Recently, after holding a package of chicken legs in the meat aisle of a local supermarket for almost 10 minutes, the young mom from Riverdale and I finished our conversation and confirmed that we would meet at one of my open houses this coming Sunday. What was my life like before I started selling real estate in Bergen County more than 30 years ago? Was I able to shop much faster? Was there even a kosher supermarket in Teaneck back then?

I don’t know that I would call myself a real estate expert but one thing I have more than most- my experiences with many of you. I have been listening and sharing with the people of this community for many decades, both in your greatest joys and, sadly, in some of your lowest moments. The instructors don’t share with you during your licensing classes that YOU are going to be the first person one of your neighbors calls upon deciding that their parents are too old to stay in their home and need to be moved. Divorces, bankruptcies—those hardest of occasions. They require a steady hand and it’s been my honor to help. I’ve been rewarded by those happier calls: My daughter just found out she is expecting and wants to buy a home in the area! And my favorite: We are thinking of making aliyah!

As an Orthodox Jew I have been raised from the youngest of ages to appreciate the power of my words and now as a veteran realtor I have only grown in my devotion to the confidentiality clause that every realtor is bound to. With that as my guide I look forward to sharing with you my thoughts on these pages about the current trends and state of the market as well as pondering what the future may hold during the changing times. I look forward to hearing your thoughts as well. Please share with me at [email protected].

Nechama Polak moved to Teaneck in 1970 and has been selling Real Estate in Bergen Country since 1989. Nechama is Broker/Owner of V and N Group LLC, located at 1401 Palisade Ave, Teaneck, NJ.