When Joe Hirsch began his real estate career, it didn't make sense to him that he had to represent sellers when he was working with buyers. After all, he reasoned, he knew the buyers well and often met the sellers only once. He really wanted to tell homebuyers when they were paying too much for a home or buying a home that would be difficult to re-sell or a dozen other things that he knew would get the buyer a better deal. But he couldn't because in theory he was working for the seller. In those days, that is the way things were done.

In 1990, Joe heard about buyer agency, the practice of representing buyers in real estate transactions. He took to it like a duck takes to water. He became the first Pittsburgh area REALTOR to incorporate buyer agency as a primary part of his real estate practice. Soon he was asked to teach other real estate agents, both in the United States and Canada, about buyer agency. He was chosen to write articles on buyer representation for local and national newspapers and magazines. In 1993, internationally acclaimed real estate trainer Howard Brinton chose Joe as one of his real estate Stars and featured him as a speker on his audio tape, Clearing the Buyer Agency Maze. Recently, Joe has been featured in a book, The Future of Real Estate by real estate educators Don Harlan and Gail Lyons.

Today, there are lots of real estate agents who offer buyer representation, but few with the experience and expertise that Joe brings to his clients. As with many top notch attorneys and accountants, Joe's counsel, combined with his easy-going style, have made him one of the most sought-after buyer's agents in the area.

Joe is also sought after for his expertise in helping sellers market their homes. Since Joe has worked so closely with buyers, he offers an insight that sellers need most. He knows how buyers think! His unique approach to home selling goes far beyond simply putting a lock box on the door, an occasional ad in the paper and doing a Sunday open house. As a single agency practitioner ( he won't represent more than one party in a real estate transaction) Joe knows he can do an outstanding job for both buyers and sellers and is committed to providing real estate services to his clients that are rooted in his unyielding commitment to honesty and integrity.

Outside of real estate, Joe's interests include family, singing, caring for animals, and working with children and youth. Joe not only finds homes for people, but for animals, too! He and his wife Carol both sing in their church choir and have been known to have ten cats and three dogs, all at one time! They regularly rescue animals, are active with animal welfare organizations, and currently are working on establishing a pet care ministry and animal fostering program as an outreach of their church. Joe assists with the youth choir and entertains with puppets and crazy hats. He is a representative for Promisekeepers at his church. He has taken an active role in civic activities and politics where he has assisted with political campaigns. Joe has been a resident of Western Pennsylvania for over thirty years and looks forward to serving your needs, whether buying or selling a home.

Return to Welcome Center

Joe Hirsch, Realtor