Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2019

www.ChsWomenInBusiness.com | www.ChsWomenInRE.com WIRE C H A R L E S T ON ’ S 2 0 1 9 Women I N R E A L E S TAT E O n a mid-March afternoon, the local real estate community gathered for the annual Charleston Trident Association of Realtors (CTAR) Awards Luncheon. As the presenter commenced announcing the 2018 “Realtor® of the Year,” Franne Schwarb glanced around the lunch table at her colleagues. The honoree’s accomplishments sounded familiar, but it hadn’t dawned on Schwarb that she could be the recipient. Upon hearing her name called, Schwarb’s jaw dropped. When she reached the front of the room to accept the award, she spotted her sister, Risa, her daughter, Jenny, and her oldest son, John, walking up from the back, flowers in hands. Unbeknownst to Schwarb, they’d flown in the night prior to join her younger son, Jeremy, at the ceremony. Together, they pulled off the surprise of Schwarb’s lifetime — hiding in a closet for two hours beforehand. BY DANIELA JOHNSON The Wonder Woman of Real Estate Franne Schwarb: 2018 Realtor of the Year “It was an overwhelming experience,” she recalled. CTAR bases the award on a real estate agent’s reputation in the community and the number of hours he or she has worked at the Board of Realtors. It’s reserved for those who’ve given up their time and provided service to the community while showing superior ethical conduct. Schwarb exceeds these requirements on a near-daily basis, though her countless hours of dedication are often behind the scenes. A culmination of over 25 years of commitment to not only the business of real estate but the people, too, the feeling of recognition is difficult for her to sum up in words. As a licensed broker in North and South Carolina, Schwarb works at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage alongside partners Chari Karinshak and Yvette Grist, who nominated Schwarb for the award along with her daughter. She finds satisfaction when clients become friends and when they love their new homes. Schwarb has several clients who’ve trusted her with transactions for multiple members of their families. As a proponent of continued education for Realtors, she was imperative in launching the CTAR Gold Card, which helps make advanced real estate education possible. However, it’s more than her business achievements that make Schwarb unique. She is a fierce advocate for causes she holds close to heart. Her son, Jeremy, has special needs, and Schwarb spoke before a congressional committee to advocate for better special-needs services. Each year, she takes part in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk and contributes to her son John’s golf charity tournament. Photos courtesy of Franne Schwarb. feature