Conversations Matter

Candace Adams talks with Jake Garay from our LaGrange office, today. Jake is a real estate powerhouse in the beautiful Hudson Valley. With a background in construction and design, Jake brings a unique blend of skills to the table. From mastering marketing strategies to co-founding the award winning Garay-Michaud Team, his journey is nothing short of impressive. Over the last several years, The Garay-Michaud Team has dominated the real estate industry, consistently ranked as one of the top 20 Berkshire Hathaway teams in the world, assisting their clients in 165 transactions totaling over $75 Million in one year. Get ready to explore his insights, passion, and expertise in luxury and investment real estate. Welcome, Jake!!

Today we're excited to welcome Donna Brooks, a seasoned real estate professional and one of the team leads for the Clement Brooks and Safier Team from our New Paltz Office. Originally from Queens, Donna has called the stunning Hudson Valley home for over 25 years. With a robust background in sales and marketing, she effortlessly transitioned into real estate, bringing years of personal experience in buying and selling homes. Beyond her impressive real estate career, Donna's commitment to community shines through her roles in the local PTA, the Kingston Uptown Business Association, and a notable 7-year stint as President of the Kingston Farmers Market. Join us as we explore Donna's unique journey, her passion for the Hudson Valley, and her leadership insights in the dynamic world of real estate.

Candace is joined by Gloria Gimenez, a seasoned real estate agent from our Greenwich office. Gloria’s unique perspective, creativity, and commitment to client satisfaction make her a standout in the industry. She promises hard work, prioritizes client satisfaction, and, as a bilingual agent with a degree in graphic and architectural design, she effortlessly combines her skills to market and sell your home with ease. Welcome Gloria!

Candace enjoys a conversation with Melanie Smith, from our Fairfield office. A true real estate legend, Melanie dominated as the #1 Listing & Selling Agent throughout her career at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties. Achieving top ranks nationally, her tenure spans over four decades, with $875 million in closed sales.

Her influence extends beyond transactions; she chaired the Fairfield Board of Realtors, contributed to community boards, and earned recognition in prestigious circles. Join us as we delve into the story of a true industry pioneer – and learn more about her next chapter.

Stephen is an expert in relationship building, territory development, client service, negotiation, and deal closures. His transition into the dynamic world of real estate has seen him own and manage rental properties while occasionally flipping houses, catering to traditional buyers, sellers, and investors, with a specialty in income-producing properties. Armed with an MBA and a recent Master of Laws (LLM) degree from UConn Law School, Stephen's educational achievements complement his deep expertise. A lifelong resident of Connecticut and member of the Jacek Mikolajczyk Team, Stephen is well-equipped to guide you in your real estate journey. It is such a pleasure to have you here, Stephen!

Candace sits down with Brad Loe, Executive Vice President, Director of Sales from our Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New York City Operation. With over 20 years in the business, Brad has acquired a wealth of knowledge about all aspects of residential brokerage and sales, which he uses to advise agents and successfully grow their business. Prior to joining our robust team, Brad served for six years as Executive Manager of Sales for the flagship corporate and Upper West Side offices at one of the largest real estate firms in NYC. In that role, he managed approximately 1,000 agents and was praised for his innovative leadership and agent mentorship. Brad is highly respected for his integrity, thoughtful negotiation style, and outside of the box thinking—all delivered with a smile and razor-sharp wit.

Join Candace Adams as she chats with Shirene Hazel, office leader of our Southington, Cheshire and Wallingford offices as well as Chairperson of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Shirene shines the light on all that is good, positive and inspirational. Her wisdom and devotion to the DE & I movement is truly making a difference!

Today, we're thrilled to have Katie Korpi from our Mystic, CT office join us. Katie is a dependable consultant who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the real estate industry. She is committed to her clients and has a background in communication and public relations, as well as significant involvement in the community, which uniquely positions her to offer valuable insights and expertise to both buyers and sellers. She's committed to making the buying or selling process as stress-free as possible, and we're excited to hear more about the Southeastern Connecticut real estate market.

Thrilled to introduce Nicole Elliot, Sales Executive at our Farmington Office! With a background in journalism and a passion for helping others, Nicole found her calling as a realtor. She's dedicated to guiding clients through major life transactions. Outside of work, you'll find her on the golf course or hitting the slopes with her family.

Candace is thrilled to be talking with team leaders, Tracey Fiasconaro and Rachael Cisz from The Real Team out of our Southington, CT office. Tracey and Rachael are committed to providing their clients with the ultimate, full-service, real estate experiences tailored to each of their individual needs and goals. They feel so lucky to be a part of something that is for many, a major milestone in their clients’ lives. It is such an honor to have these incredible team leaders with me today!