From Flipping to Finding Her Passion: Jenni Stolarski Stumbled Upon Her Career as a Realtor

You can tell that Jenni Stolarski has a lot to be excited about. The Kings Highway Conservation District resident and Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s agent is hard at work making her neighborhood a better place to live. How does she do it? By putting down roots. Literally.

Stolarski started an effort last year to plant hundreds of trees in North Oak Cliff. The program is called reTree Oak Cliff, and has already had its first successful planting in Stolarski’s very own neighborhood. The next planting is scheduled for April 6 in the Summit Lawn neighborhood. Stolarski said that the group, sponsored by TXU Energy, Texas Trees Foundation, Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Regional Chamber Young Professionals, and the City of Dallas, will plant 100 trees in the neighborhood.

Want to volunteer with the likes of Mayor Rawlings? Find out more and register here.

CandysDirt.com: Where are you from?

Jenni Stolarski: I grew up in San Antonio, TX. When I lived there it was boring, but now they have invested so much into their art scene and the Pearl Area, it’s amazing.

CD: How did you get into real estate?

Stolarski: Kind of a funny story. When we moved here from Manhattan, I didn’t have a job. We purchased an investment property and wanted to have a few more. So I did all the training to become a Realtor to get MLS access (this is before the days of Zillow, kids). Turns out, I loved it. So I started working with buyers and sellers almost immediately.

CD: As a Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s agent, you’ve carved out a niche as an expert in Oak Cliff real estate. How do you stay on top?

Stolarski: Am I on top? Wow, someone call my mom, please! (CD: You’re so modest! )

CD: Where is home for you in Dallas?

Stolarski: I live in North Oak Cliff, in a saltbox home that backs up to Stevens Park Golf Course. The neighborhood is called Kings Highway.

CD: And you drive a … let me guess, Mercedes Benz?

Stolarski: My dream car is a Tesla, but I drive a BMW Z3.

CD: What’s your favorite ‘hood in Dallas and why?

Stolarski: Mine. The trees, the hills, the architecture and great neighbors. What’s not to love?

CD: What was your best/highest sale?

Stolarski: The best sales are the ones where I help someone find a home & make a friend in the process.

CD: Likewise, what was your most difficult/memorable transaction?

Stolarski: The most memorable transaction was a personal investment purchase. When we showed up for the final walkthrough, the house was STILL full of car bumpers, leftover house parts and (no lie) a foot and a half of clothing, paper and other stuff. We had to delay the closing until the seller cleaned it out. Blech.

CD: How quickly have you ever turned a house?

Stolarski: The last 6 houses I have listed sold in less than 7 days and three of those before they hit MLS.

CD: How much did you sell last year?

Stolarski: (Do people really answer this?) (CD: Yes! And sometimes they really surprise us!)

CD: What have you learned about selling that makes you so successful?

Stolarski: I learn something new every time. So I bring expertise, but always stay open to the fact that each sale has some new moving part. That also keeps me on my toes!

CD: If you ever change careers for an encore you’ll…

Stolarski: …be the head gardener at some giant estate or castle.

CD: Do you have a second home? If so, where?

Stolarski: My second home is rental property … four blocks from my house. Great house. Not really a place I plan to “summer.”