My many experiences all over the world and even closer to home have given me tools that I use in my day-to-day life and my business. I spent my childhood on a farm in France. Summers consisted of helping with the workload. I saw  my friends taking that time to go on trips and visit other countries. I knew that when I reached a point when I was old enough to make my own decisions, I’d go exploring the places I’d heard them talk so much about.

When it came time to get a higher education, I moved from rural Vichy to bustling Paris. Same country, vastly different experience. From there I went to London, then Tokyo, then many other exciting places. Each new experience brought with it a wealth of knowledge. I learned to approach problems from different angles by being around so many different people and cultures. I learned to look at situations in terms of the opportunities they provide, rather than the problems they cause.

When my husband was accepted to Stanford University, I prepared to make a permanent move to the U.S. where I would be a long way from my family and the life I knew growing up. I wanted to take advantage of the education system too. I stayed on campus and even began to attend lectures. I was wildly intimidated in the beginning, but I soon realized that I was actually able to follow along. Sometimes the teacher would even call on me, and I could answer, building up my confidence.

Then my sister died. I was weighed down by the initial heartbreak of losing a sibling. But I also had a sudden concern. What about her children? She had one daughter and three sons, ranging from the ages of 7 to 15. Their father was a high-ranking official working with NATO and unable to leave the work he was doing. The only option he had was to send them to boarding school. So, I presented another option: take the four of them in myself, raising them alongside my own children. It would mean having a very full house and seven kids living under one roof, but it seemed better than the alternative.

I pride myself on being adaptable, but this was a huge change, requiring a lot of adjustments. My niece and three nephews all spoke French and only French. Their education was of the utmost importance to me, and I knew one of the first orders of business was for them to learn English. For myself, it meant being a full-time stay at home mom for seven children. It was a daunting challenge, but within a year, my sister’s children were all fluent in English, my own kids had accepted them as siblings, and I became confident in raising the brood by handling the struggles one at a time as they arose.

All of these experiences have taught me a lot, and I've taken those lessons with me in my personal and professional life. I move forward with more confidence and continued success. I’ve gained more compassion and empathy and learned never to shy away from a challenge.

It’s even made me a better real estate agent. I’m an expert negotiator and communicator, letting my clients know what to expect so they aren’t fearful of the process. I know how to handle ongoing agreements between multiple parties when working with buyers or sellers. I’ve become even more adaptable and flexible, which allows me to make quick decisions that will deliver the best results for my clients. Real estate was another intimidating role to step into, but like at Stanford, I soon grew confident through helping my clients find their new homes. I can find you a new home too.

My experiences have given me a unique perspective and have created life skills that have brought me success in the real estate industry. Possibly my most important trait is my honesty. I never go into business with a client for a quick commission. I’ll be the first to walk away from a deal if I don’t believe it’s right. I see myself as an advisor and negotiator. I assist my clients in making informed decisions and walk them through the difficult legal language of contracts. Speaking of language, I’m trilingual, speaking English, French, and Spanish. This helps me serve a diverse clientele.

I’m also diverse in the types of real estate I work with: residential, investments, land developments, multimillion-dollar homes, and condominiums. Part of what excites me about the job is how many different aspects I get to explore. I’m a unique problem solver, my experiences around the world have shown me how many different ways a problem can be approached and overcome. I’m excited for the chance to show you what I can do!

With gratitude,

Christel Doremieux
REALTOR®