About

I moved here from somewhere else, which turns out to be useful when you’re helping someone do the same.

After living everywhere from the Midwest to New England to the Deep South, I came back to this area for family and rediscovered what I’d missed: the Blue Ridge views, the outdoor lifestyle, and cities that are neither too big nor too small.

Moving is messy. Everyone wishes it weren’t, but it is. I’ve had smooth moves and rough ones, and I’ve tried movers, U-Hauls, and PODS, each time hoping for the seamless experience that never quite happens. So when it comes to your move, you’re hearing from someone who has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Coming back reminded me how beautiful the mountains are under snow, how clear the sky turns after a storm, and how the forests sound different in every season.

There were adjustments, too. After years in places with longer warm seasons, I’d forgotten that winters here can be the real thing. The roads took a minute as well: they’re curvier and the speed limits lower than in much of the country.

Most of all, I rediscovered the small-town feel without being remote. Friendly faces and local businesses make weekend drives in search of BBQ, antiques, or a new hike all the more fun.

Why I do this

To me, housing is a universal need. It’s literally the foundation of our lives, and choosing a home is no small decision. Some of my clients have been searching with me for years and have become good friends along the way; others know the right home the moment they walk in. No two transactions are ever exactly alike.

Almost nobody moves for a neutral reason. There’s a new job, a marriage, a divorce, a baby, the loss of a loved one, or a set of stairs that stopped being manageable. The transaction is just the visible part of a larger life change.

For buyers, I stay closely attuned to what you need at every step, from negotiating the first offer to the final walk-through. For sellers, I know that a home’s financial value is only part of the equation (a big part, yes), and I help position your property to offer buyers more than just a price.

How I work

I’ll tell you when a renovation is a bad idea, which upgrades probably won’t bring the return you’re hoping for, when your asking price is optimistic, and when the right move is to wait. Most people don’t expect these conversations when they hire an agent, but I’ll have them with you based on your specific situation.

I’d rather lose a transaction than talk someone into one. That’s not modesty: my business runs on clients coming back and telling their friends, and neither happens if your first experience was being sold to before you were ready.

What you can expect: straight answers about cost and timing, questions before advice, and no pressure to follow a timeline that isn’t yours.

Where I work

I serve the Roanoke Valley and greater Lynchburg, including Smith Mountain Lake. I’m a member of both the Roanoke Valley and Lynchburg REALTOR® associations, and I work with MKB, REALTORS®.

I stay within that footprint on purpose. Knowing which streets get train noise, which driveways turn tricky in an ice storm, and what a house on a particular block actually sold for is the real value of a local agent, and that knowledge doesn’t stretch as far as some agents claim.

Away from work

Away from work, you’ll usually find me crafting. I learned to make cold-process soap, which sounds lovely until you see what it does to the kitchen.

I also love tackling my own home improvements. Like a lot of people, I fell for the idea of a handheld paint sprayer, only to discover its assembly makes IKEA furniture look easy. After putting together all 56 pieces, it sprayed from everywhere except the nozzle, because I’d missed a piece.

Even so, I love creating a new outdoor space, finding a new hiking spot, or taking a weekend drive somewhere nearby. And sometimes the best way to round out a week is simply relaxing with family and friends.