Speaker 1: 0:30

My name's Maureen Landis. I am a real estate agent and my company is called Landis Properties and if anyone wanted to visit it's landispropertiescom. I have a blog there and my handle across social media is at Landis Properties and I help people mostly in Loudoun County but Fairfax. I'm licensed in Virginia with renting, buying or selling or investing residential homes Awesome.

Speaker 2: 0:56

All right, well, take me back. What initially drew you to real estate? Kind of, tell me your story, give me an overview.

Speaker 1: 1:06

So I've lived in Loudoun County for over 30 years, so I think that's my strength as a realtor is I know the area. But I also, before that, moved around a lot growing up and even as a young adult and an adult I probably moved 20 plus times. So I was actually a high school teacher and one of my colleagues was getting ready to retire and became a real estate agent and said like, oh, I think you'd be really good. So I was like, oh really, and so that kind of got me into it. But I remembered I'd forgotten something. When I first graduated from college I moved to New York City for a little bit and I actually had a brief job showing houses in New York, which I completely forgot about. But so I guess that was my little first step in, and then the story that I just told is how I got into it.

Speaker 2: 1:56

So very cool, all right. Well, as you mentioned, you've lived in Loudoun County for over 30 years. What makes this place feel like home to you and why do you love helping helping others plant roots here?

Speaker 1: 2:08

um, well, so it's, I would say. People are moving in and out a lot, so planting roots um, I'm, I guess, the area we're in right now, downtown Leesburg. A lot of roots are here, but I'm in the Ashburn area and you know, the metro just came out and the airport is right there and people you know travel out of the country for the summer and come back, and so what was the question? Why do I like helping people? Yeah, so there's just this area is so unique.

Speaker 1: 2:40

There's just so much, like I said, we're right near Washington DC, which is an amazing opportunity, but then we also have, we're near West Virginia and we have horse country and, if you like drinking, we have so many breweries and wineries. We have pretty much any amenity you could ask for, like if you're working out. If you like working out, we have, you know, an assortment of different kinds of gyms and Topgolf and iFly and lots of shopping and the schools are really good. There's just so much here. So I feel like people who you know, if you're fortunate enough to be able to find a home here, and I like to help people find a home, even if they think maybe it's out of their reach I think it's a great area to live. That was a long answer, but no, it's a perfect answer.

Speaker 2: 3:25

I mean, I feel like when you live somewhere for so long, you feel super passionate about sharing why it is so incredible. You get to know kind of the little secret spots and then just yeah, I love. I love sharing that with people too, because I love living here. But especially from a realtor's perspective, that's amazing. Um, what do you think most people don't realize about Ashburn and Brambleton until they live here and what makes them truly special communities?

Speaker 1: 3:54

Um, I would say I think there's a perception from people who choose to live in that area. I think a lot of people go for the schools and also they know that it's just a really well taken care of area. But I think maybe people would be surprised that you can, it can feel like you're living in a small community there and you know, I think all of the amenities help, whereas you know, in areas where you don't have all that, it's probably a lot harder because you're thinking of more. You know survival things and building a community. But I think there are a lot of ways that you can get involved and meet people and also, I mentioned earlier, there are people from all over the world in that area, so it's just a really unique opportunity.

Speaker 2: 4:43

Yeah, amazing For someone moving to Loudoun County from out of state. What would you say? The top three things they should know before choosing a neighborhood are know before choosing a neighborhood are, oh, good one.

Speaker 1: 4:59

I always think of schools, because I get that question a lot for people who have kids. So I guess I would say ask your realtor, hopefully they know, because a lot of neighborhoods are within walking distance to an elementary school, for example, if that's important to you. But then the other thing with that is because we're growing so much rezoning happens a lot with where kids are assigned to go to school. So I wouldn't like, if you have to go to this one school, I probably wouldn't make a decision based on that. Are you going to need a home office? Are you going to be okay sharing a wall with someone in a condo or a townhouse? And then, if you are commuting I mentioned the metro finally came to Ashburn.

Speaker 1: 5:44

I think that's been a plan since the 70s, yeah, but if you're open to that, there are a lot of bus stops and great ways to get to the metro if you need to commute. So I would say, consider that. So I guess location and then just cost of living. I mentioned that I lived in New York City for a while and I thought that was the most expensive place and then when I came back home I was like, oh wow, this is like not too much different. So I'm sure most people are probably aware of that, but the cost of living can be high.

Speaker 2: 6:17

Yeah, I resonate with that. I used to live in Boston. I was like it can't be close to this. And then I look at some of the prices here and I'm like ooh it's a little bit close yeah. So how has raising your family in Loudoun shaped the way you serve your clients who are doing the same?

Speaker 1: 6:34

and loud and shape the way you serve your clients who are doing the same. Well, I definitely give a lot of recommendations for things that I enjoyed with my kids, whether it's you know, like a preschool or parks, that we will go to activities, ways to have fun and find enrichment, like at different budgets too, like we have a great public library system with all kinds of activities and you know free and reduced programs, or you know who gives private voice lessons, or I feel like I'm rambling and I forgot the exact question again.

Speaker 1: 7:10

Just how raising your family in Loudoun has kind of shaped, I think, just our experiences I like to share because, um, I really when I originally moved to New York I was like I will never move back to small town Leesburg, and then it's actually been just, you know, really an idyllic place to raise a family.

Speaker 2: 7:29

So, I think, just sharing the resources that have worked for us, yeah, yeah, and I'm sure that people are super appreciative of that too, cause they it's one thing to like Google, like oh you know, insight on different things, but to get that inside scoop is so, so helpful. So.

Speaker 1: 7:48

I actually love doing that yeah.

Speaker 2: 7:49

Yeah, I think it's so much fun. Um, you've moved nearly 20 times across six states. How does that experience help you to empathize and guide your clients?

Speaker 1: 8:01

I just I know that moving can Be definitely has the potential to be stressful, whether you're single or you have a big family or you know if they have to sell their home, maybe think about like, well, if you're not going to be using this stuff for the next couple months, maybe start packing that up and kind of project managing the process for them. And yeah, just thinking of little things that can make it a positive, maybe stressful experience instead of a negative experience, because it can be fun to move. You know whether you want to or you have to, you can make the best of it and you know enjoy packing up and organizing and all that.

Speaker 2: 8:53

So this is a fun one. So what is one hidden gem in Loudoun County that you always recommend to clients? It could be a park, a restaurant, an experience, anything like that.

Speaker 1: 9:06

Oh man, I'm probably not going to think of the best one. Let me think.

Speaker 2: 9:10

If you want to come back to it, we can come back to it as well.

Speaker 1: 9:13

I'll just I can just say the top of my head. I don't know if this is a hidden gem, but we're nearby, I love Idly Water Park, so and you can get the pass, for I think I need to check for this year, but I think you can get the pass for the summer, so that you know you get like 20 passes and it's a little bit reduced and you get to go in earlier. I think if you live in the town of Leesburg you definitely get to go in earlier and then everyone else goes in. So yeah, but that's super fun for the whole family.

Speaker 2: 9:38

That's a great recommendation. As a kid that grew up here, I loved Idley.

Speaker 1: 9:42

Water Park so that's amazing.

Speaker 2: 9:50

that's amazing, um, in terms of, like client centered business philosophy. What is a smooth, stress fee, stress-free real estate experience really look like, and how do you make that happen to your, happen for your clients, aside from like kind of meeting them where they're at?

Speaker 1: 10:04

Um, I think so there. Sometimes I have to remind myself to communicate things that real estate agents do on behalf of their clients. So it doesn't seem like, oh well, that was easy. But I think if they have that feeling then you've done the right job. So, you know, like mitigating problems before they arise and communicating with all the parties involved to take that off of the hands of the people who are moving, whether it's buying or selling, so they can focus on the things like that only they can do. But I guess, just taking care of everything for them, yeah, absolutely.

Speaker 2: 10:47

How do you ensure that your clients feel heard for them? Yeah, absolutely. How do you ensure that your clients feel heard, informed and in control?

Speaker 1: 10:53

during such a big life decision. Well, I love that question feeling in control because I want it to be clear to them always like this is my advice but it's your decision and it's probably, you know, most likely the biggest purchase they'll probably make. So it's you know, they might know something that I don't, or they might just want to. You know, if I recommend, like, well, this is the price, that probably is a good price, and they feel really strongly that they don't want to do that, that's not my job to say, well, you have to do that. So, communicating, you know it's their decision. And you said, you said feeling calm, I think, or feeling yeah, just feeling heard, informed and in control.

Speaker 1: 11:38

Yeah, I think I, like I said, I used to be a teacher for a long time, so I think every client is different and it reminds me of when you're in the classroom and every student is different. I don't have like a formula, but I guess, depending on you know the person's personality, some people just want, like you know, bullet points and saying like, okay, getting getting that done, taking care of that, and then some people really want you to hold their hand and walk them through and weigh in on decisions more. So I guess, just you know it depends on the person to make sure that I'm meeting their needs.

Speaker 2: 12:17

Yeah, I think your background in education really lends well to this type of work because people, the experience is so different when you feel heard and you feel in control and you don't feel like you're getting that one size fits all approach to the experience and this is the biggest purchase, pretty much, that they'll have in their life. So they want to feel, they don't want to feel icky about that experience coming away from it. That's a great way to put it yeah, that's really amazing.

Speaker 1: 13:00

What do you wish more people knew about, kind of the behind the scenes effort you put into every transaction like that. But I know, like I think some of the the word out there is that you know, oh, you're just opening doors and but it's, some of it is really boring. You know, like making sure inspections are taken care of and knowing the different laws and making sure all of the documents and contracts are uploaded correctly and the right signatures, and all of that. So I guess it's just you could do it yourself, but it's. We're really just kind of doing a lot of boring stuff for you, I would say, and then also for anyone who's interested in going to real estate. I didn't realize there's a lot of. Obviously, with any business that you start, there's a lot of expenses. So I am kind of glad I didn't know that. I don't know if I would have made the leap, but um, yeah, I guess that.

Speaker 2: 13:55

Um. What common mistakes do you see buyers or sellers making in today's market, and how do you help them avoid these pitfalls?

Speaker 1: 14:04

Um, I would say just in general, with any market, um, I think really well, okay, let me see a couple of things. So, starting at the beginning, like with buyers, for example, I would say reach out. And you don't have to just reach out to one real estate agent or lender, whoever you go to, first, you can talk to different people and find out who you're comfortable with. Um, but reach out early because you might be more qualified than you think you are and you've been waiting on the sidelines and if you just ask the question, you would find out that you can be a homeowner and that's what you wanted to do. Or you might find out oh, I have to take these steps and it's going to take, you know, 18 months or something. So it's better to find out early because you know 18 months or something. So it's better to find out early Because you know some people don't want to look at it and they don't want to think about it if they think the answer isn't something they'll like. So I guess I would say reach out.

Speaker 1: 14:57

The general thing with sellers, I think, is if you get personally attached to your home and then maybe if you're looking at you know Zillow or the, the news or something, and you have this one price stuck in your mind and you're not willing to budge from that.

Speaker 1: 15:15

I guess the way I would put it is maybe not considering professional advice. Like I said, it's your choice and you can wait. But sometimes homes end up expiring because they didn't sell at that price or you have to drop the price, and then that usually isn't good because people are like well, what's wrong with it, why did the price drop? So I guess, listening to advice, and then the thing I was going to say at first is just with the market. I think I've only been in the business for a short time, but real estate agents who have been in for decades say like this is, that's just the way it is. So if you have to move, maybe don't try to time the market so closely. Just make the best of the situation, like with interest rates or if it's a seller's market or you know.

Speaker 2: 16:01

Yeah, yeah, no, that makes sense. As a new home co-broker, what are the advantages of working with you when buying new construction homes?

Speaker 1: 16:27

showing you everything is actually representing the builder. So it will probably work out fine. But just having someone who's representing you on your behalf and then doing all the same things that you know we would do for any transaction, like making sure the inspections happen and, um, the contracts are followed and the dates and all of that, so it's just to have your representation instead of buying from the salesperson who's representing the builder.

Speaker 2: 16:49

Okay, that makes sense In terms of relationship building and values. What is your approach to building lifelong relationships with your clients and how do you stay connected even after closing day?

Speaker 1: 17:03

I try not to. I know, you know it's a I guess it'd be a marketing technique, you know, to make sure you check in with people. And I try not to be robotic about it and think of that way, because mostly I, you know, if I meet someone and we go through the whole transaction and it's happy, then you know I want to keep in touch. So I guess I would just say, you know, just keeping in touch, like if they were pregnant when they were moving in, checking in to see like how's the baby doing? Or, you know, if I knew that they were going to be switching jobs, you know, checking in like, are you still happy in this home? Do we need to find something else? And just, I guess I think when I got into the business I had this conception about like selling and being annoying, and so I just don't think about that, I just genuinely check in and if they need my help then I can help them.

Speaker 2: 17:58

Well, I think that that's great. I think it's great not to think too much about it in like a salesy way, because it can come across or not, it can come across. But I think your approach is the best way to do it, just that human approach of actually caring about people. I mean, yeah, following them through this journey. So it's nice to kind of just check in and see how they're doing.

Speaker 1: 18:20

Yeah, it's a great way to meet people too, because I can be introverted, so it's like oh, I had to meet you and now we're friends or you know, maybe not necessarily friends, but acquaintances at least I get that all right.

Speaker 2: 18:33

What core values, would you say, guide you and your real estate business every single day?

Speaker 1: 18:39

um death, evidently being ethical. Um, I don't have you seen the show modern family? I don't know if people still watch that okay.

Speaker 1: 18:46

So I love Phil Dunphy and I want to be like him. And there's this character on the show who's a real estate agent who just kind of doesn't do the right thing and like it's been my experience, you know it's like any field like there are people like that. So I just want to make sure, like we said, it's probably the biggest purchase of your life. So making sure everything is done right, making sure the person feels like heard and taken care of and respected, and that you know we we are, we have a duty to put the client's interests above our own. So I take that seriously. And then I guess the other thing is I am my vision going forward is using the platform for other causes to like we. I recently became an ASPCA business ambassador. I'm really excited about and supporting other causes, like the Trevor Project. I'm part of the LGBTQ plus real estate alliance as an ally and just, I guess, just spreading positivity with the platform that you have.

Speaker 2: 20:01

And I can tell just from talking to you. You exude that positive energy and that spirit and I would love to have you as a realtor.

Speaker 1: 20:09

Oh, thank you.

Speaker 2: 20:11

That's awesome. Could you share a recent story where you went above and beyond for a client and how that moment reminded you why you do what you do?

Speaker 1: 20:22

I don't, I don't. I can think of a couple things. I don't know if it's really, you know, above and beyond, but when I'm following up after the transaction and you know like thinking about, I usually think of like a little gift, nothing like crazy. Maybe I will someday, I don't know, but usually now I just give something personal. So you know, like clients that just had a baby and you know giving them like a set of books, or like I helped some clients find their dream home. They foster dogs and so you know like contribute. So you know bringing them toys and treats for the dogs and things like that, like that. So I don't know if that's like above and beyond, but those are the moments that I'm like, oh, I love this, this is so awesome that I get to contribute to. You know like a family's next step, or you know someone else doing something good in the world. So I think it's above and beyond.

Speaker 2: 21:17

That's amazing. Yeah, I was gonna ask you is there anything else you want to add about being an ASPCA business ambassador? Congratulations.

Speaker 1: 21:33

Thanks, yeah, I just wanted to highlight it that so I can officially use their logo. I was really proud and excited about that and I just care about animals, obviously, and that's something I have a conflict sometimes with real estate because we have all of this new development that's so beautiful but then you know it can displace wildlife and you know the nature. That was already here. So I like to find neighborhoods that are trying to like. Willowsford is one neighborhood that it has a pretty high price point but they have like conservancy areas and they have like a farmer's market and oh, one more thing.

Speaker 1: 22:10

This is kind of off topic, but I just wanted to encourage people. Something that they could do is like rethinking how we do landscaping. So, like you know, a lot of people for the past couple of decades have like the lawn has been a big part of culture, but just replacing it with like pollinators and things like that, it's already getting to be a little bit more trendy in some magazines and so if enough people did that, then I think HOAs would be like, okay, you're allowed to do this and it's just something little you can do to help the environment.

Speaker 2: 22:39

So I agree. Thank you for including that. And then I wanted to touch on the fact that you'll be licensed in Delaware soon which is so exciting. You seem to be really growing within your career, so how does that contribute to maybe, your five-year plan? Or what are you excited about in regards to that I love the beach.

Speaker 1: 23:00

I was lucky enough to grow up going to a beach in the summer it's Ocean City, new Jersey. But a few years ago my family started going to the beach in the summer. It's Ocean City, new Jersey. But a few years ago my family started going to the beaches in Delaware, like Sussex County there's like Rehoboth, lewis, dewey, bethany Beach, and so I'd like to I'm pretty sure I would like to buy a home there and possibly, you know, rent not sure what the structure will look like, but manage it as a rental and then we can stay there and also help people find homes there, because it's a great location. I don't want to tell too many people, so the word doesn't get out too much.

Speaker 2: 23:38

But yeah, that's amazing, all right, Well is there anything else that you wanted to add that I didn't touch on?

Speaker 1: 23:48

I don't think so. I just the first question, I think when we first got in touch, was talking about success, and I love that, because I was like I don't know if I'm successful yet, like I haven't hit these certain you know markers that you have in your head. But I guess, um, just like you know defining your own version of success and like you said about like being positive and focusing on positivity and um, yeah, and if people want to find me, like I said, my website is Landis properties you can reach me that way and get in touch.

Speaker 2: 24:21

Sounds good. Well, thank you so much, thank you.