”
The Punzi Team - EXP Realty
Sam (609) 784-5201
Frank (609) 234-5329
