Here at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Snyder and Company, we’re more than just realtors. Each month we like to take a moment to shine a light on one of our magnificent agents. This month’s agent spotlight is Ginny Miller!
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Ann Arbor, moving here when I was nine years old. I’m a proud Pioneer High School Grad! Prior to that I lived in Marshall, MI, just outside of Battle Creek.
What do you enjoy the most about living in the Greater Ann Arbor area?
I love the people and all there is to do in Ann Arbor. Because of the University, we have people here from all over the world, which means you can learn so much about different cultures and ways of living. I also love all the entertainment and different things there are to do including sporting events, live music and theater.
Tell us a bit about yourself and family.
I’ve been married for over 20 years, have two children and a Siberian Husky. My daughter is a sophomore at Grand Valley State University and my son is a senior at Saline High School, who has committed to going to Oakland University on a baseball scholarship. My husband is in the banking industry, which is how we met.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
With the little spare time I have, I like to spend with my family. We do all sorts of things, from U of M sporting events, to local school events. We also like to travel on vacation and are fond of taking cruises.
How long have you been a real estate agent?
I’ve been an agent for 6 years. Prior to that I was in the mortgage, appraisal, and banking industries for many years.
What do you like best about working in real estate?
I love the people, and the variety that comes with my job.
Describe your favorite memory of working with a client.
I love telling someone their offer was accepted. I had one client where it went way beyond happiness. She and her disabled adult son rented a home that literally was condemned. The home had rats, and cracks where the walls met the ceiling. Through these cracks you could see daylight and watch the rain come in. They HAD to move or be homeless. They lived off of her income, which wasn’t a large amount. They found a home, got an accepted offer, and went through the process of getting a MSHDA loan. I had a whole team of lenders working on getting this loan to close. We had to close by a certain date, or the house they were purchasing would go into foreclosure, and my client would be out on the street. The closing date was literally the day before the home would go into foreclosure, and there was a hang up with the seller’s side of the transaction. I sat there with my buyer and her lender, and waited for 3 hours for that loan to fund. Then we raced over to the clerk’s office to get the transfer affidavit filed, so there would be no doubt it was now my client’s home. The look of relief and happiness on her face was one I’ve never seen since. She is now happy and comfortable in her home, and soon set to retire. This was definitely the most gratifying transaction, and we remain friends to this day. That was for a $43,000 home. Price doesn’t matter. Every client needs an agent to advocate for them.
What is the one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home today?
Get a knowledgeable agent willing to work for you, not a paycheck. The way the industry changes, you need to have someone that will keep up with the changes, and who knows the industry experts (i.e. lenders, title companies, etc.) that can also keep up with them. If you don’t have a team working for you, you could very well end up not closing on your transaction.