Adversity turned out to be a gift in disguise. The hardest chapter of my life became the turning point that led me to independence, stability, and a life I built on my own terms. It’s in struggle that you discover your strength and realize you have the power to rewrite your story.

 

In 2011, everything in my life unraveled. I was a newly single mom with three young kids, no savings, and no steady income. I had no real work history to lean on. All I had was a real estate license I had barely used since getting it in 2003, and an urgent need to figure things out quickly. There was no other option.

 

That was when I realized I had to build something from nothing. I picked up a yellow legal pad, knocked on doors, and chased down every opportunity I could find. My first few listings came out of pure hustle. I had no choice but to make it work. That year, I made the RE/MAX Executive Club. The next year, I passed six figures. When I was starting out, I may not have had money or an expansive network, but what I did have was resilience, determination, and the will to create a better life. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to change your story.

 

Early in my real estate career, I met Allan. We started as business partners, and over time, our relationship grew. From the beginning, he encouraged and respected my independence, which meant a great deal to me. After everything I had worked through, it was important that I continued building on my own foundation.

 

Over time, our goals and ambitions began to merge into one. Allan and I found that many of our strengths complimented one another. Allan was already a top producer, and when we combined forces, our business took off. In our second year working together we tripled our volume, closing $27 million in sales. He brought systems and strategy. I brought creativity and a deep connection to clients. We built something sustainable on trust, shared vision, and similar values.

 

In 2019, we opened our own brokerage. Over the next five years, we grew to three offices with over 150 agents and closed more than $1 billion in volume. We were consistently ranked among the top five offices nationwide under our franchise and number one in New Jersey. But as we expanded, we found ourselves pulled away from the work that mattered most to us.

 

We kept our core team and joined Real Broker, which allowed us to fully focus on the work we’re most passionate about. I’ve always stayed connected to my clients, but now I’m able to dedicate more time to what I do best—serving them, building relationships, and leading with thoughtful marketing and advocacy. Allan has taken the lead in driving our team’s growth, building out an internship program, an investment club, and a commercial division.

 

Empowerment, especially for women, has become a cornerstone of my mission. I’ve had agents come to me uncertain about their futures and just needed to know they had options. That’s why building community, mentorship, and support is so important to me. I’ve seen too many people fail in this industry not because they weren’t capable, but because they didn’t have the right people around them. The same goes for my clients—whether they’re buying, selling, or starting over, I want to help them take control of their futures.

 

Today, our personal goal is to take every part of our life—faith, family, business, and impact—and grow it year after year. We enjoy spending time with our adult children, going to our home in Florida, exploring small towns across New Jersey, and finding new places to unwind and connect. We also have two French bulldogs, Gunner and Willie, who we adore. Whether in our personal lives or in the ways we support others, our goal is to keep building with purpose and helping those around us do the same.

 

There was a moment years ago when Allan and I were looking at homes that has stuck with me. At the time, we were still living separately, each raising our kids. I had my eye on a sweet yellow ranch with a white picket fence. It felt like the kind of home I had always dreamed of. But Alan didn’t seem that interested in the home I loved. Then I found him outside the house, on the phone, setting up a showing for another property two doors down. I didn’t understand why until we walked into that next home. It was larger, out of my price range, and nothing I would’ve looked at on my own. That’s when I realized he wasn’t just helping me find a house. He was looking for our home. We bought that house and truly blended our families and lives there.

 

From my personal experiences, I understand what a home means. It is not just square footage and finishes. It is where new chapters begin, stories unfold, and memories are made. That is why I take time to understand the story behind each home, whether it is a bungalow passed down through generations or a luxury estate with custom features. I tailor marketing to match that story, using high-quality visuals, thoughtful staging, and strategic targeting to reach the right buyers. I am hands-on with everything from listing prep to negotiations. Every client, no matter the price point, deserves a personalized experience, and my goal is to make sure they feel supported, understood, and confident every step of the way.

 

Sincerely,

 

Theresa Burns

REALTOR®

Cell 732.552.8145

Office 855.653.6723

Theresa@SellWithTheresa.com

SellWithTheresa.com