Realtor profile

Name: Jeffrey Escher

Company: Long & Foster Real Estate Inc.

Address: 402 King Farm Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850

Phone: 301/548-9700, office; 301/519-1709, direct

Fax: 301/548-9664

E-mail: jeff.escher@longandfoster.com

Web site: www.HomesNearMetro.com

Year started: 2002

How did you get started in real estate? From the time I was 8 years old, I loved going to open houses with my parents when they were house-hunting. I always wanted to search for another house. But I had an image of a Realtor as a pushy salesperson, and that’s not me, so I never pursued real estate as a career option. I went to college and worked in Internet technology for several years but never enjoyed the work. I often found myself getting out of bed thinking “only 40 more years until retirement.” I finally decided to find a career that helped people and I would love to do for the rest of my life, so real estate was a natural choice. I’ve been able to apply a lot of my management, marketing and technology skills to the real estate business.

How long with the current company? Since 2002

Licenses and designations: Real estate sales in Maryland and the District; certified Internet professional (e-PRO)

Associations: Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors; Metropolitan Regional Information System Subscriber Advisory Panel

Awards: Top producer, monthly volume; top producer, monthly units; multiple customer satisfaction awards; first-year honor society; Superbly Trained Agents Reaching Success (STARS) Ambassador, 2004; Long & Foster president’s club, 2003; Long & Foster chairman’s club, 2004 and 2005

Greatest accomplishment in the past 12 months: Knowing I helped someone fulfill their dreams is a great feeling of accomplishment. I’ve also been getting calls from people who I worked with a few years ago who want to work with me again. So that is a great feeling of accomplishment, too.

What is your area of specialty? Residential sales in Montgomery County and Northwest Washington

Highest-priced home sold: $925,000

Most memorable house: It was a little bungalow. The owner had put ceramic tiles everywhere, including living room walls and stairwells. The predominant color was pink. It was nicely done, but definitely unique.

Worst experience: The purchase of my own home. At the walk-through, there were three inches of water in the basement.

Age: 32

Pets: Yellow Labrador retriever, Toby

Education: Bachelor of science in Information Systems Management, University of Maryland University College, 1998

Last book read: “The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life: Keep What You Have and Create What You Deserve,” by Suze Orman

Last movie seen: “Brokeback Mountain”

What kind of car do you drive? Acura TSX

What is your personal dream house? I just moved to a new house last summer, so I’d have to say I’m lucky enough to be living in my dream house. The only thing I’d change is the location — I’d much rather it be on a Caribbean island than in Clarksburg, Md.