Professional Background
I began working as a full-time Realtor in January of 1988 after leaving the corporate world of mergers and acquisitions. What attracted me to real estate was the potential to make a direct, positive impact on people's lives. I knew I could use my research background in business development to find out what I needed to know about the housing market and stay informed. The flexibility that a real estate career offered (and demanded) suited me well.
My first client was my former secretary. She obviously knew that I was just beginning, but she also knew that she could trust me to be straightforward and hardworking. I helped her and her husband sell the ranch they were living in and buy a colonial. They referred me to others. Five years later I again helped them by selling their colonial when they moved out of town.
That has been the pattern of my success. I work closely with my clients. They are pleased with my service and refer me to others. When they are ready to buy or sell again, they call me back. In 2014, I had the pleasure of helping one of my most frequent clients complete a 5th transaction across a 24 year span, and sell a starter home to a first time buyer who did the math of my career span at closing and blurted, "You've been selling real estate longer than I have been alive!". Ah, yep. This is true. Click here for my resume to see more specifics about my work history.
Personal Background
I moved to Ann Arbor in 1983. Unlike many who come to Ann Arbor for school and stay, I moved to Ann Arbor from Pennsylvania just after college to be near aging grandparents. Ann Arbor offered the promise of the cross-cultural diversity of a larger city with the feel of a smaller community. It lived up to its promise. It was very easy for to tell people about how wonderful it is to live in this area as I truly love the Ann Arbor Area (that's where the "A3" in my domain name comes from - Ann Arbor Area). I love to swim, cook whole foods, garden, sew, knit, explore nature and cavort with my spunky little rescue dog. I am increasingly passionate about protecting our water. I now live on a lake near Ann Arbor so I am constantly reminded of the importance of water. I am also committed to social justice and civil, free speech. At the end of the day, I believe we are all neighbors just walking each other home.
Philosophy & Favorite Volunteer Work
My overall philosophy is truly BIG PICTURE driven. I ensure that my clients' long term housing needs are met, rather than focusing on an immediate sale. Sometimes, after reviewing all of my clients' options in detail, I've suggested that it may not be the best time for them to make a move. My thought has always been of the "what goes around comes around" school. Knowing that I am doing my best to suggest the best for you, you will help me keep my business thriving.
My reputation is excellent with my colleagues, as well as my clients. Having an agent with a good reputation within the real estate world also benefits you because my fairness and efficiency are well known. In a multiple offer situation, which is frequent in this area, there may not be much to distinguish the offers. Working with an agent who has good performance record for completing transactions can help you. I am known for being straightforward and easy to work with, as well as committed to keeping to the terms of an agreement.
I am also known for my extensive volunteer work. In addition to giving back to the real estate community (see my resume for that), some of my favorite volunteer causes are:
Crossroads Sierra Club which serves greater Livingston County where I now live. Our mission is to get people outside to enjoy the natural world and inspire them to protect it for our families and for our future.
League of Women Voters - Livingston County which is a new chapter I helped start working closely with members I knew in the Ann Arbor Area Chapter. We are a non-partisan group working to make democracy work for everyone by hosting candidate forms and arranging speakers to help voters know what is going on in their area.
Food Gatherers which is an amazing food rescue program in Washtenaw County.
Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha House which helps working, homeless families in Washtenaw County get back on their feet through the support of a coalition of local congregations (churches, temples, synagogues...)
Arbor Hospice which is where I volunteered weekly for almost 6 years both visiting all the in-house residents with a tea cart loaded with fresh baked goods, coffee, and tea and often holding someone in song. I was always repaid handsomely with appreciation and a reminder to live simply in the moment at hand.