HGTV Features Bay St. Louis

Local realtor/broker Holly Lemoine-Raymond guides her clients - and HGTV viewers - though Bay St. Louis in an episode of "Beachfront Bargain Hunt." 
- by Ellis Anderson

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Local realtor/broker Holly Lemoine-Raymond helps a couple find their Bay St. Louis dream home in HGTV's "Beachfront Bargain Hunt," premiering Feb. 12.

In February, millions of HGTV viewers will tour Bay St. Louis in an episode of the network’s popular Beachfront Bargain Hunt. 
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Local realtor/broker Holly Lemoine-Raymond leads the hunt in the show that premieres Sunday, February 12, at 7:30pm CST.  There's an open-to-the-public premier party at the Blind Tiger, 119 N. Beach Boulevard in Bay St. Louis, starting at 6:30pm (see flyer at end of article). 

The episode introduces two of Holly’s clients, Brent and Tracy, a couple  who live in a suburb of New Orleans.  The pair have been visiting “the Bay” for years and are finally ready to purchase their dream get-away home.     

Holly helps the couple whittle their choices down to three properties.  Their final choice isn’t revealed until the show’s finale.  Along the way, the world-wide audience who follow along is introduced to Bay St. Louis.  For most watching, it will likely be the first time they’ve heard of the town.  

Holly 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 said.  “I went through several interviews during the selection process.” 

Holly said 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." 

Holly guided the production crews around the town and they ended up choosing several local businesses to feature in the episode, including the Blind Tiger and the Purple Banana.
 
“The show’s great because it presents real houses and real people,” she said.  “We developed a super working relationship and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with HGTV again in the future.”  

She added, “Our little hidden gem is getting out there now.  I feel like the show puts Bay St. Louis in a good spotlight.” 

As to which house the couple decides to purchase in the end?  Holly’s keeping that information close to the vest, saying the answer won’t be revealed publicly until the show airs. 

“It’s a real happy ending though,” she says, smiling.  
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The show also airs on Monday, February 13, at 2:30am CST.