Sally Malsch, REALTOR®, began her career as a Ph.D. academic. She was an assistant professor of German at the University of Massachusetts (Umass) with a love of publishing and teaching. Putting raising her children first, she gave up her tenure track, but continued her studies and teaching, acquiring both a second B.A. and an M.A. from Umass in Spanish. She then began to teach both Spanish and German at Deerfield Academy.
In 1994 Sally made the life-altering decision to embark on the career of being a real estate agent, and since then has thrived in it. Having spent decades preparing herself to be a service oriented, top producing realtor, her mission is now to get quality results for her clients, namely the purchase or sale of a residential property in the Pioneer Valley. Now a partner with the high performing Five College Realtors, she has sold properties in every price range, from 100k to $1,500,000. Additionally, she is a former Director of the Echo Hill South Association, the first Planned Urban Development, commonly known as cluster housing, in the state of Massachusetts.
Buyers seek Sally out because she leads them every step of the way through the process of purchasing a home-from financing to closing. Sellers seek her out to list their homes because of her stellar track record in sales over decades, along with her marketing and promotional skills. She is further a specialist in selling condos in the Five College Area: every year she sends out mailings to each person in a condo association in Amherst with a synopsis of the sold/active/expired listings in their complex to provide sellers and buyers with valuable, local market insights into selling or purchasing a condo in this area. As a Senior’s specialist (SRES), she frequently guides Seniors through the step by step process of selling their home and moving to a condo or an assisted living facility. Sally has helped hundreds of buyers find their home as well as hundreds of homeowners sell their property in the Five College communities.
What is your motto? Sallycansell.com.
What are you currently reading? Louise Penny's: The Grey Wolf. The mystery genre is my favorite, an engaging escape from the real/political world...
Which living person do you most admire? I admire most the persons in my life who, regardless of the adversity they face, display a positive 'attitude of gratitude' and are beacons of light for me to follow.
How do you measure success? In my professional career I measure my success one client at a time by their ultimate satisfaction with the process of buying or selling a home. Their happiness validates my purpose in life.
What do you do to relax? My main relaxing activities center on my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, including vacations we spend together. I am a nut about daily exercise; I enjoy having fun with friends like seeing movies or attending musical events (I love sacred music and singing in church choirs) or traveling to near and distant places.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? I have had much academic success (5 professional degrees along with numerous Realtor certifications), but my greatest and most humbling undertaking was raising a family in this Five College area.
If someone asked you for advice on getting into business, what advice would you tell them? Believe in your ability to master new challenges. Have a plan and savings. On commission-based earnings, you start out with one client and one transaction. Over time and slowly your business grows along with your reputation for always putting your client's interest first. Work hard, educate yourself, set reasonable goals one day at a time. With time, effort, education and experience, you will become a successful business person-especially if you love what you do.
What are your favorite parts of living in the Five College Area? A stellar academic reputation for the Five Colleges lured me from Seattle to Amherst to accept a position as an Asst. Professor of German at UMASS. I love the vibrance of small town communities thriving because of the so-called 'town/gown' relationship which actively forges their future together. My kids got an excellent education in the public schools. There is an abundance of choice in activities close by, whether diverse academic/social venues, walking/hiking on town/state/federal conservation trails. Adding to this appeal are excellent medical facilities. Opportunities abound for diverse groups of people from all walks of life, ethnicities & demographics. You will feel welcome here.
Did you have a turning point in your life or career? WHAT ME A REALTOR?! The turning point in my prior academic career was the decision to become a Realtor. For 31 years now I have been a Realtor and for 11 years, one of four partners at Five College Realtors. Without a doubt, all my previous education and experience have made me a better Realtor. After all, selling real estate is a service industry. You educate one client at a time and guide him/her through a process of buying or selling that could otherwise be fraught with pitfalls. I know the value of my service and purpose of my career. How fortunate am I!
Sally Malsch, (413) 519-4465, sally@sallymalsch.com, www.sallycansell.com
