About Paula

When I was 17, my family vacationed for a week in Daytona Beach, Florida. Before we left, my older sister and I obtained our parents' permission to stay for the whole summer on the condition that we could find employment while we were there. To their amazement, we found waitress jobs in our hotel and a furnished apartment five blocks away.

In the fall my entire family moved to Sarasota, Florida.

Varied Careers

Four years later I graduated from Florida State University and took a job in Norwalk, Connecticut, where I eventually managed a catalog for an in-house advertising firm, one of several careers that helped me appreciate a wide variety of people, remember the importance of listening, and understand other points of view.

On vacation one year I took a rafting trip down the Snake River. It inspired me to take a leave of absence, move to Idaho and work as a river guide. I swore I'd never live east of the Mississippi again, and never did. For the next two summers I rowed an 18-foot raft through the biggest white water I'd ever seen.

Relocations

Between summers I backpacked in Egypt, Israel and Europe, and upon the invitation of a family I met in France, studied French in Cannes.

Having enjoyed traveling, I moved to Portland to work as a travel agent. For seven years I escorted cruises and tours, trekked in Nepal, took a safari in Kenya, and visited Tahiti.

Choosing Portland

Traveling proved to me that Portland is a city to be treasured. Not only beautiful, Portland attracts interesting people, many of whom were newcomers at one time or another. That's why people are so friendly here.

For awhile, I returned to the advertising business, selling film and video services at a production company in Portland.

Meanwhile I developed an interest in hiking and mountain climbing. In fact, I met my husband, Cecil, in central Oregon, climbing South Sister and Broken Top.

My two step-children, Simon and Darcy, grew up in Eugene, where they still live with our grandchildren.

Choosing Real Estate

One day I told my mother I wanted to change careers. She recommended real estate. What a novel idea! I've been selling homes ever since.

That was over ten years ago. I joined Windermere Real Estate when it was called Cronin & Caplan Realty Group. Since then, the name's changed but the commitment to customer service remains the same.

Looking back, all of my careers have involved customer service. Then, and now, I value long-term relationships with clients who have become good friends.

Can a realtor change your life?

No, but she can make it a lot easier.

My goal is to make the home buying and selling process as painless as possible. That means communicating, negotiating and educating.

I provide helpful Buyer's and Seller's Packets that help you make informed decisions about your move. (Even if you're just in the thinking stage.) I negotiate home prices, repairs, and closing terms once you've made a decision. I return phone calls and email messages promptly.

Here's what also sets me apart: Most real estate agents move on to a new client as soon as they sell a house. I don't do business that way. I stay in touch with people before, during, and after the sale.

You won't find me prospecting, door knocking, or advertising. I mail items of value on a monthly basis to clients and their friends and call them periodically to see how I can help further.

I devote 100% of my time to current clients. That's because the enthusiasm and excitement I feel in this business stems from the friendships I've developed over the years with people like you who've become good clients.

I work by referral. I've found that nice people know other nice people. When clients put their name to mine, I owe them something in return. I serve their friends like they're the only clients I have.

Experience and Education:

• Over 10 years experience in Portland real estate
• Over 25 years as a Portland resident
• Diamond Member, Million Dollar Club
• Member, National Association of Realtors
• B.A., Communications, Florida State University
• Certificate, Le College International de Cannes, France
• Certificate, Direct Mail/Marketing Institute, NY
• Certified Toastmaster