About Jennifer
Raised in the Business of Real Estate
My parents have been Realtors in Lincoln, Nebraska since 1976 --- so, I feel like I've been surrounded by the real estate business most of my life. In 1991 I became a licensed agent in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 29. I began by helping my parents in the residential new construction side of things. Their niche in the business was building new homes, representing builders as the sales liason to the public, and land development (later starting a building company themselves). There were numerous days, when I first began my career, of riding shotgun with my dad as we 4-wheeled through pastures and country roads looking for property, or we visited the homes being built to discuss their progress.
Along with selling new construction property, I also became very interested in first-time homebuyers. Since owning my own home since the age of 26, I understood the undaunting task of learning the lingo of buying a home, getting financing, getting through inspections, remodeling projects, etc. My patient temprament seems helpful in this part of the real estate business.
In 1995, my husband, Patrick, and I, began our adventure to Charlotte, North Carolina. We didn't know a soul in NC, but had researched for a new city to get a fresh start. We were both raised in extreme climate states (Iowa & Nebraska) and neither of us were big fans of winter. After looking at several different cities, Charlotte seemed to have what we were looking for: FINANCIAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES -- my husband is in the financial investment/stock market business; FOUR SEASONS -- Charlotte's winter being one of the shortest seasons; LAKE LIVING NEARBY -- my husband was raised on Lake Okoboji in Iowa, and both of us love the water; MOUNTAINS NEARBY -- I was born in Colorado and spent summers at the family cabin near Estes Park; BEACHES WITHIN A DAYS DRIVE -- Patrick lived in Los Angeles for 4 years and adores the beach; and A BOOMING REAL ESTATE MARKET -- real estate is always important to me. After a decade of living here, we sure made the right decision!
In 2001, after trying another entrepreneural effort (from 1997 to 2000 I had a small handcraft/art gallery & gift shop in the Plaza-Midwood area of Charlotte) I began working for a local builder as their Sales & Marketing Director and received my NC Real Estate Salesperson License. In 2003, I decided to go back into the general brokerage side of real estate and hung my license with Prudential Carolinas Realty in Huntersville -- where we moved to be closer to Lake Norman.
Also in 2003, I attended a family reunion in Estes Park, Colorado and discovered, after discussing our ancestry, that my mothers father (whom I never knew), and grandfather were BOTH real estate professionals. My great-grandfather sold opera houses and apartment tenements in Colorado in the late 1800's, and my grandfather dealt with both residential and commercial in Denver and Greeley, Colorado along with being in politics. At that time, it all made sense to me why selling real estate is so comfortable and natural. It's in my blood!
Real estate is my career -- but I do have other interests. I have a studio at home where I make jewelry (beading and silversmithing), paint, sew, and other creative things---I have a bachelors degree in art, so leading a creative life is a necessity for my soul. I am also a big pet person -- we've rescued many dogs and cats, and even a parrot. Since my office is at home, taking care of our critters is a joy and they keep me company. My husband and I take our boat out on Lake Norman as much as possible, and we love to travel, especially to places where scuba diving is on the menu! We are also avid "foodies", so if you need a good idea for a restaurant to explore...give me a call, I always have an opinion on food!
