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Agent to Watch – Amy Wray
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Congratulations to August Agent to Watch, Amy Wray! Though she is newer to the W team, Amy has fit right in! We are thrilled to watch and support her as she continues to work hard for her clients and stay involved with the community around her. Check out the rest of the blog below to learn all about Amy!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Update my Buyer and Seller presentation guides.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
Set aside one third of my Real Estate earnings, to cover my taxes each year. I have done that each year and each year, I have been able to pay my taxes in full.
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
The connection to community. Sharing with those transitioning into the Ukiah valley, how much it has to offer.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
Adapting to my recent move to W Real Estate. Change is hard for me, but I take things one day at a time, ask for help, all the while learning everything this company has to offer. I am optimistic about my future with WRE.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
Mentorship has been an essential part of my career and continues to be true. Without it, I would not be where I am today. My first Mentor was Broker Beverly Sanders, she is the one who encouraged me to get my license nearly 10 years ago. Her experience and knowledge has been invaluable and created a solid foundation on which to grow.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
I am going to reveal my age, but I miss seeing kitchen trash compactors. Remember those?
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
Today, I’d have to say one of my, closest friends Donna. She was gone too soon; I miss her so much.
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
I am a lover our beautiful Sonoma/Mendocino Coast. I’d recommend they visit our coastlines.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
I recently returned from my first international trip to Tuscany. I am looking forward to my next trip to the Amalfi Coast.
Agent of the Month – Stephen Skinner
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Congratulations to our August Agent of the Month, Stephen Skinner! As a member of our Commercial Division, Stephen knows that success in Commercial Real Estate is all about dedication to perfecting your craft and an agent’s willingness to continue to show up everyday. Keep reading to learn more about Stephen!
What three words would you use to describe your approach to the real estate business?:
Keep showing up.
What’s one aspect of your business that you are looking to improve on this year? In what ways/how would you like to see yourself improve?:
Continue to become a student of the game.
What’s the one piece of advice you always give your clients first?:
Call other brokers and see what they say.
Failure is a natural part of achieving success. How do you recoup when things don’t necessarily go your way?:
Just keep showing up.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you are getting it right?:
There’s a balance to all this?
What roles have mentors played in your life and career?:
Mentors are everything.
What risks were you willing to take when starting out in your career and how have they benefitted you?:
Never be afraid of the dollar amount.
Employee Spotlight – Sandra Bernardi
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We wouldn’t be us if it weren’t for all the hardworking staff behind the scenes who keep us running as a company. We do our best to celebrate these incredible individuals each day, and now we want to celebrate them with you too! We’d like to introduce you to our July Employee Spotlight, Sandra Bernardi. Sandra is the backbone of our Cloverdale Office, and we are so grateful she’s on our team. Keep reading to learn more about Sandra!
What does a typical day at W look like for you?:
My typical day involves helping out my agents in any way I can and doing whatever is necessary to keep the Cloverdale office running smoothly. What is great about my day is that it is different each day. My days can include but are not limited to creating flyers, postcards, binding brochures stuffing envelopes, changing out window displays, or sitting in front of the computer with emails and trainings all day long. Whatever the agents or the company needs, I am happy to help with. I love helping people. I will also help out with any special projects that need to be done.
What’s your ideal day out in Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino County?:
I spend most of my time in Sonoma County and an ideal day is visiting the many Wineries that Sonoma County has to offer with my friends and family
If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be?:
Learning a new language.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? Or the song that always gets you out on the dancefloor?:
AC/DC Shook Me All Night Long and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama will always get me on the dance floor!
You can only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?:
I love, love Lasagna. And add a salad, green beans, and French bread and I’m a happy gal.
If you could live anywhere new in the world for a year, where would it be?:
Italy! I have not been there yet, but I have been told the climate is a lot like Sonoma County.
Tell us about something you’re excited about this year!:
Seeing my grandson that was born in Italy for the first time this coming December. He will be 6 months old by the time I meet him. And, also going on my first cruise that is sailing out of Boston, MA, which I love and can’t wait to visit again too.
What’s your favorite part about working at W?:
The employees I work with! I love the employees that are at W Real Estate. Everyone is great! Everyone is helpful and understanding. It makes it the best place to work when we all work together and get along.
Agent of the Month – Alison Weese
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Congratulations to our July Agent of the Month, Alison Weese! It’s no secret that the real estate industry is not without its own challenges and complications. No two transactions are alike, but for Alison, that’s one of the details she loves the most about her job. She never backs down from a challenge and she approaches each client with the same dedication to make their goals a reality. Keep reading to learn more about Alison!
What three words would you use to describe your approach to the real estate business?:
Integrity.
Dedicated.
Friendly.
To what do you attribute your success most?:
There is nothing better than getting to make the call that we got the house, prepare a home for the market, deliver the keys on closing day, or let my sellers know they’ve got a great offer to review! I just thrive on the uniqueness of each and every home, and I relish in the fight for my clients’ win of achieving their goals in buying or selling. The opportunity to do what I love is what guides me each day.
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Start Now. Don’t push it off. It’s a career that takes time, focus, and dedication.
What’s the one piece of advice you always give your clients first?:
There’s always going to be ‘something’ unforeseen in every transaction. But remember, there’s a solution to every problem. It’s stressful having so much on the line, but we’re going to stay calm and work the problem until we find our solution. And it’s all going to work out in the end.
My mom, a REALTOR on the Peninsula, taught me this lesson during my first ‘something,’ and I’ll never forget it.
Failure is a natural part of achieving success. How do you recoup when things don’t necessarily go your way?:
Buying or selling a home is the largest transaction a family makes. I have to do the best job possible for them in each interaction, and that is bigger than me, or my way. It’s imperative that my clients know I am representing them with focus and clarity on behalf of their goals. And it’s my duty to utilize my resources to guide them in the best direction possible.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you are getting it right?:
Absolutely, a work-life work balance is important to me. I work for my family. As a mom, wife, REALTOR, I have to pay attention to my kids, husband, and clients. I have to read the signs, pay attention to the signals and be ever at the ready to take the right action. Ultimately, my biggest balance barometer are the smiles on my kid’s faces. They let me know how Mom’s really doing!
What roles have mentors played in your life and career?:
I’ve held onto two very important pieces of wisdom shared with me in my early professional career that continue to guide me each day:
1. Attitude is everything.
2. Prove your value, every day.
What risks were you willing to take when starting out in your career and how have they benefitted you?:
With two small boys, it was a risk to leave my steady position with benefits and go off on my own to pursue my own professional happiness. The results have delivered a far happier, more fulfilled mom for my boys. And I’m proud to show them that working moms help balance a family.
If you could only ever visit one business again in Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County, what would it be and why?:
Olivers. They have everything I need to take care of my family and me! We are so spoiled with such fresh local food in Sonoma County – and Oliver’s produce is always far superior to other markets. I depend on the breadth of curated products available at Oliver’s to dive into any recipe I can dig up. They have the best selection of cheeses and wine if I need to pull a little charcuterie together for friends, and if I’m low on bandwidth, their prepared foods are a delish win for my family. Oliver’s really makes my world go ’round!
(But – I feel I need to sneak a little shout out to my favorite local boutique, Roost General Store, which is my go-to for any need for a quick gift, a pick-me-up, a peruse, or a happy home inspiration.)
Agents to Watch – Ramos & Ramos Real Estate Team
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Congratulations to our July Agents to Watch, Trudy and Cameron Ramos of the Ramos and Ramos Real Estate Team! Although they are new to W, Trudy and Cameron have fit right in and hit the ground running. As a team, they are 100% committed to their clients and their goals, and we look forward to seeing them keep on thriving as part of the W team! Keep reading the blog below to learn more about Cameron and Trudy!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Cameron: Create Marketing Materials for the Open House Event
Trudy: Run Weekly Marketing Meeting for Ukiah Agents
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
Cameron: Always ask yourself “What is your peace of mind worth?”
Trudy: Never Count your eggs before they hatch!
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
Cameron: The people I get to meet and make connections with!
Trudy: The diversity of our area!
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
Cameron: Recently we switched CMA’s and it’s been an uphill battle to learn all the new ways it works, BUT I keep taking classes and commit myself to learning one new feature daily.
Trudy: Recently we became part of the W Family, and it has been one of the best decisions we’ve made for our business, but change is hard for me, so I continue to give myself grace as I learn and grow with this new company that I love so much.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
Cameron: For me, mentorship in this business has been my lifeline, wouldn’t be here without all my mentors! The obvious one is my Mom, who has dedicated countless hours to ensuring my success.
Trudy: Mentorship has meant everything to my career. At the very beginning, I had the privilege to have Beverly Sanders and Ernie Neese. Those two taught me everything.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
Cameron: Built-in dog wash! As the owner of a Golden Retriever, nothing would make my life easier than a dedicated bath space for the pups!
Trudy: Large Pantry areas.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
Cameron: Madison Hildebrand! He seems hilarious, and I grew up watching him on Million Dollar Listing. There’s a lot to learn from him!
Trudy: That one is easy- I would pick my mama, and we would catch up on all the happenings in this crazy life.
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
Cameron: Montgomery Woods is one of my favorite recommendations. The trees are breathtaking and it’s only a quick drive from amenities.
Trudy: I am pretty biased on this one. I am a sucker for Blue Lakes. Nothing beats a day on the amazing water with family and friends.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
Cameron: Getting married in September, so very much looking forward to that, and of course the honeymoon after!
Trudy: My youngest son’s wedding is in September, and my 25th wedding anniversary is in November.
Agents to Watch – Shannon Phennicie & Colleen Dunaway
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Congratulations to May Agents to Watch, Shannon Phennicie and Colleen Dunaway! Though Shannon and Colleen are a newer team at W, we can’t express how happy we are that they are here! Their passion for real estate, love for Wine Country, and their dedication to their clients are just a few of the reasons why we are so excited to have them on the W team. Keep reading to learn more about Shannon and Colleen!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Shannon: Get to yoga! So important for my sanity.
Colleen: Not great at writing down, but the first thing I thought of was to get an offer submitted that we had written yesterday.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
Shannon: Not so much for real estate but when I was in corporate, I was told that ‘an empty chair is an invitation for an idle butt’, so if you’re on a deadline then put something in the extra office chair.
Colleen: I was once told (by my grandma who was a realtor in SoCal) to attend as many classes and seminars as I could. She said no matter how boring or inconsequential that it seemed you can always pick up at least one new thing and use it.
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
Shannon: I’m a Santa Rosa native, so I am really biased about Sonoma County. You can’t beat its convenient location to the mountains, the ocean, the countryside, the city, etc. I love showing property in all of these areas, every one is beautiful and unique.
Colleen: We live in a beautiful area which is a huge plus. I also like working with agents (most of them anyway) who are truly professional with a high standard of ethics.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
Shannon: Somehow I managed to move from my previous brokerage of 25 years (I had never changed brokerages before) to W Real Estate AND put on my wedding all in the same week. I’m not sure if I “conquered” but I survived.
Colleen: My most recent challenge has been the move to W. I was with the same company for 35+ years, the transition was not easy but in the end well worth it.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
Shannon: When I started my career decades ago, the market was moving fast. I had to be a true self-starter, I didn’t have a mentor or any formal training or classes. But throughout my career, I have always loved helping or mentoring new agents as they enter the business as it can be daunting in the beginning.
Colleen: I was a member of the Brian Buffini organization for many years. I believe that helped send me in the right real estate direction.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
Shannon: Mudrooms with a dog wash station. So many dogs hate to go to a groomer, it would be nice for them to enjoy a shampoo in their own home that was set up just for them.
Colleen: I don’t really have one!
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
Shannon: My kids. They are older now, so we don’t get to have dinner as a family as we once did. But if Rod Stewart would like to join us that would be cool too.
Colleen: My mom. I wish I could have one more dinner with her.
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
Shannon: Start at the top in Mendocino and work their way down, but don’t miss any of these areas along the way.
Colleen: I would say the Sonoma Valley of the Moon, Russian River Wine Trail, Healdsburg – all charming welcoming areas.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
Shannon: No plans at the moment, but… since the wedding and the move to W was such a whirlwind, maybe just maybe, there is a honeymoon in my near future.
Colleen: I am headed to Austin, TX in June with my daughter. We will be meeting up with my brother and seeing our niece in Austin. I have several “girls outings” planned which is always fun.
Agent of the Month – Chelsea Cambra
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Congratulations to our May Agent of the Month, Chelsea Cambra! From the start to the end of each transaction, Chelsea never forgets her clients. She understands that buying a home is without a doubt one of the biggest commitments a client can make, so she makes it a point to connect with her clients and never forget the homeownership goals they entrusted to her. The end result is a great relationship and reputation amongst her clients and colleagues alike. Keep reading to learn more about Chelsea!
What three words would you use to describe your approach to the real estate business?:
Honest, Relatable, Reliable
What’s one aspect of your business that you are looking to improve on this year? In what ways/how would like to see yourself improve?:
An aspect I would like to improve is the consistency of my day-to-day business tasks. My organizational skills need improvement…my transaction coordinators would be very happy about that!
To what do you attribute your success most?:
Ability to connect with people and understand what my client’s needs are.
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Get a great mentor! Put yourself out there by hosting open houses and networking.
What’s the one piece of advice you always give your clients first?:
Go with your gut! This is a huge purchase…you can’t just rush into it!
Failure is a natural part of achieving success. How do you recoup when things don’t necessarily go your way?:
Accept the failure and try to identify where you can prevent similar situations in the future. Don’t expect perfection.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you are getting it right?:
It is a hard thing to get right, but I believe in working hard and rewarding yourself with things you enjoy! If your mind isn’t right, you won’t succeed in your business.
What roles have mentors played in your life and career?:
When I started in Real Estate, I worked with a team of great mentors who gave me helpful, realistic guidance. I wouldn’t have the knowledge I have today without them.
What risks were you willing to take when starting out in your career and how have they benefitted you?:
Participating in trainings, mock phone calls, and roleplaying that took me out of my comfort zone.
If you could only ever visit one business again in Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County, what would it be and why?:
Jackson’s Bar and Oven! Great staff and a good environment!
Mother’s Day 2024
For Mother’s Day this year, we wanted to switch things up a bit! We asked our fellow W agents and staff to tell us their favorite memories and traditions from Mother’s Day, and in return, we would share their special stories and traditions with you. So here’s to all the special women in our lives this Mother’s Day, today we celebrate you! Keep reading below to hear from our W agents and staff!
Share a fond Mother’s Day Memory! It can be you + your kids, you + your mom/maternal figure, etc.:
– Hayley Bennett, Realtor® at W
– Maria Kenney, Realtor® at W
– Adriana Torres, Bicentennial Office Receptionist at W
– Dan Stevens, Chief Development Officer at W
– Alison Weese, Realtor® at W
– Cari Torres, Realtor® at W
– Tracey Cooper, Realtor® at W
– Steven Krause, Realtor® at W
– Nanette Boettger, Realtor® at W
– Carla Waller, Chief Financial Officer at W
– Nancy Azevedo, Realtor® at W
– Cheryl Peterson, Realtor® at W
Share your favorite Mother’s Day tradition.:
Working moms, do you find it challenging to juggle your career and professional life?:
What is your favorite, or most rewarding, aspect of being a parent?:
Agent of the Month – Aaron Brosamle
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Congratulations to our April Agent of the Month, Aaron Brosamle! For Aaron, the best clients are happy ones. His approach to the real estate game is one that is flush with knowledge and continuous learning, while never losing sight of his clients and their individual needs. His willingness to expand his own industry knowledge and experience on behalf of his client’s goals is one of the many reasons why he is our Agent of the Month. Keep reading to learn more about Aaron!
What three words would you use to describe your approach to the real estate business?:
Fluid, Informative, Organic.
What’s one aspect of your business that you are looking to improve on this year? In what ways/how would like to see yourself improve?:
I would love to continue growing my clientele space in larger estate and custom properties while continuing to help everyone and anyone who may have needs that are just simple questions. I would like to grow and continue learning about commercial transactions a bit this year as I do have clients from time to time who have commercial needs.
To what do you attribute your success most?:
Genuinely wanting to help people and having a need to do a great job and be sure everyone is as happy as can be. Helping people has been a consistent source of fulfillment in life and to be able to do that in my work is a blessing!
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Breathe, work hard, and be honest with yourself and your clients. Aim to be who you want to be in this sphere. Constantly keep up on the market and learn as many aspects as you can that can help you be a great, well-rounded agent for your clients, and evolve and grow with the environment around you.
What’s the one piece of advice you always give your clients first?:
Tough question, I would say that I typically always let my clients know that whether buying or selling, the process can have points that seem intense but that is a perfectly normal thing to happen and that with a good perspective and patience the little things that tend to come up can be much less invasive and just become an expectation, so that can take some of the pressure off. I try not to think of things that come up as problems, but things that need to be figured out.
Failure is a natural part of achieving success. How do you recoup when things don’t necessarily go your way?:
Just keep pushing for positive outcomes and smiles. Change is a part of life and I try to not look at the things that regularly come up in business or life as a negative thing but more of an opportunity to do well, grow, and learn.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you are getting it right?:
If my work life balance feels off it’s pretty apparent and getting it right is a feeling of ease that I would expect is a bit different for everyone. For me, I like being really busy and then having breaks, so this line of work fits that model quite well.
What roles have mentors played in your life and career?:
Mentors have helped me to grow in ways that have helped enormously in life both personally and professionally. I have been very fortunate to have great people in my life, which has led to my ability to help others and be successful in doing things that I love.
What risks were you willing to take when starting out in your career and how have they benefitted you?:
Haha, this is a good one. When first starting in this career it was a pretty full jump in. Meaning, there were times that seemed very difficult or frustrating, but I am happy to have had them because they helped to shape a respect for myself and my time which really helps me value my client’s needs and wants as well.
If you could only ever visit one business again in Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County, what would it be and why?:
I would probably end up at the Flamingo Hotel/Montecito Heights. My family and I spend a lot of our time there and it feels like a home away from home. Nice pool, small gym, great environment, and good drinks!
Agent to Watch – Myka Galovic
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Congratulations to April Agent to Watch, Myka Galovic! Rooted in learning and constant growth, Myka’s approach to the real estate market is one that is marked with hard work and dedication on behalf of her clients and their homeownership goals. Keep reading to lead about our W teammate Myka!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Pick up flowers for my new listing coming soon.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
Getting out of your comfort zone provides growth. In other words, life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
I love prepping a new listing for market. Seeing the transformation and being able to get the highest price possible is such a good feeling. I also love house hunting for buyers. Seeing different design ideas or how we can update a home to fit their needs and then getting a buyer get into their dream home is life changing for them and for me.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
My most recent listing had a tree fall through the barn during a storm. The sellers were in a hurry to sell the property so they could find a replacement. We did an aggressive price reduction to sell the property “as is”. With no luck we decided to pull it off market and repair the barn. Within 3 days we had multiple offers. I think that was more of a miracle!
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
My mentors have played a huge a role. I am constantly learning and growing. I don’t think this business is possible without a mentor.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
Butlers pantry.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
Always my family. My husband and my 3 kids will always be number one. They are my why. I love hearing about everyone’s day.
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
I’m going to throw in Napa County into this question and say that my house is always open for entertaining friends but after that, I would send them to a few of my favorite wineries and restaurants. Domaine Carneros for some bubbles, Round Pond for delicious wine and food pairing followed by R&D for the best sushi and margaritas.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
New opportunities with W Real Estate. Some exciting things happening. Looking forward to camping trips this summer with family and friends.
