North Shore Real Producers - April 2024

ALWAYS FINDING SOLUTIONS GRETCHEN PAPINEAU

FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE

OUR BREAD & BUTTER

Buyers typically take 30 seconds when making a decision on how they feel about your property.

We make sure EVERY SECOND COUNTS!

Tasteful Interiors is a full service home design company specializing in Home Staging and Interior Design Planning. With a collective experience of 20 years in the industry, we take pride in our diligence, quality of services & creative outlook on the market as a whole. Located in Andover, MA our team has serviced hundreds of vacant and occupied properties in the Greater Boston, North Shore, South Shore & Metro West regions.

Our team caters to the needs and expectations of home owners & their respective real estate experts. By working hand-in-hand with clients through this process, we aim to accentuate the most crucial & unique aspects of every listing. Providing experience, perspective & professionalism in order to exceed any goals set forth for the project; As we dedicate ourselves to your success in the market to maximize every home’s selling potential.

"When getting ready to list a home for sale, It's vital to complete the necessary prep work to make a favorable and lasting first impression”

NAR President Kenny Parcell (National Association of Realtors)

Source: https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/pro le-of-home-staging

• 89% of Buyers’ Agents cited that Home Staging has an e ect on buyers’ view of homes.

• 81% of Buyers’ Agents claim that staging a home made it easier for buyers to visual a property as their future home.

• According to buyers, Living Rooms (39%), Primary Bedroom (36%), and Kitchens (30%) are the main selling points when referencing how Home Staging played a role in their decision making.

• Nearly half of Seller’s Agents (48%) report that staging a home decreased its time on market.

• On Average, every $400 spent on staging results in atleast $1,000 ROI.

123 Tewksbury Street, Andover MA 01810 • 978-476-2671

igotaguy-llc.com/staging • info@igotaguy-llc.com

Working with Dave has taken all of the guess work out of determining insurance coverage and needs for our family—we had previously enrolled in a corporate option, thinking that our best interests were protected; however, Dave’s analysis and insights not only saved us on premiums, but offered us more coverage. He holds the insurance for our home and our vehicles, continually updating us on policies and rates …without hesitation, I would recommend Dave for his knowledge, response rate and genuine customer service.

-

Maureen

Marblehead, MA

We have worked with Dave Bruett for only a few years and can confidently say we would never change. Dave's professionalism and responsiveness sets him apart from the other agents we have worked with. His expertise and thorough guidance provides us the confidence that we are making the right decisions for all our insurance needs. He is our 'go to!'

- Nora

Marblehead, MA

Dave is so customer focused he makes things easy when it comes to insurance. Whether it is setting up a new policy, answering my questions promptly, helping get a claim filed or any other insurance related issue he is always right on top of it. I do all my personal insurance with him and when I started my own business a few years ago he set all that insurance up for me as well. Dave is the best!

- Sam Salem, MA

David Bruett President

Phone: 978-594-5308

Fax: 978-594-0236

quote@davebruettinsurance.com

info@davebruettinsurance.com

www.davebruettinsurance.com

PERSONAL INSURANCE | SMALL BUSINESS INSURANCE

ALL OF YOUR INSURANCE NEEDS MET WITH ONE AGENT

Put David's 19 years of experience to work and protect yourself, your clients, and your business!

talman.hauch@realproducersmag.com

Do you know of a great business who would love to connect with Top Real Estate Agents on the North Shore? talman.hauch@RealProducersMag.com.

For content contributions, or to nominate a REALTOR for a certain story, please email NSRP@RealProducersMag.com

DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the North Shore Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.

Dan St. John Photographer Lightshed Photography Studio

Talman Hauch Owner/Publisher

Geneva Eilertson Marketing Coordinator

Michelle Morello Photographer Lightshed Photography Studio

Kendra St. John Photographer Lightshed Photography Studio

Maeve Sherwood Social Media Manager

Heather Johnson Ad Strategist

REAL PRODUCERS TEAM

David Cornwell Sr. Writer

This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community

ASBESTOS ABATEMENT

Acqua Environmental, LLC

Scott Drinko (978) 735-5541

ATTORNEY

Capano & McGloin, LLP

Lisa J. McGloin (781) 599-1010

CapanoMcGloin.com

Dalton & Finegold, LLP

Christina Petrucci (978) 783-3038

dfllp.com

ATTORNEY/TITLE COMPANY

Anthony G. Keck & Associates

Anthony Keck & Julie Rubenstein (978) 745-3353

Salem-Law.com

Cherry Tree Legal, PLLC

Brendan L. Ward, Esq. (781) 496-2013 www.cherrytreelegal.com

Parry & Parry, P.C.

Denise Parry (978) 346-0005

HOME INSPECTION

R.J. Home Inspection

Adam Wright (800) 253-4402 rjhomeinspection.com

HOME RENOVATION

Curbio (810) 300-9432

Curbio.com

INSURANCE SERVICES

David Bruett Insurance Services

David Bruett (978) 594-5308

davebruettinsurance.com

INTERIOR DESIGN/ HOME STAGING

I Got a Guy, LLC (978) 476-2671

JUNK REMOVAL

JNR Junk & Logistics

Ryan McCarthy (781) 367-9223

MOLD REMEDIATION & INSPECTION

Premier Restoration

Jake Turner (339) 235-4278

MORTGAGE LENDER

Academy Mortgage

Adam Moore (978) 697-6019

AcademyMortgage.com/ about-us/team/adammoore

CrossCountry Mortgage

- Liz & Mike Team

Liz Ryan (978) 237-4431 ccm.com/liz-ryan

NRL Mortgage

Anthony Lapolla (978) 209-0916

www.AnthonyAtNRL.com

PHOTOGRAPHY / MULTIMEDIA Lightshed Photography Studio

Dan St. John (978) 854-5348 lightshedphoto.com

PUBLIC ADJUSTING SERVICES

Panakio Adjusters, Inc.

Melissa Sherwood (781) 592-7575

panakioadjusters.com

Anthony Keck

Julie Rubenstein

notepublishers

Are You a Cleaner?

Tim Grover is famous for being Michael Jordan’s personal trainer for his entire NBA career. He also trained Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, among many other NBA stars and professional athletes.

In his 2013 book, Relentless, From Good to Great to Unstoppable, Grover articulates how he devised a threetiered system for categorizing different types of competitors, which I found interesting. He called them Coolers, Closers and Cleaners.

For Grover, Coolers = Good, Closers = Great and Cleaners = Unstoppable. The passage from Tims book went like this:

“You can apply these standards to any group of individuals, just look around your team, your office, your friends, your family. Everyone has a different definition of personal success. Some people allow life’s circumstances to decide for them, others decide what they want and say “good enough” when they get it and then there are a select few who can’t even define success because they keep raising the bar on what that means. Coolers, Closers, Cleaners. You’ll consistently find that most people are Coolers, a small percentage Closers and maybe, just maybe, there’s a Cleaner in the group. But if there is, you probably won’t realize it until the first time you see them in action, and then you’ll never forget.”

Grover goes on to say, “A Cooler is careful. They wait to be told what to do, watches to see what everyone else

is doing and then follows the leader. He’s a mediator, not a decision-maker; he’s not taking sides unless he’s forced to He can handle a certain amount of pressure when things are going well, but when things get too intense, he kicks the problem over to someone else. He can make a huge play, but he’s not ultimately responsible for the outcome. He’s the setup guy, keeping things cool until the Closer or Cleaner can take over.”

“A Closer can handle a lot of pressure; he’ll get the job done if you put him in the right situation and tell him exactly what you need him to do. He’ll study all sorts of scenarios so he can anticipate what might happen, but he’s uncomfortable when faced with something unexpected. He seeks attention and credit, and he’s very aware of what everyone else is doing and what others think of him. He loves rewards and perks associated with his fame and would choose financial security over winning or success.”

“A Cleaner is rarely understood, and he likes it that way.” Grover then lays out the Relentless 13 points that he says makeup a Cleaner:

1. You keep pushing yourself harder when everyone else has had enough.

2. You get into the Zone, you shut out everything else and control the uncontrollable.

3. You know exactly who you are.

4. You have a dark side that refuses to be taught to be good.

5. You’re not intimidated by pressure, you thrive on it.

6. When everyone is hitting the “In Case of Emergency” button, they’re all looking for you.

7. You don’t compete with anyone, you find your opponent’s weakness and attack.

8. You make decisions, not suggestions; you know the answer while everyone is still asking questions.

9. You don’t have to love the work, but you’re addicted to the results.

10. You’d rather be feared than liked.

11. You trust very few people, and those you trust better never let you down.

12. You don’t recognize failure; you know there’s more than one way to get what you want.

13. You don’t celebrate your achievements because you always want more.

Which one are you? You may not completely agree, but the message is clear. How do you stand within your business and mindset? And how can you improve it to be the best you can be?

Enjoy the issue and Happy Selling!

Talman Hauch Owner/Publisher

North Shore Real Producers

talman.hauch@ n2co.com

from the ceo’s desk

NORTH SHORE REALTORS

ADVOCACY BLOG

By Patrick Maguire, Chief Executive Officer, North Shore Realtors

Stay up to date on local zoning proposals, legislation, and REALTOR® advocacy efforts by visiting the North Shore REALTORS® (NSR) Advocacy Blog. With over 250 blog posts chronicling local real estate advocacy news, the NSR Advocacy Blog is your go to resource on the key issues affecting homeownership and private property rights here on the North Shore.

Stay Informed

The town of Milton at Town Meeting voted in opposition of adopting new zoning regulations that would comply with the state’s MBTA Zoning policy (referred here as 3A). This is the first community in the state to vote against adopting a compliant policy.

This removes any ambiguity about what might happen if a community did not reach compliance. Milton is no longer eligible for a recently approved $140,800 grant for seawall and access improvements. Milton will not be eligible to receive MassWorks and HousingWorks grants and, per the Governor, will be at a competitive disadvantage for many other state grant programs. Attorney General Andrea Cambell has taken legal action to force court ordered compliance. Housing Secretary Edward M. Augustus expressed his concerns in a letter to town officials.

A total of 177 communities, including all of Essex County, are subject to the requirements of 3A, which in short would allow for multifamily development by-right within a specific district. A majority of North Shore cities and towns have a compliance deadline of 2024 and the others have until the end of 2025.

If you are interested in learning about the 3A requirements for your community, NSR has informational sheets for each of our communities and available data for the greater region.

NSR in the Community

From obtaining charitable grants to hosting fundraising drives to rallying volunteers, North Shore REALTORS® is proud to support charities across the North Shore.

Janet Breiter of Keller Williams Evolution sponsored the Have a Heart event at North Shore Music Theatre.

The event centered around a morning blood drive. Participants could also assemble Veteran Blessing Bags, which consist of socks, gloves, hats, and other items for Veterans in need. The event also featured a non-certification CPR course for those interested. In total there were 31 blood donations and 41 Blessing Bags filled!

By Dr. Brian Ramsey, Senior Writer; Photography by Amy Bucher, Amy Bucher Photographic Artist, Inc. partner

LIZ RYAN

CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE

HAVE NO FEAR, THE SWEDE IS HERE

“FEAR OF LOSS IS A GREATER MOTIVATOR THAN ANY POSSIBILITY OF GAIN.”

- DAN RATHBUN

Over 36 years ago, a broker that trained Liz Ryan taught her a saying that has made quite an impact on her business philosophy and personal life. She uses it to help people when they reach the point of analysis paralysis and cannot decide what direction to go. It has been a great life-saver for many, and Liz is well-known as the loan originator who is quite adept at “holding the hands” of clients and educating them through the pro cess of securing a home loan.

Liz was born in Sweden, and after her trek in high school and junior college, she moved to New York. She later moved to Maine, then returned to Sweden for a couple of years before moving back to the states in 1983. Her father was a farmer and real estate agent, so she says she always had “the bug,” but she served in corporate America for 13 years, sold cars for two years, and worked in real estate for a time.

Though a friend told her not to join the mortgage industry, Liz did anyway – during the Re-Fi boom. The next several years were volatile, and the industry saw its share of ebbs and flows, but Liz is a survivor, and is now handling mortgage lending for CrossCountry Mortgage after 19 years in total.

People love to work with Liz, and her company loves to have her. They have truly developed a culture of “family,” and Liz is pleased to work there and to be a part of being the number

one lender in the USA. She says that clients have called her at midnight and that sometimes she feels more like a psychiatrist, and though someone at any given time could possibly beat her rate, many return to her when they cannot be approved. Liz is all about getting the job done, and she is great at solving the financial puzzles that often appear.

Liz Ryan is authentic, and she makes no pretense about anything. Agents and clients alike love her ability to be so kind but straightforward, and her “shooting straight” demeanor landed her on the National Advising Board for loan officers. Her regional manager recommended her because he knew that she “would tell it like it is.”

Recently, Liz was asked to an event and told to bring other friends than agents. She was perplexed, as most of her friends are agents and clients. She loves to be the first call they make, and she cannot imagine another job. For her, success is about creating

IT WAS A GAME-CHANGER FOR ME, AND I AM THANKFUL THAT SEVERAL OF THE TOP AGENTS IN THE AREA WORK CLOSELY WITH ME.

solutions to problems and about growing relationships.

In 2010, Liz was asked to originate a loan for a client who was purchasing on Plum Island. She made it happen, and soon, the word spread that she was the place to go. “It was a gamechanger for me, and I am thankful that several of the top agents in the area work closely with me,” she notes.

Liz and her husband, Louis Ricci, who is a retired surveyor and now works with Plot Plans, are often busy with grandchildren. She has two grandsons from her daughter Natalie (38) named Sören (2) and Sebastian (8 months) and three other step-grandchildren named Kennedy (10), Raelyn (9), and Brody (8). Liz loves to walk with her 7-month-old puppy, Woody, and she has been a past president (two years) of her BNI group, which is called Capital Gains. She enjoys socializing and even attending open houses. She gives credit to her family and her home country for her work ethic and her understanding that nothing is guaranteed to last; she must learn to enjoy everything in the moment.

Liz Ryan is a hard-working, dedicated, and always-happy loan originator who simply loves her work. She is proud to be the branch manager and senior loan offi cer at her company, but she is very proud to be a Chairman’s Circle Member –someone who closes over $100 million in loans each year. For her, it is just another year’s work, but for the many she serves, it is a respite in the journey of homeown ership. After all, there is no fear when the Swede is here!

By David Cornwell - Sr. Writer

Photography by Michelle Morello, Lightshed Photography Studio

rising star

Walker

Meant To Be

LINDSEY WALKER always wanted to be a Realtor, but success got in her way.

Now thanks to a push from friends and family, she’s more successful than ever as an agent on the Willis + Tierney Team at Compass Realty.

While being a Realtor was her dream job, she says she found it hard to leave the prestige and pay of more than a decade of careers in tech, consulting and the startup world.

But there was steady encouragement to make the switch from friends and family she’d helped through the years with real estate and design projects. It was her husband, though, who made the final push.

“About five years ago, I finally listened to what he kept telling me, ‘“It’s now or never if you want to do real estate. If this is your passion, you have to do it full time.’”

“And so I did,” she says. “Cloud computing, PowerPoint decks and spreadsheets just weren’t what I wanted to get up for in the morning.”

Once her decision was made, Lindsey says she was “incredibly fortunate” to connect with Bill Willis and Christine Tierney,” partners in the Willis + Tierney Team at Compass Realty, a full-service team that is one of the most successful on the North Shore.

“With their incredibly strong track records and reputations, I couldn’t have asked for better teammates or mentors,” she says.

As it turned out, her own track record of success and experience in sales, marketing and real estate development meant a seamless, and very successful, transition to her role as a Realtor.

In what was a dismal year for most Realtors across the nation, Lindsey saw 2023 sales of $11 million, double her previous year. With $60 million in sales for 2023, The Willis + Tierney Team was the No. 1 in the Marblehead and Swampscott markets.

“Clients in New England and particularly the North Shore are a very intelligent and discerning group,” Lindsey says. “They rightfully have high expectations of service and outcomes. Consistently exceeding their expectations and delivering the best outcome is what motivates me.”

Part of exceeding those expectations, she says, is keeping up with the latest on markets and trends.

“Market knowledge and real estate updates have become part of our culture. Everybody loves them and I’m no exception,” she says. “It’s great to provide that as part of my job because I genuinely enjoy doing it and my clients and friends expect it.”

But for Lindsey, selling real estate is about much more than market trends and money because she’s not selling a house but a home.

“You always hear that buying a house is the largest financial decision most people will make in their lifetime,” she says. “But it’s so much more than that. This is where a family’s memories are created.”

As someone with three children under three, Lindsey knows firsthand just how special those memories are.

“It’s a really special thing to be a part of creating these outcomes for other families,” she says. And working to do that is where her own family support comes in big time, with her in-laws playing a crucial role.

“They live just a few streets away and they drop everything for me,” Lindsey says, noting how critical that can be in the seemingly endless last-minute changes of a Realtor’s schedule. “They’re always there for me so I really can be there for my clients. I really couldn’t do it without them.”

This is what I was meant to do.

While Lindsey is a Pittsburgh native, her husband, Ian, is from the North Shore and works in marketing and strategy. “He’s great to have as a sounding board whenever I have an idea. He’s a really sharp, brilliant guy who gives me a great perspective on business and life.”

Parents to six-month-old Baby Sebastian and twoyear-old twins, Mac and Marnie, Lindsey says the twins are one reason a local organization, Merry Mixers, holds such a special place in her heart.

Serving on the board of Merry Mixers, Lindsey is honored to help it raise money for the benefit of Salem Hospital, where after their premature birth, Mac and Marnie spent the first six weeks of their lives in its neonatal intensive care. Merry Mixer’s annual gala raised $100,000 for the hospital last year.

Other organizations with which she’s involved and passionate include the Marblehead Rail Trail Committee, Peabody Essex Museum Prize Committee, Marblehead Mom’s Co-Op and the Eastern Yacht Club House Committee.

“We feel so fortunate to call this special community home,” she says. “Marblehead is incredibly beautiful and vibrant whether it’s a day at the beach with the whole family or an afternoon sail or tennis with friends.”

“We love living here,” Lindsey says. “And I know what it’s like to be new to a town and try to make moving to the North Shore welcoming and seamless for others. That includes connecting them to friends who have mutual interests or making introductions to committees and groups they might want to get involved with.”

“I really love this job,” she says. “Yes it’s hard work, but I find it so incredibly rewarding that I look forward to each day that I get to do it—this is what I was meant to do.”

ask the inspection expert

By Adam Wright - R.J. Home Inspections By Adam Wright - Owner, R.J. Home Inspections

HOME INSPECTIONS in Today’s Market

We all know what has been happening the past few years with home inspections in market… Buyer demand is up, supply is down, and the market gets so competitive that buyers look for any edge to get their offer accepted. There are a lot of strategies but one of the first things they do is waive their right to a home inspection. I’ll spare you my opinion on how risky that is for clients, but the important thing you need to hear is how risky that is as a real estate agent. Over the past few years, I have had attorneys request to consult with me on cases where people have bought a house waiving their right to an inspection just to find major problems once they move in. Can you guess who they are going after? Yup, the buyer’s agent and everyone else involved in the sale. Sometimes these homeowners are just desperate because they overreached on a home and sometimes these homeowners really do feel like they were tricked into waiving their rights to an inspection. The important thing I want to convey in this article is a little history of how inspections started but more importantly how to protect yourselves from finding yourself in this predicament.

guess when the home inspection industry started? Any old-time real estate agents can tell you it was the mid-late 80s (side note: RJ Inspections Inc was formed in 1987). The short version of what happened is that the new homeowner out in California had a major problem with their property and they sued the agent that sold it to them. The court held that a real estate broker has the duty to diligently inspect a listed property and to disclose to prospective purchasers all facts materially affecting the property that such an inspection would reveal. That was terrifying to brokers, as it should have been. So, what happened next… the birth of the home inspection!!

The court case that launched the home inspection industry…. Everyone in the home inspection industry can probably tell you about Easton vs Strassburger which was a lawsuit from back in 1984. Can anyone

I just want to share this tale to remind you where the industry started. Yes, it started as a fantastic service to help potential home buyers, but it also started to protect brokers from being responsible and liable for defects in the

home. So why does this matter… What we are seeing is that when a home inspector is taken out of the home buying equation, it opens a whole can of worms for real estate agents and opens the door for lawsuits! So, what can you do as a real estate agent to protect yourself from these?

I’m glad you asked! Here are a few options to keep yourself out of hot water and away from liability like the agents from the Easton vs Strassburger case…

Best Practices to protect yourselves as real estate agents….

GOOD – If you cannot prevent your clients from waiving their right to a home inspection then you NEED to at least have it documented that they understand the rights they are giving up.

MAR offers a form called the “Waiver of Inspection Rights Addendum” (form 523) that you can use or consult your broker to see if you have a company specific form. These forms will reiterate the buyer’s right to include a home inspection in their offer and by signing, the buyer acknowledges the risk associated with waiving an inspection and releases the broker from any claims related to a condition that may have been revealed in a home inspection. This will be your first line of defense if a problem arises in the future. However, this doesn’t mean that the client wont still tries to come after you if there is a problem. Like any attorney will tell you, just because you are right,

it doesn’t mean that people won’t try to sue you. Also, as any top agent knows, it’s not about closing the deal, it’s about making sure your client is happy so they can refer you to their friends and family. So, whether you are found liable or not, it may cost you in the long run if your client isn’t happy.

BETTER – If your client is choosing to put in an offer waiving their home inspection contingency then combine having the client sign the form discussed above with the client getting some sort of evaluation prior to the offer. Keep in mind there are different terms to describe this type of inspection (Pre-inspection, Preliminary inspection, Pre-offer inspection, Systems only inspection, Abbreviated inspection, etc.) and companies may offer different types of products to do this. The general gist is that your client will get to have some sort of professional eyes on the house prior to their

offer so that they at least have an idea of what they are getting into. Since this won’t be a full home inspection and they are going to waive their rights to a full inspection, you should still have them sign that waiver. Although this situation still isn’t ideal, it does give the buyer a better idea of what they are walking into and helps protect you as the agent. (Side note on pricing: Our preliminary inspections are about half the price of a full inspection).

BEST – The absolute best way for you to protect yourself as the agent is by showing that you are looking out for your client’s best interest and getting them a full home inspection. Believe it or not, it does happen! We work with a lot of top agents that have been consistently getting their clients’ offers accepted with home inspections through the past few years! And that goes for all areas of MA and all price ranges. From what I have seen, these

The absolute best way for you to protect yourself as the agent is by showing that you are looking out for your client’s best interest and getting them a full home inspection.

clients make it clear to the sellers that they are not using the inspection to negotiate anything, but they really are using it for educational purposes. A lot of people have success with the strategy of setting a high threshold for negotiating after the inspection so that it’s clear to the seller that they really are not trying to renegotiate. You all know better than I do about these strategies so I would suggest brainstorming with the top agents that you know.

ALWAYS FINDING SOLUTIONS

For Coldwell-Banker Realtor Gretchen Papineau, real estate is a family affair in more ways than one.

“It’s not uncommon for me or our team to help a client move two or three times or find ourselves helping their children or parents,” says Gretchen, a Premier Associate at Coldwell-Banker starting her 30th year in the business.

The “our team” in this case is the Papineau Team, whose members include Gretchen, her husband, Thomas, and son, Chris.

“Our clients can really feel our dedication to them,” says Gretchen of what she feels is one big reason for the team’s s success.

That dedication begins with the gravity with which the team takes its fiduciary responsibilities to clients. “I’m always cognizant of that responsibility and it’s always an honor to have clients place their trust in us,” she says.

The team’s dedication is also shown by the focus it gives details of a transaction to ensure all bases are covered and their client’s interests are served. It’s also strong negotiation skills and creativity when creating a win-win situation.

“I’m passionate about putting together the puzzle pieces to meet clients’ objectives,” Gretchen says. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years of real estate, it’s that there’s always a solution. It’s just understanding the problem and then figuring out how to solve it. There is always a solution.”

And while technology, marketing and real estate markets have changed over her years as a Realtor, Gretchen says another of her and the team’s strengths is understanding their evolving nature.

“Realtors have to be committed to staying on top of trends and technologies,” she says, adding the Papineau Team does both as evidenced by its strong online and social media presence. “Our son, in particular, has a great perspective on the needs of younger buyers and sellers.” The team also has its own marketing director and assistants.

“Over the years I’ve watched all the changes that have meant buyers now have access to all sorts of information,” she says. “And so one of my jobs is to

cover feature

By David Cornwell - Sr. Writer Photography by Michelle Morello, Lightshed Photography Studio Photo Shoot location courtesy of Mak & Co., Andover, MA

curate all that information and make sure that what they’re getting is accurate and useful.”

While awards and recognition don’t necessarily define success, Gretchen has consistently ranked in the top 50 and top 100 Coldwell Banker agents in New England. Among the many accolades she’s received through the years, her most prized include the International President’s Elite Award from Coldwell Banker and the Platinum Award from the Northeast Association of Realtors.

But strong positive reviews from clients are the best reward, she says, and her goal is always to consistently provide a five-star experience.

Among the many designations she has earned are that of Certified Relocation Residential Specialist (CRRS), Distinctive Properties Specialist (DPS), Fine Homes and Estates Specialist (FHE), Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), New Construction Specialist (NC) and Luxury Property Specialist.

The Papineau Team also works with local retailers to provide professional staging to sellers, not only to enhance the property during appointments but to better tell its photo story in marketing. For buyers, the team’s design services can help them visualize what their new space could look like.

Before becoming a Realtor, Gretchen had already established a strong base for success with a business degree from UMass Amherst and a strong background in marketing. Recruited by Procter & Gamble right out of college, she later joined Gallo Family Wineries in a high-profile marketing position.

It was while moving around the country with Gallo that she moved to Washington, DC, where she met her husband, an FBI special agent who had served as a Marine helicopter pilot in Vietnam.

Love and marriage followed and after leaving the FBI, Thomas was appointed the EPA’s Inspector General for New England and the couple moved back to Metro Boston for good. Knowing the community they chose would be their home for a good long time, Gretchen says they took a year and a half to make sure they got it right and chose the Andovers.

Since then, giving back to that community has been an important part of the Papineau’s’ lives, one area they’ve stayed active in being education and local schools, first with their son and now with three grandsons.

Gretchen also has served on the corporate board of the Andover YMCA, not only because she loves to swim and use the gym there but also for the myriad of health, development and social support programs it sponsors.

When they do get away from home, it’s often far away, Gretchen says, to Ireland, Norway, China, Australia and South America, always looking to expand their horizons. And while they love traveling together, their travels often combine business and pleasure.

“I’m part of the Global Luxury Division at Coldwell Banker,” she says. “And our travels often combine meeting and establishing connections with other Realtors, office managers and division directors around the world.”

And in those travels, Gretchen says she’s always a brand ambassador for Boston, touting its prominent place in education, finance, healthcare, software development, pharmaceuticals and more.

I can’t imagine ever having a job I enjoy as much or one as fulfilling as helping people reach their goals.

? FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I often get a lot of compliments about North Shore Real Producers content, our quality of photography, professional design appearance, and overall, the positive nature and influence that our publication has brought to the real estate community here in Essex County and the North Shore.

But like anything, not everyone agrees. I also get notes and calls about why we decided to feature some of the people who we've featured. How did they get in the magazine, and oftentimes, how can I be included in your pages? These are fair questions which warrant some discussion, so let me offer explanation into some of the frequently asked questions.

Who receives North Shore Real Producers?

The top 300 agents/teams in Essex County, and I also include Reading, North Reading and Wakefield, based on MLS total sales volume from January 1, 2021-December 31, 2021, will receive the magazine FREE of charge for the remainder of this year. The list then resets at the end of this year.

I'm hopeful that as we grow, I'm able to expand our footprint and distribute our publication to the top 500 agents/ teams and include more towns outside of Essex County. Stay tuned.

What is the process for being featured in the magazine?

Almost every feature you see has

been nominated by peers. You can nominate other REALTORS, affiliates, brokers, owners or even yourself. We will consider anyone brought to our attention because we don't know everyone's story.

None of the REALTORS in our magazine paid to be featured. They were either nominated by fellow Top 300 REALTORS, or industry colleagues in the community and featured FREE of charge.

I spent a lot of time getting to know the North Shore and Essex County REALTOR® community during my ramp-up period from April 2020 through January 2021. I was able to then catalog a lot of information on a lot of top-performing REALTORS®, many of whom were more than worthy of a presence in

our publication at a future date. In some of those instances, I selected the REALTORS® to be featured based on my conversations. At the end of the day, based on nomination information, or those who I've met on my own, I select who I think would best represent our publication each month.

What does it cost a REALTOR® or team to be featured?

The answer is simple... NOTHING. None of the REALTORS® in our magazine paid to be featured. They were either nominated by fellow top 300 REALTORS® or industry colleagues in the community and featured FREE of charge.

Who are the Preferred Vendor Partners?

Anyone listed as a Preferred Vendor Partner in our Partner Index in the front of every publication is an integral part of this community. Our Preferred Vendor Partners pay for their presence in our publication and will have an ad in every issue, attend our private events and be a part of our online presence. We don't just find these businesses randomly, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. Many of you have recommended every single Preferred Vendor Partner you see in our publication.

Our goal is to create a powerhouse network, not only for the best REALTORS® in the area but the best affiliates as well, so that we can grow stronger together: Connecting. Elevating. Inspiring.

If you have questions, suggestions or nominations, please feel free to send me an email at talman. hauch@realproducersmag.com or call me at 617-921-7033.