Mickey was born in a small farm town in south-central Iowa and spent her childhood there where there was an emphasis on the values of honesty and hard work and education. While a teenager, the family moved to the Los Angeles area, where she attended high school and college at California State University at Northridge majoring in English and History. Now, having lived most of her life in Manhattan Beach, she acknowledges that the beach is a long way from the mid-west, but she still loves reading and music as she did as a kid. And she especially loves the small-town feel of Manhattan Beach while being close to every cultural and educational opportunity anyone could desire.
Over the years, Mickey has had many wonderful experiences. As a volunteer for the local South Bay Association of REALTORS, she chaired the Education Committee and the Political Activities Committee and was honored with the REALTOR of the Year Award from the Association. She also served as President of the Southern California Chapter of Residential Specialists an organization that fosters education and best practices for REALTOR members; only 3% of the nation’s REALTORS have been awarded the designation. The Southern California Chapter was voted Chapter of the Year, Mickey was awarded the CRS of the Year award.
Mickey also volunteered for the California Association of REALTORS as Regional Chair for the South Bay area, as well as numerous committee assignments. Mickey was also the Director of the National Association of REALTORS which lead her to one of her most rewarding assignments as President’s Liaison to Latvia. During the 5-year term, she visited the country to meet and work with their real estate association, teach a class there and meet their members. NAR’s goal is to set up common standards of practice that facilitate international residential sales and business. She holds the designation of Certified International Property Specialist.
The real estate industry is changing every day. She believes that education and being savvy about contracts and best practices are key to guiding home buyers and sellers through a complex process.
“All the while, I count myself fortunate to have lived and worked in Manhattan Beach, and counted the South Bay as home,” she says. “It is a dynamic marketplace requiring in-depth knowledge of the sales and inventory as well as a tried-and-true process to deliver the highest possible results. Having a national and international perspective is interesting but, in the end, it is all about the relationships you form, and the clients your care about. Meeting their goals is the most gratifying part of the job.
