This Is Me
When I was nine years old, I did back handsprings across the gym floor during a pep rally at my brother’s high school. He handed me the microphone and I said, “My brother may not be able to do back handsprings, but I know he’ll make a great class president.” The crowd loved it and cheered me on to do it again, which I did. Cheers from the community vibrated through me. This experience made me feel accomplished, proud, and helpful; and it helped my brother win the election.
Growing up as the youngest of seven, I quickly learned the importance of being a good listener. Whenever things got tense, I knew the key to defusing the situation was to wait for the perfect moment to say something clever, earning me the nickname “peacemaker”. And when it came to schoolwork, I couldn’t bear the thought of missing a single assignment. I often stayed up well past midnight to finish my work, and my dad would consistently be awake as well, reviewing his students’ dissertations. Those late nights taught me that I inherited his dedication to meeting deadlines. Even as an adult, I still feel this same drive.
As a young adult, I was drawn to the world of real estate and started working in portfolio retention for a bank. I worked hard and quickly climbed the ranks in various “behind the scenes” roles that were crucial to making mortgages happen, learning invaluable skills in the process. When I was 20 years old, my husband and I decided to dive in and buy our first home. I even attempted to open a 401k that same year but was told I was too young. Makes me laugh whenever I think about it! By the time I was 21, I was already underwriting loans, and at 22, I began mentoring new underwriters. At 23, I started appraising homes. I had the curiosity, the drive, the grit. While surrounded by colleagues older than myself, it felt natural, maybe because I was used to being the youngest child.
Looking back on my 15+ years as a real estate appraiser, it is a bit strange to realize I am still one of the youngest in my field. The industry has changed a lot since the market crash in 2008, and it has become more challenging to become an appraiser for various reasons. But, I’m optimistic about the future and excited to help create positive change in the industry. I’m hoping to be at the forefront of this and help recreate the appraiser trainee experience I loved so much.
The real estate market’s wild ride in 2020 and beyond has brought me some epiphanies that led me to expand my career as a real estate agent. As an appraiser, I love the puzzle-solving aspect of valuing unique properties and analyzing market conditions. But I also craved more community and connection, which I found unexpectedly in my work as an agent. Helping people make one of the biggest investments of their lives is incredibly fulfilling, and my experience in both professions gives me a valuable perspective that I’m happy to share with clients. While this path was never in my adult plans, I can see my nine-year-old self in her gymnastics suit, saying, “What took you so long? Aren’t you glad you finally listened to me?!”
The synergy between being an appraiser and an agent is evident, with each role enhancing my skills in the other. If you need an appraisal or help to buy or to sell a home, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s brainstorm together and find the best solution for your needs.
It is important to note that Worth One’s Salt cannot act as both a real estate agent and an appraiser in a given transaction. This is not only a matter of ethics, but also a legal requirement.
Real estate agents are bound by fiduciary duty, which means they must act in the best interests of their clients. This duty includes six key principles: obedience, loyalty, disclosure, confidentiality, accounting, and reasonable care. Appraisers, on the other hand, are expected to conduct their valuation services competently and in a manner that is independent, impartial, and objective.
