rienced and committed to working with integrity. I truly care about my clients and am personally committed to their success, which shows in how I work with them and in my results. Q: How do you compare Compass Real Estate from past companies you’ve worked for? LN: I have had the privilege to always work and be associated with strong, respected market leaders. Specifically, in real estate, I previously worked for Alain Pinel Realtors, (a privately owned Bay Area company), which was a highly respected brand in terms of integrity, professionalism, and high standards. Compass brings that same quality in a broader scope on a national scale. It is the number one largest independent brokerage in the country with a strong financial backing (over $1.5 billion in funding as a market leader), resulting in a stronger marketing brand. This gives its agents an opportunity to invest in the company and participate in equity shares for their own financial planning goals. The company’s mission is to help everyone find their place in the world. With the agents at the core of the company, Compass drives market insights and offers continuous new tools that help us differentiate ways to better serve our clients. They have incredible leadership beginning with their CEO, Robert Reffkin, who communicates regularly for input and encourages us to collaborate without ego. Q: Can you tell us about your involvement with the Sunny View’s Foundation? Sunny View resident, Sara Carter receiving the Oliver Ruud Award (left to right: Bill Penrod, Director of Sunny View’s Foundation, Lynn North, Chair of Sunny View’s Foundation & Sara Carter, resident)
Q: If you had to make one prediction of where the Silicon Valley Real Estate market will be this year … what would it be? LN: I believe there will continue to be a strong demand for housing with continued struggles of less inventory and pent up demand. Most of our buyers are looking for closer commutes. Many seniors and baby boomers are not moving because of their capital gains and the need to keep their property taxes down with Prop 13 (currently they can only transfer it to 8 counties). Frequent needs in the cycle of life are first time home buyers, young families moving up, baby boomers downsizing and selling their parents’ homes, along with people from all over the world here looking for new jobs. Our main concern is buyers being priced out of the market. We have already seen a correction in our appreciation rate to a more “normal” rate (10% per year) and listing prices seem to be lower. With 5 world-leading industries headquartered here (see list below), we continue to be a buoyant economy with so many
diverse jobs requiring many different skill sets resulting in healthy appreciation rates: • Entrepreneurial/VCs/Stanford • Tech including Apple, wireless, chips, Google and new AI • Bio Tech, Pharmaceuticals & Medicine (Stanford & UCSF) • Clean Tech such as solar, Tesla (automotive) • Animation Entertainment (Pixar, Nvidia & Lucas Films) Q: What has been your most satisfying moment while in the Real Estate business? LN: Helping my clients realize their dreams in getting their first home or seeing my retired clients realize their greatest return on their investment for their retirement. Q: You were featured in the 2019 list of Americas Best Real Estate Professionals. If we interviewed all your past clients … what is “one” common word that comes up when they describe working with you and why? LN: My clients would say that I’m honest, trustworthy, expe-
LN: I have been chair of the Sunny View board for over 20 years, which is a non-profit senior retirement community in Cupertino. We have created an environment where our seniors have a renewed purpose to their lives and are able to continue to thrive in their later years & fulfill their legacy. We leverage tech products such as iN2L (very large computer wall tablet) and artificial intelligence tools such as Echo dots and Nest thermostats to assist them. With iN2L, our cognitive or dementia residents in Summer House can play the piano and entertain their neighbors or other residents can see their hometowns or attend their grandchildren’s weddings. Partnering with local high schools, those students can earn community service hours in writing the biographies of our residents as a gift for their families. Residents raise money for scholarships for the staff and together they work on community projects that benefit children in the hospital. The local Lutheran churches started it, so the spiritual element is there, and we have a full time wonderful chaplaincy team, who brings wonderful programs and worship services for our residents as well. Q: If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why? LN: I would like to answer with 2 people. Jesus Christ and Abra-
ham Lincoln. As a direct descendant of Abraham Lincoln (my paternal great grandmother’s cousin was Nancy Hanks, his real mother), I would love to interview him on how we can heal our nation by realizing we have more in common than have differences. I would love to meet Jesus to learn from him on how he changed us to serve others and be inspired by his message on gratitude and being in his presence. Q: How do you maintain a healthy work life balance? LN: Life is so precious! Keeping a perspective and having a sense of humor (along with eating right, getting enough sleep and exercise) brings so much enrichment and joy into my life. Knowing that God, my family and my life’s work of making a difference are my priorities and keeping clarity of purpose are the keys to keeping a balance. Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you can share with our audience? LN: That the value of truly listening to my clients can really guide me to better serve them. It is the ability to focus on what clients really need and give them that concierge experience! Recently, the actor, Tom Hanks shared how Mister Rogers was a masterful listener and used the acronym, WAIT as a guide to help him improve his ability to better listen. It stands for “Why Am I Talking”, which I have found to be a great tool for thoughtful listening. Q: What advice do you have for the next generation of women behind you? LN: Don’t let fear sabotage your ability to take risks and don’t lose the courage to be your best self! It can be challenging for women to continue to believe in themselves and to know that they can succeed and to not lose the confidence and faith that they are on the right path despite the challenges. Rehearse each challenging task mentally in advance, so you are ready to address them and have considered all scenarios (from Stephen Covey). Previously, as a corporate VP in a very dynamic and changing environment, I knew that the people I had the privilege to lead truly made the key difference, as they were the ones closest to the clients’ needs. Respect all those who have led the way, listen and be grateful to your mentors. All of us can recollect those who believed in us and were humbled by their incredible support. They were the ones who created your path!