After a lifetime of military moves, Sandra Wilkinson chose Northern Virginia as the place to start her own burgeoning business. Known even from her high school days, as the “girl who gets things done” Sandra has earned her reputation. In her committee work for the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors she is described as generally quiet, but "when she talks, you better listen". Sandra is the person you want on your real estate team.
Her real estate career began in Charleston SC and progressed to earning a Lifetime Membership in the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors Top Producer Club and Million Dollar Club. As the president and broker of a multi-office real estate company in Alexandria she gave new agents a kick start to their careers with her competitive training curriculum.
Michael's real estate career began in CA as an appraiser and continued as a real estate broker/owner and lender in West Virginia before finding his home in Northern Virginia. His business acumen and attention to detail were of paramount importance to the development of these companies.
In 1991 Sandra, a successful real estate broker and Michael Fogarty, an enterprising mortgage broker, combined their talents to create Wilkinson PM, Inc. and HomeFirst Realty
The challenging real estate market had just gone through a periodic spike and had fallen into a trough that would last until 1999. Homes could only be sold at a loss during this period. In order to rescue their clients, they planned Wilkinson PM to care for homes until the market recovered at which time HomeFirst Realty was primed to sell the homes.
The company was well-regarded by other agents and by landlords. The company grew one home at a time as landlords and other agents spread the word of the careful management techniques originated by Sandra and Michael.
Through their membership in the National Association of Residential Property Managers , Sandra & Michael were certified as RPMs by taking advanced courses and earning recommendations from their owner clients and from other professional property managers.
In 1997 Sandra and Michael bought the first of four additional management companies to merge with Wilkinson PM. Growth is continuing with Patrick Fogarty and Lee Wilkinson at the helm.
Patrick Fogarty got the entrepreneurial bug early in life from his parents Marie & Michael, both of whom created their own successful businesses. Patrick had started four ventures of his own before finally joining the family business in 2005. Now he is Owner/Principal Broker of Wilkinson PM and Associate Broker of HomeFirst Realty. Always a strong supporter of the environment, Patrick recently obtained a Realtor "Green Designation" which allows him to work with clients interested in Energy Star, LEED Certified, and Earthcraft homes. He is the proud owner of a 3.1 Kilowatt Photovoltaic solar system on his home which he uses to power his 100% electric vehicle!
Fun Facts:
Patrick is a private pilot. He learned to fly a helicopter in Camarillo, CA and later a fixed- wing plane in Denver, CO. Time and weather permitting he tries to go flying whenever possible. Patrick also rides a motorcycle, and enjoys snowboarding, kayaking, hiking, playing tennis and trying out new and fun sports.
Lee Wilkinson, Sandra’s son, graduated from West Springfield High and has lived in Northern VA since 1980. After finishing grad school and working in his field of psychology, Lee joined the firm determined to spur the company onward. After Sandra and Mike retired from active property management, Lee took Sandra's spot as Associate Broker of WPM and Principal Broker of HomeFirst Realty. His knowledge of the law and analytical approach enhances the value of our company. Remembering the angst of moving to new towns during his father’s Navy career makes Lee aware of the tension and fear involved in each family's transition. He is very conscious of the high-cost shock in Northern Virginia real estate and works to help everyone into a new home - renting or buying.
Teresa Croce is our office manager/accountant. She started working with Sandra Wilkinson, the original founder of Wilkinson PM, at another real estate company in 1987. Teresa's background is in business & accounting. In 1989, she obtained her real estate license. In 2004 Teresa joined Wilkinson PM as their office manager. She has known the Wilkinson and Fogarty families for over 20 years and has been a valuable asset to the company. Her experience has helped the company succeed and expand. Teresa is very familiar with the properties we manage and our clients as she has been playing a very significant support role at our office. Teresa is the go-to-person for all accounting related matters.
Fun Facts:
Teresa and her husband moved many times in the 1980s and so she feels very sympathetic so military families. Teresa is married and has two daughters. She is active in her church community and is a Girl Scout leader.
Beate Whitesell joined WilkinsonPM and HomeFirst Realty in 2009 as an independent agent. She graduated magna cum laude from George Mason University in 2002 with a Bachelors degree in Communication and Media Production. Beate is a multi-media professional and has worked for many production companies and TV stations in the DC Metropolitan area. In 2009 she decided to earn her real estate license and jump started a new career in real estate and property management with Wilkinson PM and HomeFirst Realty. She has already represented over a hundred customers and clients in her first year. In April, 2010 Beate also closed on her first sale and another year later crossed the 1 million dollar mark in sales.
Fun Facts:
Beate loves the outdoors. She plays in a co-ed roller hockey league, enjoys hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, sailing, playing tennis and riding her Suzuki Boulevard 800cc.
Beate also has a softer side. She studied classical music in Germany for many years. She plays the violin and has performed in numerous plays, musicals and independent productions.
Chris Kroll joined us in Spring of 2011. He was born and raised in the D. C. area. Chris served in the Marines from 1990-1994 during the Gulf War while stationed in CA. Later, Chris worked in marketing for over 12 years and then became a Realtor representing buyers since 2004. For several years he worked as an agent for a relocation company helping military clients (mainly USAA members) find new homes.
Chris has lived in Burke, Woodbridge and Fairfax and is therefore very knowledgeable with our local real estate market.
Christine joined WilkinsonPM in 2008. She has been a professional Property Manager for the entirety of her 30 year career. Christine’s real estate career began in Northwest Florida working with a builder/developer. She eventually acquired her real estate license in the state of Florida. Her career in property management started when working with a builder/developer managing the company owned 320 rental properties. As a licensed agent here in the Washington metro area, she has worked with thousands of property owners/landlords and those looking to purchase or rent properties.
JoAnn became a property manager in 1971. She first started working for Fox Realty in Arlington, Virginia. Shortly after joining Fox Realty, JoAnn earned her real estate license and Realtor designation. In 2006 Fox Realty merged with Wilkinson PM and JoAnn continued working in her position. She has been a property manager for almost 40 years and is a true pro.
Fun Facts:
JoAnn is a grandmother of four. She has two grandsons and two granddaughters who keep her busy and entertained. She maintains the accounts for her son's dental office.
John Nande joins WilkinsonPM as a property manager with over 10 years experience in property management, relocation and real estate industry. John launched his real estate career working as Relocation Specialist for a Berkshire Hathaway company. He has assisted thousands of working professionals and students with relocating to the Greater Washington, DC area. In 2004 he became a licensed realtor and has worked with a varied group of clients, listing their homes and assisting first time buyers, move-up buyers and many others with their home search. John also brings first hand knowledge of multifamily management having managed several properties in the Northern Virginia and surrounding areas. Experience in property management includes project management of major capital improvements and reserve replacement expenditures. John managed the completion of thousands of work orders during rehabilitation of distressed multi family buildings and is EPA Lead Based Paint Certified.
John holds a Masters Degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Florida International University. He is a Certified Multifamily Specialist and a Certified New Home Sales Professional.
Fun Facts:
John is married and both he and his wife, Maria are active in their church choir. Along with choral singing, he enjoys songwriting, traveling and is a licensed scuba diver.
Mike Fox started in real estate with Fox Realty, Inc., a family business his grandmother created in 1949. He received his GRI designation (Graduate of the Realtor Institute) in 1977.
In 1978 he utilized his real estate experience to obtain a staff position as a real estate appraiser. After various staff positions in Maryland he was assigned to Va. Beach and then was given an office to manage in Fairfax. In 1984 he started his own appraisal business, Fox Appraisals, doing FHA, VA, and conventional work, as well as appraisals for lawyers and private individuals.
In 1987 he was hired as an Asst. Vice Pres and Manager of the Appraisal Dept. for a local Savings Bank. That same year he received the Senior Residential Appraiser (SRA) designation from what is now the Appraisal Institute. Mike worked with the National Assoc. of Realtors (NAR) in developing their textbooks in appraising. He also taught appraisal classes for Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria Adult Ed as well as the Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS®. In 1995 Mike obtained his Broker’s license and became heavily involved with property management and subsequently he became President and Principal Broker of Fox Realty, Inc.
Much to his continuing pleasure, in 2006 Mike joined forces with Wilkinson PM, Inc. and HomeFirst Realty, Inc. as an Associate Broker.
Fun Facts:
Mike has a son, who is a freelance journalist in South America and a daughter who lives in Hawaii. Mike has been married to Mary Ann, a Maryland school teacher, since 1972. He enjoys good wine and getting out of the DC area on his motorcycle (though not at the same time) when time permits.
