March 2006

First Person – Connie Cox

The REALTOR® Next Door

Connie Cox’s advertising sales career took an unexpected turn 15 years ago when she decided to form a homeowner’s association (HOA). At the time, Cox’s home, along with the majority of homes in the Valley Trails neighborhood of Pleasanton, lay in a Federal Emergency Management Agency-designated flood zone. Cox launched a 15-year campaign to have homes in the subdivision declassified and removed from FEMA’s flood zone. Her efforts resulted in the creation of the Valley Trails Homeowner’s Association and all Valley Trails homes being removed from the flood designation. Her success garnered Cox, a REALTOR® with Prudential California Realty’s Pleasanton office, a grateful and loyal referral base, saving each neighbor approximately $1,000 a year in flood insurance.

Why did you decide to go into real estate?

I formed an HOA in my neighborhood and soon became painfully aware that we needed a REALTOR® to represent our interests. I was living in an area that had been rezoned as a flood zone several decades earlier. We also had expansive soil issues and a park that looked bad and needed playground equipment. One thing just led to another.

Of your accomplishments, what are you the most proud of?

I always thought that when I died I wanted to know that I’ve made a difference and made the world a better place. I really feel I’ve done that. Now, every time I walk in the beautiful greenbelt park and through my neighborhood, handing out flyers, I am really proud of what’s been accomplished. People come out and thank me for getting us out of the flood zone and all the other things that I’ve done to improve the neighborhood.

What’s the most rewarding part of being a REALTOR®?

Being involved in people’s lives and improving where they live—their neighborhood, their standard of living and family situation. I’m proud that my clients invite me to their babies’ birthdays and kids’ graduations. It’s very rewarding that my clients are so loyal.

What’s the most interesting experience you’ve had in your career as a REALTOR®?

Getting involved in city politics and using community involvement to effect positive changes in our Valley Trails neighborhood. The HOA had two goals: We wanted playground equipment for Valley Trails Park and we wanted out of the flood zone. It took two trips to Washington, D.C., and 15 years of effort, but we were finally removed from the flood zone.

Also, our park had no playground equipment. After four years, working with the city, our park now has $40,000 worth of playground equipment. A few years later, we obtained $550,000 to renovate the greenbelt. All of those things have been personally rewarding.

How do you differentiate yourself from your competitors?

I work so hard for the community that people call me, refer me and continue to use me. In my farm, people don’t call two or three REALTORS® to make listing presentations; they call me and say, “We’re ready to sell.”

Sound Bites

Favorite Book (recent):
God and Ronald Reagan by Paul Kengor

Best Way to Spend Free Time:
I spend December and January in Hawaii at my condo in Molokai, which is available for rent!

Essential Business Tool:
Farming and knowing the neighbors.