Kara Casamassina, "Boomers and beyond..."

who I am...

Hi. My name is Kara, and I am a Realtor in Aiken, South Carolina.

I like to bake cupcakes! I am a football girl, I like the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Rams :)

I grew up in New Jersey, and lived there most of my life. (pleeeeease--- don't say Joyzey!) Small town. North Western part of the state. I love being a Jersey Girl. Jersey will be in my heart forever. I've been in Aiken since 1996 and wish I had moved here sooner. Seriously! It is one of the prettiest little towns. I'll have to write a post on 'why I love Aiken'.

I took this picture for a photo contest a few years ago. I won 2nd prize :) How cool is that! I also took a picture at New Bridge Polo that ended up on the cover of Farm & Ranch/Country Estates Magazine! Isn't that awesome :)

I've been involved in real estate in some way, shape or form for the past 10 years - but have been a SC Licensed Real Estate Agent and a Realtor for about the past 3 years. I am surrounded by top producers in our office :) I am learning a lot, that's for sure.

A little bit more about me...well, I have a grown child, and I am recently divorced and back doing the dating thing. I have a feeling you will see a blog or two about this, lol. (for those of you who may not be familiar---- lol = laugh out loud) I tell you this, because I use that term ALOT!!

downtown fountain :) (photo credit: City of Aiken)

I love my family, friends and I love the beach. I have a very large extended family....tons and tons of cousins. If you think you have a large family, I think mine can beat yours! And not going back 100's of years!! I mean starting with MY Grandparents :)

Aiken is about 2 1/2 hours from Hilton Head Island :) my favorite beach!

Well, as you can see, I'm a talker. Guess I'll save all that stuff for my blog. Oh - there will be plenty of real estate tips, news, updates, things to do, etc...... Watch for it!

I like to read blogs...and I am enjoying writing this blog - and the ActiveRain community. :) A bunch of blogging Realtors, how fun is that!! And to be part of this great community of real estate related professionals is just wonderful. Advice - opinions - suggestions - perspectives - comic relief - insight - sounding boards ...... from so many different professionals in so many different locations. I'm happy to be here.

Photo Credit Disclaimer: I use my own photographic images whenever possible. Other photo sources who deserve credit are: Photobucket, Microsoft Clipart, City of Aiken, Aiken County.

what I do....

Even though I work as a licensed administrative assistant, I AM A REALTOR! I have been a member of the Aiken Board of Realtors - Education Committee since 2006, and have been asked to serve on the Grievance Committee in '09. '10, and '11. I also served at the State level for grievance hearings in 2011 and it is an honor to be asked to serve again in 2012. I feel very honored to have been selected for this position, and I am hoping for another VERY SLOOOOW year, haha -- let's all play by the rules - ok guys!?

Hard to separate business from personal sometimes, I am who I am - I am no different with my clients as I am with my friends. Always honest - always looking out for them - dependable - ethical - loyal...... Ok, so I know you need to get to know me, and you will, but I'm not here to brag on myself by no means. (even though that is what 'they say' to do.)

Hey, I know that I still have alot to learn when it comes to real estate. The way I look at it, I am learning from some of the best in the business, as their assistant. :)

I love doing the administrative stuff, keeping things organized. (as best I can anyway) No problem for me, I'm a Virgo, haha. I love meeting new people and showing them around this great city, too.

In 2008 I took some extensive education to earn a designation of "Seniors Real Estate Specialist"and was very excited to put it to work for me ----- after weighing the expense of maintaining this designation, it was with a heavy heart that I chose to let my membership lapse. (it didn't bring us any more business, so why keep on paying for it - times are tough these days, afterall!) NOW REMEMBER - I can help a buyer/seller of any age, but I had hoped to create a specialty niche with the mature crowd. I hate the word 'senior citizen', and I never want to hear it said to me, so I will never use those words here on my blog, again. (I don't even like being called ma'am...and in the South you hear that ALOT) I may be a Baby Boomer, but I'm far from old. And most of the other Boomers I know feel the same way. When does old happen? Hmmm.... sounds like a good blog topic to me, lol.

I'll be posting all sorts of things! I hope you come back and check from time to time so you can get to know me ----and then hopefully when you or someone you know needs some real estate assistance, you can contact me ---even if you/they are not moving to/from my town...I can help by way of a referral. With our affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of The World, we are connected to over 5500 offices worldwide!! Please come back and get to know me. I'd like the opportunity to assist you with your real estate needs. Let me find an agent to help you no matter where you are moving to/from ----whether you are buying/selling.

Like I said, my topics will vary, please enjoy :)

Welcome to Aiken :)

what they said ...

You will see reference to Jane Page in some of the notes I received from clients. That is because I was Jane Page's assistant for a number of years before she moved on to a new company. Most of the notes went to her, but I did get a few! There were many times when we had more than one client coming in on the same day and I would be 'out in the field' so to speak :) I do enjoy showing folks around our town, and our great neighborhoods, and houses for sale - historic - luxury - equestrian - in town - you name it! :)

Here are a few of the notes that I have received from previous clients:

"....we had a wonderful visit to Aiken. You and Jane Page just couldn't have been more pleasant to work with as well as thoughtful. Thanks to both of you for your efforts on our behalf....... Fondly, Beth S"

"Thank you Kara for the informative packet.... You have been the most helpful out of all the real estate people I have contacted, which is a tribute to how hard you work. I prefer to work with people like you.... All the best, Jan M"

"...thanks for all your efforts involving the Drafts property. But most of all thank you for the kind words on the note you sent...... That was very thoughtful......See you in Aiken soon. Frank

"Hi Kara, Thank you!! Thank you for just an exceptional wonderful afternoon of 'house shopping'!! You are the consummate pro for that job!!!..... Love, Jan and the two horses"

(Jan, her husband Bob, and their horses are all retired. The house they purchased was the first house we looked at - it was perfect! I had a great time helping them through the entire process from the first look at the property .... all the way to the closing table)!

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Even though I wasn't born here, Aiken feels like home.

Come see for yourself! What are you waiting for?

Photo Credit Disclaimer: I use my own photographic images whenever possible. Other photo sources who deserve credit are: Photobucket, Microsoft Clipart, City of Aiken, Aiken County.