Photo Provided HER Realtors agents and their family members hold a sign up in the new agency office, located at 209 Eastern Ave. in Woodsfield. Pictured, from left, are Alyssa Swick, Daniel Swick, regional vice president of HER Realtors; Jason Thompson; Carly Thompson, owner of the village agency; Misty Dierkes, local agent; and Shawn Adams, president of HER Realtors.

WOODSFIELD — A new real estate agency recently opened its doors in the village and is hoping to help people find their new home.

Carly Thompson, a former Woodsfield resident, opened her third HER Realtors office in June, holding its official grand opening in August at the new location on Eastern Avenue in Woodsfield.

Misty Dierkes, a local agent with HER Realtors, said she is a lifelong resident of Monroe County, which gives her extensive knowledge of the area and will aid her in helping people find the right home.

“I’ve lived here all my life so I’m very familiar with Monroe County and Woodsfield, and the people,” she said.

Last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Dierkes decided to begin her journey as a realtor. She said this was prompted when she noticed many listings were being done by “out-of-town agencies” who may not be as familiar with the county as those who reside there.

“I was cooped up in my house and I walked outside and saw a Century 21 agency from Zanesville listing a house in Woodsfield, and I thought, ‘This is it, I’m going to do this.’ We were all stuck in our homes so I was able to take all the classes,” she said.

Those looking for a new home who come across a “for sale” sign at a home they are interested in checking out can contact Dierkes regardless of what agency is on the listing. She said many people don’t know that.

“A lot of people think they have to call the listing agent, but in Ohio, buyers have a choice. They can choose their own realtor, and I can show listings that aren’t mine,” she said.

Dierkes also recommends that first time buyers secure a pre-approval from a bank prior to viewing houses on the market.

“Don’t wait until you see a house that you want to buy; you need to first talk to lenders to get pre-approved. … If you don’t have a pre-approval or the specific amount in your bank account, then you can’t make an offer,” she said.

“A lot of people are missing out on homes because they don’t know that.”

Those interested in buying or selling a house can contact Dierkes at 740-213-0244 or at Misty.Dierkes@HERrealtors.com.