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 and I decided to leave the midwest. 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 -- he was in the financial investment/stock market business; FOUR SEASONS -- Charlotte's winter being one of the shortest seasons; LAKE LIVING NEARBY -- we both loved water and spent time growing up boating on lakes with our families; MOUNTAINS NEARBY -- I was born in Colorado and spent summers at the family cabin near Estes Park; BEACHES WITHIN A DAYS DRIVE -- who doesn't want to be close to the ocean?!; and A BOOMING REAL ESTATE MARKET -- real estate is always important to me. It was a terrific decision to move to Charlotte -- I'll never regret it!
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. I live within a mile of Lake Norman in Huntersville.
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 -- I've rescued many dogs and cats, and even a parrot. Since my office is at home, taking care of my menagerie is a joy and they keep me company. I also love to travel whenever possible - and if it's a tropical location, you'll bet I've scheduled a scuba dive or two. Food is also a passion of mine -- I love to cook for others and experience new foods, so if you want a restaurant idea, give me a call!
