Although I am not a native Washingtonian, I have spent 24 years in the Greater Washington area and am very familiar with the people and geography of DC, MD, and VA. Originally from Wisconsin , I taught English and studied Japanese in Japan for 18 years, earning an MA in Japanese Literature from Sophia University, Tokyo . After returning to Bethesda , MD in 1984, I taught Japanese at Northern Virginia Community College , American University , and the College of William and Mary, and also on the high school level in Montgomery and Fairfax counties. I moved to Gaithersburg , MD and worked towards a PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Maryland at College Park .
My Real Estate career started in late 1999 when I moved from Gaithersburg to Washington , DC , and decided I wanted to become my own agent. I sold my Gaithersburg townhouse and purchased a Federal style townhouse built in 1900 in the Shaw neighborhood of DC. I was one of the many suburbanites who became a part of the revitalization of the Old City , and learning about its architecture and history was another education for me. As a result, I have done most of my work in Old City #2 (Shaw, Logan Circle ), Old City #1 (Capitol Hill), Columbia Heights , Petworth, Brookland, and Eckington.. However, as I am licensed in MD and VA as well as DC, I have also worked in Montgomery, Fairfax, Prince William, Howard, and Prince George 's counties.
I did a complete renovation of my townhouse, and this was a learning experience which has helped me assist many clients searching for investment properties. Many of my clients have bought residential or multi-unit properties for rehab and re-sale. I have helped many first-time buyers who have bought and settled into their properties. I have also worked with buyers of commercial properties who have invested in convenience stores and restaurants. I take special pride in having assisted the board members of an Ethiopian church find a warehouse suitable for conversion to a church—large enough for their needs yet at a price they could afford.
My aim is to supply my clients with the latest market information and allow them to take the time to make their independent decision about what and when to buy or sell. Knowledge of contracts is essential for protecting buyers and sellers, and monitoring the flow of information that passes back and forth between the lender, title company, and client is necessary to effect a smooth transaction. These are the services I offer my clients.
I can bring you the expertise to help you find the housing that fits your needs, whether you live in the area or are relocating from another state. I invite you to request information by e-mail, or call to make an appointment and stop into the Realty Pros office, just a block from the Tentleytown Metro.
