About Phil

After 18 years as an independent broker, I chose Howard Hanna Rand to be my partner in contunuing the journey for my clients and agents. 

The purchase and sale of real estate is typically the largest transaction of most people's lives. It should never be a do it yourself project. Having the best tools, the best training, and the best support for your agent is crucial. This is where that happens. 

I built J Philip Real Estate from a sole practitioner in 2005 to Westchester and Putnam's top-selling boutique independent from 2017-2022 with 3 offices and nearly 100 associates. In 2023, I brought my team to Howard Hanna Rand Realty and I'm ecstatic with the decision- the culture, leadership, tools, and overall support for agents is simply second to none. 

The journey wasn't a straight line. After my first 5 years as a licensed salesperson, I originated mortgages from 2001-2005, which gave me exceptional insight into the home loan process that serves me well to this day. 

I was an early adopter of online technology. J. Philip was the first Westchester brokerage to syndicate listings regularly to sites like Zillow and Trulia, and by 2012 I was asked to serve on Zillow's Agent Advisory Board. The experience was transformative, and when my tenure wrapped up in 2012 the industry had indeed changed a great deal. I also served on the MLS board from 2010-2019, serving as President of the Hudson Gateway MLS in 2014. 

I embraced blogging for the industry in 2008 when the housing crash was in full swing, and I still author the Westchester Real Estate Blog, along with writing columns for other platforms like Inman News and RealEstateNews.com, for whom I won an NAREE award for journalistic excellence in 2023. When I want to avoid hunting and pecking on a keyboard, I produce video content on a variety on channels, including my Real Estate Unscripted broadcast. 

My greatest professional joy is developing agents to be the best they can be, and the market share my offices have gained over the years has been alost entirely due to the hard work and commitment of the agents I have overseen for years. If you work with an agent on my team, expect excellence, hard work, a deep commitment to your best interests, and the best results the market will bear. 

As an early intervention and preschool special educator for over 25 years, Allison Witt-Faranda makes collaboration and forming lasting relationships the foundation of her work as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson.  Allison is dedicated to listening to your home needs, working with you to develop a plan, and executing that plan with attention to detail and professionalism. 

Allison has embraced the CORE Philosophy, "Client Oriented Real Estate," here at Howard Hanna Rand Realty.  A lifelong learner and educator, Allison will guide you through the intricate process of buying or selling real estate with care and expertise. 

A proud New Yorker, after growing up in Elmira, Allison earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at SUNY Geneseo and her Master’s in Education at Teachers College, Columbia University in Manhattan.  After teaching in the city for 7 years, Allison settled down in Westchester County and started a family.

In addition to selling real estate, Allison is an equestrian who is certified to teach adaptive riding, an avid foxhunter, and loving owner of Scarlet, her Belgian-cross mare who works as a therapy horse. 

Allison and her husband, J. Philip Faranda, Associate Broker & Office Manager, work together as a team to provide their clients with unparalleled service and support throughout their lifetime of real estate needs.

When Allison is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 6 kids between them, as well as hanging out with their many dogs, cats, and chickens.