About Sandi
Florida-born Sandi Friel and her husband Bob decided to relocate to Orcas after a vacation here sparked a long-distance love affair with the island. “The people, the beauty, the relaxed pace… we decided we shouldn’t wait until retirement to enjoy this lifestyle.”
Their first realtor turned out to be a bad fit, but in a chance encounter that would begin a great friendship and partnership, Sandi met Teri Williams. “We hit it off right away,” says Sandi, “and she understood exactly what we were looking for.” Months later Sandi and Bob were second-home owners beginning the multi-year planning process of a permanent move to the island. By July 2006 the move was complete.
“Our old life seemed to center around work and we hardly knew our neighbors,” says Sandi. “Here, the slower pace and beautiful surroundings help me remember what’s important: enjoying life, nurturing relationships and rediscovering the natural world.”
Having worked for years in real estate, home design and construction, Sandi quickly got into the groove professionally, earning her Washington Real Estate license and serving as Vice President (now President) of the Orcas Island Association of Realtors. When Teri took an extended hiatus in 2007 for cancer treatments, Sandi stepped up to take care of the busy real estate office. Sandi says working with Teri has been a natural evolution and their clients like the added benefit of their collaboration on every deal. “Sometimes Teri’s in the forefront and I’m in the background, or vice versa, but we always work as a team to best serve the client’s interest.”
Content to just wander her Orcas property discovering hummingbird nests, Sandi also has an adventurous side and enjoys scuba diving, hiking and caving. Bob’s career as a writer and photographer has given her the opportunity to travel the world and experience everything from snorkeling with humpback whales, diving with sharks and camping in a jaguar preserve, to plunge-pooling in luxurious villas on St. Barts -- and after all that, she’s thrilled they chose Orcas as their place to settle for good.
“It’s been a long time getting here, but I feel I’m finally home.”
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Sandi Friel, Realtor® / Sales Associate |