ABOUT DEBO

MY PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY:  Strive to have happy clients who feel confident referring me to their friends and family.   How is this accomplished? With dedication and hard work on my clients' behalf; with open and honest communication; and with patience, persistence, and in-depth knowledge of our local real estate market. APPLEFIELD, REALTORS®:  I'm fortunate to work with so many successful and experienced Realtors® at Applefield.  Applefield has served Wilkes County's real estate needs since 1980 providing services for residential, land, and commercial properties.  When you have me as your Realtor®, you have the benefit of the vast experience and "know how" of all the Realtors® at Applefield.  My Broker In Charge is Lin Brooks. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: Member of the Wilkes County Association of REALTORS® Serving on the Board of Directors of the Wilkes County Association of REALTORS® Member of the Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council of the National Association of REALTORS® Member of the Real Estate Staging Association EDUCATION & TRAINING: Graduate of Appalachian State University with Bachelor of Music Degree Graduate work at Virginia Commonwealth University and Appalachian State University Real Estate Pre-Licensing class, Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC Real Estate Broker Licensing Certification, Bill Gallagher School of Real Estate Realtor Training, Hickory Board of REALTORS® ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative) Designation, North Carolina Association of REALTORS® e-PRO (Internet Real Estate Professional) Designation, National Association of REALTORS® e-PRONAR.com PIC (Property Image Consultant) Certification: Property Staging Consultants, Charlotte, NC DESIGNATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS:  ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative): The ABR designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded by the Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council (REBAC), an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS, to real estate practitioners who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.  e-PRO (Internet Real Estate Professional): The REALTOR e-PRO certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, comprehensive and interactive.  It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.  With more than 70% of consumers beginning their real estate research on the Internet, e-PRO certified agents have the experience and expertise to meet the demands of today's buyer and seller.  Less than 1% of all REALTORS have this prestigious designation.  Get more information at the e-PRO website. PIC (Property Image Consultant) Certification: Real estate staging professionals are in greater demand today than ever before. The reason is clear: homes staged by professionally trained stagers sell faster, and they sell for more. Increasingly, home staging professionals are being incorporated as vital members of the agent-seller team by formulating strategic plans for improvements to the home that will lead to fewer price negotiations, shorter listing time, fewer viewings, quicker sales and increased profits. For REALTORS™ eager to stand out in a highly competitive landscape, the value-added service of home staging is an indispensable benefit to home sellers.  Visit my STAGING page for examples of my home staging. OTHER EXPERIENCE: I've spent the last 20+ years as an educator in Wilkes County, first with my private studio, Cornett Music Studio, then as Adjunct Instructor at Wilkes Community College, followed by my time as Choral Director at Wilkes Central High School.  For 10 years, I traveled the country as a professional singer and still perform in North and South Carolina and Virginia.  I am currently the Music Director at North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church, where I can still enjoy my loves of music and teaching.  In 1998, I started the business, Cornett Web Design, where I could use my creative abilities with my computer knowledge and online experience.  I designed the websites for several area school systems, chambers of commerce, businesses, and non-profit organizations.  I did training sessions for teachers and staff in Web Page design and maintenance for Surry and Elkin City Schools.  With this online expertise, I can more effectively market my clients' properties to the world. WHY I CHOSE REAL ESTATE: My love of teaching, being creative, and working with people seemed to naturally lead me in the direction of real estate sales.  Having bought and sold homes of my own in the past, I know how unprepared I was when I decided to buy my first home.  Things have changed a great deal in the real estate business since I bought my first home and I know how confusing the process can be.  I look forward to using my training and knowledge of the local real estate market to help make my clients' transactions exciting and joyful experiences.  I'll listen, coach, and help clients through the entire process so they can relax - and even have fun - buying or selling their next home. WHAT ABOUT THAT NAME? I'm sure you're wondering about that name, Debo, pronounced Dee-Bo.  Well, here's the simple truth.  No, my parents didn't name me that.  They named me Deborah, a perfectly normal name.  At the time, Debbie was the popular name of choice, and there were a million of them.  Even as a child, I realized the importance of name recognition, so I decided I wanted to be called Deborah when I entered the first grade, to be separated from all those "Debbies".  Try as I would, that seemed to be a problem for many.  As front teeth are at a premium at that age, getting tongues around a name like Deborah, just wasn't going to happen and the result of their efforts came out as DEBO.  That's long "E" and long "O" like Nebo.  At first, it was funny to everybody, but they all seemed to like to say it.  Well, that seemed to solve my problem all together.  How many Debos were out there - none, and it was a popular name to say.  So, much to my parents chagrin, in the first grade my name, for all practical purposes, became Debo -- and it has stuck.  I've heard of others since and I don't mind sharing with them, but to my knowledge, I was the first.  So, there you have it. If you, a friend, relative, or business acquaintance are planning to purchase or sell property in Wilkes County, I hope you'll remember that lady with the funny name, DEBO. Let my training and experience go to work for you today!