As Is - by Joan Herlong (Hardcover)

About the Book

With over 30 years of experience in real estate in the Upstate of South Carolina, Joan Herlong knows there's more to buying and selling houses than what you see on HGTV. In this book, she shares everything she has learned about her often misunderstood "profession," including how to separate the professional agents from the part-timers, how she trains her company's agents to succeed by serving their clients, plus proven, practical advice she gives to buyers and sellers to help them get the most out of every real estate transaction. Featuring humorous, sometimes unbelievable anecdotes from three decades in the field, it's everything you need to know about real estate but didn't know to ask. It's a must-read for anyone considering buying or selling a home, or someone looking to build a successful and sustainable career as a real estate professional.

Book Synopsis

Real Estate is More Than You See on HGTV

Real estate isn't just about beautiful houses and nice people. It's a serious business that deals with the most valuable asset most of us will ever own. Unfortunately, the bulk of most people's knowledge of real estate is comprised of what they watch on House Hunters--which is more like a fairy tale than a professional transaction. As Is: An Insider's Guide to Real Estate was written to bring a dose of actual reality to the real estate business.

As Is was penned by Joan Herlong, a top-selling South Carolina Realtor and small business owner with over 30 years of experience helping home buyers and sellers make educated, informed decisions and wise investments. In this lighthearted-yet-informative book, she pulls back the curtain on the real estate "profession," revealing everything you need to know about real estate but never thought to ask. From how to choose the most effective agent, to how your listing price can help to advertise your home, to how to find a house you won't just fall in love with, but love living in, Herlong shares the secrets to navigating the often confusing world of real estate and coming out a winner. Packed with hilarious true stories gleaned from 30 years in the trenches, this funny and informative book will empower you with everything you need to know about real estate, whether you're a buyer, a seller, or considering a career in the field and hoping to do it the right way.

From the Back Cover

What HGTV Won't Tell You About Real Estate
Top Realtor Spills the Tea on America's Most Misunderstood "Profession"

You probably wouldn't trust a part-time doctor with your health, or a part-time lawyer with an important case. But every year, millions of Americans trust what is likely their most valuable asset--their home--to real estate agents who don't have the training or experience one typically associates with a "professional." The fact is, there's a lot more to real estate than what you see on House Hunters, and most agents aren't exactly eager to pull back the curtain.

Until now.

In this honest, revealing and often-hilarious book, Greenville, South Carolina Realtor Joan Herlong shares her strange-but-true adventures from more than 30 years in the real estate business. From her days as a newbie working for a national megafirm, to building her "one-woman shop" into a thriving partnership with one of the top real estate agencies in the world, she'll share real-life stories of client conflicts, aggressive agents, and the secrets she's learned along the way. Packed with expert insights into what buyers and sellers need to know, plus valuable advice for anyone considering entering the field, the book has something for everyone, including a behind-the-scenes account of Joan's own appearance, alongside her daughter and son-in-law, on HGTV's House Hunters.