Century 21 Realtor Sandi Gratz Commemorates Nearly 5 Decades in the Industry

Realtor Sandi Gratz is celebrating her forty-eighth anniversary making the dream of homeownership a reality. “I have always enjoyed working with people that purchase their first homes because they are so excited and nervous and I know that I can build a long-lasting relationship with them,” said Gratz, of Century 21 Bradley Realty, Inc. “I also love working with people that are retiring or downsizing, as sometimes it can be sad for them, but it gives me pleasure knowing that I can make it easier for them. I hold their hand the whole way and give them some reassurance that it isn’t the end of the road for them. They always end up happy.”

Gratz began her career in real estate the same year the first two humans landed on the moon, 1969, and since has witnessed and experienced giant leaps in the industry. She was 18 and married when she bought her first home, which was an investment property. Because she was married she had to have her husband on the mortgage, whether he wanted to be or not, because at that time married buyers both had to be on the mortgage.

“Also, at that time in my city of Fort Wayne, you had to be 21 to own real estate, and neither one us were 21. As a woman, the bank would not count my income since I wasn’t a nurse or a teacher,” noted Gratz, “so I had to get my brother to cosign for me.”

Furthermore, she was turned down by the first real estate company where she applied for a job due to her gender, but was later hired by the same company where she eventually became a top producer, office manager and training director. “When I first started in the business, I was knocking on doors and calling ‘by owners,’” added Gratz.

Since then she has worked in many different areas of real estate: owned her own real estate company and opened her own appraisal company as well as a property management company. Gratz currently lists and sells real estate, does appraisals for several lenders, manages her own rental properties as well as rental properties for owners that do not want to be bothered with that aspect of investments properties. Days from 16-18 hours are not uncommon in her work schedule.

“Sandi was very well versed and knowledgeable and was a dream to work with,” said client Andrew S. “Her years of experience in the industry showed throughout every step of the way, and was very useful because this was my first home purchase. We developed a friendship that will survive closing and years to come.”

About Sandi Gratz, Century 21 Bradley Realty, Inc. 

Century 21 Realtor Sandi Gratz serves Allen, Dekalb, Steuben, Noble, Whitley, Kosciusko, and Wells County in IN. Sandi is a Graduate, Realtor Institute, member of the Fort Wayne Board of Realtors, National Association of Realtors and is a State Certified Appraiser. Century 21 Bradley Realty is located at 2928 E. Dupont Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46825.

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