About
Get to Know Hali
Q: Why did you decide to write a real estate relocation blog?
When my youngest child went off to college, I was looking for an opportunity to merge my life experience with a desire to help others. With all the moving I’ve done in my life, I thought real estate would be a good fit. I attended Charlotte’s Superior School of Real Estate to become a licensed Realtor and absolutely love my job. But I still felt like I had valuable real estate information to share beyond my professional sphere. That’s why I started the blog. To put my tips and knowledge in writing, and share these online.
“Learning about a new place, forging new friendships, and finding new schools and resources can be intimidating. Just know that a little research, proper preparation, a positive attitude, and an open mind will make your move 100% easier.”
Q: What’s your background?
While I’ve lived in Charlotte for over a decade, I’m originally from New Jersey where I studied nursing at William Patterson University in Wayne, NJ. After college, I worked in banking and finance. My husband and I met on a blind date, arranged by our own grandmothers! Guess they knew what they were doing because we’ve been married for over 30 years and survived more than a dozen relocations. We have two children which I’m extraordinarily proud of and a miniature Labradoodle who has us at his beck and call.
Q: Of the places you’ve lived, which is your favorite?
We moved often for my husband’s consulting business, and each place we’ve lived holds a special place in my heart. But my favorite would be the United Kingdom because the traveling we did in Europe was incredible. I never thought I would see some of the places we visited, and our ex-pat community was a real family. In the US, it was especially fun living in Virginia close to DC and in New Jersey since we went into New York City often. We loved going to museums, walking the city, trying new restaurants, and the energy you get from that kind of atmosphere. You never know who you’ll bump into like renowned journalist Carl Bernstein at the pharmacy or “Mad Money” host Jim Cramer at the Newark Airport.
Q: What do you like most about working in real estate?
In all of our moves, we never worked with an agent who went out of his or her way to understand what we wanted. No one had extensive relocation experience, so they all just focused on selling us a home. After that, their job was finished, even though we still had so many questions. It felt like we were just dropped on the side of the road to fend for ourselves. It may sound corny, but I want others who are moving to have it easier than my family did.
Q: What are your most valuable relocation tips?
First and foremost, when moving to a new state, city, or just across town, be prepared for the emotional changes that come with relocation. Learning about a new place, forging new friendships, and finding new schools and resources can be intimidating. Just know that a little research, proper preparation, a positive attitude, and an open mind will make your move 100% easier. Second, when searching for a new home or community, know what’s most important to you and work with an agent who respects that. We talk about location, location, location, but what if location isn’t important to you? Maybe the type of house matters more to you and your family. Finally, if you love a home and the area, look past things that can be fixed like paint and dated wallpaper. If the home feels right to you, the rest falls into place.
