Experience is important, but it’s no substitute for doing the research and legwork. That’s a philosophy Laurie Mah maintains, and it’s led to plenty of success. This determined and knowledgeable Realtor with Allie Beth Allman’s Ben Jones Group has lived all over the US and in parts of Asia, but loves the M Streets the best. She is a fantastic asset for both buyers and sellers, is a Feng Shui aficionado, and knows her way around a transaction.
The level of service she provides reminds us a lot of Jeff Lindigrin of Great Western Home Loans. What has your lender done for you lately? Find out what you’re missing by calling Jeff Lindigrin at Great Western Home Loans today.
Read on for more about the amazing Laurie Mah!
daltxrealestate.com: So, where are you from?
Laurie Mah: I was born in Missouri, and grew up in Dallas. After high school I traveled around the US before landing in New York City, where I attended college and worked for 12 years. From there, I moved overseas to Singapore in Southeast Asia for 5 years. I repatriated to USA via Orlando, Florida for 3 years only to come full circle and return to my roots in Dallas 15 years ago.
CD: So, how did you get into real estate? What’s your specialty?
LM: I passed the test! No, in all seriousness, I love working with people. THEY are my specialty! From my years working in hotels in NYC, I learned that customer service was paramount. Coupled with 6 years of teaching and my love of real estate & architecture, it seemed like a natural transition to get into the business where I could help people with one of the biggest and often best investment they will make. And I could not be in a better place to do so. During January of this year, Dallas-Fort Worth home prices rose 8.1 percent to a record high, in comparison to the national 4.5 percent annual gain.
CD: How do you stay sharp in a challenging market?
LM: Knowledge. Knowledge is power. Being a previous educator, education is very important to me. One can never stop learning and sharing that knowledge, particularly in my business. Real estate is ever-evolving.
CD: Where is home for you in Dallas?
LM: M Streets
CD: And you drive a … let me guess, Range Rover?
LM: Lexus
CD: What’s your favorite ‘hood in Dallas and why?
LM: “Intown” It’s where I live and I love urban living. Walking to restaurants and shops, not to mention being within walking distance of the Katy Trail! I like being able to walk places. It keeps me healthy and saves the planet! Reminds me of living in NYC!
CD: What was your best/highest sale?
LM: A home in University Park listed for $1,345,000
CD: Likewise, what was your most challenging or memorable transaction?
LM: Most challenging transaction would be a recent sale of a non-warrantable condo in HP. Thank you Pat Nagler with PrimeLending for getting the job done. I called it “The Miracle on Abbott Avenue.” We closed a week before Christmas!
CD: Tell us: What was the most interesting thing to happen to you while working with a client?
LM: My buyer client and I were looking at a piece of property out in the country in Ellis County. The listing agent met us at the property and took us on a tour of the acreage in his pickup truck. We got stuck in the mud half way through the tour in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately his driving skills and our determination got us unstuck and back to civilization. I sent him my dry-cleaning bill!
CD: How quickly have you ever turned a house?
LM: I sold my client’s home and found them a new one on the other side of the Metroplex and closed on both within 18 days. I probably only had about 18 hours of sleep during that time, mind you, but it was worth it. I love a challenge!
CD: How much did you sell last year?
LM: $3.6 Million
CD: What words of wisdom do you often share with clients?
LM: Buyer clients: ”In a hot market, there is no time to ponder!” Listing clients: “A house will sell itself IF it is priced right!”
CD: If you ever change careers for an encore you’ll…
LM: …become a Feng Shui Master
CD: Do you have a second home? If so, where?
LM: Yes, it started out as our primary residence in Ennis, 32 miles south of Dallas, but my love of urban living was too strong, so it turned into a weekend home. If you ever need to escape to the country, enjoy the bluebonnets, or count a few stars in the sky, this is the place.
