About Beaufort's Parris Island

It is 10:45pm and I am just now getting home from working on my new office. Part excitement, part anxiety is what has kept me going this long on a Friday.

My clients, past and present, are pushing me forward with their encouragement and support. Just when I think I can't, they remind me that I can.

I giggle to myself when I think of the things that I don't have to get approved or cleared by someone else. After all it is my office.

So to end my long Friday with a smile the following are liberating thoughts for a Realtor ( oh, I guess it is BROKER now:) with a free spirited soul:

Things I don't have to get approved in my new office:

1. The type of music! Yippee....so I am thinking Meringue Monday, Tango Tuesday, Whimsy Wednesday...you get my drift! No elevator music in my office:)

2. The temperature- NO MORE Antartica in June!!

3. The atmosphere- We might as well have a little fun. No walking around on eggshells. Life is hard enough. If you come to my office, bring your smile.

4. NO GRIPING- Now, venting is perfectly acceptable in short spurts; however, if griping has replaced your marketing, farming, and/or breathing, please do not come to my office. You will be politely asked to leave.

Afterall, it is my office.

We all have gone above and beyond for those clients that we just adore for one reason or the other. I am certain you too have stories of things you have done that you most likely thought you would not do under normal circumstances.

Early this morning I received a phone call from a Marine that purchased a home from me not too long ago.

I wasn't expecting the phone call, but was happy to hear from him nonetheless.

In his horse, drill instructor voice, he asked me if there was any chance I could meet the Lowes carpet installer at his home.

He had asked off only to have Lowes reschedule at the last minute and today was impossible for him.

Of course, after all this gentleman has already sent me several referrals.

I figured it was the least I could do.

So, I arrive at his home just in time to open the door for the carpet installers who spoke VERY limited English. To my surprise, they spoke Russian. OK. I can do this.

Now as I unlock the door, I am greeted enthusiastically by a German Shepard.

So enthusiastically that he knocks me over into the freshly laid mulch. Ok. I can do this.

After tracking down the enthusiastic German Shepard and persuading him back to his fenced in yard, I went inside to let the Russian installers know I would be back to lock up.

I think they understood me. I think.

After a few hours I returned.

The German Shepard had somehow managed to make his way into the home where the Russian installers were working.

They were not Ok with this.

They were in a back bedroom with the door closed waiting for me to return.

So..I again persuaded the enthusiastic, and slightly intimidating creature back into the yard.

Long, comical story short....Finally the Russians finished the carpet, the German stayed put, and the Dominican is extremely pleased with his updated home.

Seeing his reaction after a long day of "Making Marines" made the entire international experience worth it. I was happy to be able to help him.

We don't just sell homes. It is so so much more. Today, I love the oddity of my job. It fits me just fine.

Over the past few weeks I have had many Realtors, lenders, friends, and complete strangers ask me the same question.

Why Marine 1 Realty? Why am I "limiting" myself with such a name? Aren't I afraid that I am isolating buyers/sellers that are non military??

Well, I have given many well thought out answers and some not so well thought out.

Yesterday while facing a "who's gonna do it" crisis with last minute details in my new office, something happened.

I realized that even on my best day there was absolutely no way that I could add trim carpenter, electrician, painter, and cable runner guy to my plethora of responsibilities.

After contemplating which tropical island I would simply disappear to, I decided to phone a friend.

Gunnery Sergeant Mitch Tiemann, my first client EVER.

Within 30 minutes, three Marines were running a special operations all over my office. Talk about strategic moves!?!? I was in complete awe.

Matter of fact, awe isn't quite good enough. It was somewhat emotional for me.

Mitch was once my very first client, he had just come home from Iraq. I helped him find the perfect home.

Since then, I have seen Mitch deployed again, sold his first home, and helped him purchase another. I know his daughters. His wife, continues to be one of my heroes.

Now, here he stands giving orders of a different kind.

He looked at me and he said, " Well, of course I came when you called, now, don't worry, we will take care of everything."

Limiting myself? Seriously!?!?! I couldn't be happier with my chosen target market. Honestly, I kind of have it made:).

It is with great pleasure I announce the upcoming opening of Marine 1 Realty. Beaufort, South Carolina has been blessed with such a tremendous presence of America's finest men and women. I have been fortunate over the past several years to work closely with them in finding a home for their families.

Each transaction is a new reminder of the sacrifice, loyalty, protection, and sheer courage these young men and women give so freely each and everyday.

I have watched my clients deploy to the most dangerous battle zones.

I have watched their HUSBANDS and wives embrace them tearfully upon their return.

I have sold their homes when they transfer, and represented them as buyers when they come back.

I have emailed pictures of their new home to Iraq and Afghanistan, sent care packages, and spoken through static, time-delayed phone conversations at the closing table.

Once I sold a house to a young man in Iraq that he hadn't even seen. That is trust.

I have the most well dressed, sincere, devoted friends all over the world.

It is time that they know they have representation without question. A place where camouflage is OK. A place where business hours are THEIR hours. I am proud to offer that to them.

Marine 1 Realty will soon have locations in Jacksonville NC, and Quantico, VA. For once, we will go WHERE THEY NEED US.

Guzzling my third cup of coffee, I am preparing for a very busy day. I will be showing property to a young Marine. We have been speaking via email for a while now so I feel pretty confident I know what to expect.

What I didn't expect was him to call me and say;

"Is it ok, if two of my friends come, they really need a good Realtor. They need to purchase a home too."

Let me think? Of course, I said.

He went on to explain that the two friends were also Marines and their wives weren't coming into town for three weeks.

He told me they had been approved by the same lender he was using but they hadn't been able to find a good Realtor.

Good Gravy! (that is southernese for YIPPEE).

So now I am planning a day of showing property to THREE buyers, two in the 180-200K range, and one in the 215-245K range.

I admit, this isn't a typical situation; however, I understand the limited time of Marines. I also understand that if one trusts you, then so does his friends.

So at 12pm we will all pile up in my car and off we go. I have prepared buyer packages for all three, stocked up on bottled water, AND a camera so they can send pictures to their wives.

Now, I also have a brand new puppy who has been in my arms for just about three days straight. I am not sure who will have the hardest time with attachment issues:).

But all in all, what great issues to have!