Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Odle.
Hi Amber, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Divorce, it’s an ugly word and not usually talked about in a positive way. I am a child of divorce. I have been through it seven times from childhood until young adulthood, been caught in the middle of a nasty child custody, and have had my own personal divorce, which brings me to eight times going through the throws of that ugly word. Growing up, I vowed that should I ever get a divorce I would never do or act the way my parents did. It wasn’t until my own divorce in 2016 that I had to fight the pain from my past as it was showing its ugly head in my own divorce. Since then, I have dedicated my career in real estate to helping those going through the ugly word, DIVORCE.
After years of healing, I met a real estate investor that made me rethink the “I will never get married again” thought. He, too is no stranger to divorce, yet his was much more amicable than mine… in the beginning anyway. We both have stories that have given us power, knowledge, growth, and the desire to help and share with others. My fiance’ Scotty and I have joined forces (The Gifford Group) to help both men and women, with or without children, to assist in house-homework and to help them make informed decisions about their homes, whether they keep the house or not. We truly believe knowledge is power and we want all people who go down this path to keep their opportunity to buy another home and maintain good credit during this process. There are many facets to who gets the house and why and what that picture looks like, emotionally and financially. We are a balanced team and we strive to help these couples make the difficult decisions based on what is best for the long term, which they can’t always see in the throws of a divorce.
There are many pitfalls like deferred maintenance, repairs, clouded title, splitting the equity, buy-outs, and more. By not using us, they could end up losing more money in the long run or even ruining their credit now and for the future. We work together with their attorneys, financial advisors, mediators, as well as have a team of people we can refer in the same specialty. We also add great value to their attorneys by allowing them to do what they do best and deferring questions about the home to us. Less haggling and conversations over the home lead to quicker results. We strive to keep the process running smoothly and because we are a team, we can work with either spouse together or separately, offering a neutral voice of authority. Both Scotty and I hold designations and certifications in the divorce arena as well as I am a member of the National Association for Divorce Professionals. The NADP is a group across the country that brings together professionals to help others going through a divorce. This year Scotty and I have set a personal goal to help 100 or more people.
Our services are at no cost and should the couple decide to sell their home we ask that they use us to list it for them. Should they choose to keep it we give them a comparative market analysis, refer lenders to help with the buy-out or refinance and we can help the out-spouse find a new home to start their next journey. Scotty and I have an extensive background in real estate, title, lending, sales, administration, and management. We pride ourselves on communication skills with not only our clients but with each other. We are professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, exhibit empathy, integrity and share the mindset that our client’s future is important to us. Not to forget that we are living proof happiness can come after divorce! Scotty and I are happy and exhausted (lol) to be parents and step-parents to our five children, aged from 9-17, and have a wedding date set for this April.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road getting here. First off, the things I went through that led me here were tough and the choices I had to make were humbling. I opened a company helping divorcing couples transition to single parenthood after my own divorce. I’ve always had this passion and drive to help, but I couldn’t make this company financially viable for many reasons. Even though I had to move on, admit to myself and others it didn’t work and come to grips that I had been sifting through my savings trying to make it work. I now look back and realize what all that was for. It was a stepping stone to bring me where I am today. I know you can’t grow if you’re not in uncomfortable situations and take risks. I also feel that branding ourselves in the divorce arena has given us somewhat of a stigma, one we’re glad to take on, but when building a business to provide financially you need homes to sell and buyers to find homes for. We felt many times that people not going through a divorce, even our friends wouldn’t want us to list their homes for knowing that we’re associated with divorce. We realized that while we built our brand and pipeline it was okay to not have those deals and wait for the ones that fulfilled us in all ways. We had to trust the efforts we made then would pay off later.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are an engaged Divorce Real Estate Specialists striving to help clients who are going through a divorce. Our services are free and we offer great value to attorneys and mediators as well. We are known for preserving their credit, homeownership eligibility, and helping to decipher who keeps the house and why all with a calm and understanding ear. We are most proud of the fact that we can offer our services and help others. That is our true desire in this journey; to help people know the things we didn’t so it can be easier in the long run. We also love that we are going to be a husband and wife team that has many different personality traits that can serve each person. We pride ourselves in communication not only with clients but with each other!!! We live together, work together and spend a lot of time together, and just don’t get annoyed with each other lol.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
It’s funny because I really hated Houston when I was married. I lived in the suburbs and only ventured out for children-related things like the zoo or museum. When I found myself divorced and single I took it upon myself to explore the city and keep an open mind. While getting lost a million times I learned this city rocks with things to do, amazing talent, divine restaurants, and more. I even joined a church in the city so I could take my three kids to “cool” Houston restaurants afterward. It was a time of coming for me and they got to watch me grow and not be afraid to seek new things out. The thing I like least about this city is the traffic. Need I say more?
Contact Info:
- Email: houstonhomespecialist@gmail.com
- Website: www.thegiffordgroup.net
- Instagram: @divorcerealestateagent
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amber.odle.77
https://www.facebook.com/groups/320019449047163 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqmHagYmJsqAZwP9-mVeb9g
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-gifford-group-katy
Image Credits
The photos of Scotty & I – Nick Cadena
All other ads/postcards designed by Scotty and I
