Eileen Lacerte got started in real estate 41 years ago. Eileen’s father was in the military, so her family moved frequently when she was young. Eileen learned a lot from watching her father fix up old homes. “Every time we moved, he bought a fixer upper and spent the next couple years fixing it, and sold it when we left,” she says. “Then we moved on to the next house. I think my interest in houses started there.” In addition to her depth of knowledge and experience, Eileen emphasizes the relationship aspect of her business. Over her years in resort real estate, she has built strong connections with her clients, and her dedication has earned her a place in the Hall of Fame for Hawaii’s Top 100 Realtors®. Eileen serves Kona and the Kohala Coast. An impressive 90% of her business comes from repeat and referral clients, a testament to the bonds she forges and the trust she inspires. “My favorite part of working in real estate is meeting people,” Eileen says. “I live and sell in a resort, so the people I sell to are here on vacation. They’re in their happy place already when I meet them. And because of the price range they’re buying in, my clients tend to be successful entrepreneurs, so meeting them and hearing their success stories is fascinating.”