Jessica Weisman

REAL ESTATE THERAPY

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Jessica Laine Photography

According to a recent real estate study, 73% of surveyed home sellers agree that their agent was as valuable as a therapist, and 64% of homebuyers agree that their agent knows them better than their next-door neighbor. So when Jessica Weisman made the change from a licensed clinical social worker to a licensed real estate agent, it was an easy transition.

“My entire professional life prior to real estate was based on building trusting relationships, assessing people’s needs and helping them reach their goals,” Jessica explained. “Selling real estate goes beyond the sale. It has more to do with the importance of dialogue, communication and building relationships than the actual sale of a home.”

For over five years, Jessica has been with Hall & Hunter, REALTORS® — Meredith Colburn Real Estate, which has been the top-producing team at the brokerage since 2018. Jessica’s decision to launch her real estate career is not surprising considering her mother is an interior designer who owns her own business.

“I grew up watching my mother run her business, and I developed an appreciation for design and architecture,” Jessica recalled. “I also was inspired by her career and saw how dedicated she was as a mother, a wife and a businesswoman. She showed me it was possible to build my own business and to have a family at the same time.”

Beyond the influence of her mother, Jessica also married into a real estate family, which encouraged her decision to transition into the industry. “I watched my husband — who works in industrial real estate — negotiate deals, and I thought to myself, ‘I could do that, too,’” she said. “I also knew I wanted to start a family of my own, and real estate seemed like a great way to have my own business/career and still be available for my family.”

As a native of Bloomfield Hills, Jessica attended and graduated from Cranbrook Kingswood. This experience had a tremendous impact on her life and shaped her as an adult.

“Learning from inside and out of those beautiful walls began my understanding of how important one’s work and home environment are to one’s well-being, passion and success,” she said. “It was such a privilege to go to school there every day.” Jessica went on to the University of Michigan and majored in art history, which she said expanded her view on the importance of art and the environment and how it has shaped people and history for centuries in all different cultures. She received her master’s in social work from Loyola University Chicago as a result of her interest in serving and understanding people, and in how the environment — with genetics — plays a role in behaviors.

As a therapist at heart, Jessica is always listening to her clients’ needs and searching for the ideal home environment that will bring the best possible emotional state, health, energy and success. “I am passionate about helping people find a home that contributes to their well-being and success, and is a place where they can build family memories,” Jessica shared. “I am extremely enthusiastic about building new relationships and understanding the needs of people when looking for the right home.”

Jessica began her career as an associate for Meredith Colburn on her all-female team and was inspired by the group to build her business. “Along with this very empowering team of women, Meredith has been an incredible mentor and teacher,” Jessica said. “I am in awe of the business she has built and amazed by her reputation among her peers, clients and community — it’s incredible and very admirable.”

Getting started in the business was initially challenging for Jessica: Her lack of experience was intimidating and unfamiliar. However, because of her personality that doesn’t shy away from difficult tasks — coupled with a supportive team — Jessica learned the importance of reputation in this business and how it played a crucial role when building a clientele. “Challenges motivate me and make me want to work harder and to learn more,” she said. “I view them as small hurdles that require a good strategy. Once I work through the obstacle, it just makes me more qualified, more experienced and better equipped for the future.”

Helping people achieve their goal of finding a home that suits their lifestyle needs is what’s most fulfilling to Jessica. “I also love meeting new people and building new relationships, and I continue to check in with all my clients even after a transaction is complete,” she said. “The relationship with my clients does not end at the closing table.”

Jessica and her husband, Ethan, have two children — Alec, 2, and Reese, who was born on February 16, 2021. The family enjoys spending time at home by cooking, having dance parties, playing sports and painting. Jessica is also very active and finds time to work out every day, play tennis, travel and play with the family’s Toy Goldendoodle.

“To succeed in this business, you must be patient,” Jessica said. “It is easy to have a good year selling homes; however, it is those who endure the test of time who succeed. It’s also critical to stay relevant and present within the industry.”

The key to Jessica’s success has been her ability to build lasting, trusting relationships while also identifying a positive home environment that contributes to her client’s longterm well-being. “My fundamental knowledge of assessing people and my desire to make a positive difference in their lives is why I am in this business,” she said. “And what’s exciting is that I am just getting started!”

Jessica Weisman - AGENT SPOTLIGHT