It starts with a Realtor who knows you don’t have time to waste

If any one personality trait could be said to define all physicians and health care workers, it would be this: they’re always busy.  In fact, it’s probably fair to say that anyone who chooses a career in medicine is volunteering to rest very little.  For those who dedicate their lives to caring for the sick, discretionary time is a precious and very rare resource, to be used judiciously and guarded with care.  These professionals, of necessity, take a no-nonsense approach to life, and to business transactions of any kind – including the often time-consuming venture of buying (or selling) a home.

It’s the successful Realtor who respects that, and knows how to get to the heart of the matter quickly.  It’s the exceptional Realtor who also knows that medical professionals have specific requirements when it comes to investing in a home.  And it’s the superior Realtor who knows the community so well that he was selected by one of Hampton Roads’ major medical organizations to be part of its recruitment process for incoming physicians.

Greg Garrett, a Realtor with 39 years of experience, was chosen by the organization to take potential employees on comprehensive tours of the areas in which they will be located, often even before their interviews are scheduled.  “There are 11 cities and counties in the Greater Hampton Roads region,” Garrett says, “and I’ve had the opportunity to get to know all of them well.  I’m able to show these professionals the neighborhoods in closest proximity to medical complexes and hospitals, and to talk with them candidly about housing costs, proximity of schools, houses of worship and shopping areas – and even how to avoid heavy traffic areas.”  By the time his tours are completed, these potential residents know that Hampton Roads is an exceptional and very desirable place to live.

“It’s taken me years to get to know our entire community so well,” Garrett says.  “I did it by not limiting myself to just two or three cities, as many realtors do.  But this is such a diverse area that I wanted to know all of it.  And I know that our region is truly remarkable.  And I know why.”

Greg Garrett not understands why Hampton Roads is remarkable, he has in his own way contributed to it.  He’s been active at the executive level in civic and community organizations like the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, which is solely focused on working together to bring more businesses to Hampton Roads.

He serves on the Workforce Development Executive Board, also a public/private partnership of many Hampton Roads cities/counties.  “We’re helping people realize the current and potential job opportunities that exist here,” he says, “and we helping them get trained for those opportunities.”  He cites a number of individuals who have gone on to secure positions at the Shipyard after training, and many who have chosen careers in the military, and adds, “we have a strong medical presence here, which is making it easier to attract more world class physicians and health care professionals.  We want to create a workforce that is ready to assume the critical support roles in administration and technology, as well as to go to medical school.”

His commitment to the community extends beyond executive leadership, to a more personal level.  He has for years been a board member & is currently a teacher and mentor for students at Youth Challenge, a non-profit ministry that works with citizens throughout Hampton Roads to help them get free of drug and alcohol addiction.  “It’s an alternative to jail,” he explains.  “Judges have the option in some cases to sentence these individuals to a year under the custody of Youth Challenge, which is committed to restoring their lives, rebuilding their character and helping them return to the community prepared to live productive lives of integrity.”

He runs a Thursday night basketball program for youth and young adults, from 9pm to midnight, where he both plays, teaches and mentors at risk young men.  It’s been so successful that he’s trying to get the program started in other localities – and working with some of his players to become mentors themselves.

Greg Garrett’s heart for service to at-risk children and youth extends even beyond the limits of Greater Hampton Roads.  In the year 2000, while he was supposed to be planning for a cruise to celebrate his 20th wedding anniversary, he was researching the plight of orphans in Central America.  A trip to El Salvador became their gift to each other. After seeing firsthand the appalling conditions, they returned home determined to do something to help.  He founded Orphan Helpers, and began partnering with individuals, businesses, churches and governments to provide for the physical, spiritual, emotional and educational needs of orphaned, abused and incarcerated children.

The organization has grown, today serving about a thousand children each year in El Salvador and Honduras. Its success is a testament to the level of commitment Greg Garrett brings to all of his endeavors, be they charitable deeds or service to clients.  He is simply undeterred by challenges.

He puts so much of his heart and soul into serving his medical clients because he feels such an affinity for them and their needs.  His godfather was a doctor, but it was an early personal affiliation with doctors that shaped his approach.  He was still in high school when his father was diagnosed with cancer, and doctors and other medical personnel became part of everyday life.  He attended the University of Richmond (on a scholarship) for a year, coming home on weekends to help his mother with the family’s small real estate business.  “It was a natural progression from there,” Garrett says. “Before long, I had forgone college to help my mother full time, later joining another practice, and ultimately starting my own company, where my clients included more and more physicians.  It just grew organically, through word of mouth and referrals.”

“I’m inspired by health care professionals and their work ethic,” Garrett says, “and I’m respectful of their time.  I’m motivated to get the best possible result for them as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Greg Garrett Realty
757.879.1504
greggarrettrealty.com