Joan Eleazer, a spunky 59-year-old senior vice president of Briggs Freeman Real Estate Brokerage, knows a thing or two about the residential real estate industry. She began her real estate career in 1985 with Charles Freeman Realtors, which eventually merged with Briggs Realtors to form Briggs-Freeman. Eleazer sold $2 million worth of volume her first year. She has been named top producer by the company for seven of the last 10 years and was named senior vice president in 2004. Eleazer was interviewed by staff writer Shashana Pearson-Hormillosa.

DESCRIBE YOUR FAMILY. I've been married to Jeff for 36 years. We have two daughters, Layne and Katie, two grandchildren and two on the way. Layne joined me at Briggs-Freeman seven years ago and Jeff joined us two years ago. It's definitely a family affair.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD. I grew up in Dallas. My parents and grandparents lived here. My parents still do. My father was senior vice president and trust officer in the trust department of the First National Bank of Dallas, now Bank of America, so I always thought I'd do something in the financial industry.

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL? I was a math major at the University of Texas.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I worked for Showco Inc., which staged large productions for touring concerts. I answered the phone one day, and it was Cat Stevens calling from London.

WHO ARE YOUR ROLE MODELS? My dad and Charles Freeman and Robbie Briggs, who have such a reputation in the industry that they have been great role models.

WHEN WILL YOU SAY YOU'VE SUCCEEDED? On one hand, I can say I have because of my business success, but on the other hand, it's always a challenge to find the right property for each client's needs. When that happens, you feel great.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST BUSINESS DECISION? Making the decision to go with Charles Freeman, and bringing my family on and adding them to my team has helped tremendously.

HOW DOES WORKING WITH YOUR FAMILY AFFECT THE DYNAMIC OF THE TEAM? Layne adds a young, fresh perspective and a whole new age group. Jeff is a huge help with our Web presence and marketing. They know how I like to run my business, and they feel the same way.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR WORST BUSINESS DECISION? Not being diplomatic enough with clients who thought they could beat the market.

WHAT IS THE BEST PERK OF YOUR JOB? To see so many beautiful homes that are really a work of art.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU WERE BETTER AT? My writing skills and balancing work/family/community time.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP CHOICE FOR A NEW CAREER? Somewhere in the design world, designing homes or fashion.

WHAT IS YOUR PASSIONATE PURPOSE? To go through my daily routine knowing I've accomplished something through my work and that I've given something for someone else. Feeling like my professional life enables me to give something back.

WHAT CHANGES ARE YOU SEEING IN THE LUXURY HOME MARKET? We are moving more into a global, second-home market when people purchase an additional home. The biggest second-home areas we're seeing are Green Briar Resort Area in West Virginia, Jackson Hole, Wyo., and Punta Mita, Mexico. We are seeing an increase in the amount of marketing we do now to sell a property, and we are seeing the land drive the market. We are also seeing people redo old homes, but if their investment is in the land, they often tear down the old houses to maximize their investment.

DO YOU AGREE THAT DALLAS LEARNED FROM ITS REAL ESTATE MISTAKES OF THE '80s? I do agree. We learned a lot, but also, our prices did not escalate as much as other areas.

DESCRIBE ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING PROPERTIES YOU'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON. We have listed the personal home of former Crescent President and COO Denny Alberts, which was designed in collaboration with Sherry Hayslip who also designed the Ritz-Carlton. It's a Tuscan home on an acre in Preston Hollow with an authentic boosted-tile roof, a wine vault and old European mantles. Since he started the project, he's gotten married, and he and his wife have decided to take the penthouse at the Ritz-Carlton. It is currently listed for sale at $6.95 million.

WHAT WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE HOUSE YOU'VE LISTED? The chateau near Denton called Champ d'Or. When we listed it, it was selling for $45 million. We had it listed for two years. We did a segment on the most interesting homes with John Walsh, host of America's Most Wanted, and Star Jones came, and I gave her a tour of it. (The house is currently on the market and listed by Ebby Halliday Realtors for a mere $72 million.)