Hope Ables has a passion for the outdoors and animals, including farming, livestock, hunting and fishing. “I grew up in the country, outside of Forest,” says Hope, who graduated from Scott Central High School. After attending East Central Community College, Hope decided she would rather work. She worked for a few years in the banking industry and legal fields then was inspired to pursue starting her own business.

 

Hope moved to Flora and started what became a very successful business and met a multitude of life-long clients. “After ten years of the ups and downs of being a business owner, it started to take a toll on me and I knew it was time for a change,” Hope says. Five years ago she chose to go into real estate, and it was a decision she has enjoyed ever since.

 

“I love helping people – that’s where my heart is. Through real estate, I can help people pursue the American dream, whether it is buying their first home, their forever home, a farm, or their own business.”

 

After Hope got her real estate license, she landed at Hopper Properties. “It was definitely a perfect fit for me,” she says. “A few special agents at Hopper have helped me along the way. I feel like I’m where God wants me to be.” Hope has met many clients so far, and she says she can relate to them. “Buying a home can be very emotional. It can be a happy occasion, or it can be sad, depending on the circumstances. Some are selling homes due to a death or life-changing career move, but others are buying a home to grow their family. I am there to help people through the process. I work hard to gain their trust, even when some people feel they want to navigate the process on their own.”

 

While the real estate market has had its ups and downs over the past few years, Hope tells her clients it’s “normal” now. “People saw how houses were selling like wildfire a year ago, but really, that was not at all normal. Where we are right now is more of a normal market. I’m continuing to stay busy. From late fall to early this year, homes were moving very quickly, particularly with people wanting to move from town to the country. I have noticed that people are taking a little longer now to make decisions, and that’s fine. Real Estate can be like a roller coaster, and I learned when I was in business for myself to always put away something for the slower times.”

 

Hope’s husband, Kevin, works for Entergy. “He helps me a lot,” she says. “He is my best friend and very supportive of what I do.” The couple has four children, the oldest of whom just graduated from high school. All the children play multiple sports. “We are always on the go,” says Hope. “We are always headed to softball, football, cheer, track, tennis, shooting team or basketball. But we love it. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. I am so grateful I can be flexible with my work so I can be there for my children.”

 

The family lives in the small town of Flora where they are members of First Baptist Church and enjoy caring for their farm.