For my complete resume, please visit my page on my main website, "About Mary", which includes my extensive real estate education and background in Silicon Valley real estate since 1993, a list of my many designations and certifications, honors and awards, and much more information. Or see videos with me discussing the market on my YouTube Channel (links at the right side of this page).

Personal Information

Born at O’Connor Hospital and raised in Santa Clara and Saratoga Saratoga High School, 1977 Gonzaga University, BA, Religious Studies, 1981 Gonzaga-in-Florence, Italy, 1979-1980 Graduate Theological Union/Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, MA, Systematic Theology, 1986 I loved my work in the areas of religious education and ministry prior to having my two children and spending a few years at home with them.

Living in Silicon Valley, though, is quite expensive so in 1993, I changed careers to better provide for my family and followed my mother into Real Estate. My mother had been a REALTOR® in Santa Clara County for 40 years, so I grew up with it.... It was a natural fit for both my interest in helping others and the knowledge I'd gained from my mother over the years.Volunteer work has always been important to me and I have used my education and background in theology and religious education in related volunteer activities as time has allowed in the past. For several years,  assisting some elderly relatives in my free time took a lot of precedence to the volunteer work, though.

 Since I have spent so much time with seniors, a few years ago I earned the related real estate designation: The Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES).

When not busy with work, family, or volunteer efforts, I am often found enjoying walks in my Los Gatos neighborhood, reading, corresponding with friends & relatives, or brushing up on the Italian language. I love to collect ghost stories and have a site dedicated to the topic of Haunted Real Estate: http://www.hauntedrealestate.com/ . Travel is my passion. I am thankful that Jim, my husband, and our children, Brian & Clair, are enthusiastic about her volunteer and real estate work. These three are my biggest cheerleaders and the reason I want to succeed at everything I do.

Memberships

I am a member of The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® The California Association of REALTORS® The National Association of REALTORS® All of these associations uphold a strict code of ethics and ensure that their members are up to date on the latest marketing techniques and legislation affecting real estate.

Awards & Honors

For the last several years, I have consistently placed in the top 3-5% of agents for Santa Clara County.  I have won other awards within companies for service, innovating marketing, and more.  In 2007, together with Frances Flynn Thorsen (my mentor), I won the prestigious Project Blogger Contest, hosted by Active Rain & Inman News, enabling Fran & me to assign the $5000 charity donation to our cause, CARE. In 2009, I was named on the prestigious Sellsius list for Top 12 Women Real Estate Bloggers 2009. In 2011, a poll of readers for the San Jose Mercury News named me "Best Real Estate Agent in Silicon Valley".

Professional Philosophy

I find that clients here in Silicon Valley are highly sophisticated, and above all they need detailed information in order to make good choices in buying or selling. I work to educate and guide my clients to making the choices that will enable them to benefit the most from the market and their own situation. Dedicated to the highest level of professionalism, I stay current on everything affecting buying and selling homes here - disclosure issues, market conditions, ever-changing contracts, etc. I listen to my clients and am responsive and accessible. I use cutting-edge technology to both stay in touch better and to give my clients the edge by having more information. My hard work, dedication and high-tech approach compliment the soft touch manner I take. I am not pushy and do not use a high-pressure approach to sales; this is simply a matter of treating others the way I myself want to be treated. My clients refer me frequently, as they recognise the benefit of working with someone knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated, but most of all who puts their best interests first.

Professional focus: I strive to be the best Los Gatos real estate agent & Silicon Valley Realtor possible.  I love to learn and will share as I go in my many blogs.