Knights of Columbus member, St. John Bosco parishioner, community volunteer, master car technician, cyclist, boater... and International Diamond Society Award Winner. 

The list goes on (and on) for Stephen Wilhelm. 

The road to real estate was not a linear path for Stephen - those particular aspirations didn't take shape until the pandemic began in 2020. Decades ago, with his first child on the way, he took his hobby of car repairs to the auto shop, where he spent the better part of thirty-six years rising to the top of his field as a senior master technician. But as we all know, sometimes life gets in the way. After a bicycle crash, Stephen acknowledged the toll physical labor was taking on his body and decided to change gears; after his hip replacement, he took real estate courses online and secured his license in the early part of the COVID pandemic. 

It has been a fast rise for Stephen: He started at a small agency just a few years ago before joining the team at Coldwell Banker Realty Branford- a move he calls the best of his career. He says things took off once he became part of the larger organization; he was marketing himself, investing in leads, and selling homes - putting in the work on floor time to hone an exceptional craft that has earned him recognition at an international level. In 2023, he received the International Diamond Society Award from Coldwell Banker, putting him in the top seven percent of all sales associates Internationally. 

The keys, Stephen says, to success and growth in the real estate industry are having an open mind and adjusting to new developments. He says every sale is different, every realtor is different, and every client is different. Stephen focuses on marketing - asserting that results cannot be expected without the prioritization of promotion. 

Stephen grew up near the water in Milford and has loved boating since childhood. Now, he still lives on the shoreline in Branford and has his boat docked nearby. Being on the water is his favorite way of unwinding from the demands of the real estate industry. Beyond his lifelong fascination with cars, he prides himself on his dedication to the Branford community. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. John Bosco parish; As Grand Knight, his Council earned Star Council Recognition. He volunteers with the Community Dining Room, take a Vet Fishing program, Columbus House, and local blood drives; and he spends time playing golf, boating and hiking. Spending time with his family is important to him and he takes pride in his loved ones – for over 38 yrs. his wife has had a great career in nursing and recently started her own Primary Care Practice, his first son joined the military during the 2nd Iraq War, his 2nd completed several Iron Man competitions, his 3rd received his Ph.D. in Engineering and is building human size robots of the future, His 4th found great success as a commercial Fisherman, his Stepson has a writing career editing a major magazine, his Stepdaughter followed in her Mother's footsteps and earned her Nursing Degree. Back here in Connecticut - Stephen says he has found a home in local real estate... and the results could not be better. 

Like his time in the automotive industry, Stephen says his goal is to attain and maintain success. He sets his aspirations as high as possible in real estate - as he did as a car technician – hoping to keep up his good work for as long as he can.