enTrust puts the customer in charge of buying or selling their home
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Scott Simard, left, and Michael Klenosky created enTrust Marketing Corporation to give home buyers and sellers the tools they need without paying for a real estate agent. Photo by Dave Sherman Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

When Amherst residents Scott Simard and his wife, Mindy Miranda, were buying their house it was more than a learning experience, it became a career move.

Through the process, Simard said he learned from the experience and thought it would be a great idea to empower other home buyers, and sellers. Along with Michael Klenosky, they formed enTrust Marketing Corporation, which gives buyers and sellers the information they need.

"We provide the tools that a real estate agent has," Simard, president of enTrust, said. "It's a marketing company with the tools to market your own home."

He added that on average, a real estate agent will take a 6 to 7 percent commission. Through en- Trust, the buyer starts with a binder of information needed when looking to buy a house.

The information they have gathered and organized for the buyer is what a real estate agent would provide during the process, Simard said.

Those selling their home can also use enTrust, which provides selling information, lawn signs and a Web site to post the house.

Both Simard and Klenosky have marketing and Internet experience. They started enTrust the beginning of the month, and are offering a kickoff promotion. The first 20 customers listing on www.entrustny.com before May 31 will receive the home marketing service free of charge.

"We're hoping these initial customers will serve as our judge and jury - our services can only improve with feedback. That's more precious to us than anything else right now, and we'll be glad to take the good and the bad - they'll be helping us to put the shine on the program," Simard said.

The corporation has two packages: premium, $729 for five months, which offers the customer online access and signage at the property for sellers. The platinum package, $999 for five months, is the same as premium, but the work is done by Simard and Klenosky, and they help the customer form a strategy.

"We've compiled every necessary element for a successful sale. Our marketing plan employs the best methods available to help our customers achieve market saturation. We're empowering them with the confidence they'd like and the ability they need to be their own best salespeople," said Klenosky, the vice president.

Between the Web site and binder, customers are presented with several tools, including online search history, conversing with other buyers/sellers, and receiving e-mail alerts on properties.

"(The tools) really benefit them as potential buyers. It's everything they need to do to move forward," Simard said.

They have also partnered with several companies, from home inspectors to mortgage loan companies, to provide the customer with connections for the many steps of buying, selling and even moving.

For more information. visit www.entrustny.com or visit 650-4073.

e-mail: jfinch@beenews.com