What first drew you to real estate, and what made you know it was the right path for you?

I was working as a personal trainer when a client—connected to a well-known local real estate firm—suggested I consider real estate. It sparked my curiosity. I enrolled in classes, earned my license, connected with the broker, and have been building a thriving business ever since.

What attracted you to Lambertville and the surrounding river towns?

I have been coming to Lambertville for most of my life. I had an aunt and uncle that lived in Stockton for years, and we would come here for fun. Then my parents moved here around 2006, so we were in and out of Lambertville all the time. Years later, when my mom passed away, we had the opportunity to move here to take care of my dad—and I haven’t looked back. It’s been so amazing. I absolutely love the walkability, being able to go out to restaurants, and really dive into the community. I look at it as a new chapter for our lives.

How would you describe the lifestyle of living in a river town like Lambertville to someone discovering it for the first time?

I would describe it as stepping into a community of genuinely lovely people. When we moved here, everyone was so welcoming and neighborly. On our first day, our neighbors brought us ice cream from Owowcow. It was the sweetest thing. I love being able to walk to my workouts, walk to dinner, and just be out in the community discovering things without needing a car. Everything in my previous life required driving—here, I can walk into town, grab a coffee, and just explore.

It’s also a different phase of life. We’re not driving to practices or activities anymore. It’s a season where my husband and I can focus on ourselves and enjoy everything around us. I think for anyone entering a new chapter, it’s a great transition. You still feel connected to New Jersey or Pennsylvania, but with that small-town, community feel. It’s also a place that appeals to younger people—there’s a social, walkable lifestyle, plenty to do, and a sense of energy that continues to grow. It really offers something for everyone.

Your approach feels very personal and connected. How do you create that experience for your clients from the very beginning?

I love applying the concepts from my favorite book, Unreasonable Hospitality, to everything I do. I’m very systems-driven, so from the moment we start working together, I know my process—but I always tailor it to each client. If you tell me you love a certain snack, I’ll have it at inspections. If it’s a special occasion, I want to acknowledge that. If it’s a sensitive situation, I want to be respectful of that too. Not every move is joyful. Most are, but some are not. And it’s important to meet people where they are.

For me, it’s never just a transaction—it’s a relationship that continues long after closing. That’s really the foundation of how I work.

What do you see as the biggest shift in how homes are being bought and sold in our river towns right now?

The biggest shift is making sure a home is properly prepared for the market, with a clear plan in place from the beginning. Homes that are staged and thoughtfully presented sell better. It’s not just taking a photo on your phone and listing it. It’s about bringing in a stager, making sure everything looks its best, having professional photography, and delivering all the right assets. And more than ever, it’s lifestyle-driven. Buyers are looking for specific things—river views, privacy, a certain setting. It’s less about price point and more about how they want to live.

Outside of real estate, what does a perfect day on the river loop look like for you?

There’s so much to do. A perfect day for me starts with grabbing coffee—Luminary or Union—and walking along the canal or the towpath. Then maybe driving to Federal Twist for wine and music. We love going to Frenchtown—the National Hotel is a favorite for a drink and sushi for lunch. From there, it’s a scenic drive, and then into New Hope for dinner. Since we live so close, it’s easy to go back and forth.

That’s what a perfect day looks like—just enjoying everything our river towns have to offer.

An Interview with Jennifer Dionne