About Joan Karsten

Joan Karsten, originally from Ripon, brings more than 30 years of leadership in residential and commercial real estate experience to the Better Homes and Gardens Special Properties team. After graduating from UW-LaCrosse in 1981, Joan moved to Massachusetts where she began her broker career with Better Homes and Gardens. She moved back home to Ripon in 1992 which commenced 30 years of service to CENTURY 21 as a Broker.

Throughout her career, Joan garnered more than 30 professional awards and acknowledgements including being named Wisconsin REALTOR® of the Year twice and a five-time recipient of the CENTURY 21 Centurion Award. As impressive as her results have been in real estate, Joan is well known in Ripon for her years of service as a community leader and volunteer. She has held leadership roles on numerous boards and community organizations and was recognized as the Ripon Commonwealth Person of the Year in 2005 and received the Ripon College Founders Day Award in 2007.

Joan joined Better Homes and Gardens Special Properties in 2022 as Broker and Office Manager. In her role, Joan often serves as the face and first point of contact for the office. Furthermore, she serves as a trusted advisor to all NAR members and the lead trainer for new NAR members. Joan's extensive market knowledge and client base provides an invaluable resource as Special Properties establishes their Ripon office and continues to cultivate their client network.