Change

This year we started 2013 off with a bang and implemented a new software program with more features, more services and more "stuff". It has been a great, but rocky start. Change can be hard. As a leader in my office I have to balance rocking the boat with staying ahead or falling behind. It is a struggle but I hope that my agents know that we would not bring them anything that we think would hurt them, their business or their clients. Our goals are always to strive to improve their business, their relationships and their productivity. All-in-all - it is going well. It is a task for me and for everyone else to review how we handle change, how we move forward and how we be the best we can be. I am convinced that with a good attitude you can do it anything and overcome any perceived challenges and turn them into long-term victories.

Feet

What type of shows do you like to wear when it is this hot? This is the bottom of Rhonda Carlson's shoe. She always has great tips on comfortable shoes.

Holiday Wish

Each year at my office we send a copy of one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul stories to my agents. It’s a tradition that my dad started decades ago, and we still continue it to this day. It’s always a big hit because the stories are so touching and remind us of the importance of caring for one another and giving our time.

One of my favorites talks about a sociology research study done in a slum in Baltimore. After interviewing 200 young boys, each of the researchers wrote the same evaluation for them: “He hasn’t got a chance.”
Twenty-five years later another sociology professor decided to find out what happened to those 200 boys. He found almost of all of them and discovered that the majority had found more than “ordinary success.”
Why? Each of them said there was a teacher in his life that made a difference for them.

My holiday wish for REALTORS® in 2011 is that we’ll be teachers and be willing to be taught. If you’ve been in the business for a while, find a new REALTOR® that you can mentor. If you’re new to the business, seek out a mentor.
I learned the business from my father, and his insights have helped me tremendously. He is one of the best mentors anyone could have.

If we aren’t learning we aren’t growing. Every in agent in your office can help contribute to you being a better salesperson. Every member of your local and state association can help you be a better leader. Our association is filled with teachers, talent and wisdom.

We’re facing great challenges in the coming year. We’re working to open up credit lines so we can get the real estate market off its feet. We’re also working overtime to protect the mortgage interest deduction. NAR has your back on these vital issues.
But success in our industry will take more than strong legislation. We also need wise professional counsel. If you’re just starting out, contact your local association and get involved. Then find someone who can mentor you. None of us goes it alone. We all need a strong teacher to guide our steps and encourage us to blaze new trails.

I hope in the coming year we can each find ourselves teaching, learning and improving our businesses one lesson at a time. All my best to you this holiday season! – Elizabeth Mendenhall, 2011 NAR Vice President and Liaison to Committees

NAR Issues Conference

So Larry, Dad and I head out to the NAR issues conference in San Diego. I will say this was a great meeting/vacation. The resort was beautiful - The Grand Del Mar and the location was right near the coast. This conference is for members of the RPAC President's Circle. It was the who's who of NAR, but it was also one of the best meetings for really getting to know people. Because we did not have any committee meetings where we needed to be "on", we just got a real chance to know each other, relax and have a great time. This is a must attend event.

40 years of excellence!

How often can you celebrate the commitment and excellence of someone who has been with the same company for 40 years? Yesterday we got the opportunity to honor Bill McCollum for 40 years with RE/MAX Boone Realty. He was one of the first people that my grandparents hired in 1969 to work for them and help as a closing broker. Today, Bill is the premier closing broker in Boone County and helps close thousands of property each year.

One of the greatest traits of a person is their loyalty and character. Bill's loyalty to our company, our agents and family cannot be measured and his character is matched by few. Thanks Bill for all of your great advice, wisdom and friendship. We love you!

Success Celebrations

Yesterday was the RE/MAX Mid-States Success Celebration. This year it was a great banquet as usual, but was bittersweet for many. In one of the worst years in real estate, many were not very excited to think about attending a success celebration. Our industry numbers show that on average 15% of our membership did not "come back" to experience 2009. So for those who are still in the business - yes the numbers may be down, yes you may have experienced a drop in income and expenses are on the rise, but you are the remaining, the professional, and the successful. What a great reason to celebrate - there are many opportunities ahead!

Congratulations to Larry Keating who was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for the Region and also the #1 office in transactions and volume in the Mid-States Region (Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas) RE/MAX Boone Realty

Music Makes A Moment

I am sitting at home watching the Grammy's and loving all of the super musical numbers. Music calms the beast, lifts the heart and just makes a huge difference in your mood and attitude. This year at the Missouri Association of REALTORS January meetings we started a General Session in the morning to get everyone together to start the day. Outside the room you could hear the music blasting from the hall and you knew that something exciting was happening inside. If you want to make your showing experiences with clients, meetings, events or activities memoriable and fun - don't forget the music!

It all comes back to Seinfeld

We have a saying in our office - It all comes back to Seinfeld. It seems that the show about nothing was actually about everything. The great thing about pop-culture phenomenas is that you can enjoy and share stories with your friends and co-workers. We have had so many laughs at the office because we find ourselves in another Seinfeld moment. Tonight I am headed to St. Louis to see Jerry Seinfeld perform. I know I will have many more fun moments and laughs at the office this week when I share the stories. It is great to have fun co-workers and agents who have a good sense of humor and knowledge of pop-culture!

Go for the Gold!

Be Great in '08 - I love the Olympics!! The weeks leading up and the actual events are filled with excitement, energy, passion and patriotism. Don't try to find or schedule any appointments while the events are happening because I will be glued to my TV. We had an awesome event with our company at the Copperstone Club House to kick-off and celebrate the opening ceremonies. Agents are like Olympians - they work hard, are dedicated to their sport and are committed to the American Dream! Be Great in '08 - GO USA!

Summer Sun

I am so excited for summer. This is the busy season in real estate so everyone seems to be in a more positive state of mind. This year started off with the death of my grandfather, Hirst Mendenhall - not a great way to begin the year. In the past three years three of my grandparents have died. It was a wake up call to realize that I needed to spend more time with my family and friends. This summer I am headed to North Carolina to our family reunion. I have not been in eight years! I am so excited to see everyone and catch up. We are in an industry where we help families move and relocate everyday. No matter where they go - we help them stay together! Moments with your family are the best moments in life.

Headed to the Hill

It is time for the REALTOR associations to make the annual pilgrimage to Washington D.C. and lobby for property rights. It amazing to realize that 9000 REALTORS from all over the country go to meet with the members of Congress to look after the rights of the property owners everywhere.

This year is special because it is the 100th anniversary of the National Association of REALTORS. I am really excited to meet Ebby Holliday who is the guest of honor at the meetings. She is also a past president of the Women's Council of REALTORS. My grandmother used to talk about Ebby and what a great role model and leader she is for everyone in the industry. For all of those who walked before me - Thank you for your ideas, commitment and leadership.

Tax Time

Here we are again - another month of taxes. As a real estate agent, we have this unique tax situation that the majority of American workers will never have - self employment tax and quarterly filings. I mean let's face it - most people will never have this problem. But is it a problem or an opportunity? The ability to run your own business, set your own hours, be with your family on those special occasions is all worth it. So while this might be a rough year to figure out how to pay the people - the moments with those special people in your life make it all worth while.

Declining Market!?

In the past week Boone County has ended up on a list identifying us as in a declining market. How did we end up on the list? How do we get off the list? What does this mean for the home market? All of these answers are up in the air as our industry searched to sort out these answers. What it does mean is that now more than ever it is important that you use a RE/MAX realtor who is armed with knowledge and information to help clients achieve their goals.

Be Great in '08

Now is the time for all good realtors to come to the aid of the economy! 2008 has the potential to be one of our greatest years in real estate. Interest rates are low, housing supply is pleantiful, and the demographics of the country is changing and so are their housing needs. Are you prepared to thrive in today's market? Make sure that you mark your calendars for Tuesday mornings with the Be Great in '08 series. RE/MAX Boone Realty is committed to making sure you have the information on the latest topics and tools to be the best you can be!

Calling all Team Leaders

Team Summit 2007 - Did you miss it? One of the best meetings of the year was a new meeting, the RE/MAX Team Summit in Las Vegas. Brian Buffini has done it again and hosted with Dave Liniger the team event. The focus was on different types of team models, compensation structures, and how to be financially successful. If you want more information check it out on RE/MAX.net and we have some information available in the office.

Where can you get CE?

One year to go until license renewal. Every year at this time many of us would head out to the annual conventions and fill our CE requirements. It used to be that CE was offered at limited times. Today it seems that every week you can find a class either at our board, a surrounding board or on the RSN Satellite that will satisfy our requirements. Many times these classes are free or offered at a discounted price. Next year as we get closer to renewal the classes will be offered, but instructors start to charge premium pricing. If you want to get some good education make sure you are frequently checking your e-mail for announcements. This winter is the time to get it completed and get good information to increasing your professionalism.

Children's Miracle Challenge

Did you miss our company golf tournament? This year we held our fourth annual RE/MAX Miracle Challenge at Old Hawthorne. Teams came from Columbia, Jefferson City, and surrounding cities. It was a great day and we thank all of our sponsors for their contributions. RE/MAX is a corporate sponsor of the Children's Miracle Network and this year we were recognized as an outstanding business at the local gala. Thank you to all the agents who participated and helped sponsor the event.

Governor's Conference on Economic Development

I attended the Governor's Conference on Economic Development on behalf of the Missouri Association of REALTORS last week in Springfield Missouri. This is an event focused on discussing and recognizing projects that help bring businesses to Missouri. ABC Labs was recognized for their initiatives at Discovery Ridge. The REALTORS were one of the main sponsors and sent the message that we are leaders in helping people move to Missouri. This conference is held each fall at locations across the state.

Subprime Successes

Thank you to our lender panelists today for sharing their knowledge on the subprime markets. If you would like more information on the statistics presented today in the presentation Click here

Agents with a Heart

This weekend RE/MAX Boone Realty agents and staff participated in the American Heart Association Heart Walk. 85% of all customers say that they are more likely to work with someone who contributes to community charities. We raised money for a great cause and had a fun time chatting while getting in a good morning walk at Stephen's Lake. Many of us walked in honor of those we have lost to heart disease or those who we know who are inflicted with a problem. For more information go to http://www.americanheart.org/