Brad and I have always believed in getting personally involved with our community and our world to help affect change for causes that are near and dear to us. That’s why we both have backgrounds rich in volunteering and non-profit work. Since we crossed into the world of real estate years ago — a profession notoriously associated with capitalism and consumerism — our approach has been much different than the stereotype, and we’re proud of that fact.
For starters, I have never been in this business to “sell houses” or “make deals.” In my eyes, my role, pure and simple, is to help people navigate the process of buying or selling homes in the midst of whatever life changes they may be experiencing that necessitate those transactions taking place — a birth or death, divorce or marriage, relocation or new job... I'm here to provide consultation and assistance to folks who need it, regardless of whether they ultimately buy or sell any property. Brad and I both work hard, and often don’t get paid for what we do because a 'paycheck' doesn't come unless or until a closing occurs. Of course, when we do get paid, the strong Seattle real estate market has allowed us to make a decent living through our real estate work.
Since the inception of our real estate businesses, we've aimed to give 10% of our net commissions to organizations doing good work in the both the local community and the world. Through economic ups and downs over the years, we have not always been able to hit that 10% goal but it remains our commitment to give what we can to social justice, environmental, public health, and immigrant-serving organizations, among many others.
When I completed a Masters degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University in 2023, I did so as a member of a cohort of other accomplished professionals who were moonlighting as students, each of whom came to the program with their own motivation and purpose for wanting to serve in NGOs — their own "why." I became inspired by the myriad visions and approaches to changing the world for the better. When life's twists and turns landed me back in the real estate business, I decided to recommit to giving as generously as my life allows and to use whatever small platform I have among my clients and friends to promote the good works of organizations I've learned about from them to the rest of my community.
My monthly newsletter, this blog, and my website will all now have a regular feature profiling the organizations I have supported because of my client relationships, as a way of spreading the word of their good works to our audience of friends.
I can’t change the world by selling houses, but I aim to help in bits & pieces. My hope is that by being true to our non-profit roots, we can help our clients and share any proceeds in support of some important local and world needs.
