- CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Valerie LevySusan Smith, Staff Reporter
IF THERE is ever a dull moment trying to sell or buy a property, there is never one with real estate guru Valerie Levy. Her undiluted passion and talent for real estate delivers the best results for her clients and leaves them very satisfied.
A paragon of success in real estate, Mrs. Levy's reputation for quickly turning properties for owners precedes her. And, outside of giving her clients sound advice on real estate matters, the charming realtor with her infectious personality, always throws in a mixture of humour to lighten things up.
STRESSFUL BUSINESS
"It's a stressful business, twenty four sevens I am always on the cell phone," Mrs. Levy shared with Sunday Business. "People find it annoying at times but when the phone rings my adrenaline gets going," she added, confirming her love for her job.
The managing director of Valerie Levy and Associates, she has been in the real estate business since the 1970s. She was trained in Florida and, at one point in her career in the United States, she was ranked top producer. "I was Valerie of New York," she reminisced.
Though her ardour is for real estate brokerage, she also teaches at the University of Technology and is a trained Trichologist (a hair and skin expert). She considers herself a computer freak who is far more computer sophisticated than her children.
So how does Valerie Levy spends her weekends?
"I'm answering the phone all weekend," said Mrs. Levy without any reservations. She told Sunday Business that even on the weekends the telephone plays an important part of her life. Mindful of this, she said she tries to be more laid back somewhat on the weekend.
REFRESHING WALKS
From as early as 6:30 a.m. in the morning Mrs. Levy and her husband Desmond whom she has been married to for forty years, go for very long refreshing walks on Saturdays. When she returns she would check around to see if anything has gone wrong in the garden. "I try to do the things I need to do for myself, like my hair and my nails," she said.
The realtor says she often goes swimming in the pool or once per month at the beach and is sure to pack in exercises. However, she attributes the energy she has to do so much to her grandchildren.
"My four grandchildren come over and they really keep me young. I go swimming with them," she said jokingly. She says that she makes adequate room for fellowship with family and friends.
The real estate agent also appreciates a good evening out with friends and some good conversations, trying very hard not to start up real estate conversations. But, she admitted, "It's hard to get away from real estate conversations, because people are interested in real estate," adding that doctors in this respect have life a lot easier.
And being in the property business, Mrs. Levy understands and appreciates Psalm 24:1 which states that "The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness" . So, "On Sundays, for sure, I go to church," she emphasised. Both herself and her husband are Eucharist ministers at the Immaculate Church in Stony Hill.
Also on Sundays she takes time out to read the papers, watch TV and just relax at home.
"I live a simple lifestyle," she said.
