Local Insider
- May 12, 2021
- 3 min read

Q&A with Howard Hanna Real Estate Sales Agent, Irina Groysman

Irina Groysman has an undeniable passion for real estate. Born in Russia, her parents moved her family to Brooklyn, NY in 1987. They became real estate investors, and with that, Irina grew up looking at houses differently than most of us. Learning to pay attention to aesthetics of houses and buildings, and the possibilities, this bestowed a love of real estate deep within her. It is no surprise that her and her husband of 18 years also became real estate investors too. Moving to Rochester from Brooklyn over 20 years ago, they began investing in local properties and fell in love with the area. They chose to put down their roots and start a family with daughters Gabby (17) and Victoria (16).

Irina, now a Howard Hanna Real Estate Sales Agent, has become a local expert to both buyers and sellers with her inside knowledge of real estate. She knows that buying or selling your home is one of the most important decisions of your life and she will be there every step of the way.

We were able to catch Irina for a few fun questions and educational tips for buying/selling in the current house market.

My all-time favorite food is "SUSHI! I LOVE SUSHI!"

People would be surprised if they knew "I speak English and Russian."

The word that best describes me is "HONEST! I am naturally a truthful person who really cares about helping others and will always be straight with you."

I secretly love "80’s music; the last concert I went to was Depeche Mode!"

When the pandemic is over, the first thing I’ll do is "Host a Dinner Party and invite everyone I know!"

My favorite past time is "I know it sounds crazy, but I really enjoy cleaning my house and organizing. It makes me feel great to have a clean space and everything in its place!"

The best advice I would give a home buyer is "Even if you are “just looking” it is best to go through a real estate agent rather than just window shop online. A professional real estate agent will have complete access to all homes on the market that may not be on the platforms you are viewing. They also have a pulse on the market, which will give you the needed edge in today’s competitive market. Enlisting the right real estate agent is like having your very own private investigator in your home search!"

The best thing about low interest rates for a home buyer is "You may be able to afford more house than you think which will expand your possibilities! The very first thing I do is direct my potential buyer to a trusted mortgage lender so they can figure out where they are financially. Even if you were prequalified a year or two ago, do it again! Having this prequalification is also crucial in this aggressive market because it won’t delay your offer when you find the home of your dreams!"

3 tips I would give someone thinking of placing their home on the market would be "Now is a really good time to list your home if you want the best return on your investment. You can make small adjustments for little cost to increase the salability of your home. First, DECLUTTER! Start your “moving out” process by storing everything you are not using in your garage or basement. PAINT! This freshens and makes everything look new. CLEAN UP YOUR LANDSCAPING! Simple and clean attracts home buyers."

The most important trait someone should look for in a real estate agent is "Experience and impressive productions are important, but not the only indicators for a successful match. Find an agent you can trust and that shows commitment to you and your investment. Someone who will represent you with both integrity and tenacity, whether you are selling or buying your home."