While it is okay to make mistakes and stumble along the way, those missteps soon become failures when one refuses to get back up and continue pushing forward. Rough patches come about in all aspects of life, but it is up to us to learn from those patches and power through.

As stated by Denise Laugesen of The Laugesen Team with Keller Williams Peninsula Estates, “Failure is not an option. I keep pushing on until I get it right, whatever that is!”

Denise was born in San Fransisco and has lived in Burlington and Hillsborough most of her life. She was first introduced to real estate at a very young age as she would frequently drag her mom to every possible open house in search of a new home. She explains that while living in an Eichler home as a child — despite her modern love for them — she did not like Eichlers as a child. “I wanted a home with character and charm… crazy right? Now I love Eichlers!”

At 22, she and her then-husband purchased their first home. Denise quickly remodeled it, sold it, and moved on to the next. She boasts that she has sold over 40 of her own homes in this way throughout her career — many of those houses being ones that she built from the ground up.

Denise shares that the most pivotal moment in her life was when she realized that she would unfortunately need to end her seven-year marriage. She explains that the decision gave her the inspiration and confidence to take a risk and make a change in her lifestyle and career. In hindsight, she can easily say that this was one of the best things she has done in her life.

“I immediately got my real estate license and jumped into the business. I realized early on that real estate is a 24/7 lifestyle. It was key to provide a nice lifestyle for my family.”

“I have always been driven and a self-starter and that mindset is essential for my real estate business. I have always wanted to control my successes and my real estate lifestyle provides that for me.”

Many, many things that can be considered “fulfilling” when working in real estate, and Denise as well as the rest of The Laugesen Team recognize this well. “First and foremost are the relationships you develop. Not only with your clients, but your other real estate associates, lenders, title officers, contractors, marketing vendors, and on and on. Many of those connections are dear friends of mine today.”

In addition to relationships, Denise adds that “the art of the deal” is also one of the most fulfilling parts of their work. “Finding out from our clients what they are looking for,” she describes. “It could be a sales price for their home or buying a dream home and being able to make that happen. The level of excitement and happiness our clients feel after we make their dreams come true is so satisfying, it’s like a drug and we want to create that with every transaction.”

She further explains that she continues to knock on doors to this day despite her 30 years in the business. “If our clients like a home, we will reach out to the homeowner and let them know we have a buyer either by knocking on the door or by sending a letter,” she elaborates. “We know many agents send letters that are looking for listings, but we are really looking to sell that specific home. We include the buyer’s names and photos, so we will be taken more seriously with homeowners.” Denise explains that she and The Laugesen Team have sold and listed many homes this way regardless of the magnitude of the sale.

Provided the seller approves it, they like to prep most of their listings. With Denise’s building and design background, they are able to create a home that speaks to a large community of buyers. “We sell a lifestyle when you purchase our listings. We work with some of the best photographers who capture the best lighting and best features of our homes. We have an amazing staging partner who knows our taste and works well with our team.”

The Laugesen Team is all about giving their clients the best. Stacy LaRosa, who joined The Laugesen Team three years ago, brings a strong background in mortgages to the table. Cortney Laugesen, Denise’s daughter, has been Denise’s business partner since 2009, and she has strong marketing and negotiating skills that she brings to the team.

As a general summary of how Denise and the rest of The Laugesen Team run their business: “Giving is Getting in this world.”

For Denise, family is not just important, family is everything. “I am a mom to two amazing kids: Cortney, who has been my business partner since 2009, and my son Matthew, who is working in a startup in San Francisco.” She currently lives in Hillsborough with her two dogs. 

“We are very blessed. Real estate and family are my life. When anyone asks me about a future in real estate and what that looks like, I remind them: it is not a career, it is a lifestyle.”

It is no surprise that Denise Laugesen and the rest of The Laugesen Team have found immense success in their business. By pushing forward through every challenge, they will never know failure.

“I am beyond blessed and I know and appreciate that, and I am reminded every day how lucky I am. I have an amazing supportive family, I have quality clients, and many have become my friends. I love real estate. Every side of a transaction, every step involved in creating successful transactions, and most of all, my team — they are in the trenches with me and give it their all. I get up every day and I am excited to make things happen, that is my success.”

Website: www.thelaugesenteam.com