North Shore Real Producers - May 2021

NORTH SHORE

C O N N E C T I N G .

E L E VAT I N G .

I N S P I R I N G .

A l is sa Ch r is t i e

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North Shore Real Producers • 3

MEET THE NORTH SHORE REAL PRODUCERS TEAM

Talman Hauch Owner/Publisher /Advertising

Breanna Smith

Dan St. John

Senior Writer

Photgrapher

Lightshed Photography Studio

talman.hauch@realproducersmag.com

Heather Johnson Ad Strategist

Geneva Eilertson

Marketing Coordinator

Amy Bucher

Photographer Amy Bucher Photography

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

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North Shore Real Producers • 5

TAB LE OF

CONTENTS 10

12

18

Publisher’s Note

Rising Star Hayley Buonopane

Partner Spotlight Diana James

24

30

36

Family Team The Cressy Team

Cover Feature Story Alissa Christie

Ask The Expert Glenn Grutta

If you are interested in contributing or nominating REALTORS® for certain stories, please email us at Talman.Hauch@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.

6 • May 2021

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PREFERRED PARTNERS

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. If you know a top business that would be a great addition to the NSRP network, please email Talman.Hauch@RealProducersMag.com ATTORNEY/TITLE COMPANY Hallett Closing & Tile, LLC David Hallett (781) 797-0088

HOME STAGING Staged Occasions Tara Konaxis (978) 885-0125 stagedoccasions.com

ESTATE SALES Blue Moon Estate Sales Jonathan Mandell (781) 698-7379 BlueMoonEstateSales.com/ MerimackValley

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HOME INSPECTION BeaconLight Home Inspection Phil Cucchi (617) 681-4663 BeaconLightHomeInspection.com

INTERIOR DESIGN Living Swell Diana James (781) 990-5150 livingswellmarblehead.com

Indian Rock Inspections, LLC Brett Maloney (978) 766-0366 indianrockinspections.com

MORTGAGE LENDER Academy Mortgage Adam Moore (978) 697-6019 AcademyMortgage.com/about-us/ team/adammoore

R.J. Home Inspection Adam Wright (800) 253-4402 rjhomeinspection.com Vector Home Inspection, LLC Glenn Grutta (978) 705-1007 vectorhomeinspection.com HOME RENOVATION Curbio (810) 300-9432 Curbio.com

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Envoy Mortgage Anthony Lapolla (978) 225-0697 anthonyatenvoy.com

The Deffer Mortgage Team Eric Deffer (508) 423-6746 deffermortgage.com MOVERS Humboldt Storage & Moving Jim Sullivan (781) 821-8777 Humboldt.com PHOTOGRAPHER Lightshed Photography Studio Dan St. John (978) 854-5348 lightshedphoto.com PHOTOGRAPHY Amy Bucher Photography Amy Bucher (781) 797-0055 AmyBucher.com PLUMBING/HEATING J. T. Mercier Plumbing & Heating Jay Mercier (978) 767-6460 mercierplumbing.com PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTER Panakio Adjusters, Inc. Melissa Sherwood (781) 592-7575 panakioadjusters.com

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TITLE & ESCROW Simple Title Closing & Escrow PLLC George Megaloudis (978) 539-7500 simpletitle.us

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North Shore Real Producers • 9

“I’ve learned that every working mom is a superwoman.”

-uma thurman-

publisher’s note One of the things I’ve discovered in talking with so many of you over the past 10 months is just how many REALTORS® are high-performing mothers with children of varying ages. I’m awestruck at your ability to dedicate so much to your work, perform at such a high level and still manage to find the time to spend with family and friends.

While our May issue of North Shore Real Producers isn’t necessarily an official “Mother’s Day Edition,” all of our features are of successful, caring mothers making an impact in their businesses and their communities, as well as their homes.

Our Cover story features successful-maritime-attorney-turned-high-performing- REALTOR®, Alissa Christie, a Top Real Producer and broker/ owner of Bentley’s Real Estate in Newburyport.

Hayley Buonopane with Jack Conway in Swampscott is this month’s Rising Star feature, with a multitude of talents and you’ll definitely want to read about her very interesting background and story.

I’ve also included a family piece this month about Carole Cressy and The Cressy Team / J. Barrett & Co., Marblehead. A mother, son and step-daughter team, lead by Carole Cressy who was quite the tennis player, and has excelled in the real estate business for over four decades and has become a community icon.

10 • May 2021

And, our Partner Spotlight feature is about Diana James and her interior design business, Living Swell in Marblehead, which is off the charts good.

As our article states, “She IS coastal chic,” and you’ll find out why!

Because I can, I’d like to wish my own mother a Happy Mother’s Day! She will no doubt be asking to proof this column as she does each month. And even though it’s from a distance, she’s one of my, and Real Producers’, biggest supporters.

Also, to my wife, Casey, who not only is a great mother and over-achieving, successful business leader herself, she is also a terrific support system for me and our family and I’m eternally grateful to her!

And last, but certainly not least, Happy Mother’s Day to all of you hard-working moms who are impacting our local real estate communities, while taking care of your own families. You are not only an inspiration, but a necessity to us all.

Talman Hauch Owner/Publisher North Shore Real Producers talman.hauch@realproducersmag.com *As a reminder, the only way to be featured in North Shore Real Producers magazine is to be nominated by a colleague, team leader, broker or vendor. Our features are 100% FREE for REALTORS®. Email me at talman. hauch@realproducersmag.co.

@realproducers

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North Shore Real Producers • 11

H AY L E Y Bu o n o pan e

- J a c k C o n w ay & Company

12 • May 2021

@realproducers

rising star

L i v i n g W i th

AU T HE N T I CI T Y

Building relationships is at the heart of real estate – every great REALTOR® is passionate about people. The desire to foster genuine connections is what drew Rising Star Hayley Buonopane with Jack Conway & Company to the industry three years ago. She has developed a keen emotional intelligence, earning two degrees in psychology and in her previous career as a regional HR Director. Combined with her caring, vivacious personality, it’s no surprise she has become a Real Producer in just three years as an agent.

PSYCH YOU R S E LF U P Hayley is passionate about spreading body positivity and promoting selfcare. She’s a curve model, executive coach and public speaker, who uses her platform to encourage others to embrace who they are and fall in love with themselves.

Hayley is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), and as a Senior Certified Practitioner (SCP) through the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). She also holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Psychology and Leadership and is a certified Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) practitioner. It goes without saying, she loves people. How we think about ourselves is the biggest indicator of our happiness and success, and that’s exactly what Hayley strives to help people understand and improve.

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The re’s s o many me nt al he alt h is s ue s re lat ing t o how wome n and me n t hink about t he ms e lve s , and it drive s me bonke rs be caus e we’ re all uniq ue ly ours e lve s which is a wonde rful t hing!.

“The narrative in society is changing about equality, and I love it,” she said. “There’s so many mental health issues relating to how women and men think about themselves, and it drives me bonkers because we’re all uniquely ourselves which is a wonderful thing!”

The journey to self-love and confidence is just that – a winding road that is the destination itself. Hayley has always worked to help others find strength in their uniqueness but felt the call most strongly five years ago, when she welcomed her daughter Lucy into the world. With a renewed passion for inclusivity, she has been working tirelessly to spread the word that being yourself is your superpower. She contributes to podcasts and blogs and has been

invited to local and national events as a guest speaker.

“I am such an advocate for women and men feeling comfortable in their own skin and having confidence, knowing that it’s okay not to look or be a certain way,” she said. “We are often subject to society’s rules of what you should look like or be like… and it’s just not true.”

Whether she’s posing for a photoshoot, teaching a class at Suffolk University or training business professionals soft skills so they can effectively lead their teams, her message is loud and clear: be yourself.

L IST E N W E L L , DO W E L L As you could have guessed from her psychology and coaching background,

North Shore Real Producers • 13

Hayley enjoys time spent learning about people and the moments that have impacted them and shaped their view of the world. For Hayley, all of her work starts with listening.

“I like hearing everyone’s story because each story is unique,” she said.

“I like hearing different perspectives of the world. Perspectives are individual, and they come from life experiences.”

From homebuyers looking for the perfect property to executives trying to navigate the complexities of managing more than 100 employees, Hayley helps her clients forge a path that plays to the strengths built from their unique experience. That type of advice doesn’t come from a manual, it comes from cultivating meaningful, genuine relationships with others.

“I like to think that anyone who has engaged with me, as a fellow

14 • May 2021

REALTOR® or as a client, will say, ‘Yes, she really values relationships.’”

Her love and appreciation for time spent with others drew her to real estate, and it’s why she plans to stay in the business for many years to come.

Her astute time management skills help her focus on spending time where it matters most – with those who she holds dear. She starts her days early and plans them out down to the minute to ensure not one moment is wasted.

“I want to make use of every minute of my day,” she said. “I don’t waste time, but part of managing my time is giving myself breaks.”

Breaks are not a waste of time. When done properly, they are fuel and refreshment. Hayley likes to spend hers singing the alphabet song with Lucy or soaking up the sun from her stoop with a Starbucks drink in hand.

“I work a lot, I’m not going to deny it, but I work efficiently,” she said. “For sustainability purposes, you cannot burn out.”

Fierce competition is the most difficult part of real estate, Hayley said. “It’s like the Hunger Games out there!” But the reward of long-lasting friendships and the ability to spend time with her family are well worth the fight.

“I plan on doing this for many, many years. I plan on doing this well into my 70s like some of my co-workers because with real estate, there’s no age limit.”

Hayley has never fit into a mold, and that is her greatest strength. After all, you can’t shine if you’re stuck in a box.

@realproducers

I l i ke t o t h in k t h a t a ny o ne w h o h a s en g a g ed w it h m e, a s a f ello w Rea lt o r o r as a c l i en t , w ill sa y ‘ ‘ y es, she rea l l y v a lu es rela t io nships.’

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North Shore Real Producers • 15

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North Shore Real Producers • 17

partner spotlight

Diana James Living Swell

The look and feel of rooms in your home can increase productivity, help you unwind and even make you a happier person. That’s why when people walk into Living Swell in Marblehead, they often have a hard time leaving. The decor filling the coastal chic boutique has been carefully curated by designer Diana James to invigorate the senses using works by local artists, perfectly placed pops of color and artisan-made candles.

“People walk in and they really love the vibe,” she said.

Living Swell serves as the hub for her full-scale interior design business, East Coast Design, which handles everything from reupholstery to new construction and remodels.

18 • May 2021

Goodbye Comfort Zone Diana prides herself on getting customers away from their go-to looks and furnishings – no beige rooms allowed.

“When hiring a designer, allow them to take you out of our comfort zone,” she said. “Because that’s why you’re hiring a professional – to look at something in a different way. The best client/designer relationship is when the client puts their trust in me and allows me to expand their notion of ‘typical,’ and stepping a little outside the box. This is what makes design fun and inspiring!”

Magic happens when you step outside of your usual, and that’s something Diana has never been afraid to do. @realproducers

Diana stepped out of her comfort zone in significant ways over the years. After graduating from college with a degree in pre-law, she began a career in sales and management at a large telecom company. While starting a family, she was involved in the restaurant business with her then-husband/chef and the days spent getting the look and feel of the restaurant just right pushed her again to expand her horizons by opening East Coast Design in 2001.

In 2017, she opened Living Swell, and that same year Northshore magazine nominated it for the Best of Northshore award.

“It’s always been a part of me,” Diana said of her passion and talent for interior design.

Growing up, Diana opted for creating lavish mansions for her Barbie dolls instead of playing with them. “I think I was always destined to be a builder/ interior designer.”

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She began with window treatments, and over the years, her business has grown exponentially – and keeps expanding. Diana’s “big break” into full-scale remodels began with a kitchen renovation project with “a great contractor who held my hand through the process of things. I was able to make the selections and create the aesthetic, and he was great about executing.”

Now, the majority of her business is renovations. For Diana, getting out of your comfort zone isn’t just adding a brightly-colored sofa or adding unique patterns. It’s knocking down walls to recreate a space.

“We do everything from what I call the messy, to the typical decorating, “pretty work,” she said.

“I like renovation work where I’m tearing out the old and reconfiguring the spaces for better flow and design.

Making a big impact is what I really enjoy doing.”

North Shore Real Producers • 19

Diana doesn’t stop at interiors, either. She calls herself a “frustrated landscape architect” and enjoys working on the outside of homes as much as the inside.

“I love plants and hardscapes and working with the natural world, so when I get to do that, I feel like yay! I get to be outside.”

Hello Coastal Chic While Diana loves a good leap outside of the comfort zone, she designs naturally, drawing inspiration from her environment and lifestyle.

“That coastal vibe is something that runs through my design aesthetic, but also it is my lifestyle.”

The magic of the sea is not lost on Diana. She has always had an affinity for life on the water and stays near to it in her home overlooking the sea.

“I’m an avid sailor, love surfing, walking the beach and anything on and near the water.”

She has combined her passion for life on the coast with her keen eye for design, remodeling and furnishing yachts. Amid the coronavirus

20 • May 2021

pandemic, she and her team refit a superyacht in two months.

“That’s a whole article in itself,” she said of the project. Now, she’s working on a 60-foot Sabre 58, amongst numerous projects on land.

Coastal chic is among the most soothing interior design styles of today, distinguished by soft colors and luminous finishes that give a sense of calm and tranquility to any space. Using linen fabrics, distressed woods, interesting textures, happy colors and the occasional surprise, Diana and her team create spaces that evoke the easy elegance of living by the sea. The best inspiration comes from within.

Diana James doesn’t do coastal chic. She is coastal chic.

@realproducers

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North Shore Real Producers • 23

family team

THE

CRESSY

TEAM

- J. BARRETT & CO. ALL IN THE FAMILY Every real estate team strives to work as a family. But for the Cressys, Carole, Lori and Eric, of The Cressy Team with J Barrett & Co., it’s just how they do business. The mother, son and daughter-in-law trio each focus on distinct segments of the industry, working in tandem to provide the high-level of service Carole has built her reputation over more than forty years in the business.

THE FEARLESS LEADER Carole entered the workforce at the age of 20 as a flight attendant with Northeast Airlines. After she was married, Carole worked at The Salem News until having three children Eric, Jonathan and Heather. With the prospect of college tuition payments in front of her, Carole began a career

24 • May 2021

in Real Estate at the age of 40. Her career quickly took off, and in 1980, she began working at Carlson Real Estate for broker Dick Carlson.

Before real estate, Carole got her fix for competition and socializing on the tennis court. But once she turned her drive and competitive spirit to real estate, she launched to the top of the Real Producers list, establishing her reputation as a knowledgeable, friendly REALTOR®. She started by picking up the phone and calling everyone she knew to let them know she had started selling real estate in a market with a staggering 18% interest rate at that time.

“You can’t wait for people to call you,” she said. Then, she flipped through

@realproducers

SH E’S GOT A WOR K E T H IC T H AT IS R E MA R KA B L E .

the MLS listing book and made real estate magic happen. For decades, she tirelessly built a solid foundation for her next big move – the Marblehead area’s first real estate team.

In 2005, Carole began The Cressy Team.

BETTER TOGETHER Earlier that year, she invited Lori to help out with office administration work as she was juggling 30 listings at the time. The market was hot, and homes were selling fast.

“A lot like it is now,” Carole said. Properties sold in 2005 with multiple offers, and “Lori said that was fun! She came on and never left.”

Her daughter Heather also worked with the team at that time, eventually leaving to purchase and run Seaside Allure, a clothing boutique in old town Marblehead.

In 2008, in a completely reversed market, Eric joined the team. “You learn how to sell a home in a Buyer’s Market” was Carole’s mantra and it proved to be a successful move.

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North Shore Real Producers • 25

“It was a lot cheaper than a trainer,” she said.

“And she was the first in the real estate business with a 10-pound digital camera,” Lori recalls with a chuckle.

When you put a family therapist, a magazine publisher with decades of experience in marketing luxury products and a highly respected real estate agent with a fierce competitive drive on one mission together, they’re bound to create one of the area’s leading real estate teams. Being a family is a plus.

“Oh, I love it,” Carole said of working with family. “We all get along, and Lori is the glue – she is a family therapist, after all. She’s very easygoing.

Just great.”

The Cressy Team encapsulates the value of elevating each individual’s unique strengths while still working together and knowing the importance of each role. They work on distinctly different segments of the business, with Lori and Carole focusing on sellers and Eric on buyers.

Eric spent more than 20 years working in luxury product sales and marketing. He was formerly a Publisher for SAIL Magazine and then worked for one of the largest boat builders in the country as VP of Sales and Marketing. His background has proven invaluable in connecting buyers with their dream homes.

Lori, a former marriage and family therapist, has a knack for technology and guiding clients through the emotional process.

26 • May 2021

“All I do is family therapy,” she said, laughing.

Carole shines at open houses, in conversations with clients and curating prospects on the phone.

“She’s got a work ethic that is remarkable,” Lori said of Carole. That discipline and drive has not diminished even after 41 years in the business.

The Cressy Team contributes much of their success to the solid foundation Carole laid and combined with the backing of J Barrett & Co., the team has ranked as one of the top producing teams in the area year after year.

“J Barrett has been a great place for us,” Eric said. The people, offices and marketing are first class.”

To stay in the real estate business for more than 40 years, you have to be a pioneer. Even as a tennis player, Carole stayed on the cutting edge of new developments. She learned many of her skills from training videos in the days of VHS.

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North Shore Real Producers • 27

1. What special skill, outside of real estate, do you have?

2. What is your most embarrassing moment?

3. What is the worst movie you’ve ever seen?

4. Complete the sentence, “I wish everyone could...”

5. What is your favorite personal possession?

6. What would the title of your autobiography be?

7. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

8. What is your most-used emoji?

9. How would you like to be remembered?

10. What is your proudest accomplishment?

FULL

agent q&a

DISCLOSURE Erica Petersiel Sagan Harborside Sotheby’s Int’l Realty 1. Good cook / Mixology 2. Fell off the stage during a play in 6th grade 3. Nothing But Trouble 4. Find their dream home 5. My dog, Libby 6. Toes in the Sand 7. Walking the beach 8. LOL 9. My smile and laugh 10. Overcoming obstacles to grow my business during the pandemic

Annie Wachtel Coldwell Banker 1. Lego’s and baking 2. Pants split during a school meeting 3. Ishtar 4. Be kind 5. Box of memories 6. Be Your Word 7. Fishing 8. Head blow up 9. Touching people’s lives 10. My kids

Matt Witte Matt Witte Group / Wm. Raveis 1. Freestyle rap 2. Didn’t know MCAS interview question 3. Defending Your Life 4. Understand what dogs are saying when they bark 5. Cell phone 6. All Dogs Buy Real Estate 7. Walking my dog 8. Thumbs Up 9. Help people as much as possible with little credit 10. My family

Nik Amicone Amicone Associates 1. Poker / Texas Hold ‘Em 2. Nervous Best Man’s Speech 3. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 4. Respect other people’s opinions 5. Rolex Watch 6. Reputation Is Everything 7. Going to the beach 8. Clapping hands 9. A good and successful person 10. Passing the bar exam on first try

Devin Tarpey Tarpey Insurance 1. Single digit handicap golfer 2. Public display of affection 3. Drive 4. Use common sense 5. Scorecard that includes first hole-in-one 6. Difficult Dev 7. Golf 8. Sunglasses 9. Authentic and genuine 10. Proving my parents wrong by getting engaged

Would you like to participate in this article? Email me at nsrp@realproducersmag.com

28 • May 2021

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1 Maple Street, 2nd Floor | Danvers, MA 01923 All applications are subject to credit approval. Program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Some products may not be available in all states. Other restrictions and limitations may apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Envoy Mortgage Ltd. #6666, 10496 Katy Freeway, Suite 250, Houston, TX 77043, 877-232-2461; AR Banker/Broker/Servicer License #103315; AZ Mortgage Banker License – #0908096; CA Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act License #4130597; CO Envoy Mortgage, Ltd., 877-232-2461, Mortgage Company Registration #6666; DE Licensed by the Delaware State Bank Commissioner Licensed Lender Licensee #011264; GA Envoy Mortgage , LTD (LP) Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee - Mortgage Lender License/Registration License #23619; IL Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee License #MB.6759338; MA Mortgage Lender Licensee – License #MC6666 and MA Mortgage Broker Licensee – License #MC6666; MS Mortgage Lender License # 6666; NH Mortgage Banker License - Envoy Mortgage Limited Partnership – License #14552-MB; NJ Licensed by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurance – Residential Mortgage Lending License NMLS #6666; NY Licensed Mortgage Banker – NYS Banking Department, License #B500979, 10496 Katy Freeway, Houston, Suite 250, Houston, TX 77043, 877-232-2461; OH Residential Mortgage Lending Act Certificate of Registration #MB.804190.000, Mortgage Broker Act Mortgage Banker Exemption #MBMB.850025.000 and General Loan Law Certificate of Registration #SM.501928.000; OR Mortgage Lending Licensee #ML-3933; RI - Rhode Island Licensed Lender – License # 20092627LL and Rhode Island Licensed Loan Broker – License # 20122861LB; TX Mortgage Banker Registration- NMLS #6666; VA Virginia NMLS ID#6666 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) – Lender License and Broker License # MC3021; WA Envoy Mortgage Ltd d/b/a Envoy Mortgage, L.P.- WA Consumer Loan Company License # CL-6666 – http://nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Other authorized trade names: Envoy Mortgage LP; Envoy Mortgage of Wisconsin; Envoy Mortgage, A Limited Partnership; Envoy Mortgage, L.P.; Envoy Mortgage, Limited Partnership; Envoy Mortgage, LP; Envoy Mortgage, LTD Limited Partnership; ENVOY MORTGAGE, LTD, LP (USED IN VA BY: ENVOY MORTGAGE, LTD); Envoy Mortgage, LTD. (LP); Envoy Mortgage, LTD.; | 11292018

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cover feature story

Alissa Chris t i e BENTLEY’S REAL ESTATE 30 • May 2021

@realproducers

Houses hold some of our dearest memories and most tranquil moments.

It’s why the role of a Realtor is so essential.

From Cou rt room t o Clos in g Ta b le The courtroom and the closing table are two places where Alissa Christie, Co-Owner / Broker of Bentley’s Real Estate, knows how to succeed. But home has always been her favorite place to be. Time spent in the kitchen cooking or in the living room for a movie night with her husband Ken and their two daughters, Kaitlyn, 11, and Kamryn, 9, is most valuable to her.

Alissa has held the value of a home in high regard for as long as she can remember. For an eighth-grade assignment, she wrote an essay detailing all of the reasons her home was her favorite place in the world.

“Houses hold some of our dearest memories and most tranquil moments. It’s why the role of a REALTOR® is so essential,” Alissa said.

Home is where the heart is, and finding that special place for relaxation and time together is no small task. “Not only is shelter an essential need in life, but our home is a sanctuary, the place we can relax, rest, enjoy time with family and friends, learn and grow,” she said.

Leaving a Lega-sea After nearly a decade of studying and internships, Alissa graduated at the top of her class, going on to lead a successful career as a maritime attorney. She worked on behalf of clients to ensure they were treated fairly in cases, working with the Coast Guard, international clients and even big-name celebrities.

“Maritime is a really broad practice, ranging from big shipping disputes and natural disasters to dealing with a celebrity who happens to be building a yacht.”

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North Shore Real Producers • 31

Alissa spent a decade studying to become an attorney and several years commuting to Boston every day for work at a fast-paced, high-stakes practice – and loved every second of it.

She still holds her license in three states; Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York, but in 2013 she refocused her negotiating skills and detail-oriented work ethic from the high seas to the shores, but being an attorney is something she will always hold dear.

“I’m full-time, 100% real estate, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so I don’t think there’s any time for law, but it’s one of those things, if I give it

32 • May 2021

up, then I have to start from scratch to get it back,” she said. “It was a big deal for me to go through all of those years working so hard to become an attorney and then decide I’m going to change course and sell houses for a living.’ But I really had a passion for it.”

Alissa is a self-starter who relishes in the hustle and bustle of a demanding job, qualities evident in her success in law school and as an attorney. In 2013, she combined that with her passion for homes, innate ability to build trust and an inspiring circle of colleagues to become one of the areas leading Real Producers, co-founding Bentley’s Real Estate, which holds

the top position in the local market.

The move to real estate was no easy decision, but one Alissa is glad she made. Her partner, Robert Bentley, and colleagues have been her best mentors every step of the way.

“I truly love being a part of this journey. Leaving my legal practice to help

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North Shore Real Producers • 33

Any environment that keeps you together and makes you feel safe, that’s what our sanctuary is.

people purchase and sell homes was a difficult decision for me, but I haven’t looked back.”

estate, and I thought I could be really good at it,” she said.

There’s No Place Like Home After having her oldest daughter, Kaitlyn, she found herself touring homes in her area to keep busy, then her passion blossomed.

As the co-founder of Bentley’s Real Estate, she pursues her passion every day, whether helping clients find the perfect place or making memories on her own. To Christie, there truly is no place like home.

“I found during my maternity leave that I was so bored because I was used to working and being out and about, so I would actually take the kids, drop them in the Baby Bjorn and go look at houses for fun because I always had a passion for real estate and homes.”

“We love to cook and just be together,” Christie said of her family. “We’re always in the kitchen or the family room, so that’s our space to be together, to pray together, to eat together. Any environment that keeps you together and makes you feel safe, that’s what our sanctuary is.”

It was during those tours she began thinking about combining her love for law with her affinity for homes and everything they mean to us. At first, she thought she would open a new law practice with a focus on real estate.

Alissa appreciates what home means, recognizing all that is needed to truly make the space a refuge – good food, hearty laughter and strong faith. She starts her days at 4:30 a.m. with exercise and prayer, savoring the quiet stillness of her own oasis from the craziness of life and business. That safe and peaceful feeling is something everyone deserves, she said. That’s

“Then one day, a lightbulb went off that I would actually enjoy selling real

34 • May 2021

why Alissa is wholly committed to helping others find that in their own lives through real estate and her and Bentley’s involvement with Our Neighbors Table and the Pelican Intervention Fund.

Both are local organizations dedicated to helping people, whether by supplying food to those in need, or in their journey of recovery from addiction by providing kindness and fostering their faith. The Christies’ former nanny, a founder of The Pelican Intervention Fund, opened their eyes to the need in their community for those resources by sharing stories of others finding their way through recovery. Alissa and Bentley’s Realty have been involved ever since.

Alissa’s success has come from following her passions with her natural inclination to get a job done and done well.

“I’m just a normal person that has a lot of different interests and things going on,” Alissa said with a smile.

@realproducers

Indian Rock Inspections services Boston's North Shore and Southern New Hampshire.

With over 35 years in the building and construction industry, we can confidently provide our clients with a detailed inspection report delivered within 24 hours.

IS YOUR NEW HOME SAFE? CALL INDIAN ROCK INSPECTIONS Brett Maloney, Home Inspector | Call or Text: 978-766-0366 Brett@IndianRockInspections.com | www.IndianRockInspections.com

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North Shore Real Producers • 35

ask the expert

Glenn Grutta - Vector Home Inspection

My advice to real estate agents who are buyer’s brokers; consider yourself as the tour guide on the journey to help your client purchase a home. When the time comes for the home inspection, an important stop on the journey, prepare your client for something that many have not experienced. Make them part of the experience by having them prepare a list of questions and concerns and to interact with the inspector.

Home inspections can be stressful and disillusioning, due to the amount of information given and how that information is delivered. Real estate agents also need to be a part of this process by keeping things on an even keel and interpreting, when needed, what is being said by the inspector. Clients tend to fixate on only the negative items, while the positive items seem to be unheard. Obviously do not hinder the inspector, allow him to do his job, but read your audience. Watch out for that “deer in the headlights look.” You want your client to be as comfortable as 36 • May 2021

possible and understand and appreciate the information being offered.

Getting the home inspection scheduled as soon as possible after the Offer-to-Purchase is accepted allows you the maximum time to perform any additional inspections or evaluations. There is usually a limited time for the inspection contingency, those seven to ten days go by amazingly fast. You do not want to be caught scrambling for follow-up evaluations.

Keep in mind, other tests such as radon, water and environmental may take several days for results.

Another area that real estate agents can be immensely helpful to the inspector, is to ensure adequate access to all the major components. Safe, reasonable access is essential for proper evaluation of those components.

Nothing is more disappointing to a client as when the inspector is unable to get to a major appliance, plumbing

or electrical panel. The inability to access components puts doubt into the mind of the client, they start to think that lack of access is on purpose in order to hide something.

Inform your client that there are no “stupid” questions during an inspection, they should feel comfortable asking anything of the inspector. The inspector should be informative and patient.

At the conclusion of the inspection, there should be a 10-minute review to ensure everyone is on the same page with the understanding of the inspection issues.

A follow-up review with the client after the report is issued and any subsequent inspection follow-up reports or additional follow-up inspections should also be part of this process. Now you can go to the next destination on the itinerary, Purchase and Sale and a conversation with the attorney.

Do you know a great business that values the Top 300 Real Producers Community? Email us at NSRP@RealProducersMag.com.

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YOUR TRUSTED FIRST CHOICE FOR PROPERTY INSPECTIONS IN THE NORTH SHORE!

Glenn M. Grutta

Licensed Inspector/Owner HOME INSPECTIONS • SELLER CONSULTATIONS • RADON & WATER TESTING & MORE!

ADD US TO YOUR CONTACTS TODAY! • (978) 705-1007 info@vectorhomeinspection.com • www.vectorhomeinspection.com

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FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY KEEPSAKES SPORTS MEMORABILIA CUSTOM MIRRORS SHADOW BOXES 1016 Paradise Road, Swampscott, MA 01907 781-477-9040 | VinninSqFrames.com | chris@vinninsqframes.com realproducersmag.com

North Shore Real Producers • 37

H E A D S H O T S | R E A L E S TAT E P H O T O G R A P H Y

A one-stop shop for your visual home-selling material, we provide the following services: 3D Virtual Tours: Immersive 3D Tours using the latest Matterport Technology.

2D / 3D Floor Plans: Black and white or full color floor plans accurate to within an inch.

Interior Detail Shots: to highlight selling points ( kitchen appliances, tile work, etc ) Weather Alteration: converting cloudy / rainy days to sunny days.

Sunset Conversion: make your real estate images pop with our sunset shots (taken at any time of the day ) Digital Landscaping: we’ll touch up the lawn for you and make sure that grass is green.

Digital Staging: Don’t have time to fully stage the home? We’ll give you photo-realistic results and help your clients visualize themselves in the space.

Drone Photography: Make your listing pop with sky-high photography that will help illustrate acreage and location.

Questions? Need to list a home as of yesterday? We’d love to hear from you.

38 • May 2021

978.854.5348 DA N @ L I G H T S H E D P H O T O . C O M W W W. L I G H T S H E D P H O T O . C O M 7 9 WA S H I N G T O N S T. • S A L E M , M A 0 1 9 7 0 @realproducers

DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY | 3D TOURS

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North Shore Real Producers • 39

‘‘

I am patient with my borrowers while educating them. I follow the loan from beginning to closing and will always be available. I truly care.”

Liz Ryan

Branch Manager/Senior Loan Officer NMLS ID: 441907 | NMLS ID 2611 State License Numbers: MA - MLO441907, ME - Licensed, NH - Licensed

Liz@rate.com | www.rate.com/lizryan O: 781.236.3646 | C: 978.500.5378 6 Winter St. Suite A, Newburyport, MA 01950

MA: Mortgage Lender & Mortgage Broker License #MC2611 • ME: Supervised Lender License #SLM11302 NMLS ID: 2611 Guaranteed Rate is an equal opportunity employer. For licensing information, go to www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.