For Judith Guzzi, a childhood spent in musical theatre proved to be an unlikely, yet incredible, foundation for her later career in real estate. As a student at New York’ s prestigious High School of Performing Arts, Judith was an accomplished dancer with big dreams. Her life took a turn, however, when she met her husband at 19, and had a child at 20. “That was the end of my dancing career, but the start of a whole other realm of possibilities for me,” she says. “A local REALTOR® friend thought that I would be perfect for the business, so I gave it a try.” With a young child at home, Judith appreciated the flexibility the real estate industry can afford. Her first sale encouraged her to pursue her new dream . “That REALTOR® had told me about a piece of waterfront property that had become available, and I mentioned it to someone at a party. Before I knew it, I had made my first sale, 1, 2, 3.”
Later, Judith’s business grew significantly as she continued to follow her instincts and hone her quickly developing skills as a negotiator. Her husband, Richard Guzzi, now semi-retired, was a respected residential developer in Westchester County. “He was always incredibly supportive, and helped me a lot through the years,” says Judith. Now a building inspector for the cities of Rye and Briarcliff, his knowledge continues to provide invaluable insights for both Judith and her clients. Richard and I make every effort to protect my clients on all aspects of the transaction. It’s just one of the many ways we make the entire process easier for them.” As Judith’ s husband’s business grew, he began to persuade her to open up her own independent office to help him sell his properties. Richard knew that with Judith’s skill and energy behind him, he couldn’ t go wrong. “That’s when I got my broker’s license, joined the local board and the MLS and started my own business,” she remembers. Today home offices are commonplace. Twenty-five years ago, it was a different story. “Looking back, it was a pretty brave thing to do, but it has worked out beautifully.” Undeterred by “what-ifs,” Judith hung her shingle outside her house, and began assisting clients from her living room. “I found,” she says, “that people are much more comfortable coming to my home to conduct business, than in a traditional office environment.”
Combined with her warmth and engaging personality, Judith’ s home office environment has contributed to her ability to forge close relationships with her customers. It raises their comfort level to come into my world and learn a little bit about me3;to see how I live, and what I’ m like,” she continues. “It creates a bond between us right away, and that’s important.”
From her beginnings as a one-woman show, Judith Guzzi and Associates has grown to 8 offices ? home offices that is. “I have eight agents working for me and they all work from their homes. I learned what works, and it works for my agents and their clients as well. Each agent shares Judith’s vision of perfecting customer service. Going above and beyond has earned them the trust of the people they serve time and time again. They have been known to handle the most mundane tasks for their clients they serve, from hosting estate sales, to having empty homes cleaned for out of area clients, all in the name of providing exceptional customer service.
Their buyers get the benefit of agents who actually care about them and their situation, and do their best to help them make their dreams come true. “We listen, first and foremost. We focus on what the client wants and then we do our best to make that happen.” Judith’s agents are also extremely bright and educated, constantly striving to earn the certifications that will help them be of better service to their customers. “Every piece of information a client could possibly need, my agents have,” says Judith, “And each and every client gets our undivided attention.” Judith estimates that her business is a phenomenal 80% repeat and referral. “I believe that the public has the right to good representation, and it’s very important to me that it be done correctly.”
Over the years, Judith has also developed an expertise in co-broking and assisting domestic and international relocation, whether it be securing properties or managing them for clients in their absence.
“In my opinion, buying a home is an enormous emotional and financial investment. When a buyer walks into a property, there is an instant chemistry that will tell them whether this is the right home for them. Their mission is to make sure that chemistry happens.”
“Sellers also have the advantage of “blitz marketing” on their listings, meaning that no medium is left unused. “We spend a lot of money on advertising. In addition to the Internet, we utilize magazine, newspapers and television to find our sellers the perfect buyer.”
