Holly Lemoine-Raymond’s premier real estate brokerage firm expands into Gulfport, as putting people first is proof positive of success.
Just last month, celebrity broker Holly Lemoine-Raymond led her team of blindfolded agents into their brand new offices in Downtown Gulfport. Formerly the site of a family law practice, the Craftsman-style house was renovated to reflect HL Raymond Properties distinct, modern style with everything in black and white. “I put my HL Raymond stamp on it,” says Raymond. “I wanted to create a real cool, funky place people would remember.”
With her high-octane energy, vivacious personality and warm smile, Raymond is not easy to forget, but it hasn’t always been that way. She was a different person when she moved to Pearlington, Mississippi with her family at the age of 15. “It was a good move for me. It really helped me to expand my horizons, meet new people and get out of my shell a little bit,” she admits. “I was actually shy, believe it or not!”
Forced to make her own way at the tender age of 17, Raymond skipped the college track and followed in her father’s footsteps by taking a job in the gaming industry. “I went to the college of here and there,” jokes Raymond. “But I had to work, I had to learn how to grow up real fast.” She got her first job at the local casinos as a change person, and over nearly two decades in the business, she worked her way all the way up to Assistant Director of Marketing. “ I’ve never dealt, never done security, and never been a cocktail waitress, but I’ve done everything else!”
When the casino wanted her to take on a larger role and move out of state, Raymond decided it was time to move on and start a new journey into real estate. Raymond’s mother was an agent in Florida and had often told her she’d be good at it. “I loved houses as a kid. I even did a little drafting and drew up my own subdivisions on binder paper.”
Raymond began her new adventure into real estate and opened her first offices in Bay St. Louis nearly eight years ago, a highly successful career move as is evidenced by her company’s expansion into Gulfport. “I have major goals for my company and for myself,” says Raymond. “Some people look at it [real estate] as a job to make money, but I look at it as a job to take care of people first.”
Although most of her sales have been second homes and/or investment properties, Raymond’s favorites are first time home-buyers. “It’s an emotional thing when you see someone so proud of themselves that they’re putting their family in a home. It feels so good!” says Raymond. Her people-first policy extends to the agents she hires under the HL Raymond Properties umbrella. “I believe that if you’re a good agent who takes care of people, the money will come.”
In addition to her brokerage, Raymond also owns a production company, a useful asset for any agent looking to show off listings through various online platforms. But Holly is also no stranger to Hollywood, appearing on HGTV programs like “Beachfront Bargain Hunt”, “You Live in What?”, and her own production “Inside Out with HL Raymond Properties.” She also has another project in the works, a sitcom she’s been writing in her spare time. “I dream about it and write about it” says Raymond. We can’t wait to see it!
HL Raymond Properties is always looking for new agents. Join their team today! https://www.hlraymondproperties.com/join-our-team/
HL Raymond Properties has teamed up with local TV station WXXV and Dan. B’s Restaurant across the street to offer a live feed up 24/7 that slowly pans from Beach Boulevard to the Bay Bridge. Check it out on their homepage! https://www.hlraymondproperties.com/
*Article originally published November 16, 2023 in The Shoofly Magazine
