Thu, Jan 30, 2025 |
More than four decades ago, Amy Bernstein enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin to major in elementary education, seeing teaching as a good path to make a positive impact in the world.
Little did she know that before she ever would step foot in a classroom, she would discover another way of helping people during their lifelong journey – finding the perfect home.
“I really enjoy kids, but when I received an internship selling real estate between my junior and senior year of college, I just fell in love with everything about the residential real estate business,” Bernstein told the JHV.
“My summer internship was in Houston with Laguarta, Gavrel and Kirk, and I loved it from the minute I walked in the door on the first day. From the people to the homes to the negotiations, it was different and exciting every single day.”
Fast forward to January 2025, and Amy is still brimming with excitement as she celebrates 40 years with her own agency, Bernstein Realty, which she opened in January 1985, shortly after graduating from UT-Austin.
“Forty years have gone by so quickly. It really feels as if we just started yesterday,” Bernstein said. “From the beginning, my goal was to build a boutique brand in Houston that gave customized, personal service and develop many long-lasting relationships along the way.”
Today, Bernstein Realty is one of the top real estate companies in Houston, with approximately 30 agents and 10 staff members specializing in everything pertaining to residential real estate – from corporate relocations to assisting local buyers and sellers, leasing, apartment locating and property management.
Bernstein agents assist buyers and sellers all around the Greater Houston area and in all price ranges.
Over the years, the agency has received many industry accolades, and Amy Bernstein has served as a director of the Texas Association of Realtors and the Houston Association of Realtors.
Bernstein’s corporate relocation department has been recognized by major relocation companies for partnership and excellent service.
The agency has won numerous awards locally and from the corporate relocation community, including the U.S. Real Estate Service Partner of the Year. Bernstein Realty also has been honored with the All Star Award for Outstanding Achievements for Real Estate and Rental Support Services and Partnership; The World of Quality Award, based on internal and external services; and, most recently, the Own It Award for Service and Excellence in Accountability and Partnership.
Bernstein’s strength in the corporate relocation world has helped the company gain an important edge in its early days.
“It would have been very difficult for a new company to compete with the established companies in the 1980s,” she said. “A new company has to earn its reputation, build its brand and prove itself. Our niche in corporate relocation was really a big help with that.”
The main reasons for the success of the company have been the dedication, professionalism, loyalty and friendships of many of the associates, agents and staff, alike.
“Our agents and staff are the best in the business, in my opinion, and it is what makes the company what it is today,” she said. “We all enjoy each other, enjoy working with each other, helping each other and cheering for each other.
“We have built the company over the years together, and I am very grateful for each of them. Many have been with the company for decades. They are really like family to me and have been an integral part to building the company.”
Another key to Bernstein’s success is the ability to evolve as the industry has changed.
“We’ve been through so much together, going from learning to embrace all the new technologies as they come out and learning all the new tools to make us more efficient through the years,” she said.
“COVID changed the way we all did business. Zoom changes the way we do business, contract changes over the years. The new NAR ruling last August changed the way we do business, and many other changes along the way.
“The only thing certain in our industry is change, but we have a close-knit group of individuals who work through all these changes, and we come out stronger, and with new and improved systems with each change, each time. We just have to manage the ebbs and flows of our industry.”
Constant learning has kept Bernstein Realty sharp. An advisory committee, made up of several of the firm’s top producers, meet regularly and bring forward new ideas from all the agents, involving discussions on many different topics.
In addition, experts in their field often are brought in to share their insights regarding the many aspects of the real estate business, such as appraisal, financing, title and others.
“We are constantly wanting to improve and stay on top of our skills,” she said.
Another important part of Bernstein Realty is giving back to the community.
Bernstein has sponsored events at many synagogues and Jewish schools and organizations over the years, including Alexander JFS, Holocaust Museum Houston, Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, Congregations Beth Israel and Beth Yeshurun and The Emery/Weiner School.
“We embrace a philosophy of giving back,” she said. “We are always mindful of the schools and organizations that need sponsorships. We try to touch on as many of those as we can.”
A cause close to Amy Bernstein’s heart is breast cancer research. Bernstein helped create the Nancy Owens Breast Cancer Foundation more than 20 years ago, in honor of the former esteemed Houston real estate broker and Amy’s dear friend and mentor.
“Upon her passing in 2001, there was a group of us who wanted to carry on her legacy and keep her memory alive and help find a cure for breast cancer,” she said. “We wanted to carry the torch in her honor. To date, because of the generous donations of so many, we have donated close to $2 million to breast cancer research through the foundation.”
Looking back on the past four decades, Bernstein expresses gratitude for all of the people who have made the company’s journey possible, from the agents and staff to thousands of customers over the years.
“We are extremely grateful for the clients who trust us with one of their largest investments,” she said. “There are many excellent choices when choosing a real estate broker, and all of us at Bernstein Realty consider it an honor and privilege to be of service.
“It is because of them, the company has become what it is today. Our goal is to continue to provide excellent service and never lose sight of the personal touch and the attention to detail our customers rely on us for.”
And what of Bernstein’s original planned career path?
“I did student teaching and that was enough for me,” she said. “But I still get to teach and share my experiences in a different field with first-time home buyers and sellers and my associates every day. I love to help them all with their careers and teach our new agents the real estate business.
“I’m just very passionate about the real estate industry, and I love to share that excitement with others.”
Little did she know that before she ever would step foot in a classroom, she would discover another way of helping people during their lifelong journey – finding the perfect home.
“I really enjoy kids, but when I received an internship selling real estate between my junior and senior year of college, I just fell in love with everything about the residential real estate business,” Bernstein told the JHV.
“My summer internship was in Houston with Laguarta, Gavrel and Kirk, and I loved it from the minute I walked in the door on the first day. From the people to the homes to the negotiations, it was different and exciting every single day.”
Fast forward to January 2025, and Amy is still brimming with excitement as she celebrates 40 years with her own agency, Bernstein Realty, which she opened in January 1985, shortly after graduating from UT-Austin.
“Forty years have gone by so quickly. It really feels as if we just started yesterday,” Bernstein said. “From the beginning, my goal was to build a boutique brand in Houston that gave customized, personal service and develop many long-lasting relationships along the way.”
Today, Bernstein Realty is one of the top real estate companies in Houston, with approximately 30 agents and 10 staff members specializing in everything pertaining to residential real estate – from corporate relocations to assisting local buyers and sellers, leasing, apartment locating and property management.
Bernstein agents assist buyers and sellers all around the Greater Houston area and in all price ranges.
Over the years, the agency has received many industry accolades, and Amy Bernstein has served as a director of the Texas Association of Realtors and the Houston Association of Realtors.
Bernstein’s corporate relocation department has been recognized by major relocation companies for partnership and excellent service.
The agency has won numerous awards locally and from the corporate relocation community, including the U.S. Real Estate Service Partner of the Year. Bernstein Realty also has been honored with the All Star Award for Outstanding Achievements for Real Estate and Rental Support Services and Partnership; The World of Quality Award, based on internal and external services; and, most recently, the Own It Award for Service and Excellence in Accountability and Partnership.
Bernstein’s strength in the corporate relocation world has helped the company gain an important edge in its early days.
“It would have been very difficult for a new company to compete with the established companies in the 1980s,” she said. “A new company has to earn its reputation, build its brand and prove itself. Our niche in corporate relocation was really a big help with that.”
The main reasons for the success of the company have been the dedication, professionalism, loyalty and friendships of many of the associates, agents and staff, alike.
“Our agents and staff are the best in the business, in my opinion, and it is what makes the company what it is today,” she said. “We all enjoy each other, enjoy working with each other, helping each other and cheering for each other.
“We have built the company over the years together, and I am very grateful for each of them. Many have been with the company for decades. They are really like family to me and have been an integral part to building the company.”
Another key to Bernstein’s success is the ability to evolve as the industry has changed.
“We’ve been through so much together, going from learning to embrace all the new technologies as they come out and learning all the new tools to make us more efficient through the years,” she said.
“COVID changed the way we all did business. Zoom changes the way we do business, contract changes over the years. The new NAR ruling last August changed the way we do business, and many other changes along the way.
“The only thing certain in our industry is change, but we have a close-knit group of individuals who work through all these changes, and we come out stronger, and with new and improved systems with each change, each time. We just have to manage the ebbs and flows of our industry.”
Constant learning has kept Bernstein Realty sharp. An advisory committee, made up of several of the firm’s top producers, meet regularly and bring forward new ideas from all the agents, involving discussions on many different topics.
In addition, experts in their field often are brought in to share their insights regarding the many aspects of the real estate business, such as appraisal, financing, title and others.
“We are constantly wanting to improve and stay on top of our skills,” she said.
Another important part of Bernstein Realty is giving back to the community.
Bernstein has sponsored events at many synagogues and Jewish schools and organizations over the years, including Alexander JFS, Holocaust Museum Houston, Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, Congregations Beth Israel and Beth Yeshurun and The Emery/Weiner School.
“We embrace a philosophy of giving back,” she said. “We are always mindful of the schools and organizations that need sponsorships. We try to touch on as many of those as we can.”
A cause close to Amy Bernstein’s heart is breast cancer research. Bernstein helped create the Nancy Owens Breast Cancer Foundation more than 20 years ago, in honor of the former esteemed Houston real estate broker and Amy’s dear friend and mentor.
“Upon her passing in 2001, there was a group of us who wanted to carry on her legacy and keep her memory alive and help find a cure for breast cancer,” she said. “We wanted to carry the torch in her honor. To date, because of the generous donations of so many, we have donated close to $2 million to breast cancer research through the foundation.”
Looking back on the past four decades, Bernstein expresses gratitude for all of the people who have made the company’s journey possible, from the agents and staff to thousands of customers over the years.
“We are extremely grateful for the clients who trust us with one of their largest investments,” she said. “There are many excellent choices when choosing a real estate broker, and all of us at Bernstein Realty consider it an honor and privilege to be of service.
“It is because of them, the company has become what it is today. Our goal is to continue to provide excellent service and never lose sight of the personal touch and the attention to detail our customers rely on us for.”
And what of Bernstein’s original planned career path?
“I did student teaching and that was enough for me,” she said. “But I still get to teach and share my experiences in a different field with first-time home buyers and sellers and my associates every day. I love to help them all with their careers and teach our new agents the real estate business.
“I’m just very passionate about the real estate industry, and I love to share that excitement with others.”