Margaret Karen Berkness

Representing Luxurious Livestyles

About Margaret

A native of Richmond, Karen graduated from Collegiate School and double majored at Hollins College in Art History and French.  She began her career in the Paintings Department for Sotheby's in New York and was later promoted to Coordinator of Estates.  Karen's penchant for architecture ultimately led her back to Richmond and to Virginia Properties which at that time was the exclusive affiliate for Sotheby's International Realty. 

A licensed real estate agent since 1978, Karen has been actively involved with the Richmond area real estate market since 1990.  Part of her responsibilities at her previous company was to oversee the Sotheby's International Realty affiliation.  Karen's experience helped develop marketing strategies for the company including charter membership in the National Trust for Historic Real Estate Program, election to the exclusive Estates Club as well as Who's Who in Luxury Real Estates.  While Director of Historic Properties, Farms and Estates for the company, Karen attained her Associate Broker's License in 1996. 

 In 2004, Karen made the decision to move her license to Joyner Fine Properties.  Joyner Fine Properties obtained the Sotheby's affiliation in 2001 and subsequently opened a small boutique office on Maple Avenue in addition to its established headquarters on Enterprise Parkway.  Karen feels this move has positively impacted both her sellers and buyers as she now works more closely with other real estate professionals that specialize in her area of expertise.

Entrusting her with one of the biggest investments of their lives, Karen carefully considers the needs of her sellers, both those clients who are wishing to move within the area and those that may be transferred away.  Karen values and respects this trust, which is why she listens to what her clients want and need.  Because each seller and his home are unique, she works very hard to create a customized marketing program to match the seller's particular goals and time frame.  Aspiring to relieve as much anxiety during the process of selling, Karen takes a hands-on approach to her listings.  While no one knows the houses as well as the sellers do, Karen strives to know the property second best.

Taking the same approach with buyers, Karen first listens to what the wants and needs are for each particular instance.  Whether her buyers are looking for a first home, move-up home or a very special historic home or farm, she will turn over every stone to find just the right property that matches her buyer's parameters.  Sometimes it happens quickly and sometimes it takes a long time.  Patience and persistence are two of Karen's special qualities she offers to her clients.

Karen has also taken a firm commitment in working with relocation clients both into and out of Richmond.  She is certified by NuCompass Mobility and Prudential Real Estate and Relocation to assist their corporate clients.

Karen's career has earned her not only the respect of her clients, but also recognition from her community and peers.  Appointed by Governor George Allen and reappointed by Governor Jim Gilmore, Karen served the Commonwealth for over eight years as a member of the Board of Historic Resources.  She has been Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board.  Currently Karen is a Trustee for Preservation Virginia, chairs the Revolving Fund Committee and serves on the Executive Council.  She was also the 2006-2007 President for the Council of the Historic Richmond Foundation.  She has participated in several other committees including the Virginia History Initiative and the Leadership Council of the Historic Real Estate Program for the National Trust.  She has taught several classes on "Marketing Historic Properties" for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  In addition, Karen has also served as Vice President for the REALTOR Land Institute, a group of farm and land specialists.

In 2006, Karen was named one of the Top Ten REALTORS in the Central VIrginia Region as well as one of the Top 500 REALTORS throughout the country.  She is consistently a Richmond Associate of REALTORS Distinguished Achiever Award winner and has been recognized by Joyner Fine Properties in their Top Ten Agents Award since affiliating with the company.

In 2011, Karen was named a "Five Star Real Estate Agent" by Richmond Magazine, a designation which represents less thn 6% of the real estate agents in the Metropolitan area.  She also earned the prestigious Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation in recognition of her experience, knowledge and expertise in the luxury home market and was immediately inducted into the Million Dollar Guild of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing.  Members of the Million Dollar Guild must meet stringent requirements and have proven successes in assisting affluent buyers and sellers with million-dollar properties.

 In any real estate transaction, crossing every "t" and dotting every "i" is imperative.  This attention to detail distinguishes her from other REALTORS.  Karen is a perfectionist as well as a highly organized individual.  This thoroughness insures that all transactions will go smoothly on closing day.  In the final analysis, it is the minute details that truly count. 

 

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