By Chéye Roberson
Sentinel Correspondent
Catherine Auerbach, a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services of New England, moved to Greenwich from New York City four years ago with her husband and three boys; ever since, she has devoted time to making our town a stronger community.
Catherine’s three boys attend Riverside Elementary School, where she is a busy class parent who is also active with the PTA. She said that volunteering for multiple event committees at the school has only served to reinforce her family’s decision to move to Greenwich.
“I love how Greenwich has something for everyone,” said Catherine. “From beach-goers to shoppers to horse folk to the people who have helped build Greenwich generation to generation, there is a real sense of family. Our friends come from all over town, and it’s only in a place like Greenwich where you can experience such diversity and enjoyment.”
Catherine and her family have been members of the Fairview Country Club on King Street for the last 10 years, which allowed her to familiarize herself with the town before moving here. Now she manages to serve on the board of various charities and involve her sons in sports, which she feels strengthens a sense of connection to the community.
“Currently, I’m on the ‘Under the Stars’ event planning committee, benefiting Greenwich Hospital’s Pediatric and NICU departments, and the Old Bags Luncheon and Persimmon Ball, benefiting the YWCA. By Saturday and Sunday, my days become consumed with baseball, football, lacrosse, swimming—sleep is for the meek,” said Catherine.
Additionally, Catherine started a networking group for working women in Greenwich.
“It was launched in September, and we already have 35 active members in businesses ranging from attorneys to women in various aspects of finance, including mergers and acquisitions, sales and trading, financial planners, mortgages, as well as artists, gallery owners, and marketing and PR,” she said.
Catherine has worked with buyers, sellers and renters, including young families making the big move to the suburbs and who going through the same experiences she did.
According to Catherine, our modern point-and-click world can make some clients over-anxious to sell or find the right home immediately; however, it’s important for buyers and sellers alike to remember that matching yourself with the right purchase is a process, and it may take time.
“One of the hardest parts is helping clients continue to be patient through the process, regardless of whether they’re buying or selling,” she said. “In our world of ‘insta’ this and ‘insta’ that, people can get frustrated quickly if their house doesn’t sell in the first weekend of being on the market or if they can’t find a house to buy after one or two outings. It’s our job as real estate professionals to assure our clients that buying and selling is a process that takes time.”
Catherine said that educating yourself about the workings of the real estate market will help families know what to expect when buying or selling a home.
“There are so many factors that go into finding the perfect house, whether it’s location, available inventory, budget, etc.,” Catherine said. “One of the key factors in finding a home you will love is knowing the market and being an educated buyer. This requires a lot of patience and knowing what’s on the market and what has sold. This is key, so when the perfect house comes on the market, educated buyers already know the value and are able to make a decision without hesitation.”
It is also helpful for homebuyers to educate themselves about something that can get overlooked—the everyday costs of keeping up a home.
“It is important that customers really understand the costs of homeownership,” Catherine said. “Not only those looking to renovate a home, but the day-in, and day-out costs of taking care of your home.”
Catherine Auerbach
Sales Executive, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
136 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06878
Cell (917) 363-2084, Office (203) 869-0500
Email: catherineauerbach@bhhsne.com
