Women to Watch in Real Estate: Ritu Goswami Chawla Talks Inspiring Career Journey, Market Trends, and Leading by Example
“My next big dream is to be among the top agents in the Boston area. I would also like to be a role model and an inspiration to South Asian Women, especially mothers, that they too can build a career in Real Estate. Working hard and leading by example to make it happen!” Today’s woman dreamer, Ritu Goswami Chawla is a real estate agent, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, and is currently a Global Real Estate Advisor at Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty, In her inspiring interview with Women Who Win, Ritu reflects on her career journey, her mission to inspire other women in real estate, her philanthropic pursuits, and how she finds her work-life balance. We are excited to share her inspiring story!
Tell us your story. You are a woman leader to know in the real estate world, currently at Gibson Sotheby's. Tell us more about your career and personal journey and your next big dream?
I am an entrepreneur with interest in finance, healthcare and real estate. I am a member of the Greater Boston Association of Realtors, Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors, a licensed Massachusetts real estate sales agent, and a global real estate advisor with Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty in their Wellesley Office. Previously, I worked in executive roles at The Dow Chemical Company, Philips Healthcare and Parametric Technologies Corporation. I also consulted for the Federal Communications Commission in Washington DC. Before migrating to the US, I was a senior advisor with the Modi Group in India.
I have been living in Massachusetts for a decade and I strongly believe in giving back to the community. Outside of work, I am also philanthropist, currently on the boards of Pratham and Vision Aid in the Boston area. I actively support Akshaya Patra as well. I have also held leadership positions at the Parent Teacher Organization of Singapore American School, and American Women's organizations in Singapore & Midland, Michigan.
My next big dream is to be among the top agents in the Boston area. I would also like to be a role model and an inspiration to South Asian Women, especially mothers, that they too can build a career in Real Estate. Working hard and leading by example to make it happen!
2. What excites you most about your work in real estate? What are some trends you are seeing in the real estate market this year?
What excites me most about real estate is working with people and providing the best service as a realtor. My passion for real estate combined with Sotheby's global reach brings to life the unimaginable, making the experience a memorable one for my clients. I try to help deliver on the desires and dreams of the buyers and bring their vision to life. My artistic talents, including oil painting, interior decorations and photography, enhance my ability to highlight a home in the best possible aesthetics and light, to market it to the largest audience and have it sold optimally as a listing agent for my clients. Expatriate assignments resulting in local and international moves globally (Singapore, Mumbai, Wellesley and more), meant moving our family of four kids and settling them into diverse cultures, new climates, neighborhoods, and schools. I understand the complexities of relocation and share with my clients’ years of valuable insights gained in moving around the world, and in the local markets within the US.
We have had a challenging year so far, in the real estate market. The big issues being supply and affordability. As interest rates go higher, the affordability drops. People are not selling their houses this year because the next thing they will buy will be at a higher mortgage payment. The higher interest rates mean higher mortgage payments as well. This means we have a limited supply of houses on the market this year. However, to offset this to some extent is the fact that people have jobs; the unemployment is very low. Homes are selling fast, due to scarcity of options for buyers in the market.
3. What is your advice to women interested in the real estate space/those entering the field?
My advice to women interested in real estate, and to those who are entering this field, is to work hard to fulfill their dreams. No job or industry is easy to work in today. Everything has its challenges and perks. The key to succeeding in real estate is to be positive and consistent. Show up for work daily, take care of your physical and mental health so you are a happy person to work with. Do not try to compete with other realtors in the industry, but try to create value for your clients.
4. You are passionate about philanthropy, working with organizations like Pratham and Vision Aid. Tell us more about your philanthropic work and what inspires you to give back?
What inspires me to give back is the knowledge that my philanthropic work will make a difference in someone else's life and that makes me feel fulfilled. I have always had a philanthropic and service oriented mindset and I try to bring this to my work as a Global Real Estate Advisor where applicable and my personal life as well.
5. You are certainly a busy woman. After a busy day, how do you like to relax and unwind? How do you find your work life balance?
After a busy day, I unwind with music, meditation; and quality time with my pets. I have a small cockapoo named Laila and a sun conure parrot named Maya. Maya enjoys doing yoga with me in the mornings and having breakfast with me afterwards. I find it therapeutic to be with animals and if I could I would have a farm in my backyard! However, though I don't have a farm in my backyard I try to visit places with farm animals and safaris, to rest and relax. I am also a passionate artist. particularly with oil on canvas; and I also enjoy hosting events for friends and family.
Thank you Ritu for sharing your inspiring story with us! We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!
Bio: Ritu Goswami Chawla is an entrepreneur with interest in finance, healthcare and real estate; and a philanthropist, currently on the boards of Pratham and Vision Aid in the Boston area. Ritu is a member of the Greater Boston Association of Realtors, Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors, a licensed Massachusetts real estate sales agent, and a global real estate advisor with Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty in their Wellesley Office. Previously, she has worked in executive roles at The Dow Chemical Company, Philips Healthcare and Parametric Technologies Corporation. Ritu has also consulted for the Federal Communications Commission in Washington DC. Before migrating to the US, she was a senior advisor with the Modi Group in India. A resident of Wellesley, Massachusetts for a decade, she actively supports Akshayapatra and the local community & businesses. Ritu is also an artist, she paints with oil on canvas; and also enjoys hosting events for friends and family. She has held leadership positions at the Parent Teacher Organization of Singapore American School, and American Women's organizations in Singapore & Midland, Michigan. Ritu holds an MBA from The Central Michigan University, in Michigan and a Bachelor of Science degree from Delhi University. Ritu is married to Sanjay Chawla, who is a reputed global institutional investor. Their four kids are in the work force and in college in New York City and Washington D.C. Ritu enjoys music, yoga & meditation, and playing with her cockapoo Laila, and her parrot Maya during her free time.