CM Property Management Inc.

Andrea Vernerova: A Lasting Impact

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

SAN JOSE — After several years as a real estate agent, Andrea Vernerova realized she could have a more lasting impact as a property manager. “I got into real estate because I liked the idea of helping people achieve their goals of homeownership,” she recounts. “During my time as a real estate agent, I met a lot of people who managed properties. Property management was very attractive to me because, unlike real estate, you don’t just help a client one time and say goodbye—you’re able to continue helping them on a long-term basis. Eventually, I decided to trade my career as a real estate sales agent for one as a property manager.”

Ten years after becoming a property manager, Andrea joined CM Property Management Inc., where she shares management responsibilities with co-owners Mark Katz and Sam LaPlaca. “Mark started the business a couple of years before Sam and I joined,” she clarifies. “Together, we had a goal to grow the business, and our business model must be working because it has been growing faster than we even thought possible. Our model is simple: We aim to provide better service than our competitors by focusing on our relationships with owners and tenants.”

Originally from the Czech Republic, Andrea initially came to the United States with plans for a year-long stay, but she liked it so much that she never left. Today, as a resident of San Jose, she says she enjoys the dynamic character of Bay Area life. “I love living in close proximity to so many different experiences. On any given day, I can be hiking at a nearby park, perusing an art gallery, wine tasting in the Napa Valley, or energizing on the beach in Santa Cruz.”

In regard to her professional career, Andrea says she’s acquired a newfound perspective since stepping into her clients’ shoes. “In recent years, I’ve become a property owner myself, which has given me a greater appreciation for what property managers do. As a property owner, you need someone who will protect your investment, take care of your tenants and pay attention to the finer details of day-to-day management. It makes my job all the more rewarding to see things from the client’s point of view.”

When asked the first thing she’d do if she were to retire tomorrow, Andrea says she’d slow down. “As a professional woman, life can be crazy, so, if I retired tomorrow, I would take some time to rest and relax. I’d spend more time doing things I enjoy and being with people I care about. Most of all, I would just try to enjoy every moment.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Sundance The Steakhouse in Palo Alto.

Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee.

Q: What kinds of movies do you like?
A: I like thought-provoking movies that give you a different point of view or pose concepts that you normally wouldn’t think of.

Q: Do you collect anything?
A: No—on the contrary, I’m in the mode of decluttering and minimizing.

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: I used to be a night owl, but that’s changed over time. Now I go to bed early to make sure I get enough rest to enjoy the next day.