Meet Monica Roberts, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty who is making waves in the industry. Monica's journey began in Indianapolis, where she grew up as a Midwestern girl. In 1992, she relocated to Cincinnati and instantly felt a sense of belonging, considering it her adopted hometown. Monica fondly recalls her childhood, being raised in a big Catholic family with dozens of cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Growing up in such a vibrant and bustling family instilled in her a love for community and a desire to make a difference.

 

She feels fortunate to have married her high school sweetheart, Jeff. “We’re still happily married after 37 years,” she smiles.

 

 

“My dad sold cars,” she comments. “It might have been inevitable that I found myself in sales at some point.” Little did she know that she would excel in real estate years later.  

 

Monica graduated from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana for her college education. Years later, she attended Mount Saint Joseph University where she got a master's degree in organizational leadership in 2019.

 

 

Before becoming a realtor, Monica served as the executive director of a non-profit organization called The Healing Center with Vineyard Cincinnati Church for more than a decade. Even to this day, she continues to volunteer there, as she has a deep love for serving her community.

 

 Overcoming the challenges of leading the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic was no easy feat, but Monica's ability to switch gears and fully immerse herself in whatever task is at hand helped her navigate the difficult times.

 

“Working at The Healing Center gave me the opportunity to interact with lots of different types of people. I heard their stories, the same as I do in real estate,” she says. Just as she helped people secure food, jobs, and clothing at The Healing Center, she now helps people achieve their real estate goals.

 

Monica's passion lies in helping people navigate the current housing market, especially those who may believe they aren't able to buy a house. She takes pride in equipping buyers with the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed decisions, and experiencing the joy of sitting with them at closing is incredibly rewarding.

 

 

The pandemic opened a new door for Monica – the door to real estate. She says, “I was ready to challenge myself in a new way.” With extra time on her hands, she decided to get her real estate license.

 

The road to real estate wasn’t entirely new for her, however. Together with Jeff, they embarked on various real estate ventures, starting as hobbyists with short-term and long-term rentals. However, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that Monica decided to pursue her real estate license, realizing that it was an opportune time to cut out the middleman and take control of their real estate endeavors.

 

With the support and encouragement of her friend Tom Sturm at Coldwell Banker, Monica took the plunge and joined the Tom Sturm Group in 2021. Her competitive nature drove her to establish her own name in the industry and be recognized for her contributions. In 2022, as part of the Tom Sturm Group, Monica had a great year, selling real estate full-time and achieving a volume of $8 million. Now, in 2023, Monica has taken the leap to work independently while still affiliated with Coldwell Banker, driven by her desire for autonomy and to blaze her own trail.

 

 

Outside of her business, Monica cherishes spending time with her family. She and Jeff have two adult children, Megan and Griffin, who live in different cities. Megan, who just graduated from Yale, resides in New Haven, Connecticut. Griffin is in New York City.

 

Traveling to see them and enjoying meals together here with Cincinnati favorites (think Skyline, Dewey’s Pizza, and Graeter’s) creates cherished moments and strengthens their bond. Monica also finds joy in entertaining friends, reading, cooking, riding her Peloton, and hanging out with loved ones. “I also love working in my yard,” she smiles. “I love the smell of mulch. To me, mulch smells like summer and that makes me happy.”

 

She and Jeff also like to relax and recharge at their home in Norris Lake, Tennessee, where they own a couple of short-term rentals. “We love wakeboarding and enjoying time together on the lake,” says Monica.

 

A dog lover, she also enjoys the constant companionship of her dog Murphy, a giant Newfoundland Poodle mix. “We got him the Christmas before Covid and he was our emotional support dog.” This adorable dog goes everywhere with them.

 

A self-described “big softie,” she is always the last to leave and the first to arrive at any party. She admits to being a crier, a side of her that most people wouldn't expect. With her open-book mentality, Monica doesn't hold any secrets and gladly shares her experiences and advice with others. She believes in paying forward the help she received from fellow agents when she was starting and encourages new agents to persevere and seek support when needed. As she says, “It’s OK to get discouraged. Just don’t give up.”

 

Monica's favorite quote reflects her optimistic and problem-solving mindset: "Don't freak out. It is fixable." This philosophy guides her approach to challenges, reminding her that with determination and a level head, any obstacle can be overcome.

 

 

Monica Roberts is undoubtedly an agent to watch in the real estate industry. Her dedication, compassion, and drive to help others make her a valuable asset to her clients and a role model for aspiring top producers.