When locals gathered in February to watch an episode of HGTV’s “Beachfront Bargain Hunt,” they were not just celebrating the beauty of Bay St. Louis being broadcast to millions of viewers. They also were celebrating local favorite Holly Lemoine-Raymond.
During the episode, Lemoine-Raymond, a Realtor/broker, guides her clients — and HGTV viewers — through the Bay. Clients Brent and Tracy, a couple who live in a suburb of New Orleans, have been visiting the Bay for years and are finally ready to purchase their dream getaway home.
Lemoine-Raymond helps the couple whittle their choices down to three properties, along with introducing them to Bay St. Louis. For most watching, it will likely be the first time they’ve heard of the town. Lemoine-Raymond says HGTV first approached her for another type of show in 2014. At the time, she was owner of the Cypress Café and beginning to launch her real estate career. She eventually sold the restaurant and opened her own real estate firm, HL Raymond Properties, LLC.
“They called me right after I opened my new office in December 2015,” she says. “I went through several interviews during the selection process.”
Lemoine-Raymond says one aspect of the show she especially enjoyed during the production last March was seeing a different perspective of her community.
“When you live here, you don’t see what a first-time visitor sees. It was fun being a tour guide for this area and letting people see everything we have to offer.”
“Our little hidden gem is getting out there now. I feel like the show puts Bay St. Louis in a good spotlight.”