Local Realtor Helps Homeowners Find Their Perfect Place

This Patch article is sponsored by Gizelle Gorkowski, president of Gizelle & Co.

Gizelle & Co. is my company, it’s a real estate partnership with my husband Mike. We are family business people, we love real estate, and wanted to work in a profession that is woven into the fabric of our community. Our agency affiliation is with Compass and we couldn’t be happier. Compass enables us to focus on our core business by freeing us up to maximize our time with clients. At Compass we have the best technology platform, tools, and support team in the industry.

Patch had a chance to talk with Gizelle Gorkowski, president of Gizelle & Co. and a Licensed Realtor in Virginia practicing through Compass.

Patch: How long have you been selling real estate?

Gorkowski: 21 years

Patch: What attracted you to the real estate industry, and how did you get started?

Gorkowski: It’s always been a passion of mine. I love the impact real estate has on people's lives. I love the idea of helping people find a home and their place in this world, and I love running my own business. I started in this business back in 2001. I knew the 9-5 world wasn’t for me and wanted to take a chance. My husband — now business partner — Mike was fully in support of me getting licensed and starting in real estate so I went for it and never looked back.

Patch: Do you have a specialty or niche market when it comes to your work in real estate?

Gorkowski: Yes, I don’t think you can operate in today’s market without specializing. I purposely focus on suburban Northern Virginia; communities like Vienna, Oakton, McLean, Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria mainly. Alexandria is my home town and I’ve been in Vienna for more than 14 years now. I’ve seen the tremendous growth in this area and understand the impacts it can have on a family’s quality of life experience. I love it!

Patch: How would you sum up your approach to real estate? In other words; what’s your mission?

Gorkowski: Our mission is to help people improve their quality of life through real estate. It may sound simple but it covers all of what we hope to accomplish for our sellers and buyers, whether they are searching for their dream home or downsizing for retirement.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced as a real estate agent?

Gorkowski: Start-up mode and building my brand. I say this because once you’re licensed you have to prove the unproven. As someone getting into this business you believe you can do it but you learn really quickly that it’s hard to get those early clients; sellers in particular. It's tough to earn a client listing when you’ve never had one. I include brand building as well because it can only be accomplished with consistency in success, reputation and time.

Patch: Is there a real estate deal over the span of your career that you have been most proud of?

Gorkowski: Yes, two actually. One my husband always reminds me about, which was a tough to sell home I had listed in Oakton a few years ago. The home was originally listed with another agent and it sat for almost four months with no offers. The owners asked me to take the listing which I did. It was a tougher sell; mid-sized mid-century contemporary, secluded on a 1 acre lot in Oakton. We had moderate traffic and I held that house open for three weeks straight every Sunday. Well, on the fourth Sunday it was pouring rain, literally pouring — coming down in buckets. I was determined! My husband helped me with signage that day and we ended up having three groups through, one of which turned out to be the buyer.

Amazing! You never know where your buyer is going to come from and not all open houses need to be sunny! The second was right at the start of the pandemic. I had a beautiful, more contemporary home come on the market in the same week as the shutdown. I stayed close to my seller and began collaborating with other agents immediately who were in the same situation. I quickly pulled together a team that could help me virtually market the home, complete with a virtual open house. It took some time — a little more than normal even for a higher priced luxury home — but we found our buyer. I wasn’t about to let this one go either, it was a tough negotiation because there was a lot of apprehension in the market about the economy, home values, and real understanding of the widespread virus. I was actually up until after midnight keeping that deal together and in the end it all paid off. Settlement went through without a hitch. My seller moved into their new home, and the buyers were thrilled with their purchase despite the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Gorkowski: When clients implement my suggestions and realize the benefits when their home sells for a higher price than they were expecting.

Patch: How do your techniques, strategies, and services distinguish themselves from the competition?

Gorkowski: I am an assertive person and I network across the real estate community a lot. I take pride in working daily to be the most informed professional in my market with regard to coming soon and active property inventory. In fact, I was able to get three separate clients their dream home this summer before the competition could even react. We wrote three offers that were accepted with zero days on market during a time when buyers were commonly competing with a dozen or more contracts on the most desirable homes. For sellers, it’s my market knowledge, assertive personality and the modern tools and industry experts I have access to through Compass that benefit my clients. Whether it’s renovation, minor repair work, painting, or high end digital marketing complete with a comprehensive feedback loop of data and analytics we’ve got you covered.

Patch: Do you have any advice for readers who are currently in the process of buying or selling a home?

Gorkowski: Yes, work with a professional, someone who wakes up everyday thinking about how they’re going to best support you in your next move! And; if you’re not working with someone currently, call me today!

Patch: Do you have any upcoming open houses or events in your community?

Gorkowski: Yes, we’re always very busy and active in our community. We are super happy to be back hosting our Halloween Party this year in our neighborhood. It’s a wonderful event for kids and parents alike. We sponsor pizza and drinks and host everyone in one of our neighborhood cul-de-sac’s so all of the community families and kids can gather before heading out at sundown to trick or treat!

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

Gorkowski: Check us out atwww.gizelleandcompany.com, email us at gizelleandco@compass.com, or just call me direct anytime at 703-606-4664.