I am doing what I enjoy.  I am a Matchmaker...a yenta!! I like meeting people, looking at homes, and finding the best "fit".  Wether the buyer is looking for a 1st home, upgrading, downsizing and/or looking for a great investment.  It's like being a detective. I find the criteria of the buyer and then try to find exactly what they want.  I'm proficient at using technology (12 years at Microsoft will do that for/to you) so I'm good at locating the right properties.  I have a background in counceling and teaching (school councelor and teacher) so I can work with people and explain real estate stuff, so it's understandable.  And then there's the paperwork and finances; well, I was a bank officer at the old SeaFirst Bank (Bank of America) in the accounting, reconciling and liaison departments, so the finance side is a piece of cake.

I especially like finding really good deals, hidden gems, houses that just need a little TLC to substantially increase in value.  I love finding investment properties.  Especially investment properties on water (they just aren't making any more waterfront!)  My heart actually beats faster when I find a really good - hot deal.  I can't wait to find someone to buy it.  Well, honestly, first I have to talk myself out of buying it...then I begin searching my mind and database for soemone looking for a house that meets that criteria.  I have bought several fixer-uppers, myself.  I've gone through all of the pain and the agony, learned the pitfalls (#1 - find a good, reliable, honest contractor!).  I love sharing my experiences both good and bad in hopes that they will help my customers to avoid them.  I take a great deal of pride in the work that I do.

I have had a great deal of experience in many fields that have been the building blocks on which I have build my real estate profession.  Here are a few: Counselor, teacher, accountant, financial liaison, bank officer, Microsoft Technical Support Technician and Manager, MVP Program Manager.  I recieved my Masters in Business in 1997 and am currently working on Professional Project Manager Certification. 

I started working in Real Estate in 1988 because I needed to sell my Mothers house and wanted to understand the terms, process, etc.  I worked full time and part time for several years and returned full time in 2001.  I have taken so many Real Estate courses on specific areas of expertise that there isn't enough room to list them all.  I became a Broker a few years ago.  When asked why don't I start my own office, I can honestly say that I prefer to work with people and find houses than to manage a business. 

BTW, I also have a fully furnished 3 bedroom house on Cedar River that's available for those relocating and needing temporary housing.  The price is free to negotiable based on our business association.  Feel free to contact me for more information.

I'm embarrassed to ask my customers for testimonials.  It's like when you're a child and you're told not to "fish for compliments."   It's just not in my nature.  I'd be happy to provide you with the names and numbers of customers who can vouch for me.  I'm proud of the work I've done and have made many friends, repeat customers, and referrals along the way. 

I guess I can quote a few comments that I've heard from some of my customers:

A repeat customer turned to me and said they like me because I wasn't polished.  I laughed and repeated the comment to another customer who agreed by saying, yes, you're easy to get along with and don't come across all stuck up; you're down to earth.  One customer had bought a house from me and told me about the stressfull closing he'd just finished on the sale of his home in  elsewhere. He'd used a discount realtor that had neglected to write the contract up as possession being "closing +3" and the customer had to rush out of state to move all of his belongings in a matter of hours.  He lost time at work, belongs and money.  His comment to me was "you get what you pay for, I'd never do that again."