SPOTLIGHT ON: Robert Shandley
Mary Prenon | January 12, 2018
Get the Picture:
If you know Robert Shandley, you know he rarely travels anywhere without a camera in his hands. Shandley, a new HGAR Director for 2018, can be seen at almost every HGAR event, snapping photos of smiling faces throughout the Hudson Valley.
From the Women’s Council of Realtors breakfasts, to RPAC happy hours and HG Realtor Foundation Pub Nights, Shandley is always there, ready to capture the moment and share it on social media.
The White Plains-based Better Homes and Gardens Rand agent will be celebrating 14 years in the real estate business this April. While he loves listing and selling homes, he also has a special love for his photography hobby.
“I don’t know quite how I got started, but one day I just decided to buy a really good camera and that was it,” he recalled. “One thing led to another and I just started taking photos at events and people seemed to like it. It’s actually weird now to see me without a camera.” Shandley never charges for his photography—he enjoys it because it’s “fun.”
It’s that constant spirt of giving that resulted in Shandley winning the HGAR “Spirit Award,” presented to him at the association’s 2017 Member Appreciation Day at the DoubleTree Hotel in Tarrytown. “I was very surprised,” he admitted. “I was just sitting there listening to Terri Crozier introducing the winner and when she got to the part about taking photos, everyone started to look at me. It was such an honor.”
Shandley is looking forward to his new role as an HGAR Director. Last year, he co-chaired HGAR’s RPAC Committee and will continue to serve on that and several other committees this year. “I wanted to get more involved with the Association and especially the legislative aspect,” he said. “It’s important that we continue to advocate for home ownership and support the legislators who support Realtors and home owners.”
An active member of the HG Realtor Foundation Committee, Shandley also enjoys raising funds for local charities and non-profits throughout the Hudson Valley. “It’s always rewarding to see how we can help improve the lives of people in our area,” he said.
In addition to his involvement with HGAR, Shandley is beginning his fourth year as a member of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) in Manhattan. “My mother is Japanese and my father is Irish, so I’m a combination of both cultures,” he added.
AREEA promotes the Asian real estate community, including Japanese, Chinese, Korean and people of other Asian nations. “Basically, we are advocates for regional home ownership for the international community,” said Shandley. Some of Westchester’s largest Asian communities are currently in Hartsdale and Scarsdale. Shandley said his involvement with AREEA has helped his business with referrals for listings and from prospective buyers. “I also enjoy getting to know many different people,” he said.
It was Shandley’s own experience of buying a home that peaked his interest in a real estate career. “I saw the whole process and just thought maybe this would be something I’d like to do,” he said. “I enjoy the idea of helping people realize their dreams.”
Prior to real estate, Shandley worked with Columbia Equities Ltd. in Valhalla, marketing their mortgage products. Before that, he was a retail store manager for Foot Locker in Larchmont and at the Sterns Department Store in Yonkers. “I remember being in a mall one day and passing by Foot Locker,” he recalled. “At the time, I was working in the city in building maintenance and I just wanted a change because I like working with people.”
His people skills paid off and were a great match for real estate. “It was a little tough at first when you’re not getting a set paycheck every week, but I’m still here 14 years later,” he quipped.
Shandley concentrates on Westchester and lower Putnam counties, as well as the Bronx. A self-described “workaholic,” Shandley admits he hasn’t taken a vacation in years. However, he does find time to relax with some hobbies other than photography.
In his spare time, you’ll find him making scented soy candles for friends and family, and creating beautiful spray paint artwork. “I just watched a You Tube video and decided to try it,” he said. He even carries photos on his phone of several nature scenes he’s painted. “No, I’m not selling them,” he said. “It’s just a great way for me to unwind.”
HGAR, Director of Communications