Sarah Mooradian is the vice president of Berkshire Hathaway Home Service Warren Residential working in Boston.
What was your first job in the realty industry? Rental agent for local brokerage
Where did you grow up? West Brookfield, Mass. It’s just past Worcester and not quite to Springfield, smack dab in the middle of nothing. It’s quite interesting that a country girl like myself has become a city-living advocate!
Growing up, what did you want to be? I don’t recall wanting to be in a specific career so much as I recall wanting to have a job that would allow me to wear a black suit and have a briefcase. I guess business was always my general direction, but I didn’t have a specific trajectory.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Take a spin class. After a good spin I can feel good about pushing past my limits and persevering through to the end. It’s a great boost mentally and physically!
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Warren Buffett, given that we are the first Boston affiliate of his real estate division, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. I’d love to get his perspective.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? My front stoop in the South End. Sitting out there on a nice night with a bottle of wine I am reminded of what great neighbors I have here and what a truly beautiful city we live in.
What do you love most about the industry? Getting the opportunity to work with such a diverse client mix, artists to financiers, and from all over the world. It is really amazing to watch how such different people tackle the same set of steps, and I love the challenge of making my clients comfortable from finish to start.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I suppose I stand out because I don’t try to be anyone but myself. I pride myself in providing clients with the type of service I would expect when buying or selling. My goal is to educate my clients as much as possible so they can make informed decisions rather than pressured ones.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Currently, the market is moving at an incredible pace and so I think the toughest aspect for me now is to get my buyers to commit to coming in and sitting down to discuss the process before we even go out to look at property. It is all part of becoming an educated buyer and I know it isn’t as fun as standing in what could be your new living room admiring the view but those clients who commit to making the time find that it truly pays off.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? Truthfully, this is my “needs improvement” area. While I love meeting new people and being an active member of the community I enjoy doing those things personally and so don’t always think of them as networking or prospecting.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? There is nothing like helping clients you’ve worked with through the years sell their condo and walking away with a great return. Seeing what a difference my advice and knowledge make in my client’s lives is really something I am proud of!
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? Sometimes you just need to sit back, laugh and watch something that warms your heart. I recently watched Blended with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, and it was perfect for just that.
What is your favorite restaurant? This is such a tricky one because there are so many good ones to choose from. Given that we are currently in the middle of a heat wave, I’m going to go with Barcelona for their delicious fluke ceviche and white asparagus gazpacho; light and filling! Plus they have an excellent wine selection and large bar for sitting and socializing.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Boston? I’ll have to go with the John Hancock Tower, not only because it was the first place I worked, but because it was one of the first tall glass buildings built and I think it deserves recognition as such. Today there are more glass panelled buildings going up than you can count. I do worry that they will diminish the impact of the JH Tower, but what I will say is that floor to ceiling glass certainly makes for some breath-taking views!
What kind of car do you drive? Volvo…safety first.
Smartphone or paper? Both. I carry my iPhone and notebook everywhere.
What is your favorite city after Boston? San Francisco.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Follow up with leads/clients.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? Ashamed to say I’m not quite that tech savvy.
Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Must admit to being Twitter shy.
—
Do you want to be featured in our Agent Snapshot? Fill out our questionnaire, and you’ll be featured too!