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What did you do before real estate and how did you get
started in the business?
I had several jobs when I was starting out, everything from
managing a womans shoe store in Newton to working as a doorman in a
Boston nightclub. I was saving money and one of my friends in real
estate suggested I buy a condominium as an investment. I bought my
first place when I was 22 and sold it for a profit only two years
later. That is when I saw the value, literally and figuratively, in
real estate. I started at Bowes Real Estate in 1986, and with the
guidance of Bob Bowes I became the #1 agent and team in the area.
Now, with Gibson Sothebys International Realty at the helm, I know
we will reach new heights in servicing the town of Arlington and
beyond.
What is something your clients find comfort in that
makes them turn to you for their real estate needs?
My team and I realize that buying or selling a home is very
personal and emotional, and I have to say our tagline sums up why
people continue to choose us for their real estate needs: Put Your
Home in Our Hands. When someone works with us, we take the burden
of buying or selling a home off the client’s hands and we manage
the entire process start to finish and we are a resource to clients
long after the sale has closed. Because we have a team (not just
one agent) we can absorb the emotional and logistical weight of the
real estate process, so our clients take comfort knowing they are
in good hands.
What are some of your favorite local activities or
organizations that you participate in?
I find great satisfaction in giving back to the community. The
Home Advantage Team and I have volunteered at many local
organizations. Just before the pandemic, we were at Arlington Eats
to assemble food packages for those in need. This past year we
hosted Charity Saturday, which paired a local business with a local
charity to both drive business and raise money for a number of
important programs in town.
There was a fantastic turnout at all locations and many people
were excited about the opportunity to support their local
businesses and charities. Because of the overwhelming
participation, my team met its goals to donate to five charities a
check for $2,000 each, for a total of $10,000 in donations.
What do you love most about the industry?
I genuinely enjoy helping people. When someone is moving,
chances are they are experiencing a major life event. Whether it is
a marriage, a divorce, downsizing, a death in the family or a child
on the way, these are big events and emotional times, and when you
add the process of moving to the mix it can be incredibly
stressful. We have helped thousands of buyers and sellers in all of
these situations, so I think we bring an empathy, understanding and
knowledge of how best to guide people through the process to make
it seamless and less stressful them. There is great satisfaction in
that.
What is your advice for someone new to the
industry?
The most important advice is to be sincere and honest with your
clients. They are entrusting you with one of their most important
assets at a critical time in their life. You need to provide them
with the confidence that you are the best person to help them.
What do you love most about where you live and
work?
Arlington has changed so much since I first started living and
working here. The community is diverse, caring, strong and everyone
seems to have a vested interest in making this a great town. There
is the Minuteman Bikeway and so many great restaurants and shops.
It has that urban feel, yet you can walk down the street and almost
always see someone you know.
What is Arlington’s best-kept secret?
I find many people who come to Arlington have heard about the
restaurants and shops, but they are surprised and impressed with
the abundance of outdoor recreation in areas such as Menotomy Rocks
Park, Skyline Park and Spy Pond.
What part of the world would you most like to travel
to?
My wife and enjoy traveling through Europe and are very fond of
the Cotswolds in England. Hopefully, we will all be able to travel
safely in the near future.
What are three sources of joy in your week?
Spending time with my wife is #1. Shes made me a better person.
I cant really say my job, because it doesnt feel like a job, but #2
is working with my team and helping people. Im fortunate to have a
dedicated staff that enjoys helping our clients as much as I do.
Exercising is #3. I wake up every morning at 4:30 and get my
workout done and it helps me prepare for the day mentally and
physically.[:]
To learn more about Steve McKenna & The Home
Advantage Team, visit www.yourhomeforsale.com.
