Today we’d like to introduce you to Heena Chow.
Hi Heena, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sure, I would love to! We moved from Columbus, OH to Pearland, TX in 2016 for my husband’s job. While looking at homes with our realtor at the time, I realized I knew more about the homes, especially the way they were built, some materials used and any unique fixtures found in the homes. Although I had not been practicing architecture for years, my training and previous work experience was surely coming in handy for all of us. That is when a light bulb went on and I realized what I wanted to be in this new city. A Realtor! I right away finished the real estate agent licensing exam and applied for my real estate license. Before my license was issued, I had my first buyer- client ready and waiting for me. That is how it all started and I have never looked back since then! I have helped innumerable families, married couples, singles, etc. buy their first home. I have guided each of them from being renters to home-owners and all have been more than glad that they took the decision sooner than later. To watch them all build their equity in their homes is what I love the most about being in real estate! Today, all my clients are my friends. We often invite each other over dinners, birthday parties and play pickleball!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not quite smooth I would say. I think everyone has a unique path in this industry. Some start their real estate journey with loaded connections and ties in the community. While some like me, start fresh. I was new to Houston and starting without much connections was definitely tough in the beginning. Networking is key in this industry as it is in any other industry. Another challenge probably every real estate agent faces is to generate your own clients. And this never stops. Just like any other small business, you have to constantly reinvent yourself to stay relevant and connected with your circle of friends, acquaintances etc. However, once you overcome this aspect of the business, you realize that no two years of work will look the same. Every season will have its own unique challenges. It all comes down to how creatively you overcome them and adapt to the changes!
We’ve been impressed with Homes with Heena, Heena Chow, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Definitely! To begin with, I am a licensed Realtor with the state of Texas and I am currently brokered with United Real Estate. I work mostly in Houston, TX and all its surrounding counties. I have shown and sold homes in Cypress, TX to Katy, TX to all the way to Pearland, TX where I live. Basically, I have worked everywhere in the greater Houston area. And I love everything about homes. I mean whether it is helping people buy or sell homes or help them with advise on how to decorate them, I am all in! Needless to say, I work only in the residential real estate market. As an Architect and an Urban Planner, my specialized background surely is an added advantage to all my clients. Many a times, while looking at homes, I will catch my clients mentioning something lacking in a house and I have saved them from giving it a pass by quickly rendering a solution, on the spot! It is something that comes naturally to me and I am more than glad to be able to use it to benefit my clients. And the same goes when I am working as a listing agent. I have helped sellers avoid some costly mistakes as they get ready to list their home for sale. Being aware of what sells in what market and for how much is the key. Although a real estate agent is traditionally considered a sales job, I personally believe that it is a service based job. My top most priority as a Realtor is to give all the beneficial information to my clients so they can make an educated decision. Keeping the service aspect in mind, I offer home buyers scheduled home tours, I also create CMAs (comparative market analysis reports) that can guide a seller or a buyer on the appropriate value of a home. Since I love home decor, staging of homes prior to listing comes free with me! As well as any advise on how to improve a curb appeal, update your home on a budget, etc creating most bang for the buck. I also like to sit down with my potential clients to make sure they are in the right place financially to invest in a home. Home ownership is not for everyone at the same time but it is for you when you are financially ready for it! I often pray for my clients and their wellbeing. Because if they do well, so will I!
When I am not working with my clients, I am at home spending time with my small family- husband George and son Elijah. We like to play board games together, go for bike riding on cooler weather days and cook together. I also love to paint when I get a chance. Another thing I love doing is restoring broken items around the house. I recently finished working on our patio table that had it’s glass top shattered last summer. I had so much fun restoring it that I made a little video documentation for anyone who would like to fix there’s. Please check out my Instagram handle @homes.with.heena and you will find the entire process and more! You can also choose to follow my account @homes.with.heena to get updates on real estate market trends, deal of the day/week listings, home maintenance tips and decor and more!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
That is a great question! I think small businesses that deal directly with homes and homeowners would be great to partner with. For example, general contractors, home renovation companies, mortgage and refinance companies, roofing companies, HVAC companies, landscaping companies etc. are more than welcome to connect. Maybe we can create social media content on how to maintain homes and upkeep them so homeowners can avoid repairs caused due to negligence. These small businesses can gain trust and generate new business and in turn they can refer me to their clients as and when they are in need of a realtor. I think it will be a win-win for everyone!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.har.com/web/heenachow
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homes.with.heena/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homes.with.heena
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heenachow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HomeswithHeena
