As you can see in the photo collage above, I have a multifaceted personality (who doesn’t?). If you ask me what I do for a living, the answer is that I am a residential real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (formerly Prudential) in West Seattle. If you ask me who I am, I am a writer, sister, aunt, friend, dog guardian, home owner, native Washingtonian, community volunteer, student of life and citizen of the world… among other things.

Here is part of my story (the part related to being a real estate agent):

I bought my first home when I was 42 years old, before I earned my real estate license. As a single woman who has always been drawn to the rather low-paying, helping professions, I never imagined I could afford a home in Seattle. But circumstances and events aligned and the dream came true.

Looking back on the experience, I realize how fortunate I was to find professionals I could trust, because I put myself squarely in their hands. I relied on my REALTOR®, Mike, to advise me on how much to offer, how much earnest money to put down, who to use for a lender and a home inspector, and what terms to accept in the Purchase and Sale Agreement. Although I consulted friends and family somewhat, if Mike hadn’t been skilled and trustworthy I would have had a very different experience.

A few years later, when I decided to become a REALTOR® myself, I vowed to always provide my clients the same level of skilled and trustworthy service I received. I am true to that promise every day.

My client base includes couples and individuals as both buyers and sellers, and I enjoy working with them all, but I do find that I relate especially well to single adults because they most closely mirror my own experience.

While the mechanics of buying a home are virtually the same for couples and singles, the dynamics can be very dissimilar. I understand that single adults often have different priorities for living space, less predictable life schedules and more freedom regarding financial risk. Although single adults enjoy the ease and autonomy of sole decision-making, we also bear the entire weight of the outcomes. These differences directly impact the type, size and price of the homes we are likely to buy.

I also understand that many single women, no matter how independent, capable and intelligent we are, appreciate a certain amount of added counsel. Sure, we could do it entirely on our own if we had the time and inclination to get the necessary information, but few of us do. That’s why we hire professionals.

My goal as a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate broker* is to be the trustworthy accomplice you need to make your home buying/selling experience as positive as possible. I also want to be a lifelong resource for you, helping you increase the value and your enjoyment of your home. I hope you will contact me and set up a time to meet so we can discuss your home buying/selling goals and how I can help.

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*Real Estate Agent. Real Estate Professional. Real Estate Broker. REALTOR®*. What’s the difference? This might be something you’ve wondered about (though I doubt it keeps you up at night).

For the most part, ‘a rose by any other name…’ is an apt description of the differences. With the exception of the title REALTOR®, an individual with a Washington State real estate license can choose any number of terms to describe themselves. “Real Estate Agent” is probably the title you hear and use most often.

On July 1, 2010, Washington State implemented a new law that changed the terminology used to identify licensed real estate salespeople; we are now called brokers. Why? I do not know.

To make matters more confusing, there are now two levels of licensure. An individual who has just earned their license is identified legally as a broker. A broker with three or more years of experience can earn the designation of managing broker. The general public will more likely identify us as agents and managers. For all practical purposes, nothing has changed in the relationship between clients and their agents/brokers. To avoid unnecessary confusion, I typically refer to myself as either a REALTOR® (see below) or an agent.

The exception I noted above is an important one, however. A broker cannot use the title of REALTOR® unless they are a paid member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). As a broker who is a REALTOR®, I agree to subscribe to a strict code of ethics which regulates my professional behavior and expresses my personal dedication to represent you and your interests with integrity and honesty. This is why I am proud to identify myself as a REALTOR® working as an associate with Prudential Northwest Realty.

Contact me today for a personal consultation and further explanation of why my status as a  REALTOR® should matter to you.

 

*NAR rules require that the term REALTOR® be capitalized and followed by a trademark symbol.

 

Here is a link to another part of my story, my work as a writer.