Two Realtors make moves to new companies
Two long time and top producing real estate agents in the Capital Region are now doing business under new banners.
Dona Federico, who had been with Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty (previously Select Sotheby's) for 10 years and became a real estate agent in 2006, is now affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blake.
Federico said she and her team did nearly $27 million in business in 2021 and $20 million in 2020. Members of Federico's team will join her at BHHS.
Federico said since she went to Sotheby's, the company has changed many times. Lately, she was looking to go in a different direction.
The switch brings Federico to a bigger company; BHHSBlake is the fourth-largest real estate company in the region.
"In my opinion, real estate is more about relationships than brand names," Federico said. "The brand can support the relationship, which is why I made this move."
Meanwhile, another wellknown name in Capital Region real estate, Frances Callahan, has cut ties with Berkshire Hathaway and joined the boutique firm Staged Nest, owned by Melissa Woodcock.
Callahan was first licensed in 2001 and spent all of her time until now with Blake, previously affiliated with Prudential Real Estate. She was the top producer in the office for many years — in 2021 Callahan did $20 million in volume.
She praised Woodcock, who had been her officemate at Blake until Woodcock left to start Staged Nest, as "the kindest, most honest and caring person most people will ever meet."
Callahan said she was ready to lay down the mantle of top producer at Blake.
"I built my business on personalized service, no matter what chair I'm sitting in, I'll always deliver to my clients," Callahan said. "My business is 90 percent repeat and referral, year after year. Staged Nest is a better fit for me at this point in my career."
Jay Christiana, president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blake, said he was disappointed to see Callahan go and loved working with her. He called Federico’s arrival “exciting” and looks forward to working with her.
This week’s house is a Japanese-inspired timber frame design on 52.88 acres in Rensselaerville. The house, built in 2006, has 2,500 square feet of living space on two levels and its private setting in the woods suggests a peaceful, quiet atmosphere. The layout on the first floor is open and cherry trees harvested on the property were included in the support structure. The ceiling is timbered and cathedral in height. There are two bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Outside, the landscaping includes a 26-foot stream and waterfall.
There is also a cabin and a garage on the property. The cabin is on the edge of the pond and includes a deck built around a living tree. The garage has three bays, storage and work space. Taxes after exemptions: $10,893. Greenville schools. List price: $890,000. Contact listing agent Hans Soderquist at Cornerpin Realty at 518-336-0125.
To see more House of the week photos, go to Leigh Hornbeck’s Places & Spaces blog at http://blog. timesunion.com/realestate