It's hard to believe that I started in the real estate business in 1965. After graduating from Cheshire Academy and obtaining a degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, a partner and I formed Sarria & Calcagni here in Cheshire. Sixteen years later I decided to venture out on my own and created what is now Calcagni Associates Real Estate.
Building Calcagni Associates from the ground up has been an amazing and a very rewarding experience for me. It is humbling to know that the company I started continues to exhibit strong family values and cares deeply for our clients and the people who work here. I pride myself in knowing that our company can spot changes in the real estate industry, move with them, and stay beyond the cutting edge.
In the early 1980’s we began to focus our energy on new construction. I envisioned new construction as a way for us to grow as a company and as an opportunity to provide diversity in our community. We cultivated relationships with a few select builders and worked hard to find suitable land to develop. Looking back over the last 25 years, our new construction division has been a win-win not only for Calcagni, but also for the communities where we have built homes for many families.
As the company continues to grow and change, it is very important to me to work with the builders and contacts that I have developed over the past 42 years. Since my son has made the brokerage side of the company grow substantially over the past 20 years it has allowed me to concentrate on my first love, which is recognizing opportunities in land development. It is a process that has always excited me.
Land development is like putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle. First you sort out the edges so that you have the ability to visualize what the land could be; then you begin to put shapes and colors together by taking into consideration what the town is going to allow; you continue to work from the middle outward till all the pieces of the puzzle fit together and at last the project is finished. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction to sit back and enjoy what has been created.
Fishing, hunting, golf, friends, family – especially my grandchildren, traveling, and of course the Boston Red Sox!
I would never ask someone to do something I wouldn't do myself. I treat everyone who works for me like family. I strongly believe in loyalty.
I created my own business, watched my son Steve enter the business, survived the trials and tribulations of working with family - all while maintaining a great relationship with him.
How can I pick just one? I enjoy good food so much, however no restaurant can compare to how wonderful it feels to sit at the dinner table with your children and their children and know everyone is enjoying themselves especially me!
