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Settling In and Gearing Up!

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Real Estate Shows

Team WhittenDay two with Team Whitten!  We're actually trying to decide what we should actually be called, but I think we'll be sticking with Team Whitten. In my head I refer to us as the Powerhouse Team, though that might not go over too well with the rest of the brokerage.  ;o)

Misty was the only one I didn't know prior to joining the team.  I was impressed with her right from the start!  She is lightning fast at multiple tasks and thoroughly excited about real estate!  She is fired up about our new team and is helping me find my place here.  This is a huge relief and brings my comfort level right up. She's creative, smart as a whip and passionate about her clients.  I'm feeling at home.

I'm learning that if I can see qualities I want in myself in each member of my team, I must have chosen wisely.

All six of us are crammed into a small office with less chairs than people.  We have literally at times shared a chair or even a lap!  I've heard rumors of a larger office, but a lot of what an agent does is out of the office anyway.  I think we'll survive either way.

Today we had pictures taken to use in our advertising.  You know I'll be making a Real Estate Show when I have the rest of the pictures, but for now I only have this one.  That's Georgeann Underwood in front, with me and Misty Taylor behind her and Dad (Pat Murphy), Rick Whitten and Duck Underwood in the back row.  We were laughing in nearly every picture, and somehow they all turned out great!

It took a while for Dad and I to make this move, to decide if it was the best for us.  I know it's too early to be saying this, but I feel so good about our choice.  I feel at home with my team and I want to help them succeed as much as I want to do well for myself.  We had a business lunch this afternoon and had fun while we made future plans.  

If you aren't laughing at work, you're not doing it right.   

Comments(33)

Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Suzanne - Thanks!  They are already quite successful.  I'm hoping it rubs off.  In close quarters like that, if it rubs off at all, I have a good chance of getting some of it on me.  ;o)

Leigh - That's good to hear!!!  Thank you!

Dan - You are so observant, you never miss a thing!  We went upstairs to a lawyer's office because our office is too cramped, we couldn't fit all of us and the photographer in there at all.  

Sally - Much more fun to be laughing -- and I think when you're having fun you work better anyway.  Who wants to go to work if it's not any fun?  I think I'd LOVE working with you!  If I ever move to Hawaii, I know who to talk to!

Loreena - Thank you!  I think it will be Team Whitten, but who knows?  I like The Powerhouse Team but maybe it's too cocky.  

Aug 02, 2007 10:39 AM
Matthew J Blum - (retired from the business)
Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Sarah.  AWESOME post. I really liked the last part...." If you aren't laughing at work, you're not doing it right. "   

I totally agree with this statement.  To many people are to serious

Aug 02, 2007 10:43 AM
Michele Connors
The Overton Group, LLC Pitt & Carteret County - Greenville, NC
Your Eastern North Carolina Realtor

Sarah- taking chances when they feel right is the way we GROW!!! You already know in your heart it is the right thing...let that feeling blossom into something great! Nice looking group by the way !

Aug 02, 2007 10:48 AM
Cynthia Sloop
Community Association Manager - Indianapolis, IN
I too like your picture!  What position will you have in this team?  Or maybe you don't' have it set up that way?  Glad to hear your first day has gone so well!  Keep smiling, learning and selling. . .
Aug 02, 2007 12:22 PM
Thomas Weiss
Thomas R. Weiss - West Palm Beach, FL

Sarah,

Good Luck, I think you fit right in :0)

 

Tom Weiss

Aug 02, 2007 12:54 PM
Beth Butler
Beth Butler - Big Mouth Consulting - Miami, FL
Nicely put Sarah- I see Old Colony is a Leading RE company- so it must be good.  You look very happy - I wish you tons of luck on your new venture
Aug 02, 2007 12:58 PM
Peggy Edwards
Future Home Realty - Westchase, FL
REALTOR - Green Designation, e-PRO, Tampa Bay, FL
Great photo of you all!  You and Pop are going to be awesome, I just know it!!!
Aug 02, 2007 01:42 PM
Joe Sampson
Exit Realty Experts - Saint Augustine, FL

Sarah, Good luck - I bet they're happy to have such a great team joining their small group. I'm sure you can all benefit from each other's knowledge and experience.

Aug 02, 2007 01:44 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Great looking TEAM. You are going to be great. It is so much fun to work as a TEAM. Glad dad made the move.
Aug 02, 2007 01:45 PM
Vicki Bishop GRI - Alabama Real Estate
Coldwell Banker United Realtors® - Bay Minette, AL
Good luck with your team, and great pic.
Aug 02, 2007 02:36 PM
Bob Sloop, Consultant, Indianapolis, IN
RS Mortgage Consulting - Indianapolis, IN
Sarah, good to hear your settling in and getting yourself geared up for success.  Change is good sometimes, and it seems you made a good move.
Aug 02, 2007 02:56 PM
Fran Gatti
RE/MAX Integrity - Medford, OR
Managing Principal Broker - RE/MAX Integrity

Sarah,

You all look very professional.  Best of luck to you.

Fran

Aug 02, 2007 04:08 PM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Sarah.... so, I heard about a change from within the Rain. I am assuming you and your dad went to another real estate office?  I haven't been following that much.

In any case.... great and good luck to you and your father. It sounds like less of a burden and less stressful. That can be such a big weight off ones shoulders no matter how things were going. Change can be good.  Again, good luck.

jeff belonger

Aug 02, 2007 04:49 PM
Thesa Chambers
West + Main - Bend, OR
Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon
Sarah - laughing at work does make even the toughest transaction seem oh so simple - I am happy for you
Aug 02, 2007 05:57 PM
Ashley Drake Gephart
Drake Intel Group - Albuquerque, NM
Sarah a new office and a new team! What a way to shake things up. Keep laughing at the office otherwise you would work from home.
Aug 02, 2007 06:24 PM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Matt - You must be a lot of fun to work with!  :o)

Michele - Thanks!  This was the right choice, I just need to work on being worthy to be where I am.  

Cynthia - There's another picture of Misty and me with Rick in the middle -- Georgeann called it the "Who's Your Daddy" pic, it was funny!  Maybe I'll have to work that one in somehow.  Misty and I are a hybrid, we are working as agents and also as assistants.  They made me an offer I couldn't refuse!

Tom - Thanks, I hope I fit in!  (Book is on the way!)

Beth - Old Colony is the dominating force in our area, it's true.  It's where I had planned to go in the beginning anyway, but went to Coldwell Banker because Rick was there.  Rick moved, and later Dad and I followed.  

Peggy - Funny you called him Pop -- that's what my girls call him!  (Still haven't tried your dryer sheet/scared dog trick!!)

Joe - I'm the lucky one and I know it!  I'll try to be worthy, all I can do.

Missy - It IS more fun to work as a team!  It's almost like a mini-AR, where you have people to help when you're stuck or someone to bounce ideas off of.  It's great!

Vicki - Thank you very much!

Bob - This was a good move.  That much is apparent already!

Fran - We dressed up a bit for the pictures!  Well, Rick always looks like that.  Today I'm in capris and a tank, but it's Friday and it's been a long week.

Jeff - Is someone telling stories about me?  It was probably me.  ;o)  

Thesa - I think that should be the first rule of choosing who you work with -- do they laugh a lot?  Before you even learn if they know what they're doing, see if they laugh.  Otherwise, the rest doesn't matter much.

Ashley - Wow, I realize for months I've been working from home!  Now I'm waking up and wanting to get to the office!!

Aug 02, 2007 10:21 PM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
Sarah... stories?  nah....  just that you were making a move.  I am assuming that this took place within the week?  Anyhoo... congrats and good luck.
Aug 03, 2007 12:39 AM
Lysa Napolitano
Daytona Beach, FL
Love the photo! You all look like you will do very well together! Best of luck Sarah and Dad!!
Aug 03, 2007 01:15 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents
Sarah: I think there's always 2 sides of a story. You could use the "corky" eye to view it, or you could say, Confidence. You could say it proudly or you could say it "cork-ily" - is that a word? I think that's what Powerhouse means to me when I think about it. I'm sorry but Team Whitten just doesnt give you the "confidence" feeling like Powerhouse does? Well, I'm just speaking my opinion. I dont want to step on toes.......

Aug 03, 2007 03:07 AM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate
Sarah, great photo I'm excited for you, and I'm sure that your new adventure will bring many more smiles and fun along the way
Aug 03, 2007 04:50 AM