There was no pivotal moment in my life that made me choose Real Estate. It’s been a life-long journey which I have attempted to ‘summarize’ below … it’s on the long side, so you may just want to grab a glass of wine before you start reading!
I grew up in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) commonly referred to as just East Germany. That’s right I was born on the other side of the wall, behind the “Iron Curtain”, Russian was more important than English and Mickey Mouse a symbol of the enemy … Being a Realtor® is my American Dream!
My parents, my sister and I lived on the 9th floor of an 11 story building that looked like so many others all around. As a matter of fact whole subdivisions were built using the same modular system creating rows upon rows of Plattenbauten – there’s no way to translate that, but imagine rectangular slabs with windows that were just stacked together. It wasn’t anything bad really it was just … BORING. Mind you my parents were very excited when they were chosen for a brand-new apartment because it had central heat! We moved in 1978 and moved out in 1998 when my parents fulfilled their life-long dream of building their own home – only possible after the wall came down of course.
Most of my friends lived in the same style building. They were all pretty much set up the same and incredibly hard to personalize. The most exciting thing was probably the elevator, unless of course it was out of service and one had to climb up 9 flights to get home! My grandparents were the lucky ones in my childish eyes. They lived in a subdivision that was built in the 1950s, I loved their place. It had personality, it was interesting, it looked different, it smelled different and they had to heat with coal. That was the epitome of coziness for me, not so much for my grandfather though who had to haul it into the cellar upon delivery and up the stairs when it was needed. And come to think of it, I didn’t think of the coal too fondly come nighttime since the only oven was in the living-room and … brrr it was cold in grandma’s bed.
After the wall came down in 1989 and the two Germanys happily – more or less - reunited I got a taste of the big, wide world. Travelling to see my relatives in the 'West' was an adventure in its own. It felt like another country at that time, but little did I know that just 3 years later I would really land on foreign grounds. In 1993 I participated in a year-long student-exchange program which sent me to beautiful New Hampshire. When I got the news I had no idea what where New Hampshire was of course (I was only 16 and just beginning to understand how big the world really is) and was disappointed big time that I didn’t get to go to the fun places like Florida or California! But it was in New Hampshire that my love for Real Estate really took of. I was in awe of all the beautiful houses that were so very different and interesting and individual.
My first host mom’s parents lived in an old home in Binghamton, NY and my second host parents owned a historic house in Merrimack, NH. I so desperately wanted to know the stories those walls would tell if only they could talk … If you have read some of my blogs you know I adore historic subdivisions and homes. Now you know how that started!
It was in New Hampshire when I was first introduced to the Realtor®, the professional. Where I grew up, nobody sold or rented you your new home, if you were lucky you inherited one, otherwise they were assigned. My best friend’s mom in NH was a Realtor® and lived in the most gorgeous home. She used to paint her house every other year and I always looked forward to finding out what color it would be during my next visit, and visit I did often over the next decade!
I returned to Germany only to finish high-school. I had gotten a taste of the big world and I wanted more! So in 1997 I moved to Dublin, Ireland. Again, it was the different style homes and their originality that fascinated me most. Well that and the Irish pubs. I used to walk from my home in the suburbs to Dublin’s city center for one reason (one reason if you don’t count the pubs): the city row houses all have different colored doors! Fascinating!
I moved back to Germany again to attend university. Not only are German Universities free but they are also top-notch. I am a proud Alumni of the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg with a dual Masters in English and Mass Media & Communications. As a student in Germany I moved into a rehabbed apartment complex in downtown Halle/Saale. Halle goes way, way back when and has quite an extensive amount of historic buildings which survived World War II. Sadly, many did not survive Socialism and are just beyond rescue. But I have a dream! As soon as I’m rich and famous (just kidding, rich is good enough) I would love to invest in East Germany, my hometown specifically, and bring one of those old buildings back to their glory, or that castle that sits right outside my parent’s house…
So, how exactly did I end up in Maryland, a Realtor® and Military Spouse? Ah, the latter gave it away. During my many trips back to New Hampshire to visit, intern and learn I fell in love. And I knew right away, this man is my husband! Of course the fact that he’s also a chef on top of being a nurse and hero sealed the deal because when I was about 3 years old I proclaimed to my whole family that I do not need to learn how to cook ever because I’m going to marry a chef when I grow up! Funny how things turn out!
My husband Jody and I said our “I dos” in Hawaii (another place with fascinating Real Estate) in 2003 and were first stationed together in Virginia. We bought our first home in Chesapeake’s historic district – of course! – and set out on a rehab adventure. It was a learning experience for sure but a total labor of love. We never quite finished it and had to sell to an investor because we were ordered to Bethesda, Maryland shortly after. After my relocation to Virginia I had applied for many jobs. All I wanted was to work! I had my work permit, a M.A. behind my name, I spoke English (at least I like to think so) and wrote many applications. I wasn’t very picky but I just couldn’t land a job. It was a frustrating time and I couldn’t figure out why until one HR guy finally told me “Sorry, you are a military spouse and we really don’t want to invest in you … “. Fine! I’ll just have to become my own boss I figured and remembered what I had learned such a long time ago: Realtor® is a profession in the U.S. of A. What better way to combine my interest in Real Estate, love for beautiful architecture and genuine desire to help people! And to top it of, I am an expert in relocation, I’ve been there and done it several times – from big city to small town and vice versa, from State to State and across the ocean! It’s a calling – I could hear it clearly now.
I signed on with the big local Prudential® franchise for the first 4 years but decided to join a smaller company in 2008. I was more comfortable in a family-type setting and have been thriving in a less restrictive environment. It has not been an easy road, that’s for sure – throw a couple combat deployments in the mix and 2 baby girls - but I truly believe it’s the road I’ve been destined to travel on. I am a Realtor® with passion, I love what I do! I want everybody to experience the feeling of coming home! I never tire of looking at houses and can see potential in the ugliest ones. I truly enjoy every new Real Estate adventure my clients take me on. A settlement is not just a settlement to me, it’s a dream come true and I am so proud to have been part of many.
So if you will, growing up in Socialism set the stage, venturing out into the world made me hungry for more and being told “no” by some HR guy because I am a military Spouse turned the spotlight on Real Estate as a career.
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