Our Scottsdale Real Estate Agents

Alyssa Samuelson
Alyssa@SouthScottsdaleHomes.com | 602-622-0488
Alyssa Samuelson, Designated Broker, Scottsdale Buyers Agent & Scottsdale Sellers Agent
Experience: Arizona Licensed Real Estate Agent since 4/04; Licensed Real Estate Broker since 6/07
Education: University of Arizona, 2000; Business Degree, Management Information Systems and Finance; Summa Cum Laude
Professional Affiliations: Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS; Phoenix Association of REALTORS; Southeast Valley Association of REALTORS; Arizona Association of REALTORS; National Association of REALTORS; Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI) Designation; Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) Designation; Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation; Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE); Short Sales and Foreclosures Certification (SFR)
Community Involvement:
Fiesta Bowl Committee, Life Member
University of Arizona Phoenix Alumni Board, Past Member
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2006 AZ’s Finest Honoree
Phoenix Youth at Risk, PALS Mentor Program
Lutheran Social Services Volunteer
Arizona Humane Society
LostOurHome.org
PSI Seminars Giving Day
Wild Horse Ranch Rescue
Hearts that Purr
Safe Haven
Background, Family And Hobbies:
I was born and raised near Des Moines, Iowa. After high school, I decided to venture west and attend The University of Arizona. I received an incredible education from the college and loved the Arizona weather, even the summers! After working in Tucson at a small software company for a year after college, I relocated to Scottsdale and accepted a position with a small software company. My personal aspirations lead me in the direction of real estate within 2 years. I came upon an opportunity with a small real estate company that needed to be turned around, that I subsequently purchased in 2004. Since that time, the company has changed and grown dramatically. I love what I do, but mostly I enjoy working with my clients and helping them with their real estate needs.
In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, practicing and teaching yoga (certified yoga instructor), hiking, tennis, sporting events (especially watching my Wildcats!), relaxing with my pets, and bonding with my close group of friends. I am a very blessed person, I truly enjoy my career and it enables me to focus on other important priorities in my life.

Shawna Giefer
Shawna Giefer, Scottsdale Buyers Agent & Scottsdale Sellers Agent
Experience: Arizona Licensed Real Estate Agent since 5/06; Licensed Wisconsin Real Estate Salesperson from 10/01 to 12/05
Education: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 2001; Communications Degree with a Minor in Spanish
Professional Affiliations: Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS; National Association of REALTORS; NFSTI Real Estate Owned (REO) Certification
Community Involvement:
East Valley Child Crisis Center, current volunteer
New Foundations Facility, at risk youth mentor
AZ Cats
PSI Seminars Giving Day
Background, Family And Hobbies: I was born and raised in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and spent the majority of my life in chilly weather. I graduated from college in 2001 and decided to follow in the family footsteps and pursue a career in real estate. I spent several years in Wisconsin practicing real estate before deciding to change gears and head towards sunny Arizona. After taking some graduate school classes, I decided to follow what was in my heart and get back into real estate. I’ve been involved in many different areas of real estate for close to 7 years now and truly enjoy what I do. I especially love working with first time home buyers because I love the education process and find it very rewarding to help people achieve the “American Dream”, – home ownership.
In my spare time, I enjoy exercising (yoga, hiking, tennis, walking, running, biking, rollerblading, kickboxing), traveling, volunteering, working on personal/sprititual growth, and hanging out with good friends and family. I too, am a very blessed person to have a great job and a fufilling life.

Sarah Hoyt
Sarah Hoyt, Scottsdale Buyers Agent & Scottsdale Sellers Agent
Experience: Licensed Real Estate Salesperson since 09/09
Education: Arizona State University 2012; Accounting Degree, 2015; Master’s in Taxation
Community Involvement: Active volunteer at Arizona Animal Welfare League. Member of Arizona Society of CPA’s.
Background, Family, and Hobbies: I was born in raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. Some people say the weather is too hot but there is truly no place like Arizona and am happy to call this paradise in the desert my home! I have worked at Success Real Estate since I was a young buck – just 17 years old. The skills and knowledge I have obtained through this work experience have carried me through my college days and now into my young professional life. I am now an Arizona State Alumni (Go Devils!) as well as licensed Certified Public Accountant. Juggling two professions isn’t always easy but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I enjoy keeping busy but cherish the downtime with friends, family, and my dog – Bubba! In my free time I enjoy traveling, hiking, yoga, and really doing anything outdoors. I feel lucky to live such a fulfilling life!

Kerry Hof
Kerry Hof, Scottsdale Buyers Agent & Scottsdale Sellers Agent
Experience: Licensed Real Estate Salesperson since 2020
Education: Mesa Community College – San Diego, 2005; Associates Degree, Business Management
Community Involvement:
Susan G Komen For The Cure
Feed My Starving Children
Ronald McDonald House
Background, Family, and Hobbies:
I was born and raised in Sacramento. I took a leap of faith moving 3,000 miles away to sunny Daytona Beach, Florida when I was 18. But I missed my family so much that after a couple of years I made my way back to San Diego where I bartended and managed restaurants in Pacific Beach for 15 years. Wanting a change from California, I eventually made my way to Scottsdale which I have now called home since 2017. I love working with and helping people, and I love showing homes, so my transgression in to real estate was natural and expected. And a career I absolutely love and enjoy!
In my free time I love traveling, spin classes, yoga, sporting events, playing poker, and going out for a nice meal. I couldn’t be more blessed to be surrounded by loving family and friends!
Our Realtor Qualifications

National Association of REALTORS® – The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® strives to be the collective force influencing and shaping the real estate industry. It seeks to be the leading advocate of the right to own, use, and transfer real property; the acknowledged leader in developing standards for efficient, effective, and ethical real estate business practices; and valued by highly skilled real estate professionals and viewed by them as crucial to their success.
Working on behalf of America’s property owners, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® provides a facility for professional development, research and exchange of information among its members and to the public and government for the purpose of preserving the free enterprise system, and the right to own, use, and transfer real property.
REALTORS® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and subscribe to its strict CODE OF ETHICS.

Arizona Association of REALTORS® – The vision of the Arizona Association of REALTORS® (AAR) is: REALTOR®… the best prepared real estate practitioner with the highest standards. AAR is a professional trade association for individuals involved in the real estate industry, allied industries, and firms. The organization is the largest trade association in Arizona and is a part of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, which is headquartered in Chicago and has a membership of over 1 million members. AAR is composed of 21 local associations of REALTORS®, seven affiliated chapters of the Institutes, Societies and Councils. Member classes also include Institute Affiliate members, Affiliate members, and REALTOR- ASSOCIATES®. AAR’s bylaws and governing documents are in full compliance with the bylaws and policies of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. AAR is a not-for-profit Arizona corporation with 501 C(6) IRS status.

Southeast Valley Association of REALTORS®– The mission of the SouthEast Valley Regional Association of REALTORS® (SEVRAR) is to serve its members by providing education programs, services, and benefits that enhance their Real Estate practices while promoting and ensuring the protection of private property rights.
The SouthEast Valley Regional Association of REALTORS® was incorporated in 1961 and serves the following communities: Apache Junction, Ahwatukee (part of Phoenix), Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Queen Creek, Gold Canyon, Sun Lakes, and Tempe.
The Association’s membership combines just over 11,500 REALTORS®.

Council of Certified Residential Specialists; Certified Residential Specialist (CRS Designation) – For over thirty years CRS has been developing real estate training that helps REALTORS® achieve the next level of success. There are over one million REALTORS® in business today. If you want to find that one-in-a-million REALTOR®, start with the over 37,000 who hold the Certified Residential Specialist Designation. Only 1 in 4 REALTORS® hold the CRS Designation. CRS is the symbol of excellence in residential real estate. Our members have proven they have the experience, training and commitment to be among the best in their profession.

Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE)– A Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE) is a real estate professional with specific understanding of the complex issues confronting the real estate industry. Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPE’s are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing hardships in today’s market.
The prospect of foreclosure can be financially and emotionally devastating, and often homeowners proceed without guidance of any kind. The developers of the CDPE Designation believe that in almost all cases, the best course of action for a homeowner in distress is to speak with a well-informed, licensed real estate professional. They have the tools needed to help homeowners find the best solution for their situation.
While enduring financial difficulties is challenging for any family, the process of finding a qualified real estate professional should not be. Selecting an agent with the CDPE Designation ensures you are dealing with a professional trained to address your specific needs.
CDPE’s don’t merely assist in selling properties, they serve and help save their clients in need.

Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council of the National Association of REALTORS® (REBAC); Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR Designation) – REBAC focuses on buyer representation. While it is now a broadly-accepted, mainstream business model in real estate circles, it’s sometimes easy to forget that it wasn’t always so. Buyer representation officially took hold in November 1996, when the National Association of REALTORS® acquired the then-independent Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC), giving full support to a trend that had been gaining momentum throughout the 1980s. Now, ten years later, REBAC has enjoyed exponential growth with more than 50,000 active members.

Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI Designation) – This designation is the mark of a real estate professional who has made a commitment to providing a superior level of professional services by earning the GRI designation. REALTORS® with the GRI designation are highly trained in many areas of real estate to better serve and protect their clients.
Buying a Scottsdale property is a complex and stressful task. In fact, it’s often the biggest single investment you will make in your lifetime. At the same time, real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated. New technology, laws, procedures and the increasing sophistication of buyers and sellers require real estate practitionersto perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism. So it’s more important than ever that you work with an agent who has a keen understanding of the real estate business. The GRI program has helped the best and the brightest in the industry achieve that level of understanding. GRI’s are:
- Nationally recognized as top performers in the real estate industry
- Professionally trained
- Knowledgeable
- Dedicated to bringing you quality service
When you see the letters “GRI” after an agent’s name, you can count on receiving the knowledge and guidance you need to make your transaction go smoothly. In short, you can count on getting the best service available from a real estate professional.

Short Sales and Foreclosures Certification (SFR) – For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” real estate transaction. Knowing how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities are not merely good skills to have in today’s market-they are critical. And while short sales and foreclosures are not for the faint of heart, agents with the proper tools and training can use these specialty areas to build their business for the long term. The SFR Certification is for those agents who seek to ever expand their knowledge and abilities when it comes to dealing with buyers and sellers on short sale and foreclosure transactions.

NFSTI Real Estate Owned (REO) Certified – Certified in representing Buyers & Sellers in REO (foreclosure) property sales.

Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS® (SAAR) – The Scottsdale Board of REALTORS® officially organized on November 1, 1963. On October 20, 1964, we were incorporated. Today, more than 8,100 REALTORS® from more than 800 firms belong to our Association. SAAR has earned the reputation of being the voice of real estate for the Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Carefree/Cave Creek, and Fountain Hills areas.
The Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS® exists to maximize our Members’ success. We set the standard for professional and ethical business practices by providing and promoting quality services and innovative programs to benefit our Members. Our goal is to be the best investment for success our Members can make while protecting the free enterprise system, and preserving and promoting private property rights.
Today, Members of our Association are active in many areas throughout our city including a wide variety of voluntary boards, commissions, charity foundations, and also devote thousands of hours to help enhance the quality of life in Scottsdale. In addition, we are a major investor in the city’s economic development program, designed to recruit and retain employers to the Valley that are compatible with the southwest’s lifestyle.

Phoenix Association of REALTORS® – The Phoenix Association of REALTORS®(PAR) is a private trade association and was organized in 1896 as the Maricopa County Real Estate Association. Early in the 20th century, it reorganized as the Phoenix Real Estate Board.
The Phoenix Real Estate Board, now known as the Phoenix Association of REALTORS®, was chartered by the National Association of REALTORS® as a member board in 1918, recognizing it as an example of the REALTORS® concept and organizational intent, and has been in continuous operation since that time.
The real estate business is far different today than in 1896. Today members and consumers need and expect more information and tools at their fingertips.
REALTORS® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and subscribe to its strict CODE OF ETHICS.