2016 Women in Real Estate: Marisa Karmitz

Marisa Karmitz, Cushman &
Wakefield

Name: Marisa Karmitz

Title: Associate Director

Company Name: Cushman & Wakefield                 

Email: [email protected]                      

Years in real estate: 10 years this September

Telephone: 631-425-1241

How did you get your start in real estate?

I was studying pre-med at Syracuse University.  Three months before graduation I decided that wasn’t the path I wanted to go down.  At the time, a family member who worked in commercial real estate visited me. After we discussed what brokers were and what they did, I decided that was what I wanted to do.  The next day I enrolled in a course to get my license and the rest is history!

What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of?

CIBS (Commercial Industrial Brokers Society) Board Member, CWFL (Cushman Wakefield Future Leaders)

What recent project or transaction are you most proud of?

The most recent project I am most proud of is one that has been in the works for over two years.  I was approached by a solar company looking for land on Long Island.  After selecting a parcel (125 acres), we have been working with local municipalities, lobbyists, engineers etc. to get the project approved and completed.  Through this process I have gained a full education on the in’s and out’s of the solar industry and have been enjoying getting to learn an entire “new” industry that I feel is the way of the future.

What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why? 

Last year I received the Cushman and Wakefield Top Associate Director award.  It meant a lot to me to be recognized for all my hard work and dedication within my organization.

What have been some of the benefits of being a mentor or having a mentor?

I am very lucky to have quite a few mentors both in and outside of the real estate industry. The benefits of having a mentor is having someone to help guide you while only wanting the best for you.  I know at any time I reach out for one of my mentors to get help or advice, they are giving me the best advice possible and have all contributed so much to my career.  I hope one day to give back to another “young” broker and be the best mentor I could be.

Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? 

I must say Jim Fagan, Managing Director and Market Leader of Cushman & Wakefield’s Connecticut & Westchester markets, has been the strongest influence on my career.  He not only hired me but is by far one of my most trusted mentors who I truly look up to.  He usually ends up answering my questions with a question and really gets me to think. He has always taught me to strive to not only be a success, but also to be of value to my clients. That is something I do each and every day.  Also, my family who have never stopped encouraging, loving and believing in me!

What time management strategies do you find to be the most effective for you?

Time management is something I struggle with each and every day.  I have found it best (although very hard to do) to schedule a block of time every day (one to two hours) in my calendar where I do not answer my phone or e-mail and focus on the task at hand (prospecting, canvassing, catching up on paper work etc.).  However, I do need to practice what I preach more because when the phone rings I usually answer immediately.

What is the best advice you have received and who was it from?

The best advice I have received has probably been from my best friend and the person I most admire in this world – my grandmother. She has always told me that reputation is everything. One of her best ‘words of wisdom’ is, “People will forget what you said, and might forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel.” She has taught me that all actions should be done with sincerity and kindness.