People You Should Know

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW THE REAL ESTATE Renegade

BY LIESEL SCHMIDT

While the title of Realtor might not have been one that Brittany Picolo-Ramos ever expected to wear, it’s one that she has found suits her. Over the course of her career in real estate and as host of Selling the Big Easy, she has used her skills with people and unapologetic honesty to create a reputation across the Northshore and the surrounding areas for knowing her stuff and not pulling any punches. But above all, she’s known for going to the mattresses for her clients and working on their behalf to get them the best possible deal—and finding them the perfect place to call home. SOCIAL NORTHSHORE: How long have you been in real estate?

BRITTANY PICOLO-RAMOS: I’ve been in real estate for eight years.

SN: What first interested you in the profession? BPR: Actually, I didn’t want to get into real estate; but I hurt my back and couldn’t walk, so it was sort of the only thing available to me at the time. Fortunately, I found out how much I loved it because it was more about protecting and defending people in a really vulnerable situation.

SN: What are the areas you cover?

BPR: I cover the parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, St. Tammany, Washington, Tangipahoa, St. Charles, St. John, and St. James. SN: What is your favorite thing about your work?

BPR: I love making new friends, developing relationships, and protecting people. When I first sold and bought a home, I felt very vulnerable. I felt very scared and weak, and I never want anyone to feel that way. I love being able to get people top dollar and even sometimes more than they are expecting. Also, I love matchmaking, so I love matching people with their perfect home.

SN: What do your clients love most about working with you?

BPR: They appreciate the fact that I always tell people the truth, even if it hurts. I’d rather people know the truth than not know and make a bad decision because they don’t have all of the information they need.

SN: What sets you apart from your competitors?

BPR: I’m real and honest, and my clients can literally come to me with any question or concern, whether it’s financial or personal, and I will do everything I can to help them through it. If I don’t have the answer for them, I’ll find it for them.

SN: What are your biggest challenges?

BPR: Balancing home, life, filming, real estate, coaching, and still making sure my clients are top priority. Making sure no part suffers— which is why I have built a great team to help me.

SN: What have been your biggest points of pride?

BPR: Building what we’ve built over eight years has been an enormous point of pride for me. Also, building a great reputation amongst other realtors, because you can be liked by your clients, but to be liked by your peers and people in the industry is still really important.

SN: How have you stayed successful in the midst of everything happening with COVID?

BPR: At the end of the day, we’re in an industry where people always need to have a house and place to stay. We stayed focused on helping people with whatever need they had. Instead of being consumed with the fear of the unknown, we just kept looking for people who needed help and helped them.

SN: What are some of the things you like to do in your free time?

BPR: I love to go to church, write movies and plays with my husband, and shop and go out to eat and travel with him.

SN: What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?

BPR: I used to do improv and stand-up comedy for many years and had my own comedy show.

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