Mara Moves into Syosset

There's a new Realtor located at the Jericho Turnpike shopping center in Syosset - but their faces are familiar and their business offers the same personal touch.

Mara Navaretta and  opened up its' doors at their new 567 Jericho Turnpike location on Sept. 1, after being located on Jackson Ave. for eight months.  The new office offers the agency much more space for their planned expansion, as Mara said things are "getting much better" - but the road to Jericho Turnpike was not exactly paved with gold. 

Navaretta was an agent with "biggies" for 15 years. She was with ReMax in 2007 before the told her they were shutting the door. Next up was Century 21 - they shut the door within six months. At that time she said she had enough, and decided to start her own agency. 

"I just said, that's it," Navaretta said. "I got tired of putting my future in someone else's hands."

Navaretta and her agents would ultimately survive the real estate collapse and the recession that followed.

Navaretta credits her husband John with helping her out. John is a real estate attorney whose practice, Navaretta & Howard, LLP, is also located inside the Jericho Turnpike location. John's law firm has a special focus in real estate and provides representation for all of Mara's agents. It was John's firm that was first located at the Jackson Ave. location (since 2001), and he allowed Mara to take the address to do business.

Within 30 days of signing the lease at the Jericho Turnpike location, they opened the doors together on Sept. 1. 

"I just felt like I could service my clients better," Navaretta said of her agency. "The barriers were taken down - No rules or politics - just us and the client."

The agency services a large variety of clients - Navaretta said some of the homes listed include beginner homes starting at $449,000, up to $2 million homes in Brookville. An $8 million home in Old Brookville is the cream of the crop. The team has worked with various sports figures, including New York Rangers and New York Jets, and even a couple of celebrities. 

Navaretta employs a team of five agents, and her husband is just two doors away to help. 

"If we have questions, he's right on top of it," she said. "He's been awesome."

Navaretta said expanding the team of five is in the works, but no matter how much bigger they get, and no matter how many athletes or big names they might work with, she said they'll still offer all their clients that same personal touch. 

"We're growing so fast," she said. "But our logo is going to be "the power of personal service." 

Homes By Mara will be hosting a on Dec. 8, from 4 - 8 p.m. For more information on the event and on Homes By Mara, please visit their website or call them at 516-551-3347.