Lisa Salinas is a real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Gary Greene working in Houston’s Bay Area.
What was your first job in the realty industry? I sold my first home in Friendswood, Texas, in 2010 after being an agent less than a month. It was a pleasant and seamless transaction. I still get referrals from them to this day.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Read a good book or watch a movie with my family.
Where did you grow up? New York City.
Growing up, what did you want to be? I wanted to be a business owner. I just didn’t know what type of business yet.
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Ronald Reagan. He had an incredibly diverse career, and I can relate to that. He was wise and achieved many of his goals. I would like to maybe get some advice or words of wisdom.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? Either Kemah or Montrose, depending on my mood.
What do you love most about the industry? Meeting great people and helping them in a very important and major change in their life.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? My unique background makes me relatable to everyone. I was born and raised in N.Y.; my family is Caribbean; I spent years in the military; I have traveled to many countries and lived overseas; and I have been living in the south for almost 15 years.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? When someone is not completely forthcoming about their situation. Sometimes it is difficult to get people to understand that I am not here to judge them; they should not be embarrassed about situations in their life that may cause obstacles in a transaction.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? Community events and luncheons.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? Serving 13 years in the military and earning my degree in health science.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? The Good Lie was the last movie and “Eat That Frog” for a book.
What is your favorite restaurant? Birraperetti’s downtown is one of my favorite restaurants.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Houston? The Alley Theater. It has a classic theater look and feel. It reminds me of New York.
What kind of car do you drive? 2007 Ford Freestyle. It has all the luxury and comfort and room inside, but is also affordable and fuel efficient.
Smartphone or paper? Smartphone.
What is your favorite city after Houston? New York, of course!
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Be diligent and hang in there; this career takes time.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? My eKey!
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