Today, we’re interviewing Sabrina Carr a REALTOR with William Raveis who specializes in helping people buy and sell homes both North of Boston and in the Boston area. Sabrina is passionate about her work, Italian food and her family! Keep reading to learn more about this awesome mom from Lynnfield.
Where are you from originally and what town do you live in now?
I am a Boston/North Shore Native – I have lived in these communities my entire life and am deeply rooted. My father migrated here from Italy when he was 18 and met my
incredible mother. Our family initially lived just outside of Somerville’s Davis Square, then my father built our home in Stoneham. I now live in Lynnfield with my husband, Steve, our son, and beagle, Chloe. Lynnfield was one of our dream towns, and we’re thrilled to be here. Steve grew up in Nahant, which has cemented our love for the North Shore’s gorgeous coastline – he still claims we’ll live on the ocean one day.
I love these communities and raising our family here. Running my own real estate
business, has given me such a deep appreciation for local businesses and the passion,
time and energy involved with fostering them. It’s a priority of mine to shop and eat local and I love spreading the word.
How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
I have a 2 year old son, Gianluca.
What’s your favorite family activity on the North Shore?
Depends on the season! We are very partial to the summer months. We love spending the day at Short Beach or 40 Steps in Nahant as well as Wingaersheek in Gloucester. Lynch Park in Beverly is also a favorite with our son–splash pad, park AND views, A+. In the fall we love Connors & Smolak Farms. In the winter we spend a lot of time at the Children’s Piazza, Curious City in Peabody and the likes.
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop on the North Shore?
This one’s tough because I love food and it’s equivalent to asking me to pick my favorite movie: I have a different response depending on my mood. The Causeway in Gloucester has THE best seafood in the area, and it’s BYOB, which is a HUGE bonus. Morena’s Cucina Rustica in Wakefield has soups that could outperform grandma’s (we always order the Stracciatella). My favorite Italian spots are in Somerville and Cambridge. If I eat Italian around here I like Toscana’s Ristorante in Peabody.
For shopping, I absolutely love the Merry Lion in Wakefield and Stud Muffin Boston out of Lynnfield.
You love where you live and that translates into your work as a REALTOR. Tell us a little bit about your career path.
I’ve always had a passion for helping others and celebrating life’s milestones. I began my career as a Sales/Events Manager for Gillette Stadium and The New England Patriots, which was an incredible experience. I was a part of everything from weddings, to conventions, to proms and bar/bat mitzvahs. Organization and communication skills
were key to successful events and I excelled in those areas.
I ended up leaving the events world to pursue a career in software sales – where I
became a top performing sales and client advocate. But I felt like I lost my happiness
and knew I needed to find a career with more purpose. My father has been a tile installer and general contractor since he came to America. I was always surrounded by homes, new construction or home improvement. It dawned on me that my background in sales, client relations and homes were a perfect fit for real estate – and how incredible would it be to help people purchase and sell their largest and most intimate investment, their home!?! I hit the ground running 4 years ago and have
built a business I can be proud of. Being a small part of my clients’ new chapters is the
most rewarding thing I have ever done.
If someone is thinking about buying or selling a home on the North Shore,
why should they work with you?
Prior to entering the industry, my personal real estate experiences were mediocre at
best. My husband and I didn’t have a clue what we were doing, what to ask, and rarely
did anyone stop to explain. I saw that I could fill a void that exists in this industry –
provide relevant information, guidance and advice. Knowledge is power and when making a massive purchase, that’s often emotionally driven, it needs to be an informed decision backed by top-notch market insight. It’s my priority to be an advocate for my clients, always holding their best interests at heart. I have extensive knowledge about the communities I service, today’s market and trends. I encourage my clients to leverage me as a go-to source for insight and advice for the communities they hope to live in.
What communities do you focus on?
Due to my personal experience with these communities, I service Boston & Boston North (Lynnfield, Peabody, Wakefield, Stoneham, Reading, Lynn, Danvers, Beverly, Salem, Georgetown, North Reading, Nahant, Swampscott, Middleton, Topsfield, Wilmington, Woburn, Medford, Melrose and more). I’ll typically go as far south as Quincy and as far north as Gloucester/Newburyport/North Andover.
You are consistently recognized as being an award producing agent and
one of William Raveis’ Chairman’s Elite (top 5% of the company). Yay,
Sabrina! Part of the reason you’re so successful is the personalized service
you provide to each and every client. Can you tell us what motivates you to
provide this level of service?
I am adamant that this should not feel like a sales experience. Being a mother myself, I
understand how much families put on the line when they invest in a home. It is my
guiding principal that clients’ expectations are managed and that their needs are heard
every step of the way. I work closely with my clients to make the otherwise overwhelming process completely stress-free. The best part of my job is that I get to build strong, lasting relationships that go far beyond business – it’s a priority and a privilege that I don’t take for granted.
Any tips for balancing work & motherhood?
It’s a daily struggle to nurture a business I love, that is an extension of who I am, while
also being present for my incredible and strong willed 2 year old son. My business
balances me, fulfills me and allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself –
other’s joy of home ownership. Knowing my son won’t be little forever is something I
struggle with, so there’s a perpetual guilt that I grapple with – from what I hear, I’m not
alone. I have such a profound respect for my mother and what she sacrificed to give my brother and I the best life, as well as the other moms out there who are grinding and still making it happen for their families. I have dedicated days with my son and they are everything to me. They also allow me to be super productive and focused when I’m working. When they say it takes a village, they weren’t kidding. Google calendar is life and our family and nanny are a deeply respected extension of Steve and I.
What is the best piece of mom advice you ever received?
It’s just a phase and it will pass. Be present, take the good from the situation and move forward. The problems are only as big as their age. Also, comparison is the thief of all joy. You don’t know everyone’s story so just be happy and grateful for what you have.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me” time?
Spin class at Turnstyle or Barre class at The Energy Barre, followed by a quick trip to Target.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
As a result of our family heritage, I am fluent in Italian and Spanish.
If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home this year, contact Sabrina at (781) 775-2895 or [email protected] to help! You can also follow along her real estate and family adventures on Instagram at @sabrinagcarr.
This post is sponsored by Sabrina Carr.