We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Merri Nance a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Merri, thanks for joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I want to leave a legacy of wealth in real estate for my loved ones, strength, determination, perseverance, faith and trust in God. I hope that I will be remembered for my work ethics and sacrifice made to and for others. How I have opened my heart and my home to those in need. I hope I am remembered for my tenacity.

Merri, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into real estate after years of being urged by others who said they could see me in this field. My response was always “I hate sales”. Then after a weekend where a family friend spent all weekend trying to convince me that this is something I need to do and can do, how I would be great at it. I went into the office the next day and the owner of the company told me he would pay for me to get my real estate license. At that point, I fell on my knees in his office and said yes Lord I submit. Once I yielded I received such a yearning to teach, to encourage people to pursue home ownership, to share information on how the process works. I bought my 1st home when I was 19 not knowing how it would impact my drive to encourage, educate and work with young people to purchase their own home. I have and do work with individuals to get them to a place where they are ready to purchase. I also work with lenders and mortgage counselors that have the expertise, knowledge and patience to guide my clients. I tell my clients that delay is not denial. Some have to wait 3 months 6 months, etc but they are given a road map to guide them to their goal of home ownership. We talk through any credit challenges and provide guidance for overcoming these challenges. So back to my opening comment where I said I hate sales, well I do. However, I have found that what I do is not sales but a ministry of helps. I help individuals, young and old, position themselves to purchase real estate. Some have gone on and become investors. One young man was 18 years old and I would sit and talk through the process with him day after day until one day he was ready to meet with a lender. Well long story short, he got approved purchased his first home. Years later he called me to say that since then he had purchased 10 properties. You see they have not always come back and worked with me in the purchase of their home(s) but I am happy that they finally accomplished their goal of home ownership. In this case he took the information and excelled. I can’t be mad at that because this is what I encouraged people to do.

I am most proud of the fact that 99% of my clients are referrals from individuals I have worked with and sold homes to since 2000. 2022 was the first year that I started advertising since I obtained my real estate license in 1999.

I work to build relationships not just earn a commission and as a result have worked with several members of the same family; mothers, children, siblings, and cousins. This makes my business successful. I care about my clients and will not sell them a property just to make a commission, but I strive to make sure that they are comfortable with their purchase decision and patiently answer any questions they may have.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I actually have 2 stories. I had a couple who were in their 60’s and had never purchased a home. The husband’s dream was to one day own his own home for his wife. We went under contract and 1 week before the closing the husband passed away. Thankfully we were able to get the transaction closed and his wife was able to fulfill her husband’s dream. Every time I drove through the subdivision and would see her on the porch in her rocking chair it blessed my heart but also made me sad. This event further fuels my drive to make sure that everyone at some point in their lives purchases their own home, sooner rather than later.

My 2nd story is of a young lady who so strongly wanted to purchase her 1st home. She was denied but we sat with the lender who mapped out exactly what she needed to do. I followed up with the young lady every month or so. She was told if she did the things mapped out for her she would be approved in 12 months.(1 yr.). Staying focused on her mission time passed and she contacted the lender. She received her approval and closed on her home. Not only was I resilient but I give credit to the young lady who stayed focused and completed the requirements to get into her new home.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Because I have a strong desire on the inside of me to help all who I come in contact with, I had to learn that you cannot help everyone. I had a seller who came to me and wanted to sale their current home and buy another. I listed it and got an offer at the list price to close in 10 days. The seller was not pleased and used language that was so unbecoming such that I had to get up and leave the home. I told the seller the close date could be countered but this didn’t appease the seller. I worked my butt off to get the home sold thinking the seller would be ecstatic. The buyer offered the list price and a quick close. We could have negotiated the close date.

Again, as stated earlier, I started marketing my company in 2022. I have added one real estate sales associate who is doing well. I put up a bill board on I-20 West between Exits 80 and 78. I also have one that was just recently added at the intersection of Lavista Rd. and Briarcliff Rd. in hopes of growing my company even more.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nancerealty.com
• Instagram: nancerealtyservices
• Facebook: Atlanta Area Real Estate with Merri Nance of Nance Realty Services
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/merri-nance-386ba8261

Image Credits
Business card purchased from Vista Print. The logo and business card design courtesy of Mint Marketing. All other photos taken and purchased from Impact Photos, a real estate photographer, and Red Truck Media for use by Nance Realty Services Inc.