When you're my client, it is important to understand that you are the driver of your own transaction. You set the pace — period. Together, we’ll work together to distill your most important priorities. From there, I’ll advise you on our options to maximize success. My role is to guide, educate, and provide you with the best service possible to achieve your own unique goals. When we meet in person for the first time, we'll get to know each other and set expectations.
Services for Buyers
First-time Buyers
In 2023, 73% of my buyer clients were purchasing their first home. I was a first-time homebuyer not so long ago, so the experience is fresh in my mind. No matter your level of expertise, I'm here to answer any and all of your questions.
No question is too small or silly! Reach out any time.
Still deciding whether to buy or rent? Try out this calculator.
I host homebuying workshops 3-4 times a year at Prototype Pgh. Come to one!
Renovation Projects
I love renovating old homes! By extension, I also love helping my clients find old homes to renovate. Lots of realtors shy away from showing "houses with potential," but I much prefer them to generic grey flips!
You don't need piles of cash to buy a fixer-upper. Here's proof. We can chat about which options might be best for you. (If you do have piles of cash, that works too!)
Relocation
Moving to a new city is rough! I'll help you find a neighborhood you love, share real estate market analyses to make sure you're getting a good deal, and generally help smooth your transition. Pittsburgh has a ton to offer. I'll help this city feel like home in no time.
Which neighborhood is right for you? Check out Next Pittsburgh to get a feel for different parts of the city.
Already know where you want to be? I'll take you on video tours of new listings and keep my ears open for pre-market homes.
Investing Here
Over the years, I’ve helped out-of-state investors create portfolios to pass to their loved ones in the future, digital nomads build passive income to support their travel, and local families invest close to home to get themselves one step closer to retirement. If you’re interested in being an ethical landlord or in conscientiously transforming a home to resell, I’d love to work with you!
Services for Sellers
Neighborhood-specific Marketing
Today's homebuyers want more than just a house - Many want to buy into a community as well. Because of my background in urban planning, I'm well equipped to sell your neighborhood as well as your house. Who's moving there? What do people expect in their housing there? Where do people get their news? These questions are really important as I create a marketing plan for your home. We'll target the likeliest prospects and find a great buyer for your home!
First-time Sellers
Selling a home for the first time can be stressful, especially because that time often comes with other big changes - a new job, a new family member, a crisis, or simply a new vision for how you want to be living. I'll be there every step of the way to make sure we get you to the next phase of your life smoothly.
Considering selling but not sure where to start? Nervous about whether your house is ready for the market? Contact me for a casual walk-through to discuss any improvements you're considering.
Who’s on your team when we work together?
You can accomplish many things alone, but there’s no substitute for having a great team at your side! In real estate, there’s been a trend towards realtors building pyramid-shaped teams — one agent at the top with less experienced agents carrying out most of the work with clients. Unfortunately, that model often leaves clients with a less personalized experience and leaves agents more focused on transactions and their market stats than on building lasting relationships.
In 2018, Julie and Ted Block and I joined forces to form a collective team, an uncommon model in the real estate industry. Zach Restelli, someone I’ve worked with since 2013 on the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation’s board, joined us in 2023. We unite as professional equals around three key values: collaboration, community, and equity. We call our group the Porch Swing Collective, although formally we’re the Ted Block Team because of strict PA team name rules.
We believe that supporting healthy life balance is good for our clients as well as ourselves, so our team is built to provide continuous, expert support to you on your homeownership journey, no matter where we are individually with vacations, illness, or life changes. I think they’re all fabulously knowledgeable and empathetic agents, so if you like working with me, I think you’ll like collaborating with them too! Depending on the season, I may be collaborating with one of my teammates to guide you on your journey. If that’s the case, I’ll let you know when we chat for the first time.