How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
I have a daughter named Vasi who is 6 years old.
Where do your children go to school?
Vasi is in first grade at West Maple Elementary School
Tell us more about your business and background? What do you love most about your career?
I am a residential real estate broker with DOBI Real Estate in Birmingham. I work with home sellers and buyers throughout Oakland County, with a specialty in helping families move up to homes that support their changing family and lifestyle needs.
Starting my real estate business was a risky move for me. I am a lawyer and graduate of Wayne State University Law School. I spent nearly a decade practicing law with a large Midwest law firm and as in-house counsel for one of the “Big 3” Detroit automakers. As a lawyer, I advised clients in commercial transactions, from buying and selling commercial real estate to buying and selling businesses.
Ultimately, I was not happy or fulfilled practicing law and so I took a leap of faith and started my real estate sales business. It was the best decision I have ever made in my professional life.
I love that I can use my expertise in real estate law, negotiation, and contracts to educate my clients, eliminate any mystery in the buying or selling process for them, and ensure that they make really well informed decisions.
Most of all, I enjoy the personal relationships I develop with my clients. I feel privileged to be invited into a very personal part of their lives and to guide them through the selling or buying of their most important asset.
Also, I’m a fan of following you on social. You give such great advice and knowledge about real estate, what’s something important we should know?
Thank you so much! My goal on social media is to be a resource for my network and community by providing useful information and advice on buying, selling, and home ownership. You will find a host of information in my feed on these topics.
Need a good referral for refinishing your hardwood floors? Have a question on how your property taxes are calculated? Wondering whether a kitchen renovation will see a full return on your investment? DM me and I am always happy to share what I know.
You will also get a healthy dose of my day-to-day life as a mom, real estate broker, old home enthusiast (we’re currently renovating our mid-century modern home), and community supporter (we’re always exploring local restaurants, shops and family destinations).
You can follow me on Instagram @alexandralannen.
What was the biggest project the last year that kept you the busiest?
My business has grown exponentially in the eighteen months, and the biggest project on my plate is refining my systems to support this new level of business. I am working on automating certain parts of my back-end process to ensure that I continue to be the thoughtful, present advisor I pride myself on being to each of my clients.
What made you decide to raise your family here?
Family was a big part of the decision. I grew up in Troy and have close family in Oakland County. I honestly don’t know how we would have survived as parents without the help of family!
We also love living in metro Detroit, with so many natural and cultural resources at our fingertips. The Birmingham/Bloomfield area was particularly attractive to us because my husband works in Bloomfield Hills, we enjoy living near such a vibrant downtown, the schools are fantastic, and we have an appreciation for older homes and architecture.
What’s your favorite family activity in Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills?
We love spending Sunday mornings in the summer at the Birmingham Farmer’s Market. We eat our way through the market and do as much grocery shopping as possible for the week.
Also, on Friday evenings after a long week, we like to play at one of the parks in downtown Birmingham then walk to one of the restaurants for dinner. We do this well into the winter too!
Where are your favorite places around town with your kids?
Cranbrook is a favorite with my daughter, whether it’s the gardens, science museum or art museum. We make frequent trips to Detroit to explore. We are also spending more and more time on our daughter’s extracurricular activities. She is loving horseback riding and dance lessons.
What do you do to balance your own life and motherhood? What do you do for “me” time? Juggling your own business and kids is always hard work.
It is a constant challenge in our household to balance parenthood and two demanding careers. I struggle with voicing and prioritizing my own needs, as I think many moms do.
During the pandemic shut-down last year, I decided that I needed to start taking better care of myself, even when it means a little time away from my family. Each week is different. Sometimes I will take an early morning walk alone with my favorite podcast, an hour or two on a Sunday afternoon to focus on my business goals for the upcoming week, or I will plan a dinner date with my husband or girlfriends. When I consistently take this time for myself, I am a better mom, partner and businessperson.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My husband is the most attentive father to our daughter. When he is at home he is very focused on parenting, which I so appreciate.
We are also very fortunate to have many family members who have been influential in our parental journey and in our daughter’s life, including our parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, and cousins.
I owe a special thank you to my mom and sister. They are both nurses and have been sounding boards for so many questions and issues, and also incredible supports when I struggled with postpartum depression. I am in a healthy, happy place in large part because of their guidance.
