Elliman Spotlights: Senada Adzem

The difficult experiences in life, the ones that truly shape us, often lead to a positive period of self-growth. For Elliman agent Senada Adzem , surviving the Bosnian War resulted in her adapting and growing into the successful real estate agent she is today. Elliman Insider caught up with Senada to find out how she energetically channels her life lessons from the past into her current real estate profession. Elliman Insider: You’re a survivor of the Bosnian War. Tell us how your experiences during this time—particularly the near-death one you mentioned on your agent profile—helped shape who you are today. Senada Adzem : It’s a complicated answer, and that’s part of the reason I’m writing a book about my teenage experiences during the war. The short answer is that you don’t know how living through a trauma—or, in the case of the war, daily traumas over the course of several years—is going to shape you. The revelations come in waves over many years; to this day, I’m still making connections between the person I’ve become and what I’ve experienced. But, in the big picture sense, confronting my own mortality was probably the pivotal moment in my life. During those years when we were basically prisoners in Sarajevo due to the blockade by Bosnian Serbs, you had to dodge sniper fire just to collect basic supplies like water. There was one incident, which I share in great detail in my book, where a sniper had me pinned down.  In that moment, I faced death. I saw it. And a calm came over me. Suddenly, the shooting stopped. And I was able to escape. It was a liberating moment, although I wouldn ’t recognize how liberating until years later. EI: Your life is now so different from the experience of surviving both the war and the PTSD that came as a result of it. Are there moments where you find yourself thinking about the stark contrast from when you were a teenager to where you are now? SA: The contrast was more tangible when I was still coping with the past instead of doing the work I needed to do to understand it. For example, there were certain sounds and smells that could trigger me in an instant. In college, the sound of fireworks would send me diving for cover under a table or bench. Musty odors were another trigger because, during the war, we’d hide in these dark, mildewy basements when the Serbs launched mortars.  Today, I have an unbelievable appreciation for my life and career. But I’ve also worked hard to get here. EI: When did you know that real estate was your calling? SA: I’ve been fortunate to be involved in luxury real estate sales for more than 15 years now. But it didn’t hit me on a conscious level why I felt such a powerful connection to this industry until I began processing the traumas of my past on a much deeper level. What I ’ve learned is that, for me, real estate is never about simply selling a property. It’s more than just a transaction. When you flee your childhood house in the middle of the night, when you’re stripped of basic freedoms for years, the idea of “home” takes on different meaning. I’m helping clients find their safe space. Their sacred space. A place where they’re comfortable and secure. So, for me, real estate isn’t just business. It’s personal. EI: What’s your biggest challenge as an agent? SA : It’s not as much of a challenge as it is a hard truth. I’ve seen so much evil. But I’ve also seen humans at their best. I’ve seen people throw themselves in front of a child—and take a bullet—to save that youngster. Because of that, I don’t suffer boorish behavior. I have no problem firing a client. I don’t want to be surrounded by negative energy or bad intentions. Life is too short. EI: Do you live by a personal mantra or favorite saying? SA: You don’t really start living until you confront your fears. EI: How has Elliman upped your real estate game? SA: Working with Douglas Elliman is an especially valuable asset given the international flavor of my ultra high-end clients. The Elliman platform provides us with inherent insights into the luxury markets where our discerning clients live. That, in turn, allows The Senada Team to tailor a seamless, concierge-level approach for clients moving to South Florida from, say, New York, Switzerland or Great Britain. We’re able to more quickly develop an understanding of how they live, what’s important to them, and what they’re looking for in their new property. Through Knight Frank , we have been able to serve clients around the globe. EI: Any advice for new agents? SA: Invest in yourself, and constantly seek out new ways to improve your industry knowledge, your client understanding, and your overall approach to real estate. There is no success in being stagnant. I am all about teamwork, so I’d also advise new agents to find a group or a team that suits them best. And, of course, be aware of—and confident in—what you bring to the table.  EI: Where can we find you when you’re not working? SA: That assumes there are actually days when I’m not working! When those windows do occur, I love spending quality time with my family more than anything. One of Senada’s listing highlights: 9192 Rockybrook Way | $23,000,000 The Rockybrook Estate is an impeccable new contemporary masterpiece recognized as one of the finest properties in the United States. This custom mansion offers world-class design and lifestyle of unrivaled amenities, privacy and security. It is situated behind private gates of Stone Creek Ranch, one of the most exclusive luxury gated communities in Palm Beach County. This 31,000-square-foot architectural marvel is an ode to both modern classicism and throwback glamour. In the same breath, the inviting seven-bedroom, 11-full-bath layout captivates with family friendly flourishes that double as entertainment spaces. It’s the best of all worlds–sophisticated design, jaw-dropping detail and tangible warmth, flawlessly executed under one roof. Contact Senada for all your real estate needs today.