Name: Michael Leary

Title: Realtor, CBR, CPA, CHP, Notary

Company: William Raveis Real Estate

What was your first job in the realty industry? William Raveis Real Estate – a great company to work for!

Where did you grow up? I grew up in the village of Cataumet on Cape Cod.

Growing up, what did you want to be? Initially, I wanted to be in the military. My father was a career officer in the Army.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? I love to play golf with my daughter. She is currently a student athlete at Assumption College and now beats her father at golf easily.

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? I think that it would be a lot of fun to have lunch with Benjamin Franklin. In addition to being one of our founding fathers, he was considered a real celebrity back in the 1700s.

Where is your favorite place to hang out? Watching a baseball game at Fenway Park.

What do you love most about the industry? I really love helping people with one of the largest transactions of their lives. Through my organization skills, I feel that I make it a much less stressful time for my clients.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I worked in finance for 25 years before entering the real estate industry at Ernst & Young, JP Morgan and John Hancock. This type of background allows me to really explain what goes on during the transaction.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job? The negotiation process is always tough for both sides of a real estate transaction. The key is to keep the buyer or seller focused on the goal and not allow it to become personal.

Where do you go to network and meet new clients? I really like discussing current events going on in the industry. So I network anytime and anywhere the opportunity arises.

What has been your greatest accomplishment? I feel raising two great kids is the ultimate accomplishment.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? I have always enjoyed the movie Caddyshack. It never gets old.

What is your favorite restaurant? Lobster Pound in Hingham for takeout – great, reasonably priced seafood.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Boston? The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library

What kind of car do you drive? 2015 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup Truck – I always try to offer my clients the use of it during the move process.

Smartphone or paper? I rely on my smartphone extensively, but I still like to read the Sunday paper.

What is your favorite city after Boston? Concord, New Hampshire

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Always follow your morale compass.

What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? Docusign. This electronic signature application makes signing paperwork really easy especially with client’s hectic schedules.

Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? I try to avoid Twitter – it is too negative at times.