Sam & Alisha + Mandy
BEACH HOME BUYERS: SISTERS: Alisha & Sam - Married Couple
Current Home: Mandeville, LA
Beach House Hunting In: Gulfport, MS
Beach Home Budget: $400-500k
Alisha will tell you she was simply being curious when she came across a shirtless photo of Sam stationed in Hawaii. Sam tells it differently, claiming she was basically stalking him from the start. Either way, it worked. That message turned into a conversation, and a conversation turned into something lasting, despite the fact that they grew up in the same small Wisconsin town and never crossed paths until years later. Both spent their childhood summers on Lake Michigan, their version of the ocean, even if it came with freezing cold water and a lot less glamour than where life eventually took them.
Sam joined the military in 2011, and what followed was a decade of distance, movement, and constant adjustment. From Chicago to Hawaii to overseas deployments in South Korea, the relationship was tested early and often. In total, the couple has navigated four deployments and a three-year overseas tour, building a life together across time zones and temporary goodbyes.
Now with two young daughters, their focus has shifted to finally being in the same place and staying there. Alisha is transitioning from nurse to full time moment so having a home to raise her daughters in is extremely important. After years of being pulled in different directions, they’re ready for a home that they can all enjoy. They’ve always enjoyed the beach, and so when Sam was stationed in Mississippi finding a permanent home near the water became a dream turned reality. They’re searching for a three bedroom, two bathroom home with an ocean view and a pool, within a budget of $400,000 to $500,000. They’re currently renting a temporary home, so this family is beyond ready to stop leasing and find their beach house.
The Agent - Mandy Merritt - Gulfport, MS
Mandy is a top agent at her brokerage and knows how to work a room just as well as she works a deal. With a personality that pulls people in and a charm that keeps them there, she’s built a stacked network and a reputation as a real force when it’s time to negotiate. Before real estate, Mandy was deep in architectural engineering, working at Stennis Space Center where she created 3D models for major projects. After getting laid off, she didn’t hesitate to find a new career altogether. One suggestion from her husband to try real estate was all it took, and Mandy was off and running. Now she’s a standout on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, known for effortlessly connecting with everyone from first time buyers to seasoned sellers. Clients love her, agents respect her, and when Mandy is at the table, you definitely want her on your side.