Nearly 20 Years of Building Trust

Christie Plemmons Gives Her All to Every Sale written by Sarah Gray

Asmall fixer-upper in the city or an oasis in the country with lots of land - no matter what type of home you are looking to buy or sell, Christie Plemmons treats all her clients with the same level of attention and care. No home is too big or too small because it is yours and Christie knows how personal buying or selling a home can be. She takes the time to make you feel comfortable and are well informed about the process.

“I try my hardest to do what is best for my people,” said Christie, owner of Christie Plemmons Realty. “People know when you are looking out for them. That’s how you build trust.”

Christie has been building trust with her clients throughout Hillsdale County for the past 19 years. “It’s so much fun,” she said of selling real estate. “So many of my clients have become friends and I have been able to watch their families grow.”

A self-proclaimed people person, Christie was bitten by the real estate bug early and learned from one the best – her dad, Jerry Slade. “Real estate is a good match for my personality,” she said.

Jerry started selling real estate while Christie was in high school. Back then, the home phone was the business phone (no cell phones quite yet) and Jerry taught his daughters how to answer the phone professionally in case a client called. Local real estate legend Don Helton praised Christie for her professionalism and told Jerry, “Your daughter is going to be a realtor some day.”

It was not just her father, however, who gave Christie the skills to succeed. Christie grew up in mom Lisa Slade’s restaurant The Finish Line. Working as a waitress, she learned the value of a hard day’s work and how to treat customers. “My mom taught me how to work hard and treat people right,” she said.

But she still had to make her own way. After earning an associate’s degree in accounting after high school, Christie knew she wanted to get out in the world and start making a name for herself. The market was pretty good in 2002 when she partnered with her dad and began selling on her own. “It wasn’t easy,” she recalled. She worked hard and gave her all to every sale – which she continues to do today. “I try to give the same effort, time, and treatment to everybody, whether it’s a $20,000 or a $200,000 sale.”

Her hard work has paid off. She earned her broker’s license at 21 and quickly went out on her own. “I remember when my goal was to sell one million dollars for the year.” In 2020, Christie sold over $10 million and was named Hillsdale County People’s Choice Best of the Best for Favorite Realtor/Real Estate Agency.

Christie quickly grew in her early years as a real estate agent and gained the experience needed to succeed. By 2008, she was named President of the Hillsdale County Board of Realtors, an honor she again held in 2017. Her father’s advice, her mother’s teachings, and her own desire to help the people of her community find the home of their dreams has made her a well-known name in Hillsdale County real estate.

But it has not all been smooth sailing. The housing market crash of 2008 was a challenging time for all real estate agents. Hillsdale County lost around 30 percent of their agents during the recession and the remaining agents had their share of struggles. Education was a big part of finding success during that trying time and Christie worked hard to stay abreast of the latest information and trends, something she prides herself on doing throughout her career. Thankfully the market began bouncing back in about 2015 and has been getting better every year.

A new area Christie is excited to be learning more about and promoting for the community is Hillsdale Commons. She is working with Steve and Rene Stoll of Stoll Construction and Commonwealth Developments on a 36-unit condominium development just east of downtown Hillsdale. The four-

phase development is currently completing phase one with six of the eight units either pending or sold.

“I was honored to be chosen,” Christie said when she was asked by Steve and Rene to sell the units, adding that the business partnership has been a really good fit and the units are selling quickly. Anyone who may be interested in a condo unit should contact Christie for more information and to look at a unit.

Along with Hillsdale Commons, Christie has been busy with properties all over the county. The market is demanding right now, with more buyers out there than sellers. “If you are thinking about selling, take advantage while the market is good. Real estate is an up and down market.” She says while the market is looking hot right now for sellers, there is no telling how long it will last. An active real estate market keeps Christie bustling around the county, but when she is not out in the community showing properties, she can most likely be found the bleachers supporting her son Mikey and daughter Zoe in their sporting events. “Typically, if I am not working, I am at a sporting event,” she said. “I love to watch them compete.”

Her husband Michael is also a realtor, but the two are not in competition. He works with Christie’s dad as part of the Michigan Whitetail Propeties team which specializes in the sale of hunting land, farms, ranches, and country estates throughout the state.

Christie handles all types of real estate from residential to commercial. For more information or to talk with Christie, call 517-437-3333 or visit her website www.christieplemmonsrealty.com. She also has a monthly radio show on 92.1 WCSR – At Home with Christie Plemmons – which airs the fourth Friday of the month at 8:45 a.m.

“My mom taught me how to work hard and treat people right.”