Tenzesta Marie

The strongest buyers are not just excited. They are informed, prepared, and surrounded by the right team. My best advice to a buyer is to prepare before you shop. Define the ideal outcome you want, understand your financial position, and build a top-tier professional team to guide you through the process. Buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions you will make, so preparation matters. Before you begin, ask questions, get clear on your goals, and make sure you understand each step of the process. I encourage buyers to ask me for my Road Map to Success, which outlines what to expect from pre-approval to closing.

The strongest sellers are prepared, realistic, informed, and guided by a clear strategy from the beginning. Define your goals, understand your timing, and get clear on what matters most: price, speed, convenience, or terms. Gather important documents early, including surveys, warranties, HOA information, repair records, leases, and payoff details. Work with a trusted professional team, including your real estate broker, title company, lender, contractor, stager, inspector, and tax or legal advisor when needed. I encourage sellers to ask me for my Road Map to Seller Success, which outlines each step from preparation to closing.

I have worked with a wide range of clients, including first-time home buyers, relocating families and professionals, empty nesters, and luxury home buyers and sellers. Each client’s goals are different, so I focus on understanding their needs, timeline, lifestyle, and financial objectives before developing a clear strategy. In summary, I serve clients who are preparing for major life transitions and want knowledgeable, professional guidance through the real estate process.

A recent transaction I am especially fond of involved selling a property with complex tax considerations, including possible FIRPTA implications. The sellers had previously attempted to sell the property and had encountered several agents who incorrectly advised them that they would automatically be subject to special tax withholding. Because I believe education is one of the most important tools in any real estate transaction, we slowed the process down and sought guidance from a qualified real estate attorney. The attorney reviewed the guidelines, exceptions, and the sellers’ specific circumstances. As it turned out, the sellers appeared to meet the substantial presence requirements, and the 15% IRS withholding did not apply. This was a major victory for the family. By taking the time to ask the right questions and involve the right professional, they were able to retain more than **$78,000** that may otherwise have been unnecessarily withheld. It was a powerful reminder that experience, education, and a strong professional team can make a significant difference in the outcome of a transaction.

Born and raised in Northern California, I purchased my first home at 22 years old. Later, I took advantage of a corporate relocation opportunity and settled in the Houston area in 1999. The availability and affordability of real estate in Houston gave me a unique perspective on the opportunity, stability, and prosperity that homeownership can provide. With so many real estate questions to answer and opportunities to explore, I pursued a degree in real estate with a concentration in mortgage lending. In 2006, I became licensed in both real estate and mortgage lending. That foundation shaped my mission: to preserve, strengthen, and enrich my clients’ quality of life through homeownership.

I am a Professor of Real Estate at Houston City College and the founder of Texas Real Estate Scholars Group, an education-centered real estate team focused on professional standards and real estate excellence. My academic background includes an Associate Degree in Real Estate, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. I also plan to pursue future graduate studies in Community Development at Prairie View A&M University. Professionally, I hold a California Real Estate License and a Texas Real Estate Broker’s License. I formerly held a Texas Mortgage Loan Officer License and a Texas Catastrophic Insurance Adjuster License.