Wilmington Works Like a Dog: Rainey Wallace

If you've ever bought or sold a home in the Wilmington area, you know that pets are part of the equation more than people might expect. Rainey Wallace, a real estate broker with Intracoastal Realty, has watched that shift happen in real time. Dog rooms under the stairs, built-in washing stations, fenced yards at the top of every wish list. The way people live with their pets is changing how they buy homes, and Rainey is right in the middle of it.

We met up for coffee at Canary Yellow before sitting down to talk about her work, her dogs, and how she ended up with two rescues who couldn't be more different from each other.

The Work

Rainey loves the variety of what she does. Every client has a different story, every transaction is its own chapter, and more often than not, pets play a starring role in how people make their decisions.

"Many home buyers consider their dog's needs when looking at homes," she told me. "I certainly do."

It's a perspective that only makes her better at her job. When your broker has thought about fencing, yard space, and dog-friendly neighborhoods from personal experience, the conversation goes differently.

Dolly

Dolly is a nine year old Pomeranian and by all accounts, Rainey's best friend. She came home two weeks before Hurricane Florence hit in 2018, which means their bond was forged pretty quickly under some stressful circumstances.

Dolly goes to the office. Dolly moves when Rainey moves. When Rainey isn't feeling well, Dolly sits right on top of her. That kind of loyalty has a way of shaping a person, and for Rainey it sparked a deeper commitment to supporting local shelters and advocating against puppy mills and excessive breeding.

Dolly came from Dauntless Animal Rescue through a longtime client who works with the organization. It's the kind of connection that changes everything.

Ted

Ted's story starts a little differently. He was one of 49 yorkies rescued from a puppy mill in Pender County in a single night. He was only three days old. Rainey stepped in to help, first caring for another yorkie from that rescue who sadly didn't survive, and then welcoming then eight week old Ted into her home. Dauntless surprised her with him, and he has been a handful ever since, in the best possible way.

Ted is athletic, mischievous, passionate about birds, soccer balls, and sleeping under the covers, and absolutely hilarious to be around. Where Dolly is steady and devoted, Ted is pure chaos and joy. Rainey says he inspires her to laugh more and enjoy life, and honestly after hearing his story, it's hard not to love him immediately.

Rainey is one of those people whose love for her dogs is woven into everything she does, from the homes she helps people find to the rescue organizations she supports. If you're looking for a real estate broker in the Wilmington area who genuinely gets it, you can find her at Intracoastal Realty or on Instagram at @raineywallacerealtor.

Wilmington Works Like a Dog features every Wednesday on Instagram. Follow along at @thephotodistrictnc to see who's coming up next.

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