Laneal Ernest might be the most down-to-earth yet dynamic Realtor we’ve ever come across. She’s a straight shooter and knows her stuff! Hailing from The Big Easy, Ernest made her way into real estate over the course of a few years, and it’s a long-term love affair for her.
Laneal is focused on growth, which is why she just joined the team at JP & Associates Realtors. Not only is she dedicated to her clients, but she’s made Dallas her home, too.
Her boundless energy, sense of humor, and sterling personality are all reasons why Laneal Ernest is this week’s Great Western Home Loans Featured Realtor. What has your lender done for you lately. Find out what you’re missing by calling Jeff Lindigrin at Great Western Home Loans today.
Jump to read more about Laneal, who will do anything — including hop a fence in a skirt and heels! — for her clients.
daltxrealestate.com: So, where are you from?
Laneal Ernest: New Orleans, La., home of the Gumbo!
CD: So, how did you get into real estate? What’s your specialty?
Ernest: It’s a long story, but the condensed version is that I moved to Dallas in 1995 and I began to look for apartments in ’96. Because I knew nothing about Dallas, I sought out an apartment locator and I met one that was nice enough to tour me around the city to find a place to live. Following that, we became acquaintances. Years later she started her own brokerage and suggested that I come and work with her. I first discounted her offer because I always thought that sales was not my forté, but in 2008 I decided to give it a try. I started as a locator on a part-time basis, transitioned into sales, and the rest is history. My specialty is residential sales.
CD: How do you stay sharp in a challenging market?
Ernest: I try and partake in as many classes and seminars as I possibly can so that I’m always informed on what’s new. I’m also a member of multiple Realtor groups on Facebook, which is great because they’re like focus groups, you get a first-hand account of what works and what doesn’t.
CD: Where is home for you in Dallas?
Ernest: Home is a golf course community in Rowlett/Rockwall area, but I know absolutely nothing about golf!
CD: And you drive a … let me guess, Range Rover?
Ernest: No, I’m a Lexus girl. I drive a Lexus ES 350. Their customer service is unmatched!
CD: What’s your favorite ‘hood in Dallas and why?
Ernest: My favorite hood is East Dallas (White Rock Lake, Casa Linda), the beautiful estates both old and new. Also, there are some really cool boutiques in the area that I can always find some gems. I also love the many restaurants that are one of a kind.
CD: What was your best/highest sale?
Ernest: Now, now … a girl never sells and tells!
CD: Likewise, what was your most challenging or memorable transaction?
Ernest: My most challenging transaction was a condo in Oak Lawn. My client’s financing was via an FHA loan, but the unit was not FHA approved and it was non-warrantable. I’ve never written so many amendments and termination of contracts for one transaction. It was a roller coaster: one day we would be on, the next day it would seem as if the deal was dead. It was definitely a nightmare and a learning experience for both me and the listing agent, but we got it done and my client loves her home.
CD: Tell us: What was the most interesting thing to happen to you while working with a client?
Ernest: This incident was both interesting and funny: I was showing a home in Lakewood and per the showing instructions, there would be a combo lock on the front door. Well, there was no combo on the door, nor the ramps, so I called the listing agent and she said that because of the way the knob was made on the front door she was unable to attach the combo lock, so she put it on the side door. The only caveat was that there was a chain link fence that prevented entry to the side door and when I brought this to her attention she said “Sweetie, you sound like you’re young, can’t you just hop the fence?” So here I am, with a skirt on, hopping a fence to get a key, I’m glad my client was a female, she was in tears laughing! We both were!
CD: How quickly have you ever turned a house?
Ernest: Executed, closed, and funded in 20 days, and it wasn’t a cash deal.
CD: How much did you sell last year?
Ernest: I’ll just say this: I walked away from corporate America in 2013 to pursue real estate on full-time basis and financially it was the best move that I have made.
CD: What words of wisdom do you often share with clients?
Ernest: I have different relationships with all of my clients, so every conversation is different. I try to make the experience of buying/selling their home not so much a transactional relationship, but more of a personal experience. For the most part, all of my clients usually trust my judgement enough to seek out my opinion, and I’m always honest. The one thing that I always say to my buyers is this: “Your heart will know when you have entered the house that is for you.”
CD: If you ever change careers for an encore you’ll…
Ernest: Do nothing but real estate. There is NO Plan B. If I create an alternate plan, I’m setting myself up for failure.
CD: Do you have a second home? If so, where?
Ernest: No, not yet, but a waterfront property is on my vision board and in my future.
