What gets you excited about being a Realtor®?

Knowing I get to help families and individuals every day keeps me smiling even through the toughest days. Each client brings their own needs and circumstances to the table. I love working with them to figure out how we can make it happen for their families. This is especially true of the ones who come to me after they have been told “No” in the past. Whenever possible I connect them with down-payment assistance so they don’t have to wait to save up the down-payment.

Is there a particular type of client you work with?

I used to see myself as working with people just starting out, I still teach a class 3 times a year on buying a home using down-payment assistance at San Diego Community College District. Over the years, past clients asked for help with their evolving situations so I have expanded to include people who are moving to larger houses, moving out of the area for work or to be closer to family as well as couples who choose to downsize their home once their children move out.

Why so many letters after your name?

I have always felt that I can best serve my client when I take the time to better educate myself on more aspects of Real Estate (GRI - Graduate of the Realtor Institute). During the foreclosure crisis it was important to know how to value a home (CPV – Certified Property Valuator, NVSI – National Valuation Standards Institute graduate) as I worked with the lender to extricate the client from an enormous mortgage (SFR - Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource). San Diego being as much a military town as much as it is a tourist destination, I found myself working with both Active-Duty and Veterans so this was another area to learn thoroughly (MRP - Military Relocation Professional). Now with baby boomers entering retirement I decided to specialize in planning for retirement as well as our changing needs as we age (SRES, Seniors Real Estate Specialist®).

What’s left?

Actually, I am currently working on my CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) designation. I really feel that this will help cement everything together as it fills in some gaps between the other specialty areas. It is a long process, I am told that only 3% of Realtors achieve the CRS designation. I will be delighted once it is done in 2018.

What do you do for fun?

When time allows, I hike, read and catch the latest movies on the big screen. I also like to cook so it’s a good thing I like to hike.