For New Jersey Top Agent Joanne Botwinick, being back in real estate means her career has come full circle. “I started out in real estate sales and within three years became the officer manager of a Century 21 branch,” she explains. “I left after seven years and later received my Bachelors Degree and an MBA Degree,” she continues. “The director of my MBA program then recommended me for an internship working for the Army at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. After four years I became as a Contracting Officer.” After she worked at Fort Monmouth for nearly 12 years, the base was closed. Her last stop on the way back to real estate was receiving her paralegal certification before obtaining her real estate license.

Joanne is now part of the team at Diane Turton Realtors, where she was named Top Newcomer for her success during her first year back. Along with her teammate Patricia Russen, top real estate agent in New Jersey Joanne Botwinick assists buyers and sellers throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties and along the Jersey Shore, all areas that were hard hit by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

One of Joanne’s goals is to help as many people as she can, which is why she doesn’t limit herself by specializing in a specific market segment or price point. “I work with clients looking for their first homes and vacation homes, as well as investors,” she says. “Working along the waterfront also requires its own unique skill set and knowledge, such as understanding FEMA requirements and working with flood elevation certifications.”

Joanne credits her time working with the military for her “make it happen” philosophy and client-first approach. “I am accessible to clients when they need me; I work on their schedule. I never know when the calls will come but it’s my job to respond immediately” she says. “I will go above and beyond what other agents do to get the work done quickly and efficiently.” But Joanne’s commitment to her clients doesn’t stop there. “For me, people will always come first. I want to fulfill their needs and make them happy.”

If recent client feedback is any indication, Joanne is succeeding spectacularly at doing exactly that. One of her recent sellers said: “Joanne did a very professional job. She kept in touch with us and was aggressive during a difficult negotiation. She truly had our best interest at heart and I would certainly recommend her services.

Joanne’s buyers are equally enthusiastic: “Joanne is by far the most responsive agent I have ever worked with. All of our questions were answered immediately, even post sale and close! Joanne guided us through some trying mortgage issues and she continually checked in with us to see how she could help. I highly recommend a call to Joanne when buying or selling! When she said “I work for you” she meant it.”

In addition to finding fulfillment serving clients, Joanne feels strongly about giving back to the community. She serves on the Board of Directors and does fund raising and community outreach for CONTACT, a 24-hour crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline that serves Ocean and Monmouth Counties. “After working with the military and seeing soldiers struggle with PTSD, and losing a close friend to suicide, this cause is something near and dear to my heart.”

When it comes to being a REALTOR®, for Joanne, the second time is the charm. “I feel I’m doing real estate even better than I did before because of my varied background and life experiences, she says. “This circular journey has been exciting and rewarding.”

To learn more about Joanne Botwinick of Diane Turton Realtors, call 732-236-3350 or email jbotwinick@dianeturton.com