Jennifer Berman Was ‘The Brightest Star In Any Room’

Be a part of the motion at Inman Join Las Vegas, July 30 – Aug. 1! Seize the second to take cost of the subsequent period in actual property. By means of immersive experiences, revolutionary codecs and an unparalleled lineup of audio system, this gathering turns into greater than a convention — it turns into a collaborative power shaping the way forward for our business. Secure your tickets now!

The world of luxurious actual property grew a bit darker on Tuesday as considered one of its personal — known as by many one of many business’s “brightest stars” — handed from this world to the subsequent.

LA native Jennifer Berman grew to become one of many metropolis’s leaders in luxurious and went on to depart an impression on actual property nationwide along with her dedication, management and infectious spirit.

After beginning her profession at Homestore, Berman took her administration expertise to Keller Williams, First Staff Estates and Hilton & Hyland. She went on to associate with Chris Pollinger on luxurious agent consultancy agency Berman and Pollinger and, in the end, served as chief working officer at DirectOffer.

Berman shared her effervescent persona with the world by co-starring in NBC’s Itemizing Unimaginable alongside Aaron Kirman. She grew to become often known as a “godmother” to many forged members of the primary season of Bravo’s Million Greenback Itemizing for the function she performed in serving to to launch their careers. She additionally performed a pivotal function in organizing Inman’s first-ever Luxurious Join occasion in Beverly Hills.

In mourning the lack of Berman’s life, a number of business professionals shared with Inman her impression, together with Kirman, who remembered fondly their lengthy days taking pictures on set collectively.

“Jennifer had this larger-than-life power, and he or she might command any room whereas making everybody smile,” the AKG | Christie’s Worldwide Actual Property CEO stated. “I bear in mind taking pictures along with her on Itemizing Unimaginable — even throughout lengthy days behind the digicam, she would at all times hold us laughing and there was by no means a uninteresting second. Her legacy will dwell on in what number of brokers within the business she mentored and the lives she touched.”

Gary Gold of Coldwell Banker acquired to know Berman “actually, very well” by way of their time collectively at Hilton & Hyland, when he bestowed on her the nickname “The Pistol” for what he known as her “aggressive enthusiasm.”

“[Jen] appeared to know everybody in the true property business,” Gold instructed Inman in an e-mail. “My fondest reminiscence is the time we have been on the Christie’s annual convention in Coronado and he or she made me keenly conscious I used to be not ready for a keynote I used to be going to make the subsequent day. She helped me rehearse till midnight, making me current my speak to her 4 occasions in a row till I acquired it proper.

“She knew just about each facet of residential actual property from the brokers’, brokers’ and distributors’ perspective, and at all times had an opinion,” Gold continued. “She made our business enjoyable. I feel her highest quality was that she championed folks’s greatest belongings by making them understand the qualities they have already got and leveraging them.”

Chris Pollinger of RE Luxe Leaders, in a tribute on social media, praised Berman’s authenticity to be “as uncommon as a flawless diamond,” whereas additionally calling out her “unmatched loyalty” and “golden” recommendation.

Pollinger additionally instructed Inman in an e-mail that Berman hid her vulnerabilities, together with her prolonged battle with most cancers, along with her brave spirit.

“Whereas most simply noticed the fearless facet of her, which was ever-present in public, I acquired to see her backstage,” Pollinger stated. “It wasn’t that she was fearless — she had some very deep vulnerabilities — it was that she was unbelievably courageous.

“The general public who skilled the power of nature that was Jennifer Berman have been impressed by it,” he continued. “However only some actually knew her actual story and what actually drove her. For these fortunate few, we have been remodeled by it.”

One other particular person who was supplied a window into her struggles was Madison Hildebrand of The Malibu Life at Compass. Hildebrand was considered one of Berman’s family members who surrounded her in her dwelling as she died by means of California’s End of Life Option Act.

The act, which was handed in 2015 and went into impact in 2016, permits Californians with a critical, life-limiting sickness to self-administer drugs prescribed by their physician to finish their life.

“She was in her own residence [in Newport], surrounded by love and her canine, Bibiana,” Hildebrand stated. “She simply actually had a zest for all times and it’s unhappy to see individuals who actually do get pleasure from life a lot get it taken out from below them from a illness they will’t management.”

“Lots of people are struggling, and he or she discovered a method to make use of regulation to get herself out of that struggling, and it took an amazing quantity of braveness,” Hildebrand added. “It was a really peaceable transition and it felt proper for her. For these others which can be struggling, I feel she would need them to know that that is one thing that [was passed].”

Berman is remembered for shepherding ladies within the business by way of her phrases and actions, serving as their champion. She was a frequent attendee and speaker at feminine business occasions WomenUp! and Awesome Females.

Inman Head of Neighborhood Laura Monroe recalled how after she met Berman in 2014 and co-moderated many occasions thereafter along with her, Berman “took me below her wing.”

“[She] help[ed] my endeavors personally and professionally each step of the way in which, together with me and reaching out to alternate recommendation in life and enterprise,” Monroe stated. “After each name, I might hear her well-known snicker and [she’d] say, ‘I really like you child lady, miss you want loopy.’

“Years after we met, the ups and downs of life grew to become central to our help of each other. That’s whenever you knew you had an actual good friend,” Monroe continued. “Offstage, the rawness of life’s challenges discovered a brand new place in her function as a frontrunner in actual property — serving to ladies discover and acknowledge the energy they’ve inside them, and their voice. No nonsense, get on with it, and inform your pals you’re keen on them.”

d11 Consulting founder and CEO Debra Trappen first met Berman at an Inman Join in San Francisco and have become nearer to her after the pair each offered at an Superior Females gathering and have become “sisters.”

“She was a guiding mild, a confidante, my angel, and I used to be hers,” Trappen instructed Inman. “By means of her, I discovered the artwork of unapologetically advocating for myself. I witnessed her navigate her well being challenges gracefully and at all times marveled at her potential to command the room from her tiny body with that raspy, gravelly voice I’ll perpetually miss listening to.”

In Berman’s reminiscence, Trappen stated she hoped that those that knew her would remind their very own pricey ones simply how a lot they care.

“As we collectively mourn her loss, allow us to honor Jen’s reminiscence by cherishing our family members,” Trappen stated. “Maintain them slightly nearer and inform them you’re keen on them, simply as she would have wished.”

Get Inman’s Luxury Lens Newsletter delivered proper to your inbox. A weekly deep dive into the largest information on this planet of high-end actual property delivered each Friday. Click here to subscribe.

Email Lillian Dickerson