Agent Norma Toering has as an online blog that offers an insider's view into the local real estate market. Brad Graverson/Staff Photographer

Norma Toering was an elementary school teacher prior to starting a family and becoming a stay-at-home mom. But once her four children were all in school, she decided to start a new career.

Having moved often, she felt real estate would be a good match and got her license in 1992.

Now the Rancho Palos Verdes resident works full time with Re/Max Palos Verdes Realty. And as a former educator, she likes to keep learning, so she got her brokers license this year.

When not working, she enjoys yoga, hiking, dancing and hanging out with her four children and six grandchildren.

(Interview)

What kind of deals do you handle?

Norma: I am primarily residential, but as my clientele has grown, I have become what I like to say is a real estate consultant and advisor, so I have branched out into handling my clients' needs and that has included income and commercial property.

What areas do you cover?

Norma: Primarily the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Thereafter, it would be the surrounding cities, just kind of draw a circle around the Palos Verdes Peninsula - San Pedro, Torrance, the beach cities.

What is it that you like about real estate?

Norma: I'm working currently with first-time homebuyers and helping them to buy their first home in this market is really fulfilling. I am a member of the Re/Max Hall of Fame, but I think some of my greatest moments are when I've closed a difficult deal and helped a client fulfill their dream.

How was the change of careers?

Norma: My (teaching) training was not only in first grade but also all the way through to middle school, and I did my master's work in psychology. So I think education and psychology is a wonderful blend for working with people because we solve problems, identify needs and then do our best to meet them. I think that's best done through an educational process rather than a pushy sales process.

You have a pretty in-depth blog - what is it about?

Norma: I would say that I write a hardcore real estate blog. I would say 95 percent of my articles online, and I have about 1,800 articles now, deal with local real estate or real estate issues. ... I try to give an insider's view of what's happening in the market.

Why do you think it's important to have a blog and an online presence?

Norma: I think because over 90 percent of buyers begin their home search online, they need to find you there. And so many of them - especially first-time buyers - have many questions, they don't know a whole lot about the process and they're not ready to walk into a real estate office and say "I'm yours." Today's buyers are used to doing research on their own, so putting information out there where they can find it, they can start the educational process on their own, I think that's something that today's buyers are looking for.