Charter One Realty Blog

Charter One Realty agent, Lonnie Goulet, began her real estate career in Charlotte, NC in 1985. Being new to the area, she immersed herself in real estate, learning as much as possible about the industry and the area, and has been happily selling ever since. 

Like most area residents, Lonnie and her family came to Hilton Head Island for a vacation and fell in love with the area. A year later, they made Hilton Head Island their permanent home. 

Charter One Realty: When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career in real estate?

Lonnie Goulet: I was fairly young at the time and had just moved to Charlotte, NC. My husband was traveling for work so I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do in a new and booming area. I took the Real Estate Course and have been happily selling ever since. That was back in 1985!!!

Charter One Realty: Tell us about your start in the business. How did the first year go?

Lonnie Goulet: My first year was very interesting just trying to learn the ropes. I think I made about $18,000 and thought it was so much money. I went to every training class I could and read every real estate book I could get my hands on.

Charter One Realty: What’s kept you in the business after your initial success?

Lonnie Goulet: This is an ever-changing, exciting business. Every day when I go to work I know there will be something new that I will learn. And just when I think I've have seen it all... I realize I really haven't.

Charter One Realty: What’s one common mistake you see prospective buyers make?

Lonnie Goulet: I think sometimes buyers get too emotional about the price. I think every home has a "feel" to it that usually cannot be duplicated - so if you find the perfect home and you can afford it- don't let the "deal" get in the way of you buying it.

Charter One Realty: How has technology changed the industry, and what does it mean for buyers?

Lonnie Goulet: When I started selling Real Estate, we had MLS books that came out every week or two weeks (it's been a long time and I really can't remember that far back). So usually the information was already outdated when the books came out. You also had to handwrite the contracts and deliver them to all parties to get signed. The process was very drawn out and tedious. Today we can do everything in a fraction of the time.

Charter One Realty: What advice do you have for buyers looking in the Lowcountry?

Lonnie Goulet: Decide on the lifestyle you want to have and then find the community that offers that. We are blessed to have such a variety of amenities in each community that you really can have everything you wish for.

Charter One Realty: Where are you from originally, and how did you come to live in the Lowcountry?

Lonnie Goulet: I grew up in upstate New York in a small IBM town called Endicott. I lived there until I moved to Charlotte, NC in 1985. Like most area residents, we came to HHI for a vacation in 1993 and bought a timeshare at Marriott's Grande Ocean. When we came back in 1995 to use our first week, we fell in love with the entire area and lifestyle. We moved here a year later and have never looked back.

Charter One Realty: Please tell us about your neighborhood and your home.

Lonnie Goulet: I live in Palmetto Hall- we built a home there over 20 years ago because we like new construction and needed 4BR's. When we moved there, there were only 60 residents in the entire community. We love the style of home, the location, and of course the neighbors. Our home is perfect even now as we have room when the kids and grandkids come back to visit- which they do often.

Charter One Realty: What are some of your favorite aspects of life in the Lowcountry?

Lonnie Goulet: Life is the Lowcountry is all about the water--it just refreshes your soul!

Charter One Realty: Please complete the sentence: “Home wouldn’t be home without . . .”

Lonnie Goulet: Family and Friends for sure. We love to entertain family and friends any chance we get. We have a home that can accommodate lots of people so we usually do the gatherings at our house. It is an open plan so we can all gather in one big space.