Reppin’ Real Estate in Rockaway Meet Lisa Jackson of Rockaway Properties

By Kami-Leigh Agard

Reppin’ Real Estate in Rockaway is a series by The Rockaway Times highlighting the movers and shakers behind the peninsula and Broad Channel’s real estate scene. In this installation, meet Belle Harbor resident, Lisa Jackson, proprietor of Rockaway Properties.

In the summer of 2015, a headline in the NY Post declared: “Why the Rockaways are real estate’s new shore thing.” However, in 2010, Rockaway resident, Lisa Jackson, already had a jumpstart on that idea when she opened from her home, real estate boutique agency, Rockaway Properties. This was even two years prior to when Frankenstorm Sandy wreaked havoc on the community. Fast forward to today, under Jackson’s helm—Rockaway Properties has skyrocketed into a thriving, tech-savvy premier full-service brokerage company—boasting an all-star team of 13—four associate brokers and seven licensed sales associates—selling over 1,000 properties; a total of over 2,500 transactions in rentals and sales. For Brooklyn-born-and-bred Jackson, Rock Prop’s success is not due to having the Midas touch, but a genuine love and personal investment in the Rockaway community she calls home.

Jackson shared that her love story with real estate began when she was age 20.

She said, “Although I got my real estate license when I was much younger, I didn’t do anything with it because I worked on Wall Street. Then, I got pregnant with my daughter, Katie. I’ve been coming here to visit friends and family in Rockaway almost my entire life, and always wanted to make this our home.”

Jackson said after meeting a few brokers when shopping for her dream family home in Rockaway, it was a eureka moment. The soon-to-be real estate mogul revealed an ambitious goal to her husband, Jerry.

She recalled, “I went home and told my husband, ‘I want to open up a real estate company in Rockaway.’ He started laughing at me because I hadn’t worked in a few years. So, after we moved here, I started working for local real estate broker, Geri Lipsman of Neponsit Realty.

“I worked with Geri and told her, ‘I’m only working with you for a few years because I want to open up my own business.’ I was very honest and truthful with Geri, and she was so supportive. Basically, that first year, I helped her grow the business. I loved her so much, I didn’t want to leave. But then, I had a tragedy in the family. I lost my sister-in-law at 40 years old to cancer, so I said, ‘I have to pursue my dream.’ And in 2010, Rockaway Properties was born.”

Before opening her current Beach 129th office after Hurricane Sandy, Jackson initially ran Rockaway Properties out of her home office and quickly developed a dynamic team.

She said, “Nia Casilla has been with me a very long time. She’s passionate, business-like and goes above and beyond. Then, Barbara Ferguson, a veteran in the business, joined the team. Colleen Brady is amazing, and also works hard serving the community with Rockaway WISH (Women Inspired to Support and Help). I even have a receptionist who’s been with us for eight years. She even recently got her real estate license and I’m super proud of her. I consider all of my Rock Prop team family. I want them to earn. I want them to be happy.”

As Rockaway has changed over the last two decades with Hurricane Sandy, COVID, the Rockaway Ferry and The Rockaway Hotel driving up real estate prices, Jackson said she has been a witness to how the housing market initially skyrocketed, cooled, then exploded again.

“Since 2008, the prices kept rising,” she shared. “And then after Hurricane Sandy, they came down because it was the unknown, then they started to go up again because Rockaway was no longer NYC’s best hidden secret. However, what really raised the prices was COVID. People started coming in 2020 and 2021, just scrambling because they wanted to get out of the city. They wanted to be near the beach. They wanted a different lifestyle.

“It’s funny. During COVID-19 and with the new ferry service, we were so busy, we couldn’t keep up. Plus, with the added popularity of The Rockaway Hotel, we decided to expand our team of brokers from Beach 129th Street to a second location on Beach 116th Street. However, then what happened? The rates went up and the market got soft. It became hard for the new brokers and agents. You have to really love what you do to stick with it, despite the climate of the market,” she said.

Today, Jackson and her team are all active with the merchant events coordinated by Councilwoman Joann Ariola on Beach 116th and this past year’s event on Beach 129th, plus, she actively hosts beach cleanups.

As for tips for prospective real estate buyers and sellers, Jackson emphasizes that one has to be reasonable with prices and expectations.

“Don’t look at the asking price, look at the comparables. If you’re looking to buy a new home, the initial questions that I ask are: ‘What location do you want to be in? What is your wish list in a home? Is parking optional? Do you need to be in a specific school district?’ Some buyers would demand, ‘I want five bedrooms, live on the beach block and only want to pay $200K.’ I advise them to be realistic about their expectations and budget. The same goes for sellers, who say, ‘The house on the next block sold for $2M, I want the same asking price.’ We all have to be realistic about the market, and when you hire Rock Prop, we’re going to educate you. An app is not going to give you the same personal experience.”

As for empty nesters and those who want to downscale, Jackson advises not to jump in without considering interest rates and your home’s equity.

She said, “Affordability is key. Let’s say your interest rate is 3%, but your mortgage isn’t fully paid off, why go into a condo at a 6% rate? It only makes sense if you do not have a mortgage and you can take equity out of the house to purchase.”

So, according to Jackson, what makes Rock Prop a game changer since their humble beginnings operating out of her home, is the homespun touch, passion to educate and accessibility seven days a week.

“We have the experience. We educate clients. Just like when researching a restaurant, look at the reviews. At Rock Properties, we live in and love Rockaway. Check out our listings and we’ll help you fulfill the American dream of buying a home or a rental suited to your needs,” she said.

Rockaway Properties operates out of two locations: 417 Beach 129th Street, and 217 Beach 116th Street. For more info, call: (718) 634-3134, visit www.rockaprop.com and don’t forget to check out Rockaway Properties’ two-page spread of listings every week in The Rockaway Times!