Here at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Snyder and Company, we’re more than just realtors. Each month we like to take a moment to shine a light on one of our magnificent agents. This month’s agent spotlight is Gem Petty!
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland.
What do you enjoy the most about living in the Greater Ann Arbor area?
I like that (to me anyway) it feels like a little big town. It’s big in the sense that the University of Michigan is here and there is always a lot going on in town and always things to do but it’s not a city of overwhelming size. I like that you can drive just a few miles and be out in a more rural setting, or right by one of the many inland lakes. I’m outdoorsy, so Michigan suits me!
Tell us a bit about yourself and family.
My husband (Steve Petty) and I moved here from the UK. He is English and I am Scottish, but despite the natural rivalry Scotland and England have had in the past, we generally get on quite well! We moved here almost 10 years ago as we were both offered jobs at the Ann Arbor YMCA, it seemed like too good an opportunity to pass up. Although we only planned to be here a few years, it now feels like home.
My husband and I are avid Sunderland (Premier League Soccer) fans, and before you spend any time looking in to the team and learning more about them, don’t waste your time – being a Sunderland fan is like being a Lions fan, it more often than not ends in disappointment! Having said that, I do love my Sunderland regardless and will continue to support them even if they do ruin most of my weekends! Steve and I also however are Michigan State fans so there is at least a team we do support that is not terrible!
My parents recently moved to Ann Arbor from Upstate New York. They moved to the U.S before my husband and I did but have always been on the East Coast. Recently because of their jobs they were able to relocate to Michigan, which has been just wonderful to have other family here. Steve and I live in Dexter with our OCD dog (that is a true diagnosis by the way!) Koda, and we just couldn’t be happier that we stumbled our way in to the Ann Arbor area all those years ago.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Walk my dog, go to MSU tailgates/football games, in the summer we like to be out on a Lake in the winter we like to ski. It’s just nice to have the option to do everything in the state you live in!
How long have you been a real estate agent?
6 years.
What do you like best about working in real estate?
I love meeting new people and if I’m being honest it’s not such a bad thing picking up other decorating ideas from all the houses I show!
Describe your favorite memory of working with a client.
I don’t know that I have one specific memory. I am lucky enough to have had many fantastic clients in my 6 years, with so many great memories (and some not so great memories). I guess one memory that stands out is: It was my first winter in real estate and although I was somewhat familiar by that time with the winters over here, I guess I underestimated how many homes I may visit that were vacant and therefore not ploughed…. Long story short my little Prius got stuck and my clients and I had to dig it out and then try and pull my car with their car. I always travel with winter boots and a shovel now!
What is the one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home today?
If you are a buyer, don’t get too stuck in your mind about what it is you want in a home. Think of your search criteria more as a guideline and be open minded to seeing houses that maybe doesn’t match your exact criteria, you may miss out on your dream home because of a detail you thought you were not prepared to live with/without.
Interested in working with Gem? You can see her contact information and current listings here.