I’m not afraid to make things happen—even if it means building a relationship-based business from the ground up in a town where I didn’t know a single soul. 

 

Driving through North Carolina several times a year between New York and South Carolina, I would see Lake Norman and think, “Gee, that looks like a great place to live.” After living in South Carolina for 4 years, trying to save my marriage, it still didn’t feel like home. After the divorce, I was ready to reinvent myself. I moved to North Carolina simply because I could—and starting over was my goal. 

 

My parents instilled in me values I still live by—especially one: there is no free lunch. No matter how lucky or privileged you’ve been, if you want your life to work, you need to get off the couch and make something happen. 

 

That’s always been my mindset, including after college, when I didn’t have a clear direction. Even if I didn’t know where I was going, I was going to move forward. For 10 years, I sold cookware and worked as a bar manager at a nightclub with my friends Nadine and Vicki. I loved being young and trying all kinds of jobs. Life got more serious when I married my first husband, changing my perspective on life and facing some difficult choices. 

 

Then my sister had a car accident. Her car went upside down under water in February, where she drowned and froze, basically. Miraculously she was discovered a short time later. Overcoming enormous obstacles, she did make it!   But the fear of losing her, and the enormous impact on the family, changed everything for me. I realized life’s most important commodity: the people. The community came together to support her and the family. That always stuck with me. I realized life, and those in our lives, are too precious to dwell on drama. Don’t sweat the small suff. Right?

 

That clarity made me face a hard truth—I wasn’t happy in my marriage. I had moved to South Carolina to try and fix it, but deep down, I knew it was time to let go. One of my brothers, seeing how much I was struggling to end it, bought me a plane ticket back to New York to spend time with family. 

 

One night, Nadine and I went to hear some music and ran into Joe’s sister, who would later become my sister-in-law. She was with her brother, Joe, whom I had met years before but didn’t remember. He definitely made an impression that night. We started talking and developed a friendship for a few years before dating. We both had some healing to do first—emotional baggage we had to unpack. 

 

With nothing to lose, beautiful North Carolina seemed like a great place for a fresh start. Real estate had always intrigued me, especially guiding people through the process. I got my license in 2000. I hardly knew anyone in town, but my business grew quickly.  I became Rookie of the Year and found my niche helping clients who were relocating. I loved showing them around, introducing them to the area, and helping them find their happy spot. 

 

A mentor once told me, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” That really stuck with me. My clients could tell I genuinely cared. That’s what made the difference. 

 

I feel blessed that my job as a REALTOR® has allowed me to build lifelong friendships with my clients. We’ve been invited to weddings, taken trips together, consider each other family. Some have even lived with us. To me, those relationships are priceless—and I do my best to nurture them. 

 

I’m also fortunate to have a close-knit family. My parents have been married 70+ years, and my siblings and I get together often. As for Joe and me—we got our happily ever after.  We both love dancing, kids, cooking, golf, boating and throwing parties. I always make it a point to ensure everyone feels included and has a seat at the table. Stepchildren and extended family have added precious ingredients for a joyful, loving family dynamic. 

 

One reason I have so many repeat clients and lasting friendships is because I listen closely to my clients’ wants and needs, and make sure they understand the process. In addition, I help them consider details they might not have thought about, so they can make informed, well-rounded decisions. My perspective is also sometimes influenced by my husband, a former custom-home builder—we talk about construction constantly, which gives me valuable insight.

 

What truly sets me apart is my attention to detail. Before marketing a home, I gather, review and verify all relevant data—county records, permits, insurance history, etc. You’d be surprised how often something is off between displayed details and the actual facts.  I make sure everything is accurate and aligned before a home hits the market, saving my clients headaches later on. If data conflicts, let’s fix it first.   

 

When helping buyers, I’m known for being calm, involved and bull-doggedly persistent.  I won’t stop until we find the right house at the right terms. My clients know I’m in their corner for the long haul. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Candy La Monica

REALTOR^® | LIC# NC 225684 and SC 18205

Primary 704.493.3929

Candy@CandyLaMonica.com

CandyLaMonica.com