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Susan Strawgate Code, a resident of Briarcliff Manor, went into real estate as her third career. Originally a matrimonial attorney, Code began to appreciate the many aspects of real estate while working with Brownstone Publishers, a real estate publishing company. Both backgrounds come in handy in real estate, Code says.
As an associate broker in Briarcliff Manor, she has spent her entire real estate career with Houlihan Lawrence in Westchester County. Susan has been a consistent top producer in her office, ranking Number 1 for the past two years. About to celebrate her 20th anniversary with Houlihan, she is recognized as also ranking in the Top 15 agents company-wide. She is consistently a top award winner from the Westchester County Board of Realtors and was voted a Five Star Realtor by buyers and sellers, in Westchester Magazine for 2010 and 2011.
Part of what makes Code so successful might be that she understands the emotional side of selling houses. “The stress of buying or selling a home is right up there with marriage, divorce, birth, death, or a new job,” Code says. While working with clients, she says they sometimes get to know each other better than family and friends. "A home is more than an investment; it's the place you raise your children, host family and friend events, or grow old," says Code, "It's important to get it right." She specializes in the Briarcliff Manor, Ossining, Pleasantville and Croton areas and has a great deal of knowledge of the nearby neighborhoods as well.
Code says most agents point to their concern with their client’s needs. But she truly puts their interests first — sometimes even recommending another agent with a particular specialty if it will help her client. Code has a network of relationships with agents, inspectors, contractors, mortgage lenders, movers and others throughout the county that she taps into when working with her clients.
She brings that same passion for doing her best for others to her community service. Married with two grown children, Code has volunteered in local schools and her temple. She says volunteering has become a family affair. She and her husband always taught their children that when you are fortunate you should give something back. Her family dedicates it’s time to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation because her nephew has the disease, a life-impacting illness that affects movement and muscles. The Code family holds a garage sale fundraiser each year to aid research and support.
Code also devotes time and energy each week to Friends of Karen, a children's charity which provides emotional and financial support for families of critically ill children in the tri-state area. Her voice cracks as she explains how a little help goes a long way to aid families struggling with the unthinkable. Code ties her charity and real estate work together, saying it all proves how important home and community are to everyday life.
