The Truth About Real Estate: Most Agents Quit After Closing. I'm Just Getting Started.

Let me tell you about a Tuesday morning last month.

My phone rang at 6:47 AM. An NBA player—newly drafted by the Pelicans—was landing in New Orleans in just over a month. He needed a home that fit his lifestyle, his security requirements, and his timeline. Modern architecture with clean lines. Contemporary design. Gated community for privacy and safety.  And he needed it close to the airport for constant travel.

Most agents would've sent him a Zillow link.

I tapped into my network and found him an off-market listing in an exclusive gated community in Kenner—just minutes from MSY Airport for his constant travel schedule. Modern contemporary design with the clean lines he wanted, a resort-style pool, three-car garage, and enough space to build out his ideal home gym. The outdoor kitchen with top-of-the-line Jenn-Air appliances? That was just the icing on the cake.

Then I got to work making sure everything else was perfect.

The Problem With "Standard" Real Estate Service

Here's what nobody tells you about relocating to a new city: finding the house is the easy part.

The nightmare begins after you sign the papers. You're juggling contractors who don't show up, landscapers who ghost you, trying to find a housekeeper who isn't your cousin's friend's neighbor, coordinating movers across state lines, and somehow attempting to do your actual job while living in temporary housing and eating takeout for the third week straight.

For high net worth individuals and professional athletes, this isn't just inconvenient—it's untenable. When you're closing multi-million dollar deals or training for an NBA season, you can't spend your days calling pool maintenance companies.

That's where the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate strategist becomes crystal clear.

What White-Glove Service Actually Means

When that player arrived in New Orleans a few weeks later, he walked into a home that was completely operational. Not "mostly ready." Not "we'll finish the guest bathroom next week." Finished.

Here's what I helped orchestrate while he wrapped up his life in another city:

Before He Left His Previous City:

• Coordinated a reliable and talented painter
• Conducted final walkthroughs and punch-list items on his new property
• Setup an interview with a cleaning service
• Interviewed companies for a security system with his specifications

While He Was In Transit:

• Had the home professionally deep-cleaned
• Arranged interviews for interior design and organization
• Had the HVAC system serviced and optimized
• Ensured all smart home technology was integrated and functional

Before His First Night:

• Hired and background-checked full-time housekeeping staff
• Established weekly lawn maintenance with the best crew in New Orleans (not easy in this city)
• Set up pool service and had the pool chemistry perfect
• Started the interviews for private chefs for meal prep services
• Coordinated with his assistant to ensure his home office was equipped and internet was in place

The Extra Mile:

• Provided a curated guide to the city's hidden gems (because tourists go to Bourbon Street; locals know better)

He unpacked one suitcase and started his career. His only job was to show up and be excellent at basketball.

The Service Doesn't Stop at Closing

Here's what most agents don't tell you: the real relationship begins after the deal closes.

Since that player moved into his home, I've continued to serve as his go-to resource for everything New Orleans. Just this month alone:

Found his personal assistant the perfect setup. A modern 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment near downtown—close enough to the Smoothie King Arena for game days, but still within easy reach of the gated community when needed. Location, parking, security, lease terms—all handled.

Coordinated his family's arrival. And by family, I mean the important ones: his cats!! I arranged for his veterinarian to fly in with them, ensuring they had a stress-free relocation to their new Louisiana home. Because when you care about the details, you care about all the details.

Managed extended family logistics. His family is flying in for the season opener at the Smoothie King Arena later this month. I've already helped with booking them an Airbnb that accommodates the whole crew, close to the arena, with easy access to the best restaurants and experiences New Orleans has to offer.

This is what premium service actually looks like: a relationship, not a transaction. I'm not just the person who found him a house. I'm the person who makes his life in New Orleans work seamlessly, day after day.

This Isn't Just For Athletes

Let me be direct: this level of service isn't reserved only for people who can dunk a basketball. It's for anyone who understands that their time is their most valuable asset and who refuses to accept mediocrity.

I've provided this same orchestration for:

• CEOs relocating from coastal markets to the Gulf South
• Executives accepting positions with New Orleans
• Entrepreneurs who need to focus on building their businesses, not managing contractors
• Families purchasing historic estates who want the romance of a 200-year-old home without the headache of restoration logistics

The common thread? They're all people who've achieved extraordinary success by delegating to experts and expecting excellence.

Why Premium Service Costs More (And Why It's Worth It)

Let's address the elephant in the room: yes, my services command a premium.

Here's what you're actually paying for:

You're buying back your time. Instead of spending 60 hours coordinating contractors, you spend those 60 hours closing deals, training, or being present for your family.

You're buying peace of mind. You know that when I say something is handled, it's handled. You're not wondering if the pool guy showed up or if the movers damaged your furniture.

You're buying expertise. I've navigated historic property purchases where one wrong contractor could've destroyed $200,000 in original millwork. I've negotiated deals where timing was everything and one delay would've cost my client their dream property. I've managed relocations where privacy was paramount and one leak to the press would've been a disaster.

You're buying access. To properties before they hit the market. To contractors who are booked six months out. To opportunities that never make it to Zillow.

When you factor in the disasters I prevent, the opportunities I create, and the life you get to actually live while I handle the logistics? It's not expensive. It's invaluable.