Employee Spotlight – Starlene Ramirez

Starlene (Star) Ramirez got out of Dodge, City (Kansas) that is, about 15 years ago and was working for Sprint in cellular sales when she acted on a long-time desire to get into real estate. “When I moved to Overland Park and leased my first apartment, the whole leasing process was interesting to me,” she said. “I am a very big people person. I love people and customer service and I am so into homes, their design and floor plans. I’m living my dream now.”

Ramirez’s dream includes her recent promotion to property manager of Herrington Park Townhomes, a community of new three- and four-bedroom townhomes for rent in Shawnee, Kansas, managed by Curry Real Estate Services. Her new role comes about three years after she first started with Curry in 2018 as a leasing agent for the company’s Kendallwood Apartments property.

“My stepdad owns Mr. Plumber and his company does work with Curry,” Ramirez added. “He told me Curry was a great company and I did my own research. I applied for a leasing position and they hired me on. It was a big learning curve but Curry worked with me. Making sure an apartment or townhome is the right home that will serve someone for the long term is a lot different than cell phone sales. It is a different kind of customer service as its not one sale and they’re out the door. It’s one lease and they’re literally in the door for at least a year, usually longer!”

Ramirez said her favorite part of her job is problem solving. “When a resident calls or comes into the office, tells me what they need and I can make it happen for them, it is so satisfying,” she said.

Ramirez spends a lot of time walking the property, she said, making sure things are in operating order and that the appearance is clean and inviting. It also gives her a chance to see residents outside the office walking their dog, on their way to or from work or errands or enjoying the swimming pool.

About Curry, Ramirez said, “I absolutely love it! It is family-owned. Everyone knows everyone. The home office is right down the street rather than several states away and folks there are so helpful. You can go to anyone and they will have a quick answer for you or help you figure it out.”

She lives close enough to Herrington Park Townhomes that if anything comes up requiring her to be onsite she can be there in 15 minutes. “We also have an amazing maintenance crew,” Ramirez added. “The three guys are so good and responsive; I have to give them props!”

Ramirez said when not at work her world revolves around her 5-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son. “Sports and school, taking my kids to the lake, that is my life!”