Conversations Matter

Candace Adams talks with Jake Garay from our LaGrange office, today. Jake is a real estate powerhouse in the beautiful Hudson Valley. With a background in construction and design, Jake brings a unique blend of skills to the table. From mastering marketing strategies to co-founding the award winning Garay-Michaud Team, his journey is nothing short of impressive. Over the last several years, The Garay-Michaud Team has dominated the real estate industry, consistently ranked as one of the top 20 Berkshire Hathaway teams in the world, assisting their clients in 165 transactions totaling over $75 Million in one year. Get ready to explore his insights, passion, and expertise in luxury and investment real estate. Welcome, Jake!!

Today we're excited to welcome Donna Brooks, a seasoned real estate professional and one of the team leads for the Clement Brooks and Safier Team from our New Paltz Office. Originally from Queens, Donna has called the stunning Hudson Valley home for over 25 years. With a robust background in sales and marketing, she effortlessly transitioned into real estate, bringing years of personal experience in buying and selling homes. Beyond her impressive real estate career, Donna's commitment to community shines through her roles in the local PTA, the Kingston Uptown Business Association, and a notable 7-year stint as President of the Kingston Farmers Market. Join us as we explore Donna's unique journey, her passion for the Hudson Valley, and her leadership insights in the dynamic world of real estate.

Candace is joined by Gloria Gimenez, a seasoned real estate agent from our Greenwich office. Gloria's unique perspective, creativity, and commitment to client satisfaction make her a standout in the industry. She promises hard work, prioritizes client satisfaction, and, as a bilingual agent with a degree in graphic and architectural design, she effortlessly combines her skills to market and sell your home with ease. Welcome Gloria!

Candace enjoys a conversation with Melanie Smith, from our Fairfield office. A true real estate legend, Melanie dominated as the #1 Listing & Selling Agent throughout her career at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties. Achieving top ranks nationally, her tenure spans over four decades, with $875 million in closed sales. Her influence extends beyond transactions; she chaired the Fairfield Board of Realtors, contributed to community boards, and earned recognition in prestigious circles. Join us as we delve into the story of a true industry pioneer – and learn more about her next chapter.

Stephen is an expert in relationship building, territory development, client service, negotiation, and deal closures. His transition into the dynamic world of real estate has seen him own and manage rental properties while occasionally flipping houses, catering to traditional buyers, sellers, and investors, with a specialty in income-producing properties. Armed with an MBA and a recent Master of Laws (LLM) degree from UConn Law School, Stephen's educational achievements complement his deep expertise. A lifelong resident of Connecticut and member of the Jacek Mikolajczyk Team, Stephen is well-equipped to guide you in your real estate journey. It is such a pleasure to have you here, Stephen!

Candace sits down with Brad Loe, Executive Vice President, Director of Sales from our Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New York City Operation. With over 20 years in the business, Brad has acquired a wealth of knowledge about all aspects of residential brokerage and sales, which he uses to advise agents and successfully grow their business. Prior to joining our robust team, Brad served for six years as Executive Manager of Sales for the flagship corporate and Upper West Side offices at one of the largest real estate firms in NYC. In that role, he managed approximately 1,000 agents and was praised for his innovative leadership and agent mentorship. Brad is highly respected for his integrity, thoughtful negotiation style, and outside of the box thinking—all delivered with a smile and razor-sharp wit.

Join Candace Adams as she chats with Shirene Hazel, office leader of our Southington, Cheshire and Wallingford offices as well as Chairperson of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Shirene shines the light on all that is good, positive and inspirational. Her wisdom and devotion to the DE & I movement is truly making a difference!

Today, we're thrilled to have Katie Korpi from our Mystic, CT office join us. Katie is a dependable consultant who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the real estate industry. She is committed to her clients and has a background in communication and public relations, as well as significant involvement in the community, which uniquely positions her to offer valuable insights and expertise to both buyers and sellers. She's committed to making the buying or selling process as stress-free as possible, and we're excited to hear more about the Southeastern Connecticut real estate market.

Thrilled to introduce Nicole Elliot, Sales Executive at our Farmington Office! With a background in journalism and a passion for helping others, Nicole found her calling as a realtor. She's dedicated to guiding clients through major life transactions. Outside of work, you'll find her on the golf course or hitting the slopes with her family.

Candace is thrilled to be talking with team leaders, Tracey Fiasconaro and Rachael Cisz from The Real Team out of our Southington, CT office. Tracey and Rachael are committed to providing their clients with the ultimate, full-service, real estate experiences tailored to each of their individual needs and goals. They feel so lucky to be a part of something that is for many, a major milestone in their clients' lives. It is such an honor to have these incredible team leaders with me today!

Candace is thrilled to be talking with Lisa Ogren from our Avon, CT office. With more than 20 years of award-winning experience, Lisa infuses every interaction with the expertise of an industry veteran and the enthusiasm of someone obsessed with helping people. Her passion for houses, architecture and design is evident in everything she does. For Lisa, the ultimate reward is ushering buyers and sellers through a seamless, successful transaction, from the beginning of their dream to their happily ever after. Welcome, Lisa!

Today I have the opportunity to sit down with Charles Nedder, Team Leader of the Charles Nedder Group from our Greenwich Office. With over 20 years in the business, Charles has acquired a wealth of knowledge about all aspects of residential brokerage and sales, which he uses to advise agents and successfully grow their business. On top of that he is one of the top innovators in the industry when it comes to social media presence. Consistently ranked as a top producer, Charles Nedder is well-resourced, enthusiastic, and devoted to serving the needs of his clients. He has earned prestigious awards throughout his tenure. Charles leads The Charles Nedder Team, a group of seasoned professionals that are focused on providing the highest level of client service. Efficiency and high-quality service are hallmarks of his business. Beyond the point of sale, Charles remains a reliable consultant and management advisor. Born and raised in Fairfield County, he understands the local market and the community he serves. Now, he takes great joy in raising his daughter there.

Candace had the wonderful opportunity to sit with Lisa Barall-Matt today. Veteran broker and top producer, she delivers white-glove real estate service that focuses squarely on her clients' needs and goals. As a trusted advisor with more than two decades of experience, she excels at creating an effortless path for those navigating the purchase or sale of their single largest asset. Recognized as a top producer several times over, Lisa has reached upper echelon status at every brokerage she's worked at. Today, she serves clients at every price point from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Simsbury and West Hartford offices. Lisa, I am so glad to have you here!

Candace had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with one of the industry's most distinguished real estate professionals and our new President and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices' New York Properties, Steven James. We were thrilled to welcome Steven to our BHHS family in April of 2022, and I am excited to chat with him today about his new role, including his goals for our New York City office.

Candace sat down with her very first team, the Auerbach Hebert Team from our Mystic, CT office. Cheryl Auerbach and Brittany Hebert are a rather unique team, they are mother and daughter! With Cheryl's proven track record and Brittany's aptitude for technology, they are unstoppable. They emphasize white glove treatment and their communication goes above and beyond as they know how important staying connected is. They pride themselves on providing the utmost professionalism and care through the entire buying and selling process.

Alyssa Bernstein, Sales Executive in our Stamford Office has lived in the New York metro area her entire life. Alyssa has a wealth of knowledge about Stamford and the surrounding communities. Her passion for real estate, strong background and experience in online marketing will afford all of her clients confidence that they have access to all the latest tools to buy and sell real estate in today's new market. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, moving out of the city to the suburbs or looking to upgrade or downsize your current home, Alyssa will go the extra mile to help you find your new home in the Fairfield County area.

Diane McHugh, Sales Executive and co-team leader of the Mchugh Turker Team in our Glastonbury Office. Diane proudly brings the highest standard of service to her clients by offering the most up-to-date tools, impressive internet presence, and brand recognition. Being able to take advantage of the latest technology, combined with her personal touch, creates the most effective way to work with clients. As a former teacher, she enjoys educating her clients on the sales process. Diane is committed to getting the job done – she loves what she does, and you will, too!

Marian Van Egas from our Southbury office has enjoyed what she has chosen to do in her career. Every day is a new adventure for Marian, and she is able to learn something new with each transaction. Making her clients happy with their results is the ultimate gift. Not everyone can accomplish achieving such success in Real Estate and it takes many skills to get there.

Today, Candace sits down with sales professional Lorenzo Signorile from our Eastchester, NY Office. Lorenzo specializes in new construction and investment opportunities for his clients and has worked hand in hand with local builders from Westchester County. Lorenzo takes great pride in his work, and he is only satisfied when his clients are happy. He promises to work hard for you so that your real estate experience is a positive one.

Dianne DeWitt from our Wilton Office has lived in Fairfield County for over 25 years. Dianne is a local real estate expert specializing in luxury, unique, and high-end homes. She also is proud to be an accredited staging professional, using this talent to improve home marketability. She is able to work toward the goal of presenting any home in the most appealing way to savvy buyers. Dianne's 'client-first' promise is to assist you with all your real estate needs – whether it is buying, selling, renting, or investing. She loves what she does and wants your real estate experience to be the best it can be.

Candace takes her conversations across the pond to her first international guest, Martin Bikhit, Managing Director of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices London. Martin is responsible for the company's residential investment and development division. His passion for central London living makes him a regularly quoted expert in the national press. He is a former secretary of the central London branch of the National Association of Estate Agents and is a member of the Association of Residential Letting Agents. He is responsible for day-to-day business operations, is an active member of the sales team, and manages engagement with residential development and investment clients.

In this episode, Candace sits down with her friend Christy Budnick. She has had the pleasure of knowing Christy for many years and the privilege of watching her career flourish. Christy is now the CEO of HSF Affiliates, after a highly successful tenure as CEO and President of BHHS Florida Network Realty, one of the most respected real estate firms throughout Northeast Florida and within our global network. She has been listed in the 2021 Swanepoel Power 200 ranking as one of the 200 most powerful and influential executives and leaders in the residential real estate brokerage industry. Christy brings a unique perspective that combines knowledge and experience in brokerage management and operations to her new role.

Candace Adams sat down with Lisa Cozzi, leader of The Cozzi Team out of our Glastonbury office. Lisa has been brokering investment properties since 2003, overseeing a multi-million-dollar sales team responsible for a dominating market share of multi-family investment sales in CT, MA, RI, and NY. Her success has allowed her to assemble a personal portfolio of multi-family real estate in CT, which enables her to share an investor's perspective into a client representation. Not only is Lisa an incredible broker, but her philanthropic efforts contribute to both domestic and international communities.

It is a pleasure to sit down with Sally Bowman, team leader of the Sally Bowman Team out of our Cheshire office. As the #1 agent in total Cheshire transactions, Sally is a renowned, award-winning agent with a hyper-focused mentality. A combination of local roots, vigilantly vetted vendors, and contractors with experience in new construction allows Sally to offer step by step guidance as her clients build or find the home of their dreams. A dedicated member of the Cheshire community, each member within the Sally Bowman Team is invested in the town and people in it. No one knows Cheshire better!

Today we are happy to share a special New Year Edition of Conversations Matter. In this episode, Candace will highlight the exciting 2021 market trends, how these trends will impact 2022, and her predictions for the next 12 months in real estate.

In this episode, we learn more about Amy Curry, Sales professional from the Westport Office. Even though Amy grew up in Fairfield County, her career started in New York City where she successfully sold advertising for Hearst Magazines. After about 5 years, she decided to move back and start her Real Estate business. Since then, Amy has climbed to the top 2% of our national network, specializing in luxury, unique, and waterfront homes in Fairfield County. Among the most knowledgeable, professional, warm and energetic agents in her field, Amy's approach to her business is spirited, focused and strategic.

Diane M. Ramirez currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New York Properties. In this highly Influential role, she is charged with growing the brand across New York City and neighboring markets in addition to enhancing partnerships with BHHS franchises around the world. As the leader of the brokerage's flagship office at 590 Madison Avenue, Diane will foster the development of BHHS New York Properties agents and teams while leveraging the global brand and her vast knowledge of innovative services and technology platforms. Join Candace and Diane as they discuss the advancement of our New York City flagship office at the link in bio or wherever you stream your favorite podcasts!

Holly Powell, Sales Professional in our Westerly, Rhode Island office. Holly also has a passion for woodworking and owns her own woodworking business with her husband called AB Powell Woodworking. She has had a very successful career. Listen to learn more about how she was able to combine both of her passions into becoming a real estate powerhouse!

Brooks has had a wide-ranging career. After a brief stint as a street vendor at Rockefeller Center, he started in real estate as a residential agent for The Feathered Nest in New York City. Following his dream to be in Hollywood, he had a 23-year career in the film business as an actor and a department head on movies such as “The Lost World,” and TV series including “Cold Case,” “American Dreams,” and “The Closer.” He found a passion for helping children with cancer in 2006, as Regional Director of the Sunshine Kids Foundation, and most recently as Deputy Director for the Circle of Care. He is using his creativity, energy, and experience to help lead the growth and expansion of programs and services in the northern region of Connecticut and beyond. Due to his long-standing relationship with so many wonderful people who are part of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices family, Brooks obtained his sales associate license in June of 2021. He hopes to continue serving the people of Connecticut for many years to come. Brooks received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Columbia University in New York City.

With a strong marketing background, Sandra Juliano can deliver the results her clients expect. After a career as a marketing and advertising Vice President working for organizations such as Citibank, MasterCard and special projects for Coca-Cola, Sandra shifted her efforts to Real Estate. With over 18 years as a licensed Realtor(R), Sandra is a seasoned real estate professional. She possesses many years of marketing experience which makes her a strong agent for sellers. She brings proven advertising skills and personalized marketing programs to help sell your home for the best price in the quickest time frame. Buyers will also benefit from Sandra's knowledge of our area as she lives, works, plays, and raises her children here. What better asset to have on your team than someone who loves her neighborhood? She has the knowledge and expertise to help you make the right choice in a home, neighborhood, and town.

Although Nicole Talmadge was born and raised in Northern CT, she decided to attend school at Southern CT State University where she majored in Communications. Out of college, Nicole decided to stay in New Haven County and work at some of Connecticut's major radio stations. Following her stint in radio, Nicole's husband pushed to become a real estate associate in our Branford office. Just about 3 years ago Nicole formed her team, The Talmadge Group, where she leads a group of real estate professionals. She would love to expand her team but focuses on quality over quantity. Every year The Talmadge Group wins a new level of award. In 2020 Nicole and her team won Chairman's Circle Gold. In 2019, they won Presidents Circle, and in 2018 the team won Leading Edge Society. Nicole, her husband Doug and 10-year-old son Evan call the CT shoreline home.

Heather Clinton, a life-long resident of the CT shoreline, comes from a family of Realtors and believes that the best business is founded through traditional values, hard work, attention to detail, and passion. She takes pride in understanding the market, right down to individual developments from Branford to Clinton. Heather is dedicated to customer loyalty, having earned a reputation for her professionalism and trust. She loves to travel the world, especially when her travels involve making a difference. Heather has had the privilege to build a school in The Gambia, West Africa and even work with Dr. Jane Goodall. Armed with a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from Smith College, Heather is an agent of true change who loves building life-long relationships.

Over the past several years, Camille has had the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream in Real Estate. Her career started on the Investor side of the business where she successfully purchased, renovated and sold several homes for profit. After about 4 years, Camille decided to take her career a step further and obtain her Real Estate license. She was able to accomplish this all while working a full time job in Insurance Sales. Within her first year as a Realtor, Camille managed to complete 10 transactions which exceeded her expectations! Camille currently resides in Bloomfield, CT and has had the opportunity to work with clients throughout the Hartford County area. With the expertise she has obtained through the years, she has been able to provide a level of guidance to other Investors that most Realtors are not able to offer. Camille has not, however, limited herself to this niche as she has also enjoyed working with first-time homebuyers, current homeowners that are looking to downsize and anyone else who is looking to own a home or investment property. Listen to Candace and Camille's conversation at the link in bio or anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts!

With 17 years of real estate sales, marketing and office management experience, Thomas Vozzella has always placed the customer first. He is proud to have achieved Berkshire Hathaway Real Estate's Chairman's Circle award - ranking him in the top 2% of sales executives in the nation. In 2016, Thomas was involved in over 30 transactions and 24 million dollars in sales. Thomas has successfully represented some of the Fairfield Counties' most significant properties. His experience, professionalism and skills allowed him the opportunity to represent international celebrities, sports figures, and business executives. His proven sales and customer service track record has also allowed him to successfully run the Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien offices of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, increasing the sales and profitability to over 250 million in sales and the #1 profit leader in Fairfield County. Thomas has been featured in various local, national, and international publications for both the properties he represents, as well as his expertise on the marketplace. As a native resident of Fairfield County, Thomas is confident he can answer any and all of your southwestern CT real estate questions!

Today I have the honor of sitting down with Loretta King, a lifelong agent who just returned to Berkshire Hathaway from Coldwell Banker. As a team leader, Loretta has devoted her life to real estate, winning several awards throughout her career. A resident of Southeastern CT for many years, I am looking forward to diving deeper into the life of an agent on the CT Shoreline.

Alton Moss has 30 plus years of Operations and Supply Chain Management experience with a high technology engineering/manufacturing company (Pratt & Whitney). He demonstrates outstanding leadership skills in developing, implementing and tracking business strategies that foster teamwork, productivity improvement and shareholder value. Prior to entering real estate Mr. Moss lead the P&W's Supplier Diversity office. Additional credentials include fifteen plus years of experience in Real Estate as a skilled negotiator with excellent communication skills. Very proactive and knowledgeable of the buying and selling process. Mr. Moss holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering complemented by an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Patrick McGovern's career spans over 30 years in the mortgage business. He has held roles in originations, as well as senior management positions in operations. Over the last 20 years, Patrick has supported and led sales teams for multiple organizations, and has spent the last 7 with Prosperity/HSOA.

Kevin Green is a "born and raised" resident of the Meriden/Wallingford area. Kevin has achieved: #10 in 2019, #5 in 2018, & #7 in 2017 out of 1850 Agents in Berkshire. While achieving Top Unit Sales and Top Listings, multiple Honor Circle awards, Member of the Honor Society, Quarterly Achievement award, and top sales awards in his office for multiple months he has been the #1 Agent in the Wallingford Office for the past 10 years. Simply put, he treats people as he would want to be treated. Kevin, also, is a Farm Property Specialist, as he has firsthand experience with personal ownership of a Horse Boarding & Riding Facility in Meriden (www.rosehavenstablesllc.com). He can assist you with information related to farms such as acreage requirements, zoning, and particulars on horse property ownership in the state of CT. Currently in his 20th year in real estate, Kevin knows the Central CT area very well and thoroughly enjoys his profession.

Teresa Palacios Smith is Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate which is one of the country's premier providers of homeownership services, including brokerage, mortgage, franchising, title, escrow, insurance, and relocation services. In her role, Teresa oversees the organization's commitment to employee and agent diversity programs. Teresa has over 20 years of real estate experience and is a frequent speaker and trainer at National events across the country.

Starting in professional contracting, Vincent Verrillo transferred his skills working with clients and properties to his career as a Realtor. With a constant desire to fulfill clients' dreams of life in a new home, his dedication led him to the top 2% of all Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties agents nationally, plus Top Broker Associate from 2015-2018. Vin has taken his expertise in working in a team setting to creating his own, The Verrillo Group, based out of Farmington, CT. His meticulous attention to detail, impeccable work ethic, and unwavering dedication to achieving goals has led Vin to be one of our top agents in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network.

After receiving a master's degree from St. John's University, Candace Blackwell began her career in Education. She later moved to corporate America with a sales and marketing position with the largest beverage alcohol company, Seagram. For sixteen years, Candace moved up the ladder with varying positions in both sales and marketing. After Seagram sold off its premium brands, Candace decided to follow her passions of real estate and renovating homes and get her real estate license. With 30 years of realty experience, Candace prides herself on providing exemplary customer service to all her clients. Almost all her business comes from people she has worked with previously or those who referred friends and family to her. Candace has finished in the top half of 1% of all agents in the Berkshire Hathaway national network, which covers 35,000 realtors. Her clients are her best advertisement!

Joining the real estate industry in 2006 after earning a Bachelors in Advertising, Matt Valvano has spent the last 15 years dedicated to being one of the best in the business. His in-depth, wide-ranging experience and local market knowledge have made him a premier choice for sellers and buyers in all neighborhoods across Westchester County. Join Matt and Candace as they dive into real estate and what sets Matt apart!

On this week's episode of Conversations Matter, I'm joined by the fantastic Sam Granata! As a full-time Real Estate Agent, Sam Granata strives to make the buying and selling process as smooth as possible. With the support of a fantastic team, Sam is able to be timely in his response to clients and excels in negotiating and working through stressful situations while providing comfort to both buyers and sellers. Sam's recent ventures into an array of social media platforms and pairing with high production videos sets him apart from other agents & our competition.

This week on Conversations Matter, Candace Adams is joined by the fantastic Beth DiLoreto. With over 30 years of experience in the Real Estate industry, she has received numerous awards and accolades. Under Beth's Leadership, her offices have received many awards including Office of the Year, Top Service Office, Top Listing Office, Top Closed Units Office, and Top Fundraiser for The Sunshine Kids Foundation. She is invaluable to the sales executives in her offices and the clients they work with. Today we discuss how she has built such a successful career for herself, her agents, and what keeps her motivated to continue to provide support for her agents, returning agents, and recruits.

On this week's episode of Conversations Matter, Candace Adams is joined by Realtor Iris Kalt. Iris has a consistent message as to why she is so successful. Join us as we find out what keeps her energized and ready for the next transaction. An award-winning sales associate in Westchester County, she has all the answers.

Conversation with Sheila Tinn-Murphy

Today is a special New Year edition of the Conversations Matter Podcast. In this episode, I will be highlighting 2020 trends, how those trends are already impacting the 2021 market and my predictions for the next 12 months. If you have any questions about the information shared today, please reach out to me or one of our knowledgeable 1,800 sales associates across Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Please look out for our 2020 Market Report when it is released in the second week of January, which will cover these topics with additional detail and insight. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful New Year!

Today I have a vibrant guest on the Conversations Matter podcast. Heidi Picard Ramsay is known for leading and mentoring her award-winning team and has served buyers and sellers across Hartford County, Litchfield County, and Lower Berkshire County Massachusetts for over 25 years. In 2019, Heidi's team, the HPR Group was named our #9 team in Units and just recently ranked 3rd in units in the state of Connecticut for the 3rd quarter.

Elayne Jassey is an award-winning sales executive with more than 40-years of experience selling Connecticut real estate in Fairfield County, where she specializes in Stamford, CT. Now on second and third generations of families, Elayne works with, and negotiates for, each client one-on-one, as she treasures these relationships as the most fulfilling part of her job. Selling over a half a billion dollars' worth of real estate in the last 10 years alone, Elayne regularly ranks in the Top 10 at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England, New York and Westchester Properties. Nationally, she was the first sales executive to be inducted into the prestigious 30-year “Legends' Hall of Fame,” a recognition of her consecutive years ranking as a high-level national award winner for that same number of years.

Today, I am thrilled to introduce you to Sharon Rispoli, out of our Windsor, CT office. I've known Sharon for many years, and she has had an impressive career. She's currently one of our top agents in the state and ranks within the top 2% of agents in the BHHS National network. Sharon has won multiple regional awards and has built a career based on exceptional service and local expertise. She empowers those in her sphere to fully understand the buying and selling process, and provides her clients with in-depth community insights. I can attest to the fact that Sharon is incredibly passionate about what she does, and her passion is reflected in her success. What I love about Sharon is that she represents and lives by our core values of integrity, authenticity, responsibility, compassion, empowerment and service, and I can't wait for you to find out more about what drives and motivates her.

Bonus Episode: Conversation with Ron Shuffield