Sharon Hawthorne

Certified EcoGreen Real Estate Agent
Accredited Buyers’ Representative
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Graduate Sonoma County Country Property Series
REALTOR®

I became a REALTOR® in 1993 following twenty years of real estate investing in Sonoma County. Based on this experience, I recognized a need for real estate professionals who would approach their delivery of service as consulting rather than sales. I entered the business with that goal in mind. Aiming to provide truly noteworthy and superior service by listening deeply, being genuinely responsive, and supporting the empowerment of each individual-- by operating with the utmost respect for each person’s unique manner of information gathering and processing, and encouraging decision-making based on understanding rather than reliance on the assumed expertise of another.

I was fortunate to begin my career with Frank Howard Allen REALTORS®, a locally owned company I considered the best in the business. And over the next ten years, I gained valuable experience while working under the direction of a CEO who was guided by the highest of professional standards, with a strong commitment to education and training. However, over time, I became more and more dissatisfied with the restrictive and inflexible policies of such a traditional corporate brokerage. The companies policies particularly conflicted with my desire to offer customized services and fees in response to the unique circumstances of each client.

By 2003 I realized I needed to start my own brokerage if I wanted to truly do business as I’d originally envisioned. So I left Frank Howard Allen, began studying for the Broker’s exam, and joined Creative Property Services, a company with a reputation for innovation. I‘d hoped to gain insight into structuring my brokerage by working with a less traditional business model. But it was soon apparent that the company’s only real innovation was in the realm of agent compensation incentives and that the agents were still expected to present sellers with a ‘smoke and mirrors’ rationale for why commission percentage rates should be the same for all homes regardless of price range, condition, or marketability. And it became clear from these experiences that the tremendous management responsibility and overhead of a large brokerage, having many agents with varying degrees of competence, just does not lend itself to flexibility or responsiveness to clients on a case by case basis. I also came to understand that the ‘customer’ of these large brokerages isn’t really the public at all, but rather the agents themselves -- who, without a broker’s license, aren’t legally allowed to conduct business on their own, or those licensed brokers, who are more comfortable in the role of a salesperson than an entrepreneur -- individuals who seek the guidance and security of an established organization so that they need not make decisions or take responsibility for business policy or practices.

In 2008 agent Michele Cameron joined me. An energetic and bright personality, Michele is always interested in learning new skills to enhance her ability to serve our clients’ needs. During the first few months after joining ASK she completed both the Seniors Real Estate Specialist and Certified EcoGreen Real Estate Agent courses. For more about her go to Agent Info.

I enjoy working with a wide variety of people. As a Buyers’ Representative, I’ve worked with purchasers in all types of transactions from first time buyers using 100% financing to investors doing 1031 exchanges. Likewise, I’ve represented sellers in all sorts of situations ― moving up, downsizing, leaving the area, or giving up home ownership altogether. I am a Seniors Real Estate Specialist and particularly enjoy assisting elderly folks with the transition of moving from a home of their own to retirement or assisted living. In September 2008 I became a Certified Eco-Green Real Estate Agent -- at the conclusion of a fabulous learning experience which has greatly enhanced my ability to assist others in evaluating various green building practices and sustainability strategies -- a certification that requires ongoing education to maintain.

Over the past 10 years 80% of my work has come from prior clients’ referrals
― from people who know me and trust that I will truly advocate for their family’s or friend’s best interest. To read some actual client comments please go to Testimonials. I am proud to announce that I have never had a client who’s gotten into trouble from overextending themselves with a purchase price or a mortgage not suitable to them.

I support you in pursuing a dream and assist you in staying grounded in reality. For straight facts and timely information on real estate market activities and trends, lending news, and green tips for homeowners sign up for my monthly newsletter ASK Realty Online

Whatever your circumstances, I pledge to ASK and listen, to respect and honor your uniqueness and to support you in ways that empower your decision-making. I ask only that you be candid and direct and listen in return.

Questions?

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Call: 707 823-8329 or Toll free 877 823-8329

Monday – Saturday 10:30 – 6:30
Sundays 2:30 - 5:30