Sharon Hawthorne

Certified Green Building Professional
Certified Distressed Property Expert
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. Company policy 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 their own business policy or practices.

In 2006 I passed the state broker's exam and opened ASK Realty, delighted by the opportunity to conduct business my way --with a focus on serving client needs rather than corporate production goals. I do not expend resources on frivolous image marketing, nor on heating, cooling, lighting, insuring, or commuting to a space away from my residence in which to conduct business -- as a consequence I can afford to be more generous with my clients.

In 2008 agent Michele Cameron joined me. Energetic and a joy to work with — 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 became a Seniors Real Estate Specialist and went through the Certified EcoGreen Real Estate Agent course. 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'm a Seniors Real Estate Specialist have created a unique combination of services for assisting elderly folks with the transition of moving from a home of their own to retirement or assisted living, which is described in detail in the Elder Concierge Services section. In September 2008 I became a Certified Eco-Green Real Estate Agent, which greatly enhanced my ability to assist clients in evaluating the value of assorted green building practices and the merit of various sustainability strategies , this certification requires ongoing education to maintain. I am also a country property specialist — as a result of both hands-on personal experince and training through the local Realtors organization. Most recently I completed training and became a Certified Distressed Property Expert, allowing me to more effectively assist owners needing to sell for economic reasons and to help those who now owe more than the property can be sold for — known as a "Short-Sale".

80% of my business has come from prior clients referrals ― from people who have used my services and know that I will truly advocate for their family's or friend's best interest — and I 'm proud of the fact that I have no clients who are now in trouble from overextending themselves with a purchase price or a mortgage not suitable to them.

My aim is to support your intentions while assisting you in staying grounded in reality. Check back here later this year for my soon to come blog offering straight talk, hard facts, and gentle guidance concerning local real estate market activities and trends, lending news, and green tips for homeowners.

Questions?

Contact Us via email
or
Call 707 823-8329 or Toll free 877 823-8329

Office hours
Monday - Saturday 10:30 - 6:30
Sundays 2:30 - 5:30


Department of Real Estate License # 01169237