They Told Her to Sell Houses Instead

Karen Cross thought it was a little odd when one her customers told her she should be selling real estate. She used to sell office equipment for Pitney Bowes, "but then other clients starting saying the same thing,” she says. “So I decided maybe I should give real estate a try.”

That was six years ago. Today Karen is a top agent with Al Filippone Associates, under the Raveis umbrella in Fairfield. “I used to sell office equipment to Raveis, and after I got my license I researched different real estate offices and everyone kept saying Raveis, Raveis, Raveis.” Karen liked the way Al trains his new agents about how to assist buyers, to listen to clients and to market properties for sale.

She works with buyers and sellers in Fairfield, a town she knows extremely well. “I grew up in Bridgeport,” she says, “and went to Sacred Heart University. I’ve always lived in this area."

When she isn’t showing houses, Karen’s life revolves around her family with husband John Cross, and their three children. The oldest is college but the two younger kids are extremely busy. Karen is the one who gets to drive them around. “My son Grant rows at Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport, but he’s also going for his Eagle Scout certification,” she says. Their daughter Caroline is a dancer and takes classes in Trumbull and Fairfield.

Although she doesn't have a lot of free time, Karen likes to exercise. Pilates, she says, is her favorite workout. “One day I might try rowing,” she says wistfully.

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