Team Highlight | Deb Shafer

Office Manager Deb Shafer with her family.

It takes a lot of organization and effort to keep the Berg Larsen Group team running smoothly. From payroll to photo memory books, our office manager, Deb Shafer, works her magic behind the scenes so that our clients and agents have the best experience possible. Learn more about Deb’s skills and interests here.

Tell us about your role, responsibilities, and how you have shaped your job to benefit clients: 

As the Office Manager, I wear many hats and switch them multiple times each day. Everyone jokes that I am the team wrangler. I am the bookkeeper: I pay bills, do payroll, and prepare for taxes. I also work with our sellers and buyers to help guide them from sale to closing day, such as making sure inspection items have been addressed/paid for on time, passing along utility info, and preparing our photo memory books. In addition, I backup Transaction Coordinator Krista Eull when she is busy or is out. I’m always trying to improve processes behind the scenes.

What is your secret formula for success? 

Teamwork! I am lucky enough to be working with a whole group of people who all have the same strong work ethic as I do. We all strive to improve, transaction after transaction, year after year.

What is your favorite part of the job?

Variety; no two days are ever the same.

Tell us about your career before joining the Berg Larsen Group:

My family and I moved to the Twin Cities area from Connecticut in 1996. I started working part-time for a real estate agent in 1997, completing his bookkeeping, client mailings, and transaction paperwork. He was impressed with my client work and encouraged me to get my real estate license. I worked with him for 7 years, working with buyers as well as maintaining my clerical responsibilities. I moved on to work with a larger group at the same office for 5 years as a transaction coordinator. I joined the Berg Larsen Group in 2009 and our amazing team and commitment to excellent client service has kept me here for over 13 years!

What are your passions outside of work?

My grandchildren! I spend quite a bit of time with the two who live here in the Twin Cities and travel to see the two in New York as often as I can. I also enjoy gardening and my house is filled with plants so I still get my fix during the winter. I’m a big Vikings fan and enjoy watching football Thursday, Sunday, and- Monday. I also do 8 to 10 puzzles each year from November to March – mostly 1500 pieces, but I’ve had a few 2000+. The more challenging ones are my favorites!

What does it mean to you that the Berg Larsen Group is “setting the standard?” 

Setting the standard is giving our clients the support they deserve from the start to the finish of their transaction to make it an enjoyable experience. Anyone buying or selling a home shouldn’t have to stress about the details; that’s why you hire the professionals at the Berg Larsen Group.