Northwest Indiana is a growing area of the country that welcomes many families that make their way to us. And with the families come the homes in which they must reside. So who comes in to play when it's time to buy or sell a home? There are multiple businesses in the area, but one stands out in particular. Realty Executives Premier, located in downtown Valparaiso, gives home buyers and sellers the people, experience and knowledge to get the job done right on the first try.
Number 9 on our list of Really Excellent People is Debbie Rasala. Rasala is a Broker/Associate at Realty Executives Premier and she helps people looking to buy and sell homes reach their real estate aspirations whether it's a seasoned seller or a first-time home buyer. She is married to her best friend and has four children as well as 4 grandchildren. She loves polka dancing, traveling, running, spending time with her family, getting involved in her church, and baking.
Rasala looked into the real estate industry after coaxing from her coworkers at her previous job.
"I was in my 19th year working in an emergency room and was kind of getting burned out and felt a need for a change," Rasala said. "I had always been told by staff that I would make a wonderful realtor due to my 'bubbly' personality and that I was always on the go and willing to help anyone and everyone."
Before coming to Realty Executives in Valpo, Rasala had worked at Realty Executives in Illinois before moving to Porter County so she knew the business. She came to the Valpo location after finding out what made it tick and stayed because of it as well as other reasons.
"I was impressed with Mike and his wife, Pam as well as the office and their vast technology," Rasala stated. "I love that we are all seasoned realtors. I love that the office is always educating us and always up to speed on the latest technology for our clients as well as our business. Even though we are all independent contractors within our office, the people in our office are fun. They are always there if you need them and very ethical. Mike Tezak is always there for us if we need anything, not to mention the office is a very fun place to be. It's easy going, down to earth, as well as professional."
Rasala said that she most enjoys the people in her line of work.
"I love working with people and always have," Rasala stated. "I love my clients and all the repeat business they give me. I extend my services at all times and at anytime they need me. They are my clients for life and I have made wonderful friends over he past 22 years of being in this business. I also love the fact that with the latest technology, I can work from my office or work from my car or work from my home. No matter where I am, I am available 99.9% of the time. Absolutely love that I can be home with family but still be able to answer calls or set appointments or look up properties for people."
The vast amount of educational offerings, top-notch technology and type of people that work at Realty Executives Premier are what make it different from other real estate companies, according to Rasala. She stated that everyone on the staff is as professional as could be.
Any advice on how to make the transaction process go as productively as possible?
"Buyers: please stick to local lenders and get pre-approved first and be loyal to your agent. If you are happy with your agent, stick with him or her because behind the scenes we do a lot of work for our clients and we hope they will be loyal; you only need one realtor to represent you," Rasala said. "Sellers: work with your realtor, they are looking out for your best interest. This is our job and our profession, please listen to the professional as far as pricing, staging, etc."
"We are not 'typical salesmen cliches'. Most of us in this business are advisers, coaches, mediators, stagers, etc. We go above and beyond for our clients. We are always on the go and always available for our clients. My main concern is that I am servicing and representing my clients to the utmost caring way that I can. I will go to bat for my clients and am very protective of them. My relationship with my clients does not end at the closing table, I will always be there for them for life," Rasala said in closing.