Elisabeth Watson

REALTOR® | DRE: 01958229

I came to real estate relatively late in my career, in 2014. Prior to becoming a realtor, I consulted to small businesses and non-profits on strategic execution. In English, that’s developing a deep understanding of their customers’ experiences, on operational, financial, and marketing strategies, and on structuring their organization and leveraging their resources to achieve their goals. In shorter English, that’s what do we do that people need, what have we got to do it with, who should do it, and will we be successful doing it.

I grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, which I tell you because now you can say that you know someone from Delaware. Unless you’re acquainted with Mr. Biden, of course.

I moved to the East Bay almost 25 years ago after I graduated from Business School. I came to live in a beautiful place and work in an entrepreneurial, innovative environment that is home to some of the smartest people in the world. I wanted to live, work, and be with people who are constantly thinking about how we can do things better and make things better.

Buying our home in Berkeley prompted some major changes in my life. I got very focused on our financial stability and at the same time flourished the sanctuary that our home provides. A few years ago, my husband and I realized a life long dream and bought a home at The Sea Ranch. That too has changed our lives in ways we never expected. In particular, our homes prompted a deep commitment to our communities that translated to meaningful and rewarding community service.

Where we live is central to all of us, no matter what the circumstances of our lives are. It is our safety, our respite, and our challenge. It is essential to our family lives and our financial stability – there is no other material thing that is both as fraught and a source of joy, or is as singularly important to us.

My own home buying experiences made me realize that buying a home is a catalyst. It creates the infrastructure for our home and family lives. It’s an investment decision. It fosters our involvement in our communities. I wanted to play a supportive and integral role in that process. I also wanted to take my experience in process improvement, change management, and risk analysis to make the buying and selling process easier.

I like my clients. No, I love my clients. I am so lucky to work with such great people every day. I love their stories, their ideas, their decision-making processes, their desires. I love it that I help guide critical transitions in their lives and to celebrate the reasons for those transitions. One client got a promotion and is moving closer to work. Another fell in love when she least expected it. Not all stories are happy ones, but they are all deeply moving and important. I am honored to be a part of them.

Communication, planning, execution, anticipating and avoiding issues are critical aspects to my success. I also stay calm. Problems arise and emotions can run high but one advantage of having been around the block a few times is that not much fazes me. Great relationships mean that I have many resources to solve problems. Also, I love the quantitative and analytical aspects of the job, which helps navigate a crazy market.

When I’m not engaged in helping my clients, I’m out on the trails or at the beach with my dog and my husband. I’m conducting culinary experiments on my friends. I also love to travel, which is good as I have an international family. And I love a good book and a cup of coffee on a quiet morning.

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