Halstead Property

Diane M. Ramirez
President
dramirez@halstead.com
(212) 381-3203

Women Of Power

As brokerage firms continue to offer home seekers dazzling developments and take-your-breath-away listings, we decided it was time to talk to the women who stand at the helm of not just Manhattan’s most powerful realty companies, but the country’s, to uncover the secret of their success.

By Lauren Price

Trailblazers and strategic thinkers all – every one of these women are admired for their grace, brains and razor-sharp instincts. They can take stock of the latest trends in a New York minute, create buzz in no time flat, come up with sigh-inducing amenities for their developers and attract top-drawer brokers like nobody’s business – and all of it done with great savvy, plenty of passion and unparalleled style in the world’s most competitive housing market.

Diane Ramirez

[ The Class Act ]

Diane Ramirez, President, Halstead Property

When it comes to business, Diane Ramirez’s bottom line is not a number. It is people – Halstead agents and customers. Proving the dictum that honest work is rewarded, Ramirez (a self-confessed Pollyanna whose warm smile immediately puts those around her at ease), has built her success from hard work, trust, cultivating the best from her team, a positive attitude and a daily sense of pride.

HOW SHE GOT INTO REAL ESTATE I had two young children going to school, so I had a few hours. My background was marketing, but when I thought about going back into it – I knew it would be hard to find a high-level position after such a long break. Not wanting to start all over again I decided to become a broker, thinking it could be interesting. Was that an understatement!

FIRST MENTOR AND HOW HE/SHE INFLUENCED HER I’ve been blessed in my life with good people pushing me and guiding me…but it was my Dad, who I lost early in my life, who I attribute my sense of ability and confidence to. He always instilled me to work hard.

GUIDING PRINCIPLE ON THE JOB Like my father always said…hard work never killed anyone. I guess that’s why I’ve always been willing to roll up my sleeves and dig in.

WHAT INSPIRES HER You can always be better. It’s the goals you set and when you reach them… you realize there’s another hill to climb. I’m an optimist – my glass is never half full.

YOU’LL NEVER FIND HER WITHOUT I must say it’s my Blackberry…but I definitely like all gadgets and I love trying new ones.

MOST MEMORABLE DEAL In 1987, my last deal because I was moving up into management and we don’t allow our managers to sell, I sold a townhouse to two celebrities with very different views on everything. It was a very interesting transaction because it transcended real estate and was about combining lifestyles. It also got me a Deal of the Year award

WHERE SHE LIVES I live downtown now because my children are there. I live downstairs from my son, daughter-in-law and two of my grandchildren and it has been a fabulous experience…but our oldest granddaughter just got into a private school on the Upper East Side so everyone is moving up there so she can be closer to school.

IF SHE COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE JOB OR INDUSTRY Many agents make decisions based on the amount of dollars attached to that decision. I would like to impart my wisdom to my staff that it’s about making the right decision.

HOW SHE STRIKES THE PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL BALANCE I’ve been married 38 years; have two great kids and four beautiful grandchildren. I really do try to segment my life…but of course, there are always crossovers. But when I’m with my family I give them absolutely 100 percent, and when I’m at the office I give100 percent. I think it’s so important to balance, but I’m proud to admit my family is the most important.

HER PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT It’s a lot of things, but I’m obviously very proud of where I am in the industry. I worked hard for it, and I really am so thrilled that I have achieved the respect and the title that I have. But the fact that I have an incredible marriage and incredible children and grandchildren…now that’s a huge achievement.

FORECAST FOR 2006 I see a very strong first half in 2006. All the economic indicators are positive. I see a solid 20 percent-plus increase.

GOALS FOR 2006 We’re really focusing on our brokers and making them as efficient and effective as they can be and of course, we always have an eye on what the consumer wants. We are also in a re-branding process.

Thursday, March 16, 2006