How did you get the 'itch' to become a Realtor? For me, it was my mother! We lived in Storrs, Connecticut from the time I was about a year old until the end of second grade, right next door to my mother's parents. My mother loved to collect antiques. New England was a fantastic place back in the 1950's to find antiques.
Mom (pictured to the left in 1953) would generally have me with her in the car. She LOVED to drive! I don't think there were many back roads in Eastern Connecticut that we did not travel on. If there was a sign that said 'antiques', chances were excellent we would stop. If there wasn't a sign that said 'antiques' and she was in the mood, she might stop anyway! It never hurt to ask (mom went to New York City schools).
She knew all about antiques and had a stamp, coin and antique shop in South Tampa from the time I was in college until just before I moved home from Europe in the late 1980's, but I digress.
While she was wandering through all of those homes, estates and farm houses in Connecticut looking for antiques and every now and then also picking up a unique piece of furniture, I was having the time of my life! I loved seeing the inside of those buildings! Seeing how people decorated, what unusual furniture or antiques they might possess (which might eventually belong to us) and how the older buildings were constructed was something I totally enjoyed from a very early age!
After we had moved down to the Sunshine State due to my father's poor health (the doctors said the warm weather was what he needed and it did prove to be correct), mom and I made frequent trips North to visit her parents. Those trips ALWAYS incorporated driving around, searching for that one piece that we might find someplace!
Even down here in Florida, mom continued on her ventures. Always on the lookout for a deal, for one fantastic treasure that she might find. It wasn't as much fun for me down in Florida.......most of the buildings of the 1950's and 60's just did not interest me. There were older buildings, of course, but they were the exception, not the rule in Florida. It was that beautiful old wooden architecture that I loved! That was also a spark that was rekindled in Europe! Talk about architecture!!!! It was like dying and going to heaven! It was like an addict on a high............architecture.
I probably should have studied architecture on the university rather than history but it is a little late to worry about that now. Being a Realtor gets me back inside some extremely interesting homes! I love hearing the stories that go with the homes from the owners! It brings back so many wonderful childhood memories of that special feeling I got!
It is funny how interests form when we are young and although they may remain dormant for a time, they do indeed resurface again! I love being a Realtor! I love seeing inside all of those wonderful homes and estates! I love observing how others have decorated, what they chose to collect, what their interests were. It is going into the personal history of an area and also into the personal history of people's lives, so I guess in the end it all ties together....the architecture and the history bug!!!
Buying or Selling - - Call Barbara-Jo for all of your real estate needs! - - 727-512-0910
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Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA Charles Rutenberg Realty Serving the Greater Palm Harbor Florida Area, including Crystal Beach, Dunedin & Tarpon Springs Florida Waterfront condos & homes Your Real Estate Specialist 727-512-0910      |
If you are thinking of purchasing in the Palm Harbor, Crystal Beach, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs area or along our pristine Gulf Beaches, give me a call! With years of experience in the local real estate market, I am here to assist you in making one of the most important purchases of your life! Give me a call today! Find out for yourself why living along the Gulf Coast is indeed living in Paradise!
I started by just wanting to learn more about real estate investing, and then I became a Broker and the a Real Estate Auctioneer and have not looked by, it is a great time to be in Real Estate
Good Morning Barbara-Jo,
How are things in sunny Florida? Not so sunny here in New England this week, its been raining going on 7-8 days... My mom was in Real Estate and i got to see all teh great houses growing up. I was in college for Computer information systems and the boom was hitting New England in 1988, I took the RE class in college and took my test just after my 18th birthday becoming the youngest salesperson in NH. that was 1987, here we are 24 years later and still kicking... I have thought long and hard about moving to the Clearwater area, i love it there, i love the weather , love the beach and cant beat the current prices down there... one of these visits i will be staying on of these days.
Like you, I became interested in real estate when I was a young child. The area I lived in was in the early stages of the transition into a city. The development fascinated me. I would take the bus to the new areas where they would have subdivisions full of spec houses held open on weekends. There were always droves of people there. I went through the homes, compared prices, spoke to Realtors. I was only 12 at the time so you can imagine some of the Realtors weren't too impressed at this kids wasting their time, but some of them were fabtastic. It was no surprise to anyone when I got my license.
Myers - indeed it is!
Scott - let me know when you are in town, I would love to show you around!
Natalie - sounds like you are indeed doing what you love! that is wonderful!
Barbara I bought my first house in 1976 and ended up going for my license in 1978 and working for the same broker I bought my house from...I enjoyed seeing what he was doing for me and decided that might be the route for me. Today he is still in business and after many moves I am sole proprietor of mine. Of course from 1978 until 2000 I worked other jobs but have been full time ever since.
Dennis - thanks for sharing!!!
Barbara Jo, what an interesting story. I feel so privileged that you share it with all of us. It is funny how some things in our childhood makes us who we are.
Lydie - My friends here in ActiveRain are all so great! Many of you have become like a second family to me!!! Thank you for commenting!
Barbara-Jo, Your story was so interesting that mine pales by comparison. I was in sales previously, and this looked like a good fit.
Have a great weekend!
Don - Sales is indeed the best background since that is what we do! thanks for commenting!