Sandra Messer

Broker/Realtor

I’m passionate about what I do. I don’t quit until we exhaust every avenue to get you what you need. I’ve lived my life as a 5th generation native to Western North Carolina. I grew up on a working farm, so hard work is in my DNA. I spent my childhood summers topping tobacco plants and helping bail hay for cattle. I spent my time in the creek splashing or fishing and trailing after my Dad in a freshly plowed field searching for Cherokee arrowheads unearthed after centuries. He had an extensive collection from our hunts.

My Real Estate and property rehab experience goes back to 1998 when I bought my first home. I left closing, immediately drove to the property and ripped up the flooring and threw it on the curb for garbage pickup. I had to be at work in 2 hours, but I had waited for this moment a long time. I made that little house shine for pennies. I painted, not well, but I did it. Lol.  I planted flowers, found nice appliances at thrift stores and replacement windows at salvage yards. After that experience, I was hooked. The thrill of owning my own home and the empowerment of making it look how I chose was addictive. I had worked overtime at my Social Work job to save up my down payment and closing costs…my Agent never mentioned good loan programs for first time borrowers or requesting seller paid closing costs…but as an Agent for over 17 yrs now,  I know the art of structuring a deal. I then went on to approach a neighbor on my street with a poor condition rental property that had just been vacated…she agreed to sell it to me. That place was disgusting. That’s where the good deals happen. I hit the overtime at work again and saved up down payment and supply expenses. I spent weeks clearing and cleaning. I learned that not so fun art of sanding hardwood floors with a rented floor sander and who to call to sell an abandoned scrap vehicle. It was magical to see that tow truck pull off. Soon my first rental property was pretty and ready for tenants.
Since then I have gone on to rehab many investment properties and have been a full time career Real Estate Broker going on 18 years. I was a Mortgage Loan Originator between my career in Social Work and entering Real Estate sales. My experience in all of these fields has given me the knowledge to help buyers and sellers in a wide price point attain their goals. If your dream is to own your own home, but you feel your income won’t support it, let’s talk. Been denied a loan? Let’s make a plan. Let’s see where the issue is and fix it. My motto is It’s never "NO", it’s WHEN” and I work with a variety of lenders with special programs for low income buyers. Investors looking to begin investing or add to their portfolio? I know structure and have done it all. Need help subcontracting a home or choosing designs or finishes? I can do that too. If it’s your first place or your 20th…let’s get to work on your goals. Your business helps me save lives. As a long time lover of animals and a foster provider for local rescues, My LLC Shelter Seekers Real Estate, donates funds with every closing to pull an animal out of time at a low budget shelter into a rescue to be adopted.