The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Former teacher enjoys helping seniors relocate, sell or refinance
Prior to entering the real estate profession in 1999, Fran Manganello spent 21 years as a teacher in the Madison public school system, a skill set that has transferred well to her position as a Realtor.
“The communication skills you need as a teacher prepared me to be a good communicator in real estate,” she said. “In both fields you are dealing with the most important aspects of people’s lives; and you learn to listen, respect their opinions and assist in decision making.”
Manganello explained that she has also cultivated many additional attributes that apply to her real estate career, including strong management and organizational skills. Due to her past experiences, she has also found a natural fit in serving as a mentor to others.
“People that know me think of me as a teacher, and I have continued to use those skills in assisting new agents in my office, as well as in my work with buyers and sellers,” she said.
As a former educator, Manganello appreciates the fact that there is always additional knowledge to be gained. She regularly reads industry articles and attends continuing education courses to stay current with regulations and trends. However, it is through the process of networking with fellow agents that Manganello acquires the most insight.
“Most important is the great amount of knowledge I can gather in discussions with peers,” she said. “Our office meetings are a critical aspect in keeping up with the latest technologies and marketing strategies.”
Manganello has earned several real estate oriented designations in order to distinguish her services. In addition to her status as an Accredited Buyer’s Representative, she is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. SRES are Realtors qualified to counsel senior-aged clients through the transition of relocating, selling or refinancing.
“I can readily relate to how difficult it is for them to downsize, since I have done it myself,” Manganello said. “I have a lot of time to give and put them at ease due to my problem-solving ability. It is also gratifying to help sellers move on to the next phase of their lives.”