“Growing up in New Paltz, attending local schools, and having deep roots here, I witnessed firsthand the opportunities available to newcomers in both professional prospects and community support. After completing my bachelor’s degrees in Social Work and English at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, I traveled extensively before returning to my hometown with my English husband to raise our family. I feel fortunate to live in this beautiful corner of the world and I enjoy helping people find their perfect homes here.

My extensive knowledge of the area uniquely qualifies me to assist clients with a wide range of needs and guide them in the right direction, while building lasting relationships along the way. Over the years, I have also developed strong professional connections and can confidently say that I am an expert in all levels of real estate in the Mid-Hudson Valley.”

~ Anita Cunniff | Founder + New Paltz Native

  • Anita Cunniff

    PRINCIPAL BROKER | LEAD DESIGNER | FOUNDER

    My journey in real estate and design began in 1999 when I purchased my first property. My partner and I renovated an old farmhouse, divided the land into three parcels, sold one, and built new homes on the remaining two lots. This experience inspired us to continue with more renovation projects, leading to profitable sales. Over the past 25+ years, I have worked closely with Rich Steffens, starting as his client, then becoming an investor, and eventually joining his team as a salesperson in 2006. In 2013, I became an associate broker and have remained a top-selling Realtor year after year. My extensive experience in home renovations has allowed me to pursue my passion for interior design. Influenced by my rich multicultural upbringing and diverse travels, my style is a unique blend of eclectic elements and refined aesthetics. I focus on integrating components that give spaces a distinct feel while maximizing form, function, and style. I have completed projects of various scales, managing all phases of design and construction.

  • Heidi Goldleaf

    REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON | DESIGN CONSULTANT

    Heidi has been a long-time friend and a well-respected member of the Highland/New Paltz community. She first came to the area as a college student in the 1990s and returned to raise her family here 20 years ago. Known for her wit and style, she has a diverse background in marketing, event planning, and content creation, and brings a wealth of experience and skills to the team. In her free time, Heidi has honed her design abilities by creating beautiful spaces for her loved ones and completing all aspects of interior design for numerous short-term vacation rentals. With her newly acquired Real Estate Salesperson license, Heidi will be playing a hands-on role at Boxwood, serving as an agent and design consultant. Heidi has already played a crucial role behind the scenes in helping me transition from Steffens Realty after 17 years seamlessly into BWR+D. The more we work together, the more I realize what a perfect addition to Boxwood she is.

  • Ela Jaynes

    REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON | DESIGN CONSULTANT

    I met Ela and her family as their broker when they moved from Brooklyn to their new home in the Village of New Paltz and I fell in love with her buoyant positivity and creative mindset. She and her husband have roots in the area, discovering the Hudson Valley with first, a vintage trailer in Phoenicia, and then a weekend home in Kerhonkson. She brings to the table a prismatic creative background: working in fashion design and styling, fashion show production, and was the head of the costume department at Blue Man Group. While raising her family, she has been buying and renovating homes in New York and Atlanta, while also providing design and decor consulting to new homeowners in New York City. Her eclectic aesthetic is influenced by the Slow Design concept in which home decor is an extension of the owners, incorporates meaningful inherited and found objects, and embraces personality over trend. Fun fact: a self described mutt born in Atlanta, she has written a DIY book for tweens with Random House, and she speaks Spanish and Turkish.