OUR STORY

The vision for Empire Real Estate School finds its roots in the cherished memories of my parents, Louis and Pauline Facchini, known to their grandchildren as Noni & Juju. They were not just loving parents but also the heart and soul of our family, nurturing us within the walls of their red house in Ansonia, Connecticut.

When my parents passed, they willed their iconic red house to their children. I became a realtor to help my siblings avoid commission fees and preserve our family legacy. Together, my brother and I renovated the home, uncovering precious family artifacts that brought back cherished memories and helped us heal.

As I ventured into real estate, I found myself selling not only my parent's home but also those of neighbors, relatives, and friends. The demand grew, and I embraced this new role as a realtor in my community. It was then that I realized the growing need for quality real estate education. With a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, more than 35 years of experience as a school administrator, and an enduring passion for education, I founded Empire Real Estate School to share my passion for teaching and help others start successful real estate careers.

The name “Empire” honors my mother’s famous apple pie, made with Empire apples—a symbol of home and warmth that I want to offer every student. And to share a piece of that warmth, here’s Noni’s Apple Pie recipe:

Noni's Apple Pie
Ingredients:

• 9 Empire apples
• 6 tsp Stevia sugar
• 1 package Pillsbury pie crust
• Milk
• Cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Peel, core, and slice apples.
2. Mix apples with Stevia sugar and cinnamon to taste.
3. Place first pie crust in pie plate, add apple mixture.
4. Top with second crust, seal edges, and poke holes in top with a fork.
5. Brush with milk.
6. Bake at 350ºF for 1 hour.
   

Bake this pie in 7 steps, and earn your real estate license in 7 weeks—it’s that simple!