Name: Judith A. LaMorte
Company: Long & Foster Realtors
Address: 10126 Ballynahown Circle, Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703/517-8682, cell; 703/961-7110, office
Fax: 703/279-8147, home; 703/968-9291, office
E-mail: jlarealtor@aol.com or judi.lamorte@longandfoster.com
Web site: www.judilamorte.com
Year started: 1987
How did you get started in real estate? I worked as a personal and appointments secretary for a senator. When he wasn’t re-elected, I decided to change careers. My neighbor was a manager with Mount Vernon Realty, and I joined her office.
How long with the current company? Since 2004.
Licenses and designations: Associate broker in Virginia; graduate, Realtor institute; seniors real estate specialist; Institute of Luxury Marketing’s luxury home market designation
Associations: Former board member, Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR); member, Real Estate Finance Forum
Awards: NVAR lifetime top producer club; NVAR million dollar club; Weichert, Realtors chairman of the board elite; Long & Foster founder’s club.
Greatest accomplishment in the past 12 months: I went to Ireland, a trip I have wanted all my life.
What is your area of specialty? City of Fairfax
Highest-priced home sold: $2,000,000
Most memorable house: There are three houses that are memorable to me. When I first counseled with three couples who wanted to buy houses a few years ago, I told them that you can do a lot to change a house but you can’t pick it up and move it. Look for location. Lo and behold all three of them wanted to buy fixer uppers. These were not cosmetic fixer uppers — these houses needed major work. I really felt there was just too much work, money and time to get them in livable condition. All of them went ahead and bought anyway. Two couples called me back in 2005 to sell the houses, I was absolutely astounded at what a wonderful job they had done. We sold both houses, and they bought larger homes. The third couple invited me to their home, and I drove right by it — I didn’t recognize it. They had put on a second story and the inside was gorgeous.
Worst experience: In 21 years of real estate, only one contract did not go to settlement. The seller didn’t show up for settlement because he didn’t have the money to pay off two liens in addition to the first trust that came to light in the title report. The seller went to Florida.
Family: Widowed; three daughters, five grandchildren
Pets: None
Community service/outside interests: Spotlight on the Arts Program in Fairfax, Northern Virginia Association of Realtors grievance committee, Farrcroft Book Club.
Last book read: “Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance,” by Barack Obama
What kind of car do you drive? Lexus 330
What is your personal dream house? I am living in the house I like. It is a courtyard home, with 3,350 square feet, that includes the partially finished basement.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.