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"She signs up friends, clients"
Staunton, VA
Eleven years ago, Judy Armstrong (ABR,CRB,CRS) became friends with a deaf person and found herself on a mission. If ordering a pizza by phone is difficult for the deaf, the Broker Associate with RE/MAX Advantage wondered, how hard must it be to buy a house? She wanted to make it easier.
"There are so many deaf people renting homes for no other reason than they don't know how to go through the buying process," Armstrong says. "Anybody who hasn't been through buying has so many questions. They deserve answers. "Through a shared love of travel, language and word games, the RE/MAX 100 Percent Club member learned the nuts and bolts of sign language from her friend, who is now principal of the Deaf Department at Staunton's own Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind.
Since, Armstrong has sold about 20 houses to the deaf, many to school employees. "It's not about counting sales, though," she says. "they are just wonderful people. I really admire them, and I enjoy dealing with them. "Armstrong has TDD on her home phone so she can communicate with the deaf, and she says the number for deaf relay service is in every phone book. Using American Sign Language, she can answer questions and explain even the most complex issues in home-buying. Every time she does, Armstrong gets a special feeling.
"It's like teaching," she says. "it's very rewarding, because these people are so appreciative. There is extra time and effort, but the feeling you get more then makes up for it. I'd like to get the word out so these people will get the help they need. Realtors need to be encouraged."
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