My love for Leavenworth turned out to be the key that sets me apart in a career I never anticipated.
Although I had an adequate income in the hospitality industry, my husband and I struggled to spend time together. When he suggested a career as a real estate agent, I was initially intimidated by the high stakes involved. Yet, my deep knowledge of the area and its people shone in this new career.
When I was seven, my dad moved us from Redmond, Washington, to Leavenworth—in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains—to be with my grandfather. We lived in the middle of the woods with a bunch of cats and dogs, running free whenever we wanted to.
At 16, I met my husband, Luke, at school. We knew early on that we wanted to build a life together. My dream at the time was to become a counselor. I had read an introductory psychology textbook and thought, Oh my gosh, this is amazing. The idea of helping people feel comfortable with themselves and achieve their highest potential while earning a living was incredibly appealing. Growing up, my family struggled financially, so finding a stable career to achieve financial security was a major motivator.
Determined to become a counselor, I put myself through college studying psychology while working in the restaurant industry. Meanwhile, Luke was exploring career options, and his dad suggested real estate. I realized it would have taken more debt and two more years of schooling to become a high school guidance counselor, and meanwhile Luke was thriving as a real estate agent.
I continued working at a high-end restaurant, but we realized our schedules didn’t align—he worked during the day, and I worked at night. “Why don’t you go into real estate too?” Luke suggested. I decided to give it a try while keeping my restaurant job.
The stakes of being an agent were high—people trusted me with large sums of money and life-changing decisions. I knew I had to give it my all. What I loved about the job was that it kept me on my toes. I had to learn more about government laws, the banking system, construction, and, of course, homes. It was an exciting and rewarding career, and soon enough, I transitioned into being a full-time real estate agent.
Luke and I have always been excited to have a family together and have always been interested in adoption. Having a close-knit family is important to me. I grew up without a mother, and as the oldest sister, I took on the role of caretaker—cleaning the house, ensuring my siblings did their homework, and essentially becoming an adult very early. I yearned for a mother figure and now being that now for someone feels deeply meaningful. Luke and I learned that my third cousin, Amy, was in foster care, and after a two-year process, she is now in our care. She recently turned seven, a milestone we celebrated with a trip to Disneyland.
Today, I feel incredibly grateful for our little family and the life we’ve built in Leavenworth. It’s funny—I grew up here and only realized later just how lucky I was to be raised in such a beautiful place. This community nurtured me, and now I’m honored to give back by volunteering for local organizations and helping out wherever it’s needed.
For fun, I love doing anything outdoors—skiing, snowboarding, boating, hiking, or kayaking. Luke and I even started a charter boat business in Seattle, hosting private events like parties and floating concerts. It was a calculated risk but as with anything that excites me, we went all-in and I’m proud of that. I’m grateful for my family and friends, this beautiful place we live in, and the honor of helping families with one of their biggest investments—their homes.
I take pride in guiding clients through the real estate process, ensuring they feel confident and informed every step of the way. To provide exceptional representation, I stay current on laws and regulations and take time to know my clients personally. I even drive them around so they can become familiar with neighborhoods, as buying a home is not just about the property—it’s about the lifestyle that comes with it. Having deep roots in the community, I know its history, people, and the uniqueness of each area. I also connect clients with trusted vendors, like electricians or plumbers, to meet any need.
As the only local agent offering the 72 Sold program, I use proven strategies to maximize a home’s exposure. I incorporate psychology into real estate, helping buyers avoid overpaying and identifying the best investment opportunities. For sellers, I focus on first impressions –– the scent of the home, the layout of the furniture, and the stylings of the marketing –– to ensure potential buyers can fully appreciate the space. Specializing in residential properties and vacant land, I excel at assisting out-of-town clients, managing every detail so they can buy or sell with ease.
Sincerely,
Sydney Groen