Monday, Jan. 23
January 23, 2012Kate Cleo Cherry Ivey
January 26, 2012Real estate is a 24 hour, seven days a week career, according to Mona Martin Christen. For her, the work began in 1988 when she started working out of a garage turned-real-estate office and had simple expectations.
Today, it is a different world. While interest rates are favorable, soaring insurance costs have made home selling difficult when prospective buyers are stalled by premium prices that are often higher than mortgage payments.
“[The industry has] struggled since Hurricane Katrina [in 2005] with the market being up and down,” Christen said. “The last three to five years are the worst I’ve seen.”
Yet, determination not to surrender to the elements keeps this Realtor going, as she predicted an upswing for the market in 2012.
“People are feeling more confident,” she said.
Christen confirmed that part of her business stability can be attributed to the local economy not being as hard hit as in other parts of the country. “Values have pretty much sustained here,” she said.
As a real estate professional, Christen said that accessibility is important. “When my phone rings, I answer it,” she said. “Being there for a client and helping that client get through their needs. It takes total dedication and making sure clients get the best deal they can get.”
Christen confirmed that she has faced her share of real estate nightmares, but added that they are minimal because of market size. “I cringe when we have to deal with a lender from out of town,” she said.
“Chances are additional fees are going to be tacked on at a closing that neither the buyer nor seller had knowledge. I hate surprises. When I get to that table at closing, I don’t want to see one penny more than what the buyer thought they would have to pay.”
The real estate industry is known for challenges, including seller holdouts and buyers with last minute demands. Christen said she could write a book on the topic.
In terms of rewarding transactions, this real estate professional said to count every blessing.
“I just closed a sale and we had over 70 people that had to sign the paperwork,” Christen said. “It took weeks on end just to get signatures. Then we had powers of attorney going out to all these states. So it was gratifying when it was said and done because it was a piece of property bought in stages over multiple years.”
The real estate business is complex. For Mona Christen, the industry of moving property ownership becomes simple only when both parties involved are satisfied.
NAME: Mona Martin Christen
TITLE: Owner
COMPANY: Mona & Co. Inc.
ESTABLISHED: 1991
ADDRESS: 1522 Polk St., Houma
TELEPHONE: (985) 851-6559
WEBSITE: www.monaandcompany.com
AGE: 50
EDUCATION: South Terrebonne High School
FAMILY: Married, two children
FIRST JOB: Working on a vegetable farm
GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Grown and healthy children
ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE SELF: Blessed
ADVICE TO OTHERS: Be ready to work, nothing is going to come to you
WOMAN IN BUSINESS YOU ADMIRE: Her mother, Betty Martin, who continued to raise a family following the death of her husband.
