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REALTORS, LENDERS and OTHER ACTIVERAIN MEMBERS. . . WHO ARE WE AND WHY ARE WE HERE? PROFILE OF A CROSS SECTION OF FOLKS IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY.

REALTORS, LENDERS and OTHER ACTIVERAIN MEMBERS. . . WHO ARE WE AND WHY ARE WE HERE? PROFILE OF A CROSS SECTION OF FOLKS IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY.

THINGS THAT ARE PRICELESS ON ACTIVERAIN. Inspired by Mike Jones and the photos posted by ActiveRain members by request of Mike Jones in his article, 1980 Business Card Photo Challenge... Who's Brave Enough?

"Who am I and what am I doing here?" Admiral James Stockdale, 1992.

THINGS THAT ARE PRICELESS. That quote is one of the more enjoyable memories of the Ross Perot presidential campaign. For folks too young to remember, or care, Admiral Stockdale was Ross Perot's running mate in 1992. That statement, the opening statement by Stockdate in the Vice Presidential debate, was absolutely priceless. Fact was, folks didn't know who he was and didn't know how or why he was selected for the awesome post of Vice Presidential running mate. However, after that "ice breaker", folks knew Stockdale as a thoughtful, articulate and experienced Naval officer, political observer and friend of the Presidential candidate, who had a delicious sense of humor (both of them).

THINGS THAT ARE PRICELESS ON ACTIVERAIN. The photos posted by ActiveRain members by request of Mike Jones at Mike's request in his article, 1980 Business Card Photo Challenge... Who's Brave Enough?

WHO ARE WE and WHAT ARE WE DOING TODAY?

We are the people that make the real estate industry work on a daily basis.

Real estate agents representing sellers. We are the drudge real estate agents who represent home Agent Bob sellers who bring homes for sale to market, perform the many necessary duties of a listing agent broadcasting the availability of properties through various venues, managing contracts of sale through the transfer of title from the seller to the buyer.

Real estate agents representing buyers. We are the drudge real estate agents who represent home buyers through the process from search to settlement managing the home tours, financing, inspections, title work and settlement/transfer of title from the seller to the buyer.

Loan Officers representing lenders that lend huge amounts of money. Managing the loan applications, qualifying, documentation, appraisal, approval of home buyers and loan huge amounts of money to enable successful transfer of title from sellers to buyers.

Home Inspectors. Examining properties from top to bottom, identifying defects, advising home buyers of the function of systems, useful life of systems and features of a property. Home inspectors provide services that give home buyers peace of mind and help buyers, sellers and agents avoid future problems.

Home Builders. Where would we be without them in the first place? Over the years, builders have transformed land into communities with homes for folks.

Home Stagers. Offering services to home owners to prepare and present their property for sale in the best light to appeal to home buyers.

WHO WERE WE THEN and WHAT DID WE DO IN THE PAST?

READ THE COMMENTS ON MIKE JONES' POST. They are priceless and speak volumes to the variety of backgrounds of agents, loan officers, home inspectors, stagers

WERE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH TO POST A PHOTO FROM THE 1980s? Mike asks, 1980 Business Card Photo Challenge... Who's Brave Enough? It doesn't have to be a business card photo. In fact, I doubt that many of us were in the real estate business in 1980, although I know many on ActiveRain who were. No matter, many posted photos anyway and they are not only fun and fascinating to view, they speak volumes to who makes the real estate industry run on a day to day basis. The photos also speak to what folks save. 1980 is a long time ago.

Kathryn Gorham - Just out of college.
Russel Ray - High school photo.
Sally Cheeseman - Family photo
Rita Burke - Baby photo
Kent Simpson - Teen age photo
Margaret Woda - Lovely then and lovely now.
Larry Hultberg - High School Track photo.
Jesse Clifton - Smiling then and smiling now.
Lenn - The more things change, the more things stay the same, except the hair color.
Bryant Tutas - Dancing and talking then. . . . .
Bo Kociuba - A competitor then and probably today too.
Mitchell Hall - Always the professional gentleman.
Jeannie Kontis - An important day for Jeannie.
Karen Hunt - A good sport.
Kat DeLong - Voices my sentiments exactly.
Patrick Randals - Teen ager cross country outfit and eating. Typical teen.
Mike Handren - My lips are sealed.
Brad Andersohn - Rock on.
Jennifer Monroe - Revealing the real Jason Sardi.
Robert Hammerstein - Rockin' and Rollin'.
Karen Cooper - High School Senior.
Paddy Pizappi - Pets and graduation.
Terri Ellis - Best drivers license photo I've ever seen.
Sharon Tara - Family photo.
Sandy Noll - High School photo.
William Johnson - Handsome then, handsome now.
Barbara Duncan - Professional then, professional now.
Julie Chapman - Hasn't changed since 1970. Agent then, agent now.
Jason Sardi - Appearance greatly improved through surgery.
Donn Bigda - Family photo and adventure photo.
Tracy Santrock - Big hair then, little hair now and still lovely.
Monica McGillicuddy - Hasn't changed a bit.
Jay McGillicuddy - Hasn't changed much. Still young at heart.
Bo Kociuba - Ah! A soul mate. An outdoors woman.
Robert Sweetz - Same hair. Hasn't aged a bit. How do they do that?
Mirela Monte - Gorgeous then, gorgeous now.

WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS MEAN? That folks in the real estate industry that keep the economy of the United State of America are as different as night and day, but all have a common goal - - use our life experience to serve the home buying and selling consumers.

The real estate industry is a vital component of the economy represented by many wonderful people.

Hand

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.

Posted by Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Maryland & Virginia on 11/04/2009 06:35 AM

Comments (27)

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27 Comments on REALTORS, LENDERS and OTHER ACTIVERAIN MEMBERS. . . WHO ARE WE AND WHY ARE WE HERE? PROFILE OF A CROSS SECTION OF FOLKS IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY.

NOV

Lenn - great post! Don't forget the builders that build those homes in the first place... Going to check out those photos now.

Penny. Got it. Thanks.

Good morning Lenn,

What an articulate and thoughtful post! Indeed it is a wonderful business represented by wonderful people! We are as different as night and day but do use our life experiences to serve the home buying and selling customers!

Dorie. Indeed. I have a tremendous respect for the "grunches" who make this industry run.

I got mine in there. I was only 10 at the time. This is an excellent analogy!

Thanks Renee. Mike has a great idea. It inspired me.

Lenn,

I checked out Mike's post and loved the pictures. I commented on his post..Your picture was wonderful! A Winchester 101 12 ga. Wow you would make a great addition to our slogan "Don't mess with Texas!"

Lenn, off to revisit- scrambled around yesterday seeking a photo, and was tempted to put up a baby picture (nope- wasn't a baby in 1980)- it was a wonderful post, and sounds like it keeps getting better.

Excellent post! I missed the original challenge yesterday and I thank you for posting about it...just posted some silliness!

Dorie. HA. That's one of the things I love about Texas.

Laurie. I agree. It was and is fun. But, as with most things, it made me think.

Tammi. I'll check it out.

Lenn...Thanks for bringing Mike's post to my attention I ran over and Posted a Senior High school Picture, and of course looked at every-ones shots...some very fun stuff.

Steve. Thanks. I thought it was fun too.

Lenn wonderfully written post. By the way, I was telling my Mom who lives with me now about your Winchester photo.....turns out, She used to shoot clay up in Cornwall, New York with my Aunt. I learned something new about my 72 year old Mom today. :-) Im off to a good start.

I am laughing so hard at this post...and I have been a fan of Mike's blog for quite awhile. Actually I HOPE that I have destroyed all the pictures of myself from High School but especially from the 70's-80's when my hair was about a foot long...Then again maybe I should find and post a picture. It could be cathartic and probably very funny!

Lenn - I think you brought out the Inspiration in all of us because you brought me and others to Mike's post. You did such a wonderful piece here - much to my enjoyment even though I was not in Real Estate, much less a resident of the United States, I appreciate your insight :)

Holy MACKEREL!!! I just saw your picture with an afro and the SHOTGUN!!! Wow, I guess I HAVE to find a picture now!

Michael. What a wonderful story. Thanks.

Russell. HA! Do it. Cathartic is good.

Russell. That isn't an Afro. I had very curly hair and when out in the MD/VA heat and humidity, curls friz. I didn't fight it. Didn't then, don't now.

Petra. Welcome to the U.S. We're glad to have you.

Lenn, I totally missed Mike's post. It sounds like a winner. Will head over there to check it out but I didn't want to leave without saying hi, Maggie was here. =)

Hi Maggie. Thanks for dropping in. Nice to hear from you.

Lenn: I thought so differently of the folks of this profession before I joined it. Successful agents I'd worked with in the past to buy and sell homes made it look so easy. Like a hobby. I know differently now.

Chris. Those agents were obviously quite skilled.

I, on the other hand, let my buyers know with regular updates about the 1000 things I do for them.

Lenn, I will have to dig up a picture of myself back then that is going to be a school picture.

But back on topic yes looking back our past definitely shapes us into what we are today. I try to take after my father in the sales arena. I met so many of his clients and they always said the same thing. They felt very at ease with him, trusted him unconditionally and felt like they had known him their whole lives.

By the way do you still shoot?

Larry. Thanks. Do I still shoot. Indeed. Every chance I get. The ranges are an 1-1.5 hours away so I don't get out as often as I'd like but I love it. Just bought a new trap gun last week.

Loved this message, now I'm to do two things. First I MUST go see all those photos and then I have to look and see if I can find one that might be 1980.

And I'm curious Lenn, do you just shoot trap or do you like to target shoot with handguns too? My husband and I love to that.

NOV

Tammy. I love shooting moving targets. These days that means clay pigeons. In past years, I did a lot of bird hunting, pheasant, quail, duck, geese.

I have a Hi-Standard target pistol, but the range is not convenient and I rarely shoot it. However, it's a lot of fun and I'm a good shot.

NOV

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I missed the post. Your is, as always, insightful.

Janice. My pleasure. I liked Mike's post too. He often inspires me.

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