JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE — When natural disasters strike, it’s easy for real estate agents to take the recovery process personally.
“We’re called to do something bigger than just selling houses,” said O’Mayra Diaz, co-owner of NextHome Magnolia Realty in Johnson City, Tennessee. “It’s about being there for people in times of need and lifting each other up when we’re struggling. We often say ‘humans over houses,’ but it’s in moments of crisis that this value truly comes alive.”
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in September 2024, communities across the Southeastern United States experienced unprecedented stress and confusion. Helene was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Maria in 2017, and the deadliest to strike the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005. The storm shattered communities across seven different states, including Tennessee. More than 27 people died.
Witnessing the devastation, agents and owners at NextHome Magnolia Realty knew they had to do something to help their community rebuild.
“In times of crisis, you see the heart of who we are, and it’s always about putting people first,” O’Mayra said. “We started texting all our clients and other people in our sphere even before the storm hit, offering whatever help we could. By the grace of God, all of our clients were safe. In this business, we don’t just sell homes; we build communities and strengthen bonds that last a lifetime.”
In addition to its clients, the NextHome Magnolia Realty office and its agents were all safe through the storm.
“Right after the storm subsided, all of us in the office got together in our WhatsApp chat and started talking about things to do and how we could be helping,” recalled Amelia Nesseth, an agent with NextHome Magnolia Realty. “From there, we just went out and started shopping and collecting items at our office so that people from the community could come in and get whatever supplies they needed.”
NextHome Magnolia Realty Agent Logan Odom helped send out a call for supplies through social media, and soon the brokerage’s conference room was filled with food, clothing, and other necessities – all purchased by agents, owners, and their friends.
“I’m continually inspired by the selflessness of our agents—they don’t hesitate to give their time, energy, and resources,” O’Mayra said.
“Our office really does feel like a little family, not just the agents but the whole Magnolia team,” Logan said. “We all care about each other and the community.”
NextHome Magnolia Realty agent Roberto Aramburu responded to that WhatsApp conversation by cutting short an anniversary weekend with his wife. Returning home, he immediately recruited friends and family as volunteers. He and his children loaded up off-road vehicles and transported crucial supplies through back mountain roads – the only option after main arterials were washed out by mudslides and fallen trees. A journey that would usually take Roberto 45 minutes now took him several hours.
Amelia donned her grubbiest clothes and helped muck out farms in her largely agricultural community. Her days were filled with wading through fields, shoveling mud out of barns, and cleaning up trash and livestock feed contaminated by floodwaters.
Amelia, Logan, O’Mayra, and Roberto agreed that they were just a small part of an organic grassroots effort to rebuild and restore hope.
“We didn’t respond the way we did to get attention for our company,” Logan said. “We did it because it’s who we are – we genuinely care about the people in this community.”
As these NextHome agents continued to look for opportunities to serve, they discovered both unbelievable devastation and unshakable resilience.
“I’ve seen firsthand the strength and resilience of my community,” Amelia added.“Many of my neighbors have been devastated, with homes and farms destroyed, yet our community has rallied in amazing ways.”
Logan’s childhood hometown, Elizabethton, was shattered by the storm. Homes were flooded and a local high school was destroyed. In the aftermath, families desperately needed a new place to call home.
“I have a listing in Elizabethton right now, and I cannot tell you how many people are reaching out because their house got washed away with the flood,” Logan said. “Probably a dozen people have cried on the phone with me, and I’ve cried with them because it’s just a sad situation and they have nowhere else to go.”
In the wake of a natural disaster, real estate agents not only provide immediate relief, but also take on the role of helping people rebuild their lives in a new home.
“I feel truly inspired by my neighbors’ willingness to help each other,” Amelia said. “This was truly neighbors helping neighbors. At NextHome, I’m surrounded by colleagues who genuinely care. We’ve organized supply drives, mobilized our community connections, and worked tirelessly to support those affected. It’s uplifting to see everyone put differences aside and unite to help each other. Every day, as I talk to my clients and neighbors, I realize that kindness and humanity are always within reach, especially in times of crisis.”
