Jeannie Kontis - Lancaster, PA Real Estate Agent - Lancaster REALTOR

What year did you become a real estate agent?
2000

How many years have you been in Real Estate?
I have been a licensed Realtor for over 7 years, but have been personally investing in Real Estate f

What is the average home price in your market?
Prices vary greatly in the Lancaster County area, but the median price for a detached single family

Are there any new developments or trends in your area?
As far as new construction goes, many new home developments are now being built as planned communities. These communities offer smaller, easy to care for lots, while offering open space and walking trails for recreation. This allows the homeowner to spend minimum free time on yard work, yet still enjoying the great outdoors. Our County also offers many opportunities for a homeowner to live in a historic or older home, either an old farmhome or victorian townhouse. There are many diverse opportunities for whatever your tastes might be.

Why do you enjoy being a real estate agent?
I enjoy puzzles and challenges - and I find both seem to come into play in my Real Estate career. Seeing a deal come to fruition successfully, while keeping both the buyer and the seller happy with the terms, can truly be a challege at times but one that I welcome and enjoy. I especially appreciate helping first-time buyers purchase their first home, and successfully assisting families who are relocating while making it as stress-free as possible for them.

What is the most challenging issue you face as a Real Estate Professional?
It's very challenging when Sellers have ended up over-extending themselves with equity loans on their homes, sometimes owing far more on the home than it is worth on the re-sale market. Many times this refinance or equity loan that they have taken was not properly explained to them, or the home has been appraised at a much higher value than what the market value would bring, putting homesellers in a very tight situation when it is time to sell.

Tell us one of your client success stories or an interesting moment in your profession.
I had met a widowed older woman who had a parcel of land that had been in her husband's family for many years. It turned out that it was landlocked, but I was able to secure a buyer for her sucessfully, and she was so happy that she wrote a poem for me. She trusted me completely, even after many other agents had told here there was nothing she could do with her landlocked property. I was happy that I was able to gain her trust, as well as bring her the price we both knew that land was worth. I still have her poem, and use it in my marketing and on my website as a testimonial.

What is your best characteristic?
I realize that purchasing or selling a home can be a very emotional time for most people. I believe that I can easily put myself in others shoes and realize what they are going through. On a business perspective, I am a bit of a work-a-holic, and love challenges and finding unique ways to market a home.

Who or what inspires you the most?
I feel most inspired by the fact that we, as Americans, have the right to purchase our own little piece (or big piece) of the world, real estate. I think everyone deserves an opportunity at home-ownership, which is why I get particularly satisfied when working with first-time buyers.

What is the best advice you ever received?
The people that I surround myself with, reflect who I am - and I believe that. I surround myself with professional, dedicated teammates.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Although I love Lancaster County and grew up in New York - I would love to live on the island of Santorini in Greece. I have visited there twice already, and don't think I can ever get enough of that beautiful peaceful view. It is a place that everyone should try to experience at least once in their life. My goal is to one day purchase a small home there, or on a nearby island.