Data shows that from 1996-2021, the Hudson Valley region lost a net total of 146,763 people to out migration, which calculates out to 5% of the Hudson Valley’s population.
Elected officials, seeking to appease vocal constituents, frequently uphold restrictive zoning laws that favor single-family residences over more diverse housing options.
In 2023, the Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection investigated 617 complaints and returned $66,000 to homeowners.
While her full-time career is a real estate agent with Corcoran Legends Realty in Briarcliff Manor, Kimra Pierre is also affectionately known by her peers as an honorary “Mayor of Pleasantville.” She serves on the Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce, Pleasantville PTA, Pleasantville Lions Club and Pleasantville SEPTA—Special Education Parent Teacher Association. And if that’s not enough, she also lives in Pleasantville, and those who know her would all agree, Pierre is definitely a pleasant and positive person!
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she offered free promotions for restaurants and other local Pleasantville businesses, posting photos and videos on social media. “I did that because I enjoyed it and I really love being part of my community,” said Pierre. “I felt that I had to go the extra mile to help out.”
It was that “go-give” attitude that resulted in Pierre being named as HGAR’s “Spirit Award Winner” for 2022. A member of the HG Realtor Foundation’s Fundraising Committee, as well as a constant volunteer at HGRF-supported charities, Pierre still can’t believe she was chosen for the award that she received at HGAR’s Member Appreciation Day last October. “It was a good thing I dressed properly that day,” she quipped. “I was 100% shocked and did not see that coming at all. I’m fairly new to real estate and didn’t think I would even be considered. I guess when you love something, you put your all into it.”
Pierre earned her real estate license in 2018, and credits her former career as a certified interior designer as coaxing her into the profession. She is a graduate of the New York Institute of Art and Design. She also earned Associate and Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration from the College of Westchester in White Plains.
As an interior design assistant in Chappaqua, Pierre found herself inside various clients’ homes all the time, taking photos and creating plans. “One day I just said to myself, ‘maybe I should be selling homes like this,’” she recalled. Her client at the time had been a Realtor and an attorney who encouraged her to get into real estate.
A self-described “organization freak,” Pierre also held several jobs where orderliness was key. This included an overnight manager position at Walmart in Middletown and White Plains and an event coordinator with World Cup Gymnastics in Chappaqua. “My kids always used to complain because I’d make them keep their junk in their rooms,” she said.
Because of her interior design background, she found the transition to real estate fairly easy. In fact, Pierre now offers complimentary home staging and photography for her home-selling clients. “I like to put all my efforts into selling a home and I think this makes me unique,” she added.
In addition to serving Westchester clients, she also holds a Connecticut real estate license and works with Pearce Real Estate in Milford. She concentrates her business in Fairfield and New Haven counties and once sold four homes on the same street in Stratford, CT. She also works with many buyers, including first-home buyers.
Always one to get involved, Pierre attended many association events, including a Foundation Holiday event at Neiman Marcus where she met former HG Realtor Foundation Fundraising Chair, Bonnie Koff. “She convinced me to get involved and I love everything about the foundation,” she said. “I also love the volunteering part where we can go out and help others. In my heart, I love helping people—it’s just a natural thing for me and I’ve taught my kids to do the same.”
Pierre also serves as membership director for the Women’s Council of Realtors and is determined to see that organization grow as well. She is busy launching a new initiative this year—Chat & Chew—which is similar to the foundation’s Pub Nights and RPAC Happy Hours. “It’s another opportunity for members to network and get to know each other,” she said. The first one is set for March 21 at Tesoro D’Italia Restaurant in Pleasantville.
A single mother, Pierre raised her three children who are now 29, 20 and 15. She also has two grandchildren. In addition to all of her “mayoral-like” duties in Pleasantville, she is involved with fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. “My daughter has type one diabetes, so it’s important for me to be involved,” she said.
Today, she is affiliated with Coldwell Banker in Katonah as an Associate Broker and is an Independent Certified Coach.
The Anne Freyvogel Hanna Legacy Award is named after Anne F. Hanna, who co-founded Howard Hanna Real Estate Services with Howard Hanna Jr. in 1957.
Real estate coach Brian Buffini provided practical advice on how agents can thrive in challenging conditions and use change as a lever for growth, drawing on his extensive experience in training over three million professionals in 37 countries.
Swarthout is one of 111 leaders across the United States, and the third in New York State, who have devoted their careers to the land title industry and earned their designation.
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