My name is Susan Pruden and I'm a full-time real estate agent, living in the Town of Cheverly in Prince George's County, Maryland.

 

 

Although I became licensed in 1994, my interest in real estate started back in the '80s, in the mortgage arena. That was back when the interest rates were just beginning to drop from their all-time highs of 18 and 21%. A 10% interest rate was sheer heaven! Back then, we never dreamed interest rates would drop as low as they've been over the last five years.

 

In 1991, I put my computer talents to work, doing marketing for my mom, who had just gotten her real estate license a few years earlier. (No, it never was a family business -- but it was cool being colleagues with my mom!) It wasn't long before my husband, Joseph, and I had a full-fledged business in our basement, churning out "Just Listed" and "Just Sold" cards for other real estate agents in the area.

 

Around the same time, I bought my first house all on my own. What an education! I thought I knew so much, but it turned out I only knew a little bit of the equation. The financial part of the picture is important and I'm so grateful for the education those years provided, but it was the actual process itself that provided the impetus for me to get my license.

 

Frankly, I was proud of how savvy I was in buying my house. Turns out I was pretty much a bumbling novice. My agent helped me and did a great job, but looking back, I now know she was representing the seller (buyer agency hadn't come to Prince George's County yet in any significant way) and I had to be clever enough to know what questions to ask.

 

 

Once I got my license in 1994, I knew that my goal was to de-mystify the buying and selling process for my clients. I wanted to make sure the decision-making was where it belonged - in my clients' hands, not in mine. That old Sym's commercial that said, "An educated consumer is the best customer" was completely right in my estimation. So I'm probably as much a teacher as an agent.

 

In 1999, I joined CENTURY 21 Home Center. After having worked at two other brokerages, I went searching for the most ethical brokers I could find -- I wanted to work with someone that would walk away from business rather than do the wrong thing. I found exactly that in Gene Sementilli and Boyd Campbell, my brokers.

 

My passion for my industry has led me into the legislative arena. I chaired the legislative committee for the Prince George's Association of REALTORS(r) a few years ago and still serve on that committee, as well as the same committee at the state level. It is an abiding interest in looking out for homeowners, home buyers and sellers, as well as my fellow real estate agents, that keeps me firmly ensconced on those committees, along with our forms committee and, most recently, our political action committee.

 

I'm proud to say that I was on board when we successfully passed legislation that gives county teachers and sheriffs a break in closing costs when they buy here in the county. We've worked hard at keeping homeowner's insurance affordable. Lots of good things.

 

So yes, I'm obsessed with real estate. I love what I do. And I'd love to talk to you about the market, your house, your dreams and what we can do together to help you acheive them.