From Broadcast Booth to Real Estate Realm: Susan Barnett's Remarkable Journey

Susan Barnett's career path has taken an unexpected turn, as the former television anchor has traded the bright lights of the newsroom for the dynamic world of real estate. After a decade-long hiatus to focus on raising her family, Barnett has found a new passion in the ever-evolving real estate industry, where her creative eye and penchant for design have become invaluable assets.

Navigating the Transition: From Broadcast to Real Estate

Embracing a New Challenge

While Susan Barnett admits to missing the camaraderie and banter of the newsroom, she is grateful for the opportunity to "take a moment" and "step away" from broadcasting when her children were young. As the 6 and 11 p.m. anchor at Channel 3, Barnett's schedule often kept her away from home from 2:30 p.m. to midnight, making it challenging to be the hands-on parent she desired to be. "Being a mom came first," she says, reflecting on her decision to prioritize her family's needs during those formative years.

Rediscovering Her Passion

Even as her children grew older and became more independent, Barnett found herself drawn to a new pursuit – real estate. "I love every aspect of real estate, from construction to design and decoration," she explains. Barnett's natural inclination to envision the potential of a space and her constant desire to enhance and reinvent have made her a perfect fit for the industry. "For as long as I can remember, I have entered homes and other spaces and designed in my head what it could look like," she says, underscoring the seamless transition from her broadcasting career to her new real estate venture.

Joining the Keller Williams Team

Barnett's real estate journey has led her to the Keller Williams agency in West Chester, where she is a member of the Gary Mercer team. In this role, she assists families in Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery counties in finding their dream homes, drawing on her keen eye for detail and her ability to understand the unique needs of each client. "I particularly like discussions about how to make a house a home," Barnett shares, highlighting her passion for guiding her clients through the process of transforming a property into a personalized living space.

Embracing a New Adventure

Alongside her work in real estate, Barnett and her husband, Greg, have embarked on a personal project – the renovation of an abandoned log cabin in the mountains of Vermont. This weekend getaway has become a labor of love, as the couple immerses themselves in the challenges of restoring the property, from addressing the lack of electricity and utilities to replacing rotting logs and ensuring consistent power and heat. "The renovation is a challenge, but we look forward to the home we envision and enjoy working through any circumstances or obstacles," Barnett says, her enthusiasm for the project palpable.

Leveraging Broadcast Skills in Real Estate

Barnett's background in broadcasting has proven to be an asset in her new real estate career. Her creative eye and ability to produce engaging videos of the properties she represents have become valuable tools in showcasing the homes to potential buyers. "Television skills do figure in to Susan's dealings with her clients," the article notes, highlighting how Barnett's experience in front of the camera has translated to her real estate endeavors.

Redefining Success

One of the key differences Barnett has noticed in her transition to real estate is the shift in her definition of success. "My aim was to connect people with properties that would suit them. I never thought about volume and still don't," she explains. Instead of focusing on sales numbers, Barnett's priority is building relationships and trust with her clients, ensuring that she finds the perfect home for each individual or family. This approach, reminiscent of her journalistic roots, has allowed Barnett to find fulfillment in her new career path.

A Lifelong Passion for the Mountains

Barnett's love for the outdoors and the mountains has been a constant throughout her life. While she grew up in Levittown and now resides in Delaware County, the Tioga County region of Pennsylvania has always held a special place in her heart as the "Barnett family happy place." This affinity for the mountains has led Barnett and her husband to explore the rugged beauty of southern Vermont, where they have discovered their log cabin project – a unique opportunity to create a home that aligns with their personal values and love for nature.