Agent Spotlight: Myrna Rothman, Top Producer

Myrna Rothman Douglas Elliman agent Myrna Rothman remembers the moment when something in her just seemed to click and she found her real estate calling. Since then, she has learned many vital lessons along the way including it’s preferable to tell a client you don’t know the answer but that you’ll get back to them, and not to take rejection personally. Elliman Insider sat down with Myrna to find out what she does to maintain over three decades of real estate success, and where we can find her when she’s not working. Elliman Insider: When did you know that real estate was your calling? Myrna Rothman: In 1984, my mom was diagnosed with an incurable cancer. After she passed away, my siblings and I needed to sell her house which was blocks away from Boston College. It was a 2-family in the nicer area of Brighton, MA. We found an investor on our own who wanted to buy it; I became the go-to person with the investor and getting the deal done. It was like something clicked in my head, something said, “You need to do this for work.” I got my real estate license and the rest is history. Whenever people ask me how I got into this field, I say that my mother gave me a career after her passing. She would be so proud. EI: What’s your biggest challenge as an agent? MR: I learned early on not to take any rejections personally. I think rejection is the biggest challenge to overcome; some brokers just can’t let it go. If you want success, you let it go and move on to the next. EI: Do you live by a personal mantra or favorite saying? MR: I do: “If you always tell the truth, you never have to remember what you said.” I tell this to my kids all the time. Truth in everything, work or personal, will always win. EI: Why did you choose Elliman? MR: I started my career in the suburbs with a one-owner company. It was the biggest in the area and I knew I wanted to work there; I wound up staying for 19 years, achieving good success. When we moved to the city 19 years ago, I knew I needed to make a change, but that a corporate situation would not suit me well so I went to work for Otis & Ahearn, solely owned by Kevin Ahearn. It was a good fit. Three years ago, when Elliman bought out Otis & Ahearn, I decided to go to New York and meet Howard Lorber and Scott Durkin to see how I felt about the company since I was also being asked to join another company. After meeting with them, I needed no convincing. Elliman was the place for me and I was so happy I made the decision. EI: How has Elliman changed your business plan? MR: It’s just nice to know that you have access to so much material whether it’s for a listing, marketing or public relations. A big plus for Boston is our manager and administration. This group works tirelessly and will do anything you need at any time. The whole company has all the bases covered.  Elliman hasn’t necessarily changed my business plan, but it consistently gives me clout and recognition. This company is here to help you achieve your best. EI: How has Elliman upped your real estate game? MR: When you tell someone that Douglas Elliman is the #1 real estate company in New York, people sit up and notice. Obviously, Boston is newer for them so we need to educate the public about what a great place this is for buying and selling your home. At the end of the day, the broker has to finish the job with confidence. Douglas Elliman is there to help all the way. EI: Any advice for new agents? MR: Listen to learn. Real estate is full of on-the-job-training; shadow someone that you can relate to and see how they present themselves. You will have your own style, but you need to know the basics. A very important point: if you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s much better to say “I will get back to you.” You only want to give out factual information. EI: Where can we find you when you’re not working? MR: We have a second home on Cape Cod where my husband and I welcome our four children and seven grandchildren every summer. We do try to go to Hawaii for the month of January to see close friends there. January is always a quiet time of year for real estate. I like a good book with my book club, a good movie and dinner out when we can. I have to say I really love what I do so the old saying works for me—”choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life!” See Myrna’s Listings Below: 2 Avery Street, 26H | $1,650,000 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom with close to 1,600 square feet of luxury living. Enter your gracious marble foyer & gallery that leads to dramatic living room enhanced by floor to ceiling windows to capture glorious morning sunrise, beaming afternoon light & night time lights of the city; separate formal dining room opens to generous pass through to gourmet cooks kitchen wdouble oven, built-in microwave, marble floors & wine cooler; master bedroom wen suite marble bathroom featuring double sinks, separate shower & soaking tub; 2nd bedroom, the perfect guest bedroom or den as shown; Cherry flooring in herringbone pattern throughout along with recessed lights; great storage closets; 1 valet parking space plus 60 hours monthly of guest parking (only residence in the city with this perk). 2 Avery is attached to the Equinox Sports Club, just an elevator ride down; 2-min walk to Boston Common. 2 Marine Road, 1 | $825,000 Fabulous East Side 3 bed duplex, living roomdining area & kitchen wthose special water views. 1st flr is parlor level w lower level for that 3rd bedroom or family room; South facing open floor plan offering splashing sunlight, great living space & good size bedrooms; The all white cook’s kitchen w breakfast barpeninsula, granite counters & wine cooler with all stainless appliances opens to the living area; Floor to ceiling custom built-ins surrounding mantled gas fireplace; Decorative crown molding & wainscoting featured throughout the living space; Master bedroom with 2 deep closets & ensuite master bath; 2nd bedroom can accommodate a queen size bed; Private covered deck on the 1st floor; Full size guest bathroom; Hardwood floors throughout including steps leading to the lower level; Rental parking 2 blocks away $275 monthly; one-minute walk to the beach. Contact Myrna for all of your real estate needs today.