My Life: A Perfect Blend of Real Estate, Family, and Critters

Hi, I’m Francesca, a Realtor of 24 years, a mom of two incredible teenage boys that have only given us a few extra gray hairs, a wife to a cultured redneck, and a proud advocate for everything from the four-legged, and in need of rescuing to fiercely protecting our community and fragile coastal environment from over-development. If you're wondering how those ingredients mix into one life, the answer is... beautifully chaotic.

I was born in the fashion capital of the world, Milan, Italy,  which might explain why I’m slightly out of place in camo country. But I was also raised in Italy and Spain, which means I can speak Italian and Spanish fast enough to confuse my kids and husband when they’re testing my patience. Most of my family lives in Italy, but as any good Italian family does, we stay very close-knit,  thanks to a WhatsApp group that’s livelier than a Roman piazza on a Saturday night. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like waking up to 137 new messages from multiple aunts, uncles and cousins wishing you a good day.

Now let’s talk about my husband. He’s a cultured redneck who can debate about all things fishing and hunting while giving a lecture about Southern cuisine and good wine. I’m pretty sure our life together is proof that opposites attract. He loves to fish, hunt, and all things outdoors, while I prefer to rescue animals (and give them warm, forever homes). Our house is a bit of a sanctuary, minus the admission fee.

Oh, and did I mention that my spicy and beautiful Italian mother lives with us? Between her and our three rescue dogs, we’ve got plenty of authority figures under one roof. She keeps everyone in line, my husband included, with her no-nonsense yet loving approach to life.

When I’m not trying to save the world, I’ve been a full-time real estate broker for 24 years helping a few thousand very special people purchase and sell homes and land. I can’t imagine doing anything else, except maybe saving even more homeless animals. There’s something special about finding the perfect home for people... though if I find one with a great backyard for dogs, let’s be real, it’s already sold.