My mother was a Realtor and my father a contractor in New Jersey, so I grew up immersed in real estate. As a kid, there were lockboxes on the kitchen table, and my dad had us painting our own bedrooms so we’d learn “how to work a paintbrush.” He was right, those early lessons in painting, carpentry, and building have proven invaluable throughout my life and career.

I earned my real estate license while still in college, and after graduating, I began shadowing my mother, a top agent in northern New Jersey with over 30 years of experience. It was an intense, fast-paced market with fierce competition among agents and constant demand from buyers. Success required sharp instincts, strong work ethic, resourcefulness, and above all, trust. My mother embodied all of those qualities. Under her guidance, I began managing leases for a large portfolio of rental properties, and from there, my career quickly gained momentum.

Eventually, I moved to Hudson County, living in Hoboken and Jersey City, where I truly established myself as an independent agent. The market there is among the most competitive in the country, arguably the world, given its proximity to Manhattan. With global investors and relentless demand, transactions moved at lightning speed. Multiple-offer situations, waived contingencies, and rapidly rising prices were the norm. At the same time, many properties dated back to the 1800s, bringing unique challenges like aging infrastructure, lead, asbestos, and underground oil tanks. I thrived in that environment. Every day presented a new problem to solve, and I loved the complexity and intensity of the work.