Lessons from Local Leaders:

Amanda Ingram and Tess Harris

Inside the Dynamic Duo of Northern Virginia Real Estate: Amanda Ingram & Tess Harris of Haven Homes

If you thought real estate was just about buying and selling homes, you haven’t met Amanda Ingram and Tess Harris—two powerhouse realtors from Haven Homes, a Pearson Smith Realty team in Northern Virginia. With a mix of wit, expertise, and a fair amount of chaos, these two make real estate both an art and an adventure.

In a recent podcast conversation, we got an inside look at their backgrounds, their unexpected partnership, and their deep (and sometimes hilarious) commitment to helping clients. Let’s dive in.

From Sales Calls to Sold Signs: Amanda’s Journey to Real Estate

Amanda isn’t your typical realtor. Before she was running top-tier marketing campaigns and selling homes at lightning speed, she was leading a team of 35 business development reps in software sales—aka, she knows how to follow up like a pro.

But after countless cold calls, she realized something: she hated it.

So she made a career shift into real estate, a field where follow-ups matter just as much, but the rewards are way bigger.

“I met Tess on a transaction on New Year’s Eve 2022,” Amanda recalled. “She represented the buyers, I had the sellers, and it was love at first sight.”

She spent the next three years “kidnapping” Tess into teaming up with her.

Which brings us to…

How an Airplane Propeller Sealed the Deal

Most real estate partnerships start with business plans. Amanda and Tess? They started with an airplane propeller.

Their first transaction together involved a unique home where the sellers—an elderly couple, one of whom was blind—left behind an actual wooden plane propeller.

Tess, being the hands-on, renovation-loving realtor she is, saw it and immediately claimed it. (Because who doesn’t want a massive propeller as home decor?)

The two realtors clicked over the phone, met for the first time in person with Tess hauling the propeller over her shoulder, and a partnership was born.

Though Tess had been working in real estate part-time, it took a lot of persuading (or maybe light kidnapping?) from Amanda to get her to go full-time.

Tess’s Journey: From Teaching & Renovations to Full-Time Real Estate

Tess didn’t just jump into real estate—she built her way into it. A former special education teacher, she developed an eye for home renovations when she turned a 2,000-square-foot garage into a fully functional home.

Yes, you read that right.

She lives in a former garage that she transformed with her own two hands (and a little help from YouTube). That experience now gives her an invaluable edge—she knows homes inside and out.

“I can walk into a house and immediately see structural issues, renovation potential, or red flags that buyers might miss,” Tess explained.

Her superpower? Heading straight into crawl spaces during showings while Amanda waits safely above ground.

Real Estate Trends: The Northern Virginia Market is Wild (But These Two Have It Handled)

Northern Virginia’s real estate market has been a rollercoaster since 2020. Tess and Amanda agree that each year has been distinctly different—from pandemic buying frenzies to rising interest rates and now a mix of uncertainty.

Their take?

• There’s still low inventory—which means homes priced well and marketed effectively sell fast.
• Many buyers are waiting for interest rates to drop, but Amanda and Tess say waiting could cost them more in the long run.
• There are hidden gems in places like Front Royal and Winchester, where buyers can find great value.

Amanda also brought up an interesting trend: Washington, D.C. workers being forced back into the office.

“I had a guy call from Palm Beach saying, ‘If I have to come back to work, I need a place to live.’ Funny how that works,” she joked.

Marketing Magic: How Amanda & Tess Get Homes Sold Fast

One of Amanda’s secret weapons is old-school marketing—yes, she actually sends postcards.

In her neighborhood, she mails monthly updates on what’s sold, what’s coming soon, and how much equity homeowners might have.

The result? She gets tons of calls from sellers and buyers who want to make a move before the listings even hit the market.

“I’ve done a ton of off-market deals just by being consistent,” she said. “Last night, I got a text about a property that isn’t even listed yet.”

Tess chimed in: “That’s what makes Amanda stand out—she’s genuine, strategic, and always on top of things.“

Tech & Safety: The Tools They Swear By

Being a realtor means meeting strangers in empty houses, which can be a little sketchy.

Amanda’s solution? A high-tech safety necklace.

It looks like jewelry, but if she double-taps it, it calls 911, texts her emergency contacts, and starts recording.

(She had to remind Tess not to play with it during the podcast.)

They also use HomeBot, a platform that helps clients track their home equity and make informed decisions about buying, selling, or investing.

“We’re Weird, We’re Fun, and We’ll Get It Done”

Tess and Amanda have built a powerhouse team by mixing expertise with humor.

Their inside jokes? Unmatched. Their ability to turn a stressful home-buying process into a smooth experience? Even better.

Their tagline?

“We’re weird, we’re fun, and we’ll get it done.”

And with their combined skills, there’s no doubt they will.

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Northern Virginia?

Whether you need a strategic marketer, a renovation expert, or just someone who can make the process fun, Amanda and Tess have you covered.

📍 Follow their journey, get in touch, and let them help you make your next move!

Follow Amanda Ingram & Tess Harris Below