Her Story
About Barbara
Barbara Sivba serves as an associate broker with Caldwell Banker Real Estate, which has been taken over by Compass while retaining its name, in the Candlewood Lake Area of Connecticut. She has 34 years of experience in real estate, having started her career after a builder recognized her taste in finishing her waterfront home and recommended her to Pandolphi Properties. There she built an immediate business focused on the luxury and waterfront market and has been the number one broker in sales of such homes in the area for at least 28 to 29 years. She joined Caldwell Banker approximately 13 years ago after she and her partner sold their company to the franchise. Sivba earned a bachelor's degree in international marketing from Hofstra University and is multilingual in French and Spanish, which has helped her assist international clients. She is a certified global luxury agent and has received the Society of Excellence award. She attributes her success to patience and persistence in dealing with clients and finding the best alternatives even in challenging situations. Sivba advises finding a niche market and directing efforts toward it rather than trying to be everything to all people. She values kindness, caring for others, and giving without expectation, grounded in her faith, and volunteers with local charities such as Anne's Place for cancer rehab through events like their annual Christmas tree auction.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Barbara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say probably patience and persistence. Having the patience to deal with people, all types of requests, all types of clients, and having the persistence to keep going, even when sometimes it might be discouraging. You just keep forging ahead and trying to find the best alternatives for the client.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
It was patience and persistence. My former broker, when I was a fledgling, told me that you can't get discouraged, you have to set a game plan in your head as to what you want to achieve. And just keep trying to direct yourself toward it.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You can't get discouraged being new in the business. Find a niche market that you are comfortable in, and direct business toward that, and find ways that you can promote yourself through that. Find the niche you want to work in, because you can't be everything to all people.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is the lack of inventory for the buyers that we do have, and the changing market. While things were soaring, prices were soaring on waterfronts, luxury homes, things have cooled off. Trying to adjust the seller's mindset to understanding that the market has changed.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My personal life is probably kindness. Caring for others, and probably trying to be the best person you can be. Always give without expecting to receive, and I'm very based in faith, so I do believe that if we follow God's teachings, that we'll always be successful in one way or another.
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