Tammy Babadzhanov: “I’ll help you find a house you’ll truly love to call home.”
Tammy Babadzhanova is one of those
young women our Bukharian community can be genuinely proud of. Born in New York
and raised in California, Tammy has built a successful career in real estate
while embodying the values we hold most dear—devotion to family, a strong work
ethic, honesty, a love of life, and a sincere desire to help others. She has
found success in New York’s competitive market while staying true to her roots
and maintaining the warmth of family traditions and the spirit of community
solidarity. More than just a successful real estate broker, Tammi is a loving
mother, a gracious homemaker, and a role model for young women striving to stay
true to themselves in any life context.
As part of our ongoing series, we
continue to introduce you to smart, strong, and inspiring women from our
community—women of substance and heart.
—Tammy, our family values are often
shaped by our parents and grandparents. What do you remember most about your
childhood home? What shaped you as a person? Which family traditions do you
especially treasure and try to preserve?
—What I remember most are our family gatherings—warm, lively, and truly
heartfelt. We always came together around a table full of delicious food,
sharing laughter and stories. Our home was open to everyone, and every guest
felt welcome.
My parents emigrated from Dushanbe,
but I was born in New York in 1992. Two years later, my younger sister Rahel
was born. Like many immigrant families, the adjustment to a new country came
with challenges, and eventually, my parents separated. Later, both remarried,
and I’m grateful that we’ve managed to maintain good, warm relationships with
everyone. I now have a younger brother and sister from my parents’ new
families. We lived in Seattle for a time and then moved to San Diego. More
recently, my parents relocated to Phoenix, Arizona.
From a very young age, I felt a
strong sense of responsibility. My parents worked a lot, so I took care of my
younger siblings most of the time. That taught me independence and a solid work
ethic. My parents always said, “Be honest, be decent, take responsibility for
your words and actions.” I internalized those values early on. To this day, I
try to live by them—to help others, keep my word, face challenges head-on, and
follow through with what I start.
—What brought you back to New
York—fate or coincidence?
—It’s actually a pretty interesting story. While I was still living in
California, I had a few potential suitors, proposals even—but something always
held me back. Looking back now, I believe it was G-d’s will. Fate was saving me
for the person who would become my husband—Gary, who lived in New York. We
started talking on the phone, and eventually he flew to San Diego to meet me.
As soon as we met, everything fell into place. His kindness, reliability,
warmth, and genuine nature immediately resonated with me. I just knew—he was
the one.
You know, I was never the type to
care about things like “what does he do for a living?” or “how much does he
make?”—though that’s so common these days. What mattered to me was the kind of
person he was, his values, how he treated others. And I’m so happy I followed
my heart. Today, Gary and I live in a cozy home on Long Island, raising our two
beautiful daughters—Natalie, who is nine, and Isabella, who is six.
—What qualities do you think are
most important when building a family? As a mother, what values do you hope to
pass on to your daughters?
—It saddens me to see how many young people today enter marriage without being
truly prepared for what family life means. Parents tend to focus solely on
education, degrees, and professional success—but that’s not enough. A family’s
real task is to teach children how to care for loved ones—spouses, parents, and
future children.
It’s important that both husband and
wife know how to contribute—not just financially, but also at home. Cooking,
managing a household budget, helping each other—it all matters. But the most
important thing is learning how to love, listen, and respect one another. To
compromise, support each other, and grow together. Marriage isn’t just about
feelings—it’s about daily emotional labor and commitment.
—Let’s talk about your career.
You’re a successful real estate agent, but your path to this profession wasn’t
a straight one. What was the turning point when you realized, “This is what I’m
meant to do”?
—Today, I truly love what I do—I’m a licensed real estate agent. But the road
here wasn’t linear. I began my studies in Seattle, but our family moved to San
Diego, and I didn’t get a chance to transfer my scholarships. I decided to
start working, planning to return to school later. Then life took its course—I
met Gary, we got married, and I realized I wanted to try real estate.
This business always intrigued me.
Helping someone not just find a house, but find their home—that’s meaningful.
When we moved to New York, I passed the NY Real Estate Broker exam right away,
and I’ve been in the profession ever since.
New York real estate is extremely
competitive. To succeed, you need energy, dedication, and above all—honesty.
Reputation is everything. People need to trust you. I always strive to work
with integrity and transparency. When a client is happy, they refer others—and
that’s how a circle of loyal clients is formed.
These days, I sell properties not
only in Queens but throughout Long Island. Young families are increasingly
drawn to spacious homes with yards, where their kids can play outside. School
quality is also a major factor—and Long Island has many excellent schools.
What I love about this job is the
flexibility. I'm not tied to an office, and I can manage my own time. Every
case is unique, and I enjoy thinking fast and finding the right solution for
each client. But the best part is seeing the genuine joy on a client’s
face—especially when they never thought they’d own a home, and now they do.
Of course, it’s also financially
rewarding—when you work hard, it pays off. But the key to success in this
profession is being proactive, quick, and persistent. Those qualities have
helped me thrive.
—Many people earn their license but
never find success in this field. Why do you think you did? What sets a
successful agent apart from someone who just happened into the profession?
—I was lucky to start my career at Douglas Elliman, surrounded by ethical,
professional, and kind colleagues. Early on, I received the Award Winning Agent
recognition, which meant a lot to me. It was not just an honor—it was a huge
motivation.
There are definitely people in this
business who are here by chance. But being a good broker isn’t just about
showing houses. Many give up because they lack patience or people skills. But
without those, you can’t survive in this industry.
I rely a lot on intuition. I know
how to structure a conversation, I pay attention to what matters most to each
client. I always do my homework—I research properties thoroughly so I’m ready
for any question a buyer may have. I don’t see myself as a middleman—I see
myself as a trusted guide through one of the most important decisions in a
person’s life.
My clients—buyers and sellers
alike—trust me. And I take that seriously. I genuinely want to help them make
smart decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
—What principles would you never
compromise on when working with clients?
—In this profession, you can’t build long-term relationships without trust and
integrity. I never make false promises or sacrifice a client’s interests for a
quick deal. I aim to be transparent, knowledgeable, and fully engaged in the
process. When a person feels you genuinely care about helping them—that creates
a bond. And those bonds are what bring real satisfaction and move you forward.
