Taking a new path doesn’t always mean starting over. The experiences I had, the challenges I worked through, and the skills I built all came together when I stepped into what felt like a calling.
In 2018, everything in my life was changing. My marriage came to an end, and at the same time, I was facing challenges in my career. I had pursued court reporting for 20 years on and off while raising our three kids. It was road bump after road bump, but I had finally started working in courtrooms for several years when the standards changed, and I now had to pass national exams.
It was a lot to navigate. I was grateful to have my dad, who really showed up and supported me emotionally and even financially through that period. He made sure I was settled and ready to take on the next chapter of my life. Six months later, he passed away. It felt like he had held on just long enough to see that I was okay.
As difficult as that season was, a lot of good came out of it. I met my now-husband, Jeff, and was able to settle into my own again. For the first time in a long time, I had the space to think about what I really wanted to do with my life.
At that point, I had spent years trying to make court reporting work. Reaching the required word-per-minute speeds, passing exams, and getting into courtrooms took time and persistence. Since I didn’t have a real-time transcription machine, I’d come home from court and retype everything line by line—often staying up until 2 a.m. just to finish. But when the state changed its requirements and I couldn’t pass the final exam for national certification, I knew that chapter had run its course. I had spent so long chasing that goal, but finally realized it just wasn’t right for me.
Jeff comes from a development and investment background, and he was the one who said, “You should try real estate.” I took the course, got licensed, and sold my first house within two months. That first year—starting in June—I closed 12 homes. The next year, 24.
From the very start, real estate just clicked. Everything I’d done before had prepared me for it. My dad instilled a strong work ethic. Raising kids taught me how to stay organized, patient, and flexible. Working in criminal courtrooms helped me stay calm and focused in high-pressure, emotionally charged situations. And having faced major change in my own life, I connect easily with clients who are going through transitions of their own. I know how to walk with people through uncertainty and help them move forward.
I started over later in life, and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s never too late to try something new. Real estate has challenged me, motivated me, and given me work I actually enjoy. It’s taken commitment and consistency, but it’s paid off. When it is meant to be, everything really does fall into place.
Outside of work, my husband and I stay active—we run, ski up north on the weekends, and take a trip out west every year. We recently joined the Great Lakes Yacht Club and just bought a sailboat, so we’re spending more time on the water, too. My daughters and I are big Swifties, and I’ve always loved orchestra music too.
I’m also a lifelong dog lover—after years of having St. Bernards, we now have two Golden Retrievers and recently rescued a 10-year-old beagle. Staying connected and involved in my community is really important to me. I enjoy volunteering at food banks, collecting supplies for local rescues like Rebel Dogs Detroit, and being active in local events.
When I moved from Troy to Commerce Township nine years ago, it changed everything. Being surrounded by lakes and nature shifted my entire pace of life and showed me how much finding the right area really matters. That experience is what drives the way I serve my clients today.
The first thing I do is learn your “why” behind the move and what your timing, goals, your lifestyle expectations are. From there, I build the entire process around those preferences. I’m completely hands-on from start to finish. I coordinate everything: stagers, photographers, contractors, cleaners, inspectors, title, and lenders. I manage timelines, prep homes for market, and stay on top of every moving piece so you don’t have to. My job is to make it feel easy—because I’m handling the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
You’ll never wonder where things stand or what’s coming next. I’m in constant communication, and when challenges pop up, I move fast to solve them. My goal is simple: to guide you through every step with clarity, care, and real results—so you can move forward confidently into the next chapter of your life.
With gratitude,
Juju Trauben
