Barbara A Snyder
Real Estate Agent (Principal Broker)
Akron - OH

At the age of 20, this real estate professional purchased her first home in Medina, where she collaborated with her parents on a standard remodel. After selling that property in 1978, she relocated to California, acquiring a dilapidated Victorian duplex. This marked her initial foray into design, where she experimented with a three-color paint scheme, though her approach to preservation was still developing at that time.

Her third property in California was a nondescript ranch house that lacked character. In 1980, after navigating the challenges of raising two children and managing a marriage, she returned to Ohio as a single parent in search of an affordable home. With her mother, Elsie Snyder, already established in real estate, they explored Highland Square, a neighborhood that captivated them with its charm and community spirit. The emerging grant program for home renovations provided an exciting opportunity for young families, further enhancing their interest in the area.

During the restoration of her first Highland Square residence on Bloomfield, as well as her mother’s real estate office at 911 W Exchange, they connected with local preservationists. This experience deepened their appreciation for the importance of preserving historical properties rather than merely remodeling them.

In 1984, her parents returned to Akron and settled on Dodge Avenue. She joined her mother in the real estate business that same year and assumed the role of broker in 1990, rebranding the company as Snyder & Snyder Real Estate. Her mother went on to restore over 50 units in the Highland Square area, often taking on much of the work herself until her passing in 2000. Today, this agent continues her mother’s legacy, collaborating with fellow preservationists to honor their shared commitment to the community.