Q: Why did you choose real estate as a profession?
A: I developed a passion for real estate in 2004 as an investor; while my husband and I completed our first full rehab on our newly acquired HUD home. It was motivating to have the home rented weeks before it was completed. As a matter of fact, we still have that property and the original tenant.

Q: What has been most challenging about your journey as an agent so far? 
A: When the real estate bubble popped, the market was depressed. Foreclosures and bankruptcies were at an all time high. Finding buyers that could qualify and listings with mortgages that were not upside down was like finding a needle in a haystack. It taught me how to be dynamic in this industry by building a rental clientele during a down market for both buyers and sellers. 

Q: What advice do you give your customers that they probably won’t hear anywhere else?
A: I advise my buyers to consider their lifestyle external from their residence and to factor that into their monthly budget along with savings and future activities. This perspective helps us all to stay focused on a purchase price allowing the buyers to afford their desired lifestyle. It’s easy to become beguiled with a property that’s at the top of the budget and believe that it’s worth making sacrifices for until the realization of being house poor resonates with the first mortgage payment. I also advise sellers to perform an inspection and make repairs on their home prior to putting it on the market to forego any surprise discovery during a buyer’s due diligence process. 

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of being an agent?
A: The most rewarding part of being an agent/realtor are the relationships I have formed with my clients, other agents, brokers and ancillary vendors has been priceless. 

Q: What do you believe makes you different from other agents?
A: I try to distinguish myself from other agents by emphasizing care for the client over the bottom line, being patient and staying professional at all times.