Meet Erika Pappas – Local Mom & Real Estate Agent from Lucky To Live Here Reality
Getting to know Erika!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I grew up in Watertown, a suburb of Boston. After college, I moved to NYC. I love the city and never in my wildest dreams imagined I’d end up living on Long Island! Apartment living with kids started to wear on me though, so in 2016 my husband and I started to think about moving to the suburbs. We drove around to check out towns in Connecticut, Westchester, and Long Island and I instantly fell in love with Cold Spring Harbor. It has the charm of a small New England town and yet is still accessible to everything you need in Huntington. We moved here in 2017 and I never looked back. We landed in the perfect place to raise our family.
What are your children’s names & ages?
Alexandra, 6
Mary, 3
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
My former career is in public relations and I managed publicity for celebrities and experts such as Food Network’s Guy Fieri, Cake Boss Buddy Valastro, Shark Tank’s Lori Greiner, and social media expert Gary Vaynerchuk. As part of my job, I launched TV shows, books, products, and endorsement deals. I also represented brands such as The Palm Restaurants, Apartment Therapy, Keurig, and Old Navy along the way. It was an interesting career and taught me so much about working with clients.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My husband Perry! I am so thankful to have someone I can laugh and cry with when the days are hard. I also have to thank my Mom Marie – Gram’s as she is known to her grandchildren. She’s been a special education educator for 30 years and has a special talent for connecting with kids, particularly when they are struggling. She always has the best advice for dealing with temper tantrums and other challenging kid situations. The only thing I dislike about living on Long Island is that my kids don’t get to see her all the time. They miss her so much and live for her visits. Her visits also give me a nice break too!
I also should give a shout-out to my former client Catherine McCord of Weelicious (www.weelicious.com). She is my go-to resource for feeding my kids. From making baby food to quick, healthy, uncomplicated meal ideas for picky eaters her blog and Instagram is an amazing resource.
Favorite things to do with your kids?
Go to the beach! We love exploring all the different beaches in Huntington Township. Having access to 9 beaches is an amazing perk to living here. We are also members of Eagle Dock, which is a community beach for residents of Cold Spring Harbor. As someone new to the area, Eagle Dock is where I met many of my neighbors and made my mom friends. In non-Covid times the beach committee hosts great events like Pizza Truck Fridays, bonfires, and clambakes. My kids have also met some of their closest friends at the beach and I am thrilled they will grow up with all these great memories of playing together in the sand.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I am a contributing writer for Cold Spring Harbor Living Magazine. I love getting to know people and sharing their stories. I am constantly surprised by all the amazing things going on in our small town.
I am also a member of the Goosehill Parent Teacher Organization. I am hoping now that my kids are in school more full-time to get involved with some of the charitable organizations in the Huntington area.
Tell us a little bit about working for Lucky to Live Here Reality and you as a real estate agent!
I am thrilled to be part of the Lucky To Live Here team. I have always had a passion for real estate. My parents had investment properties when I was growing up and I always tagged along to look at properties, do repairs, and yard work. Before the internet, looking at the real estate section in the Boston Globe was one of my favorite pastimes.
My public relations experience working with high-profile clients well prepared me to work in real estate. Real estate is often looked at as just a financial transaction; it is actually a highly personal and emotional experience. As a Realtor, the most important thing I do is listen to my clients. Whether they are buying or selling, my job is to be my client’s advocate and provide expert insight and counsel and negotiate for their best interest. I am committed to providing an excellent client experience, and nothing makes me happier than helping someone find their dream home or receive maximum value for the sale of their home.
As a recent transplant to Long Island from Manhattan, I also understand the needs of families looking to relocate to the suburbs. Coupled with my research on Long Island’s unique communities and dedicated service, I am well prepared to partner with families for a seamless move. In the coming weeks, I am also launching a Facebook group “UESiders to Long Island” for people who live or are interested in moving to Long Island. My goal is to provide a community where people can ask questions and share information about Long Island’s communities, kids’ activities, real estate, and anything else Long Island-related.
Check out Erika’s Instagram Page!