What was your most interesting job before going into real estate? I would have to say my time working in HR/Payroll and onboarding. We had a lot of new hires who would relocate from either out of the state or out of the country and sometimes I was their first point of contact from the moment they got off the plane. I loved helping people get situated and setting them up within the company. We would find them temporary housing, help them apply for work visas, help them move their family over. It was amazing to meet so many people, and I loved helping every one of them. I think having that job truly helps me today in real estate.
Where did you grow up? I lived in Woburn when I was young until I moved to Wakefield in elementary school.
Growing up, what did you want to be? I changed my mind a lot when I was younger. I wanted to be a few different things — a hairdresser, a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, a nurse. Don’t laugh. I thought being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader was a dream job when I was younger. One thing that I love about your youth is any emotion you feel, excitement toward something, you can picture your whole future doing just that.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? I like to move my body, so I’ll go for a walk if I’m stressed. It helps me clear my head. Putting in your EarPods, letting the emotion of the music take over. I take kickboxing which I also love but that’s a group class. Just walking with your music can clear your head and allow you the time to think and resolve. If you don’t want to resolve and take your mind off of it, I recommend reading to change your headspace. It helps you take your mind off of whatever is bothering you by submerging yourself in a good book.
If you could meet any well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Marilyn Monroe. She is an icon. She changed an era. There are so many rumors surrounding her, I’d love to be able to find out the truth. That would be fun.
What is Boston’s best-kept secret? Steep Hill in Ipswich. It’s the backside of the Crane Estate connected to Crane Beach. We love to boat and before we did someone introduced us to this beach because they could pull up on their boat. The Crane Estate looks out onto it and Plum Island. It’s a must-go-to.
What do you love most about the industry? The people. I know everyone says that but it’s 100% true. For so many people buying real estate, or selling, is a life moment, and being a part of that is an honor. My favorite moment is being at the closing table. With COVID that wasn’t easy this year, but the final moments of closing a deal and the excitement of the clients moving on to the next chapter of their lives. Knowing all you did to get them there, working together as a team. I’m so lucky to have a job that helps do that.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I’ve always been known for being extremely compassionate and being able to see objectively from all sides, to put myself in one’s shoes. I feel that’s a huge advantage in real estate. Truly understanding your client’s needs and wants, having the ability to explain things objectively while understanding the emotion. It’s not just a deal to me. It’s about the clients I work with. Real estate can be highly emotional, whether buying or selling. I love being that voice of reason. My clients know they can count on me to talk to, and that’s not for everyone. I also would say I have an eye for design, which not all agents naturally do. It helps in all aspects, whether selling or even buying, helping clients see the space for what it can be. I think that is a huge advantage and can separate me from others.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? The marketing. There are so many agents in the industry, I’m not always the best at putting myself out there. I’m learning though, I’m doing things like this, how will someone know what I have to offer them if they don’t know who I am?
What’s your best advice for generating new leads? Social Media. This again goes back to the last question. I think putting yourself out there. We have so many friends that we are lucky to still stay in contact with, whether they had a new baby or got married. Social media has allowed us to stay connected. We may not be in their day-to-day lives, I think it’s a great platform for advertisement and business generation.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? It depends on what you are asking about. In life, it’s my family. I have two beautiful children and an amazing husband who are the best life could give you. In my career, I’d say winning a top producer award in 2020. I worked hard all year and getting recognition for your hard work is always rewarding. Being named with agents you look up to was truly an honor and an accomplishment in my real estate career.
What are you binge-watching/reading/listening to lately? I just recently binge-watched “Bridgerton.” A good read is “The Secrets You Keep.” I love podcasts on long drives. Tom Ferry is always a good go-to or Rachel Hollis, or the Wire. For music it’s the Lumineers. I can’t even pick a favorite album because I love them all.
What’s your favorite meal in Boston? I’d have to say currently it’s lobster fried rice from Lola 42 located at the waterfront. I’m obsessed, and it’s only a perk that the location is right next to the harbor with views that are just gorgeous.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Boston? Trinity Church. I absolutely adore old homes restored. The gothic era in architecture is so profound and stands out to me. It catches my eye every time I pass by it.
What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you on the job? I would say showing up to a property and having a black dial combination padlock. The ones you use on your lockers. We had a line of Realtors all with appointments trying to remember how to use them, thinking back to our locker days. It was pretty hilarious, my clients actually Googled it, and we all watched a YouTube video on the technique, twice to the right, then half turn to the left. Honestly, I can’t remember even now and would have to look it up again, but it was pretty funny. We all made the joke “how manyRealtors does it take to get into a house?”
What’s one thing people are surprised to learn about you? I think most people are surprised to learn I have served on a jury not once but twice. Most people get called for jury duty and are never actually awarded the experience of being chosen to sit in the jury box. I think once you have served you have such a great appreciation for the justice system. The second time I pulled the number and was the alternate for deliberation. That was tough because I participated in the trial but couldn’t help with the final decision. There were two alternates: me and another person. We had to go sit in a room alone and couldn’t even discuss all we had just heard amongst ourselves.
What is your favorite vacation spot and why? I love to go on vacation but I will say Martha’s Vineyard. Living in New England we are fortunate to be able to visit the island more easily than others who travel from all over. I love the moment you step off the ferry. The beaches are extraordinary, the greenery on the island and the cliffs are worth the trip.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Keep hustling.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? Homesnap. I use it a lot to look up information on a property, schedule a showing on the fly or get the listing agent’s information to make a quick call.
Who are your favorite people to follow on social media? I love Moms Behaving Badly and The Broke Agent. They are always guaranteed to make you laugh. I’m also obsessed with Go Clean Co. It’s addicting. I’ve learned so many cleaning tips from it.