After 18 years as an independent broker, I chose Howard Hanna Rand to be my partner in continuing the journey for my clients and agents. I have brokered over 3000 transactions worth over $1.2 Billion, and closed 600 sales personally. I've also served on my Association Board of Directors for nearly 15 years, including 1 year as MLS President. The purchase and sale of real estate is typically the largest transaction of most people's lives. It should never be a do it yourself project. Having the best tools, the best training, and the best support for your agent is crucial. This is where that happens. I built J Philip Real Estate from a sole practitioner in 2005 to Westchester and Putnam's top-selling boutique independent from 2017-2022 with 3 offices and nearly 100 associates. In 2023, I brought my team to Howard Hanna Rand Realty and I'm ecstatic with the decision- the culture, leadership, tools, and overall support for agents is simply second to none. The journey wasn't a straight line. After my first 5 years as a licensed salesperson, I originated mortgages from 2001-2005, which gave me exceptional insight into the home loan process that serves me well to this day. I was an early adopter of online technology. J. Philip was the first Westchester brokerage to syndicate listings regularly to sites like Zillow and Trulia, and by 2012 I was asked to serve on Zillow's Agent Advisory Board. The experience was transformative, and when my tenure wrapped up in 2012 the industry had indeed changed a great deal. I also served on the MLS board from 2010-2019, serving as President of the Hudson Gateway MLS in 2014. I embraced blogging for the industry in 2008 when the housing crash was in full swing, and I still author the Westchester Real Estate Blog, along with writing columns for other platforms like Inman News and RealEstateNews.com, for whom I won an NAREE award for journalistic excellence in 2023. When I want to avoid hunting and pecking on a keyboard, I produce video content on a variety on channels, including my Real Estate Unscripted broadcast. My greatest professional joy is developing agents to be the best they can be, and the market share my offices have gained over the years has been almost entirely due to the hard work and commitment of the agents I have overseen for years. If you work with an agent on my team, expect excellence, hard work, a deep commitment to your best interests, and the best results the market will bear.