“It takes time and work to build a successful business. You get out of it what you put into it. I think building relationships is a very important part of being successful in real estate.” This guiding focus is what inspires Mandy Pope to put establishing solid relationships with her clients as her number one priority in her real estate career.

 

 Mandy grew up spending summers in her grandmother's kitchen learning valuable lessons about life, people, and cooking. “I learned that you must work hard for what you want, treat people with kindness, and always be willing to help others.” Both her mother and grandmother were single moms who worked full-time while raising children. They modeled perseverance and devotion to family. “I remember whenever my Grandma wasn't working she was keeping us kids. It taught me that nothing is ever given to you without working for it.” Her grandmother also laid a huge foundation for faith within her grandchildren. “Grandma made sure we got to church.”

 

While still in her senior year of high school, Mandy began working as an assistant manager at Cato. “I always thought I was going to go to college and be a nurse, but in the health occupations class at my high school, we were able to see an actual operation and I felt close to fainting.” I was still determined to be a nurse, but Cato offered me a co-manager position and I had to decide between making money or making bills at college.” Mandy worked her way up through the ranks to becoming a district manager at 23 years old. “I loved working in retail. You meet different people and I had a great experience with it. I managed 10 stores until I had my first child at 27. I gave up my career to be home raising my children. When they got older I knew I wanted a career again. That’s when I decided it was time to pursue my goal of being in real estate.”

 

Like many families, Mandy and her husband had to make decisions about careers once children came along. “My husband is a Walmart store manager and works a lot of hours. I had Cato stores that required a five or six hour drive and overnight stays. I really wanted to stay home with my children, but we could not afford it.” After a worrisome stay in the hospital for her child who became sick after the first week of daycare, the family committed to Mandy being at home. “I worked part-time jobs as a church secretary, preschool teacher, and waitress, and took care of my kids.”

 

Mandy made the decision to return to full-time working when her children were in their teenage years and making plans for their college experiences. “I decided to go to real estate school because it was something that I had always been interested in. I had learned a lot about it due to our own experiences when relocating often during my husband's early years of his career.” Mandy attended real estate school at Cape Fear Community College in 2018 and got her license in January of 2019. “I enjoy helping people. I really wanted to get into the business, so I could give the kind of service that we desired when we were buying and selling. Being a part of helping people make big life decisions like buying a home and seeing them happy is very rewarding to me.” She worked with Intracoastal Realty until July of 2021, then with Carolina Plantations until December 2022, and is currently with The Saltwater Agency.

 

            This is an exciting time for Mandy because she is working with an agency that is brand new. Mandy worked with Seth Barbee, the owner of The Saltwater Agency, at a previous firm. “He was the broker in charge, an awesome guy, and had a wealth of knowledge. He helped me tremendously with my business.” So it's no wonder that when Seth moved forward with opening his firm, that Mandy was quick to join. “In this business I think it’s important to surround yourself with other realtors who can and are willing to help you learn and grow.”

 

Though Mandy is only four years into her real estate career, she has been awarded Top Producer for several months at Intracoastal Realty. She closed out the year with 10 million in volume and 22 million career volume.

 

As an agent, it can be valuable to capitalize on what you're familiar with in the way of a geographical area. Embarking on a new area requires doing a lot of research and sometimes relying on other agents for their expertise. Mandy understands the importance of having a local agent to work with clients. “I enjoy staying in the Wilmington area, especially the southern part of Brunswick County. I’m extremely confident about sharing that knowledge with others.”

 

Away from work, Mandy treasures time with her family. “My husband, Sean, and I’s favorite thing to do is watching our kids participate in the sports they love.” Their daughter McKenzie is a Sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill studying to be a Nurse Practitioner and cheers with the UNC All Girl Cheer competitive team. Their son Carson, a senior at West Brunswick High School, is on the varsity basketball team. “When you have two kids that dedicate most of their time to sports, as a parent there’s not a lot of time left to do anything else. Which is fine with us, we wouldn’t have it any other way! When we do have time to do other things, we like to go to college or pro sporting events together, travel and most of all just spend time together as a family.”

 

When it comes to giving back Mandy enjoys volunteering her time to help others, especially children. She spent quite a number of hours at the children's elementary school volunteering to help the teachers and the school in general. “I made copies, helped make crafts, and tutored kids who needed extra time to learn. I've always had a heart for kids so anytime I can do something, I'm all about it.” Every year at Christmas, the Pope family provides gifts for children in need. “Last year I helped with the games at the Waves for Kids Christmas party for foster kids and their foster parents. That was lots of fun seeing the kids be able to enjoy a day that’s all about them. I also help stuff book bags with food for kids that don’t have much at home. They take them home from school for the weekends.”

 

When hurricanes hit the coast, good hearted folks jump in to help with whatever they can before or after landfall. Whether it's helping set up beds for a makeshift shelter at West Brunswick High School or helping neighbors and friends clean up the aftermath, the Pope family embodies that volunteer spirit. “If I see a need I'm going to jump in and help.”

It's a well-known fact in real estate that building relationships is key, but that takes determination and effort tempered with expertise and personal connection. The personal touches within the relationship really matter to Mandy. She takes time to send handwritten cards to those that she has met or worked with previously and enjoys reconnecting with them from time to time. “The most rewarding thing for me has been that roughly 95% of my business is repeat clients or referrals from previous clients. I am passionate about building relationships with my clients and making sure they have a great experience with buying or selling their home.”