Today we’d like to introduce you to Annette Given.
Annette, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started out as a paralegal for my father’s law firm in Somerville in the mid-1970s. It didn’t take me long to realize that the real estate portion of the business was my passion. In 1980 I got my real estate license and began working for a few rental and sales offices where I gained my first experiences as an agent. In August of 1984 I started a 2 person office with my then business partner. We located ourselves on Comm Ave and named the company The Charles Realty. In 1988 I took over the company as the sole owner and have remained the principal broker since then. During this time and into the early 1990s The Charles Realty worked as one of the major marketing agents for the FDIC- liquidating a large majority of their Back Bay assets. In 1998 The Charles Realty was relocated to our current address- 257 Newbury St. We have since grown into a boutique office with 14 agents representing some of the most well respected rental and sales clients within the city.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Every day is a challenge in this industry. The peaks and valleys of the market are always an unknown. I often say “if I had a crystal ball I would be retired.” Experience has helped me to guide my clients and my agents through difficult negotiations, scenarios, and slow turning markets. Obviously juggling multiple buyers and sellers simultaneously can be tricky as you want each of them to feel their importance. Keeping a balance between a personal and a professional life is a constant struggle.
But beyond the challenging waves of the market, client demand, and personal interactions, comes the responsibility of solely owning a company. Keeping my agents busy, happy, and successful is by far the biggest challenge I face on a day to day basis.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Charles Realty story. Tell us more about the business.
The Charles Realty is a Back Bay office specializing in residential sales and rentals in the Boston area, with a concentration in Back Bay, South End, Beacon Hill, and the surrounding neighborhoods. At The Charles Realty, integrity is, and always will be, paramount. We provide personalized, expert real estate guidance to each client. Whether you are buying, selling or renting, we accomplish our goal when you’ve accomplished yours.
As a boutique real estate agency, we are nimble and adaptive. Since 1984, The Charles Realty has grown along with Boston and we look forward to continuing to serve clients in this unique city.
As part of our commitment to our clients, we provide in-depth knowledge of the real estate opportunities presented by each of Boston’s unique neighborhoods. Most of our agents live within the neighborhoods we carter to, making us experts of the area.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have been blessed to have the mentors I have interacted with in the past as well as the agents that I have had the pleasure of calling part of The Charles Realty family.
Contact Info:
- Address: 257 Newbury Street Boston Ma 02116
- Website: www.thecharlesrealty.com
- Phone: 6178182191
- Email: annettegiven@realtor.com
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