I've been in real estate for over 30 years, starting as a Merrill Lynch real estate agent. Over the years that followed I worked under several major corporate brands, becoming a high producer as well as expert marketer under all — learning the industry from the ground up, collaborating with other licensees and brokers, and growing to genuinely love this business while representing countless Connecticut clients.
In 2007 I became a licensed real estate broker and quickly formed ViBergman, LLC, Real Estate — expanding NYC across greater Manhattan, the five boroughs, all of Connecticut and the greater Boston area into some of the most demanding global markets on the planet.
ViBergman was established by me to try new things not done in real estate — to give agents more independence, more earning power, and in doing so, to give clients more choices and more competitive pricing than I was personally observing in the market at the time. In my experience as both a former agent and a broker, advertised commission rates charged sellers below five percent were, in my opinion, scarce. The prevailing culture across many companies — including those I had experience with — was that commission rates were simply a matter of internal company policy, and agents were generally expected to work within those parameters. That had gone largely unquestioned for a very long time.
I felt clients deserved more choice. So, at ViBergman, my agents were free to list at whatever rate they felt was appropriate. That was the policy — and it was a breath of fresh air.
Years later — in a development that felt both validating and long overdue — the National Association of Realtors settled major antitrust lawsuits for $418 million, centered on concerns that standard commission rates had been kept artificially high, that sellers were routinely never told those rates were negotiable, and that the entire structure had for years gone largely unquestioned. The industry was forced to change — fundamentally — what I had already noticed and, as a result, changed sixteen years earlier.
Understanding anti-trust laws, these were the exact concerns I had quietly acted on back in 2007. In my opinion, and based on what I was personally observing in the market as both a former agent and a corporate broker, clients simply deserved better. I did something about it then and since I have not stopped being a fearsome advocate for clients to this day.
Case in point: My company ViBergman was ahead of the curve. Not by accident — but by conviction.
My commitment to clients didn't grow from years of experience, although that certainly had a play in it. It grew from decades — across some of the most demanding markets globally. Those decades taught me what works, what doesn't, and most importantly — what clients need and deserve. ViBergman | Mary Vi Homes was built on exactly those principles. And as the industry would eventually confirm, it WAS built right.
I've sat at more closing tables than I can count. I've seen deals fall apart and watched them come back together. I know the difference between a problem and a dealbreaker — and I know how to tell you which one you're facing and the best course of action once we reach that conclusion.
That knowledge, to me, is the highest experience and credentials this industry can offer — for broker and client alike.
Above all else—and with decades of experience behind me—I consider marketing to be one of my greatest professional strengths. That expertise has been built over a lifetime of education and practical experience spanning traditional advertising, branding, digital marketing, and, more importantly, full-stack software engineering specializing in real estate technology.
Marketing today extends far beyond attractive brochures or online advertisements. It begins with the architecture of the platform itself. As the broker and both the designer and software engineer behind this website, I built every layer—from the user experience you see to the business logic that powers it behind the scenes. That includes scalable Single Source of Truth (SOT) architecture, object-oriented design, search engine optimization (SEO), site performance, mobile responsiveness, Google's E-E-A-T quality principles, property syndication, digital campaigns, and targeted online visibility—with a commitment to continually learning and mastering emerging technologies that further strengthen the marketing strategies I deliver to my clients.
These are the foundational elements of modern digital marketing. Individually they matter; together they create a platform that is technically sound, highly discoverable, and designed to earn the confidence of both search engines and consumers. In today's real estate industry, very few professionals possess both the brokerage experience and the engineering expertise required to integrate all of these disciplines into a single cohesive marketing strategy. That combination has become one of my greatest professional advantages—and one of my clients' greatest advantages as well.
Case in point: the website you're reading right now. This IDX platform was designed, architected and built by me as designer and engineer both top to bottom - end to end— not from a template, but as a professionally engineered website — start to finish, as both broker and full stack developer / software engineer. No outside developers. No team. No templates. No shortcuts. That is what sets me apart — and in this industry, that is rare.
The corporate chapter of my career is behind me now — and, although that chapter was invaluable, it is the best move of my career to simplify. No corporate red tape, no agents to supervise, no looping voicemails. Just one broker, fully present, focused entirely on my clients. That focus allows one broker to accomplish an extraordinary amount—without all the noise.
And it doesn't matter what the name of your street is. Whether you're on the water or around the corner — my clients are my only focus. All of them and I work where I’m needed.
The experience and credentials are strong — but credentials alone don't define how I work. My philosophy is simple: I am here as a resource for you. The informed, experienced instrument through which you complete your purchase or sale. I am here to listen, to understand what you need, and to bring every bit of my expertise, energy and enthusiasm to making that happen.
To me — that is everything.
“. . . For the sale of our first home, we chose a large, well-known brokerage with an entire team of agents. At first, we thought having so many people involved would mean better service. Looking back, the experience taught us that bigger doesn't always mean better.
For our next home, we chose Mary because she worked independently but brought decades of experience without the layers of a large company. A family member strongly recommended her after hearing about our first experience, and the difference was remarkable.
From the very beginning, Mary was approachable, responsive, and completely present. She answered her phone, returned calls promptly, and always made us feel like we were her top priority. She was there for every showing, every question, every challenge, and every important decision. Whether the issue was simple or complicated, she handled it with professionalism, confidence, and determination while treating everyone involved with respect. . .”
Explore more about my background, approach, and the way I work below.
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The Power of Simplicity and Accountability: Lessons from a Little Screened-In Porch at Cornfield Point in Old Saybrook, Connecticut
