Local Realtor Reminisces Career

IF YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND MONROE FOR ANY AMOUNT of time, you have probably seen Nancy Inabnett’s name on a John Rea real estate sign. And if you recently moved here, well, she either sold your house to you or to someone else during another transaction. To say that Nancy and her family have been a pivotal part of the community would be an understatement. Her father was a successful attorney while her mother practiced law as well as started a new career later in lifegrowing crops and breeding cattle. The family home was the original Country Club and they were very active in the community, giving their time to many charitable organizations.

Nancy grew up attending Georgia Tucker Elementary, Lexington and Neville High School, and the latter years are where her dream of real estate began. She often noticed the signs for local real estate business in the front of local homes, but brushed it off as a fleeting thought. She went on to attend law school and work at a local doctor’s office, an insurance company and even taught at Neville. In 1991, Nancy’s interest in the real estate industry became more than just an interest, it became a very successful career. For 31 years, Nancy has been a staple in the local real estate market. This year, she announced her retirement to spend more time at home with her family, enjoying views of Bayou Desiard and visits with grandchildren.

When Nancy joined the John Rea Realty brokerage as an agent, the year was 1989. This was the year that Monroe experienced a terrible flood that displacing many people. Nancy put it bluntly. “It was a crisis,” she stated. “But it brought our community together. That is one my favorite things about this area. No matter what happens, good or bad, the community rises to the occasion. Everyone is willing to help their neighbor, raising money for a good cause, rally around each other… whatever is needed, the community steps up.”

When asked why she chose the John Rea Realty brokerage company, Nancy said, “The agents that I knew worked there and honestly, I didn’t look at any other options because in my mind, there weren’t any other options.” John remembers this time as well. “When Nancy joined real estate, it was not the most ideal time,” said John. “But she hit the ground running. She was number one in the local board for residential production and maintained that status for many years.” John feels like Nancy could have chosen anywhere to begin, and maintain, her business but he is honored at the fact she chose his brokerage. “Nancy has such a wonderful education and is such a high caliber person overall,” he said. “She really added to the feeling that the John Rea people are a family.” Additionally, John feels like Nancy’s attention to detail was one of the things that made her so successful. “She was very hands on with every client she had,” he stated. “She had a certain level of expectations for herself, and she wasn’t driven by money. People loved her. And she genuinely loved them back.” Over her three decades in the business, Nancy saw technology revolutionize the industry, but that didn’t change the way she did business. “Nancy always communicated effectively and personally with her clients that included friends, family, church and club acquaintances,” said co-worker Patti Morris. “She made wonderful use of her phone and snail mail, staying connected with old friends and developing new ones. Handwritten notes were sent to children of friends, encouraging them during during their college years. Fruit and other little gifts were dropped off at the homes and offices of clients and friends. Clients that were new to town were treated to Bayou Desiard Country Club’s Burger night, where they were introduced around and subsequently added to Nancy’s extensive repertoire of personal friends.”

Relationship building is truly one of Nancy’s many gifts, and one of the factors to her success. In one year, she closed almost $18 million dollars in sales, a phenomenal accomplishment for a one-woman business. Nancy’s impact will be felt for years to come, as she has had such a big impact on so many agents in our community. “I was lucky enough to work with Nancy over the years on multiple listings and have learned so much from her,” said Kathy VanVeckhoven, fellow John Rea Realty agent. “Working with Nancy was always a joy, which helped my love for real estate grow even more. Her enthusiasm and sense of humor captivated me from the day I met her!”

Both under John’s leadership and agents like Nancy Inabnett, John Rea Realty has become one of the premier brokerages in Northeast Louisiana, working with residential, commercial and land transactions, and currently has 50 licensed real estate agents associated with his company. They have been serving the community since 1976, and that isn’t just a “slogan.” John implemented the “Love Your Community” initiative in 2011. This was a community action plan, encouraging everyone to speak and share positive things about our community. John has given his time to many local organizations including the United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, the University of Louisiana Monroe, the North Louisiana Economic Development Board and the Louisiana Real Estate Commission, just to name a few. He believes in the whole agent, encouraging, guiding and supporting them. This is just one of the reasons that John Rea Realty has become the trusted name in real estate in Northeast Louisiana for nearly 50 years!