Real Estate Isn't a Job. It's a Profession — and the Difference Matters.

I've moved 27 times in my life.

I've lost bids on homes I loved. I've bought, sold, rented, and renovated. I've sat across from a closing table with nerves and excitement in equal measure. Long before I became a real estate agent in Westchester, I lived this process — over and over again.

That experience shapes everything about how I work with clients today. And right now, in the wake of a landmark industry shift, I think it's worth having an honest conversation about what working with a buyer's agent actually means.

The Settlement That Changed Everything

In March 2024, the National Association of Realtors settled a landmark antitrust lawsuit for $418 million. Effective August 17, 2024, sellers are no longer automatically responsible for covering the buyer's agent's commission — and buyers must now sign a written agreement with their agent before touring any properties.

The intent is transparency, and I welcome it. But it's raised a question I hear more than ever: What exactly does a buyer's agent do to earn their fee?

The honest answer: a lot more than open the door.

40 Responsibilities. One Transaction.

From the moment a buyer starts their search to the moment they sign at closing, a skilled buyer's agent is managing a process with 40 distinct responsibilities — analyzing the market, sourcing off-market properties, preparing a comparative market analysis before every offer, negotiating inspection repairs, coordinating with appraisers, lenders, and attorneys, and making sure every deadline is met.

And that's before accounting for the moments when a deal nearly falls apart — and a knowledgeable advocate is the difference between losing the home and closing on it.

This Is a Profession, Not a Side Hustle

I invest continuously in education and credentials. As a certified Pricing Strategy Advisor, I use data to help buyers make strategic, competitive offers — and help sellers list at prices that maximize their net proceeds. That's not instinct. That's specialized training applied to the single largest financial decision most people will ever make.

According to NAR, even after the settlement took effect, surveys show that sellers are still frequently covering buyer-broker commissions — because they understand that a buyer walking in with expert representation makes for a smoother, more successful transaction for everyone.

What I Bring Beyond the License

My background before real estate was in media — negotiating large-scale deals at CBS and Univision. I know how to read a room, build a case, and hold firm when it matters. I bring that same discipline to every offer I write and every negotiation I lead.

I chose this work because I believe homeownership is one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available. I've seen it change lives — including my own. That's not a sales pitch. It's the reason I show up every day.

The conversation about commissions is worth having. But so is this one: when you're making the biggest investment of your life, who's in your corner?