Let’s face it—the process of buying or selling a home can seem overwhelming at times.
For the neurodivergent, it’s especially daunting.
That’s where the Danielle Winn Team of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty comes in. As the local team’s website states, their realtors do business with “Patience. Empathy. Real estate support designed with you in mind.”
Winn, who’s worked in real estate for 23 years, opened her specialized firm in Camp Hill last year. Although the business isn’t limited to serving only special needs individuals, team lead Winn believes it’s important to offer realty services tailored for the neurodivergent.
“We realized this was an underserved population,” she said. “The work we’ve done with them has been very fulfilling.”
Winn and her team understand their concept firsthand. At 46 years old, Winn is just now in the process of being evaluated for high functioning, “masked” autism, noting that women are often diagnosed with such conditions later in life than men because their symptoms may not appear as “noticeable.”
Nearly all her team operates with various forms of neurodivergence, such as autism, attention deficit disorder (ADD) or a combination of factors. Realtor Kiersten Hyman, who lives with ADD, also has a background in social work and teaching children on the autism spectrum.
“I get how stressful this whole (realty) process can be,” Hyman stated. “That’s why I do things differently: clear communication, no pressure, and I’m super patient.”
Realtor Nora Whitman, 42, gets it, too.
“I am late in life diagnosed with ADHD,” she said. “It helps me to understand my clients better.”
So how is the process of buying or selling homes different when working with neurodivergent clients?
“Our approach is intentionally structured, transparent and adaptable because ‘one-size-fits-all’ doesn’t actually fit most people,” Whitman said.
For starters, the firm’s “sensory-friendly” office offers special needs clients “quiet space, private restrooms, elevator access and adjustable lighting/music.” Clients are given flexibility of such meeting options as in-home visits, Zoom or “a location that feels comfortable.” Matters are explained to clients “step by step, with no pressure,” and repeated as many times as needed. The team also welcomes texts or messages 24/7 “unless we’re sleeping.”
For example, Winn recalled when she recently “went over all the closing papers” with a client with a traumatic brain injury.
“I’m able to break down the process as many times as needed,” she said. “We all have the same anxieties. We don’t like loud noises, either. We just can’t rush through things (with clients).”
Amanda Orner, of Lower Paxton Township, is one of Winn’s buyers. Although not neurodivergent herself, Orner and her “unofficially diagnosed” husband, Jeremiah, are parents to Gracie, 15, who lives with “high functioning” autism, and Joe, 13, who has “severe autism.”
Orner first knew Winn as a friend and became her client five years ago when Winn worked for another firm. As it turned out, Winn’s work with the Orners involved a lot more than finding the family a home.
“Our apartment building was threatening to evict us because of the noise my son was making,” Orner said. “He was doing virtual learning at home and would make loud vocalizations and bang on walls whenever he got frustrated.”
Winn, she said, “advocated” for her son.
“She set up a Facebook page for him titled ‘A House for Joe,’” Orner said. “She was so comfortable around Joe.”
Additionally, the family had “bank issues” due to a second party’s actions, but “Danielle got us a lawyer and helped us,” Orner said.
“It took us a long time to find a house, but Danielle was so involved with getting us the best home for my children’s needs,” she added. “She made sure the house and the neighborhood would be good for them.”
If that weren’t enough, Winn and her cousin, Carlisle real estate agent Brittany Jean Lesher, followed through and painted Gracie Orner’s new bedroom her favorite shade of pink.
“Danielle is so great about working with neurodivergent needs,” Amanda Orner said. “She made sure the house would be good for Joe. My kids are so happy here.”
For information about the Danielle Winn Team of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty, visit www.realtorsforneurodivergents.com or call 717-761-7900. The firm also is on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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