Pu zzl e So Suz lve ann eB akh r: tiar i
By Nava Motamedi
Have you lived in one house since the day you were born? Ever think, “Hey, maybe its time for a new setting and new neighbors? John Cruiser was born in 1950 in a big blue house with glassed windows, 7 bedrooms, wooden floors, wooden doors, and porcelain door knobs. It was on the top of a green, smooth hill in Mayfield. He was raised with his three older brothers and his younger sister. John loved this house. There was a swing set built by his father that he and his siblings loved to play on. They all grew up and moved away. But John didn’t; he loved the house too much to leave it. John was dedicated to have a family here and to live the rest of his life in this house. John and his wife had 5 boys together. 23 years later, John’s youngest son was ready to move out of the house and into the dorms.
The house was empty with only John and his wife. It was silent. There were shattered windows, cracked floors, and unstable walls. Many thought that the house was going to collapse in any second. John’s wife believed that it was time for a change in environment for John. He had been living in that house for 53 years. After 2 years, John finally decided to let go of the house and to move on to a different scenery. Somewhere more small and easy to take care of. Both John and his wife went together to Coldwell Banker and told their agent what they were looking for. The agent took them to many houses and outcomes were positive and negative. Finally after 2 months of searching, they found a perfect house that accommodated their needs. They both settled in and are now adding little details like a
pool and shed in their backyard and even though he feels disconnected with his roots and the presence of memories in the house, he’s enjoying his little home with the love of his life.
Now John’s eldest son needs help to find himself house. His first step is to find a real estate agent to both sell and/or buy a house. Suzanne Bakhtiari is the best suited person to help. 2 years into the business and she has been the most successful real estate agent in the bay area. Suzanne Bakhtiari is last year’s number one rookie as real estate agent at Coldwell Banker and has been nominated . Suzanne is a mother of 2 kids, one in elementary school and one in high school; her dedication to her work in finding a home, that accommodates everyone; not an easy task, for her clients takes up the time to spend with her kids. She tries really hard to take care of her kids and pursue her dreams and goals. Many parents choose one or the other and very few live up to take any
chances. I think it’s important between them. since we are seniors going to college and figuring out a major; to go after our goals and dreams, just like Suzanne is doing. Her personality is what makes her so
unique, not just her choices in life but the way she handles situations. What is so special about her is that she can get along with all types of people and can have them open up to her. She puts the personality of her clients and the homes they desire together, just like a puzzle piece; a perfect fit
Monday 8 a.m., Suzanne walks into Coldwell Banker carrying stacks of paper in a yellow folder. She dresses in a long black skirt and a blouse, with her brown, long, and straight hair. Her makeup done with perfection. One thing that stands out the most is her posture. She walks in with a smile and her head held high. Who knew if she ever had a bad day? The day in the office is quiet; all doors are closed and everybody minds their own business. She sits in her desk, tidies up papers and lays her phone out for any phone calls from her clients. Grabbing a pen and one of the papers out of the yellow folder, the phone lights up and rings to the song walking on sunshine. It’s Jessie, and she and her husband are looking for a house. Suzanne’s first question is, “Where would you guys like to meet?” Usually, agents ask their clients to meet at their office, but Suzanne’s intention is informal, yet comforting for the clients. She drives to Starbucks in downtown Los Altos and orders an iced Vanilla Chai and sits patiently outside on the seats and takes her computer out. Seeing the clients, she greets them with a big hug and smile; determined to help them out. First thing she does is; she takes out two flashcards, one for Jessie and one for her husband. She asks each of them to find five favorite objects that they are most interesting when it comes to finding a house. For example, Jessie wants a house with a large backyard, with a patio and a pool, and a small house with wooden floors. Her husband on the other hand wants a large house with wooden floors and a porch and a small backyard with a garden full of fruit trees. Suzanne grabs the clues and heads out to find a house that accommodates both their wantings. Searching for about two months, she finds a medium-sized house with a porch and wooden floors, with a medium-sized backyard, with a patio, garden, and a small pool. It may not be specifically what they wanted, which were two completely opposite desires; yet found something that hit on each object wanted. In the end, Suzanne is happy to find her clients a house that cancels out everything on the list.
“I remember when I was a little girl that I would want to drive by with my parents and walk around in the neighborhood and see different homes and I was thinking about becoming a real estate agent in early 1990s after I graduated from Boston University. My biggest passion was always about homes. I wanted to get my real estate license but one thing that was really scary for me was the hours that I had to spend. And I knew myself very well and I knew that I wanted to spend my time with my kids. I was afraid being in a position where I had to always meeting people on weekends and after hours would not suite my family, especially when they were younger. I changed my mind because I wanted to have a family and being with my kids is the greatest thing to me. That’s why I decided, about two years ago, to get my real estate license. By then my daughter was a senior in highschool and my son was in fifth grade, elementary school. Since then I’ve been working successfully in real estate business. I absolutely love my job.” Susan is standing with her clients for support from her co-worker at an open house to sell her clients home which is just across the street from her house, in Los Altos hills. Tension is high and there
is way too much competition between both agents and clients. Who would get the offer? Nobody knows. Suzanne tries to keep a smile on for her clients, yet she is nervous. The feeling of uncertainty is felt yet she doesn’t want to show it. She puts her hands behind her back and starts to fidget. Yet, she stands firm with her head held high and she remained to keep that smile on. Five minutes later, call comes from the office. Her coworker turns around and smiles, “We go the offer!” Susan had tears in her eyes because of her joy. First thing she does is walks over to her clients and hugs them and congratulates them. You could see that she took that one breath of relief; after working so hard by the side of her clients for so long, she finally found them a place to settle and love. She felt as if it was a miracle; an indescribable feeling. Whether it’s happi-
ness, stress, anxiety; whatever it is, Suzanne is there feeling the same emotion with her clients.
“Follow your dreams, life is too short. Enjoy, laugh, play, and make the best of your life.” Suzanne Bakhtiari, is a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker. She has been working there for 2 years now and just recently was her second year anniversary. Her first year, she was rookie #1. She is originally from Iran. Suzanne moved to the United States when she was 14 years old, a freshman in Hudson High and she graduated from Boston University and with a degree in hospitality management. It’s been 30 years since she has moved to the United States. Her biggest passion is houses. Ever since she
this world. She accomwas little houses were a big plishes both jobs and sucamusement to her. What is ceeds at each of them. so amazing about her is that she puts clients’ personalities and necessities in their homes together and makes a perfect match. She has two children, Jasmine, who is second year in UCSC and Kourosh, who is in elementary school. They are growing to fast and Suzanne never gets to see her children.What she hopes to do is spend more time on her children rather than work all the time. Yet she tries to be there with them as much as she can and is definitely the most amazing mother and real estate agent there is in