I was licensed as a Massachusetts Real Estate Agent in the spring of 2001 and then as a Real Estate Broker in 2009. What did you do before, and what lead you to become a Realtor®? At the age of 24, I left my corporate job to become an Entrepreneur. Seeking an outlet for my creativity I opened a full service nail salon. Within a year, I had a booming business and 6 employees. Over the next 15 years
I owned and operated three salons in Arlington, MA and Ashland, MA. My last salon was located next to a real estate office, which lead to conversations with the Broker and his agents. They said I had the skills required to be a great real estate agent, skills that came naturally and couldn’t be taught. I made the decision to close my salon, take the skills I had gained as a business owner, and transition into real estate. What do you like about being a Realtor®? The people and the relationships built while working together have to be at the top of my list. One of my dearest friends is a past client I met when she and her husband worked with me when relocating to Massachusetts from Florida. When she and her husband didn’t know many people here, I welcomed them to my church to meet others. They took me up on my offer, and we became fast friends. Then there’s my client in Natick, who I sold a house to after making a connection through the HGTV reality television show Property Virgins. We’ve stayed in touch with emails and visits, and he sends me email updates with photos of the progress he’s made on his house over the years. I always enjoy seeing what changes my clients make to personalize their home after a closing. I really love the adventure of seeing new properties, being in the car and not being at a regular 9-5 job. Having been an Entrepreneur since age 24, it’s very natural for me to embrace something new and different each day. Constant change makes life exciting! Have you won any special awards as a Realtor®? Over the years I’ve compiled a Career Book that show cases all of my certifications, awards and some of the hundreds of properties I’ve sold or leased. I’m always happy to share my Career Book with prospective or current clients who wish to take a look! Most recently, in 2010 and 2011 I was recognized as one of the Top 20 agents for the Realty Executives New England Dream Team. With offices all over New England, it was a big honor to be recognized by my peers as being one of the top agents in my field. On a personal note, are you from the MetroWest area? I’ve lived in New England all my life. I was born in Maine, but move to Massachusetts as a small child and have lived here ever since. I relocated from Belmont to Ashland about 20 years ago. I own a home in town, where I reside with my husband David and our three pets. We love animals and have two cats and a one-eyed small dog named Bella. Our 5 adult children live all over the country, and someday we hope to relocate to a warmer climate without snow! What type of personality do you work best with? I work with many personality types and people from many ethnic backgrounds. That’s what makes my work so interesting. I’m very high energy, and I work best with clients who trust me and let me be the professional who’s guiding them. I’m on your team, working in your best interest. I have the skills to work with both high energy or reserved personalities. What is expected of the clients you do choose to work with? Honesty please! I’m on your team. Nothing surprises me more than when a client feels it’s better to hide something from me than tell me the truth. How can I help you best if you are not truthful with me? Communication is super important to me too. I’m easy to talk to, so if somethings not sitting well with you or you have a question, please reach out to me. BUYERS/SELLERS
I work with both home buyers and sellers. I prepare all buyers by first connecting them with reputable lenders so they can obtain the necessary pre-approval before we begin their home search. Then we do a detail assessment of their needs/wants. I’m thinking of selling but don’t know what my house is worth, can you help? I’d be happy to discuss your potential house sale with you. To be done thoroughly, valuation of a house requires previewing the property and doing research. A Current Market Value (CMA) is determined by variables like location, size, condition and upgrades done to the house and importantly what other houses have recently sold in your area. Do you have contacts for Home Inspectors, Attorneys, Contractors and other people we might need referrals for during the home selling or buying process? It’s my absolute pleasure to share with you the contact information for any of the vendors I’ve done business with who have shown great customer service to my clients or myself. If I don’t personally have a connection for you, I will find you someone who does. I personally work by referral whenever possible. What territory do you work in? My Real Estate license allows me to practice real estate anywhere in Massachusetts. I mainly assist buyers/sellers/landlords in the MetroWest Boston area, but I’ve been known to sell homes up to an hour away from where I live. It’s really dependent on the relationship with my client and what their needs are. If I feel that I’m not best suited to help you with the area you want to sell or buy in, I’m more than happy to find a great agent to refer you to who works in that location. MOVING OUT OF THE AREA - Would you be able to help me/us find a great Realtor® in another area of MA or in another State? I’ve helped many clients and friends find an agent in the state they where moving to. I have access to some of the best agents in the country. Let me assist you in finding an agent who will take great care of your real estate needs. I personally interview the agents first, to make sure they will give you the same high level of service that I offer, then I put YOU in touch with the agent. I do the screening first, so you don’t have to worry about being connected with a disappointing agent. I will never give the agent your info without your permission first. Referrals are the best way to find an agent in another area, and it doesn’t cost you a thing to ask for a referral. Are you still working with renters and landlords, or do you only sell houses? Over the years, I’ve worked with many clients who are relocating from out of state, and searching for a place to rent while they decide where to buy. Helping them navigate the tricky rental market and find suitable housing always makes me feel great, and takes a load of their mind. I enjoy being their trusted advisor and easing the worries that can come when you are moving to a new area and know nothing about it, or worse, don’t know anyone there to rely on for information. On a case by case basis, I am still taking some rental listings in the MetroWest area. I specialize in finding good tenants for SINGLE FAMILY homes and TOWN HOUSES. HGTV -You mentioned earlier that you worked with the hit HGTV show Property Virgins. What was that like? The production manager of Property Virgins contacted me and asked me to be a local real estate consultant when the show was coming to Boston to film some episodes in the summer of 2009. Sandra Rinomato, the TV show’s host (also a Realtor in Canada) connected me with buyers to find them a first home on the North Shore. On television it “seems like” the buyers only see 3 homes then decide on which one to purchase. In reality, just like any real buyers would do, we previewed as many homes as necessary before they eventually settled on a brand new townhouse in Wakefield. In all we looked at almost 50 houses! It was great fun to see all the behind the scenes effort that goes into the filming of just one episode. The buyers were such a blast to work with, and I’m grateful for the whole experience and the friendship that resulted. For the record, reality television isn’t always what it seems. If you are a buyer or seller, please speak to a professional realtor before you make any serious decision around real estate based off of something you saw on a television series.
