How did you come to be in this line of work?
My first career was that as a Teacher of English for 10 years and then High School Administrator/Dean of Students at a local high school. I served as Dean from 1979 – 1982. In 1982, Proposition Two and a Half was passed and required the Towns to reduce the force of Teachers and Administrators. My position was eliminated. As I explored my options, it became clear that I never again wanted outside forces to determine my career,
my livelihood, and my life choices.
I considered real estate and determined that it fit my personality and my career goals. I am able to bring many of the skills in teaching and administration to my real estate career: attention to the individual needs of my clients, a detailed process for helping my clients reach their goals, a professional and business focus to personal and career growth, and a continual commitment to learn, improve, and implement new strategies and technologies as this industry rapidly changes to accommodate the needs of the demographics and to better serve my clients.
What motivates you on a day to day basis?
An attitude of gratitude and my passion about my clients and my business. While it may seem trite, I do start each day grateful for everything : my family, my health, and the opportunities I have available to me. In addition, I commit to giving each day the very best I can as I face whatever the day brings.
I have come to realize that my life's purpose is to "encourage and help others reach their goals and potential." Each day, I find opportunities to help my clients overcome obstacles in their home selling and buying. Some of my strengths include bringing calmness to every situation, providing resources to my clients so that they can make informed decisions, communicating with all parties to ensure that details are taken care of in a timely fashion, creating marketing pieces to best promote a home through a multi media approach, negotiating on their behalf, updating them regarding market conditions and trends, and being an advocate for their interests. In the final analysis, I work towards building relationships and trust. And … best of all, it doesn't feel like "work."
When some days offer challenges, I refer to the following testimonial which helps center me:
"Connie ... despite the most difficult economic times ... I never noticed a hint of frustration in your voice or sensed the slightest hesitation when looking again and again at local market conditions, following up on leads, providing volumes of information to prospective buyers. ... Throughout the final stages of the sale you've been steadfast in meeting inspectors, organizing final details, and above all representing my best interests to protect the value of my property. You were recommended to me by my very good friends ... and it was your reputation that made the difference. They say that in life, you will forget the things that people do for you or give to you. But, you will never forget how someone makes you feel. I will never forget feeling the unwavering support you gave me selling a valued "Farrington Family" home. You never forgot that the house was first and foremost a home. Thank you so much, Wayne Farrington"
What changes are happening within your industry?
While there are many changes that are affecting the real estate industry, I'll concentrate on two: declining prices and changing demographics.
First: an overabundance of inventory due in part to the monetary and banking issues drives the declining prices and values of homes. The current market does, however, provide opportunities for Buyers – primarily First Time Home Buyers and Investors. First Time Home Buyers continue to have the availability of low interest rates as well as an abundance of inventory to choose from. Anecdotal evidence points out that Investors have been taking advantage of the declining prices and making "cash" purchases. There is no prediction as to when the inventory and prices will truly stabilize since lenders are releasing foreclosed properties on a targeted time table. Since much of what dictates pricing is determined by "supply and demand", we are still in a Buyer's market. Historically when the market does stabilize, prices will very likely be flat for awhile before values appreciate at a relatively slow pace.
Second: technology has impacted the way Sellers and Buyers use the internet for gathering information on all issues including real estate. All generations to some degree use the internet for real estate information. Yet Generation Y, born after 1980, is impacting its purchasing power and the way business needs to change. Having a web site is no longer sufficient. Generation Y gathers its information and expects immediate response through a multitude of social media sources.
Therefore, it's imperative that I am prepared, on one hand, to provide the best information available so that Sellers and Buyers can make appropriate selling and buying decisions, and on the other hand, to change the way I do business to be responsive to Generation Y, the next influx of home buyers. The goal: to better serve.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy gardening; reading – especially history and biography; golf; travel; and my renewed love playing the piano. The best time of all is having time with my husband, children, and grandchildren.
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