The Smart People in My Professional Life

In the book "Heart and Sold" by Valerie Fitzgerald, I found the following quote:  "Great people learn from and surround themselves with smart people."  Although I've heard it said many times in various books and seminars, I set my book down and took the time to really contemplate this quote.  I became overwhelmed with gratitude as I considered the many smart people that have helped me find success in a profession that I love.  One person stands head and shoulders above all others when I think about people who have helped me in the real estate business:  Kathy Koehler.  She not only gave me my start, she was my inspiring mentor.  Her real estate 'savvy' is above compare.  I will always be grateful to her for being a great role model.  Of course, I wouldn't be where I am today without another real estate genius in my life - the greatest broker and friend - George Burns. He is amazing! This little exercise helped me realize that I've been blessed in working with some of the smartest people in the business.  I'd recommend to anyone to take a few moments to do the same.  If you can't think of someone in your network who is among the elite related to your profession, you need to start hunting.

Don't give up on the American Dream!

Renee Ryan-Edwards, 2010 President of the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors, recently wrote, "home ownership is an enduring part of the American dream."  That's what I love about my job, helping people to either realize their dream of buying their first home or buying their dream home (or both)!  Unfortunately, there is a lot of negativity 'in the air' about the housing market and it is causing many people to shy away from realizing their home-related dreams.  In reality, when looking at specific markets or if you look beneath the surface, things aren't necessarily as bad as presented by some in the media. Some realize its not as terrible as you might think.  Ryan-Edwards points out that a recent Wall Street Journal article stated, "enough with the gloom and doom about home ownership...here are 10 reasons why its good to buy a home."  She also refers to an article in AOL Real Estate titled, "Home Values: Why You Should Stop Worrying About Yours".  Locally, the Kansas City Star had a recent article titled, "Home Ownership Helps Secure Our Future" and a recent edition of the Johnson County Sun featured an article that discusses rising home building stats.  The news media, especially at the national level, can't provide a clear picture of the market in a particular neighborhood in Kansas City.  No, the market isn't booming, but it isn't frozen either.  People are buying and selling homes.  Even if the market is tight, it doesn't mean a home won't sell or a buyer can't find their dream home.  It only takes finding the right fit between a home and a buyer - something a good real estate agent can help facilitate.  Don't let the negativity make any of us forget that the American Dream is alive and well and owning a home is a huge part of realizing that dream.