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Brian Buffini's House Burned Down!! (UPDATE)

Many of us in the Realtor community and here on Active Rain have had our careers touched in one way or another by a remarkable real estate trainer and a sincere man named Brian Buffini.

Buffini & Company is one of the premier training companies in the real estate industry. And whether you have taken a class personally, attended one of his Turning Point retreats, or watched Brian on video or on the RE/MAX Satellite Network, you certainly know the integrity, honesty, and caring that he brings to the profession.

About a week ago, my broker announced something special. Brian Buffini is holding his Turning Point Retreat in Richmond, Virginia on November 1st and 2nd. Our broker offered to reserve and pay for a bus to take any interested agents from our brokerage from Northern Virginia down to Richmond to attend Brian Buffini's two day seminar, as well as offering us special pricing on the seminar.

Normally I would attend such event given this opportunity (See my post on conventions: Network, Learn, and See the Stars: Real Estate Conventions). Unfortunately, I am not able to attend because of a time conflict with my real estate broker class.

Tonight we received notice of the extremely sad news that Brian Buffini's California house has burned down in the Southern California wildfires!!

Brian and his family are safe. And he is still coming to Richmond on November 1st and 2nd. Please keep Brian Buffini and his family in your prayers.

ACTUAL PHOTO OF BRIAN BUFFINI'S HOUSE
AFTER THE FIRES.
(Courtesy of Rebecca Buchen, Buffini & Co.)

Here is a copy of the letter that Brian sent to my broker this evening:

I want to thank you and all of our members for the many expressions of
concern for me, my family and for the staff and family members of
Buffini & Company. San Diego County, as well as much of Southern
California, has experienced the worst wildfires in 100 years. Our
offices were closed for three days, but we are happy to say that we are
back and fully operational as of this morning.

Thankfully, all of our staff is safe and well; sadly, though, Beverly
and I lost our home. Losing a home is one thing, but because of the
urgency in which we had to evacuate we were unable to take anything with
us. However, when I asked my kids today how they felt, my little
eight-year-old Adam said it best: “I don’t feel sad, Daddy. I am with my
family, what more do I need?”

Beverly and I have been able to make great strides in taking care of our
affairs, and the truth of the matter is that I am ready to get back to
work. The offers of support and help have been overwhelming and are
truly appreciated.

Here is how you can help:

WE NEED YOUR ASSOCIATES TO ATTEND THE TURNING POINT RETREAT® ON

November 1 and 2 – Richmond, VA

This will help Buffini & Company’s business circle to remain solid, and
allow me and the other members of Buffini & Company to focus on
impacting and improving the lives of others.

I am off to buy some suits and will be on my way to the Richmond Turning
Point Retreat on November 1 and 2 to give my all. I’m coming with a thunder!

Thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers.

It’s still a good life!
Brian

Please keep Brian Buffini and the rest of our friends and colleagues in Southern California in your prayers during this trying time.

Thank you for reading my blog post. If you like what you’ve read, then please:

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If you plan to purchase or sell a home in the Northern Virginia or D.C. area,
you can visit my main Northern Virginia & D.C. real estate website at www.brianblock.com.

Posted by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate on 10/25/2007 09:43 PM

Comments (68)

brian buffini, california wildfire, real estate conventions, turning point retreat

Post is included in group: RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers

68 Comments on Brian Buffini's House Burned Down!! (UPDATE)

OCT

2007

Brian's a great kind man. When I was going to relocate back to California in the early 90's I interviewed by the man himself and offered a great position with his group. <sigh> No regrets but timing wasn't right. Lets just say the day I flew out to Cali was the day the Rodney King riots started and the whole trip was insane.

Still in Jersey... Buffini is in my thoughts, just caught up with him again in Vegas last month. Thanks for letting us know.

http://activerain.com/groups/buffiniclubnet - Just a suggestion this a Buffini group on line you might want to post this too.

DESIREE: It sounds like that must have been an insane trip with the King riots going on... I re-posted the blog to include the Buffini group. Thanks for letting me know about that. I know that Brian Buffini is very important in the lives of a lot of Realtors, so as soon as I found out, I wanted to spread the word here.

Great perspective and an inspiring focus from Brian's son. These are the kind of stories that will provide resilience and hope to so many others. All of southern California is in our prayers.

Brian - Thanks for letting us know. Many have been touched by Brian's programs and coaching over the years. I am happy to hear that they are all safe. I will keep them in my prayers.

Brian -thanks for the information. I have never been to Brian's training, but I see from many people on AR that he is a very influential person. I wanted to find out more about his training. I am glad they are safe.

I have had the opportunity to hear Brian speak many times. He is a wonderful, kind and giving man, he loves his family very much. I am sure together they will make it through this awful time. I will say extra prayers for him and his family.

Thanks for letting me know. I had not heard this. Brian has made a tremendous impact on my life. I am very sad for him. My thoughts and prayers are with him and all of those who have lost their lives, their homes and possessions in this devastating fire.

JOHN: These tragedies touch everyone whether we live near by or not. It surely is uplifting to hear those types of words from a young child. Thanks for reading and for keeping Californians in your prayers..

JASON: Thanks for your comments and for your prayers. I have never met Brian Buffini personally, but have seen many tapes of his programs and utilize some of his ideas and systems in my business.

Brian- I just had a long talk with my friend Casey Schaul. She works for Buffini. I don't have experience working with their company, but she and I worked together before and she couldn't be happier at the company. They opened their offices as a shelter and do a LOT for the community.

I'm proud of Buffini...he's built a great company and provides huge service. Our prayers are with him and his family.

OCT

2007

Brian - thanks for sharing - I can personally relate - our first year of marriage we bought a 3500 sq ft home in Pennsylvania and it was set on fire on Christmas day while we were are dinner with my parents an we lost everything - the best part was we only lost things the worst part was all my college memoribilia to baby pictures were all lost. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families effected.

Hi Brian: What a terrible thing to happen to Brian and his family. Thankfully, no one was injured. As a Buffini Certified Mentor myself, I have seen first hand the effect Brian and his wonderful programs have had on the success of so many people. I imagine that the Richmond Turning Point Retreat will be quite an event. The last Turning Point I attended was in Austin in 2004. He was, as usual, awesome. Thanks for sharing this with us. Take care...

Brian, this is horrible news. Makes it even worse when you find one of your own that has sustained such tragedy. May Brian B. and his family be blessed and safe from harms way. May all the victims of this devastation be safe and comforted with their losses. Thank you for sharing this horrific news and update. Adam and I were just discussing him and his seminars this evening!! Oh my!

Brian - Thank you for the information. It is funny but when we know someone or know of someone involved, the tragedy to strangers becomes more real. We have been reeling for several years from 9-11 to Katrina to the wild fires. The outpouring of support continues to reaffirm the fact that we are one nation.

BTW- your style is like Reagan's. I don't always agree but always feel better after reading.

Brian-That is so awful. I'm sorry for him and his family that they lost their home. I will definitely keep him and all the other families who are being affected by the fires, close my heart and often in my prayers.

FAINA: Thanks for your comments. I haven't been live to Brian Buffini, but have been influenced by his 100 Days to Greatness program which I've seen through my office on the RE/MAX Satellite Network. He is a great teacher and mentor. I am glad his family is safe too.

ANNMARIE: Thanks for your comments. Brian Buffini is very well-respected in the Realtor community and someone who I am sure will weather this crisis and continue to achieve and inspire.

Brian, I've never been a Buffini agent, but who hasn't heard of him? In fact, I believe he was one of the main speakers at this year's RE/MAX Convention. 'Hate to hear of anyone losing their home, but it has a greater impact when you know or know of someone specific like this. Thanks for letting us know about this.

BRIAN: Since I don't really know anyone in San Diego, the only thing that has been on my mind for the immediate area is Buffini's headquarters, and his staff. I'm saddened to hear that Brian's home was lost in the fires. He has a great family and I know that he will use this as a way to strengthen his resolve. My thoughts and prayers go out to him, his family and his staff and their loved ones.

GINGER: I know that you were recently at The Turning Point Retreat and know that Brian had a big impact on you. It is devastating what these fires have done to so many families in Southern California. It touches us all.

We will be keeping Brian and his family as well as all of the familes in California in our thoughts and prayers.

Brian,

Thank you for the post, it is well done. We in the Clubnet Community will be attending more events, and hope all of you will to. Brian Buffini thrives on helping others, so now, attending his events will empower him like never before. All of the company events impact lives of people, of all professions. Thank you for getting the word out about the TP in Richmond! In this market, the best place for a Realtor or Banker, to be attending, is a Buffini Turning Point!

It's still a Good Life

Brian, his family and all the people effected by this tragedy are in our prayers!

Okay everybody....what we need to do for Brian & Company is refer our colleagues and associates to attend Buffini workshops and Turning Point retreats this season. As he said in his letter, he will be at next week's Turning Point in Richmond Virginia, and there will be events in Denver, Phoenix, Toronto, Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando and Sacramento before the end of the year. Check out the complete schedule here. I will be going to the event in Sacramento and taking at least one new colleague (but trying for at least two). He is soldiering on, and I look forward to supporting him the way he and his company have supported me and my career.

As Brian said in his letter, despite the fires and tragedy, it is STILL a good life!

Thanks for the support, comments, prayers, and thoughts.

I have a picture of Brian's house, after the burn that we would like to add to this blog. How do I do that?

JOEY: Thanks for your comments. What a great thing to do for the community, opening up the office as a shelter. Buffini's organization is a definite class act!

CYNDEE: Thanks for your comments. The important thing is that you didn't lose your lives. Luckily most material things can be replaced. Of course there are sentimental objects with extreme personal value that are irreplaceable, but the only things that cannot be replaced are your health, safety and your life. Us human beings are such adaptable and resilient creatures that with a good attitude we can overcome the obstacles that life sometimes throws at us.

KAREN ANNE: I appreciate your comments and your well-wishes for Brian Buffini. There seem to be a lot of people from my brokerage who plan to go, especially after getting this news last night. Although I can't attend on Thursday, I might see about going down just for one day on Friday.

CANDACE: Thanks for your comments and your prayers for Brian Buffini and everyone else who is suffering great losses in California. As soon as I heard the news from my broker, I wanted to spread it to the Active Rain community because I know that Brian means so much to many of us.

JOHN: Thanks for your comments. It has been a tough few years here in the U.S. with all the disasters including 9/11, Katrina, these fires, and who can forget the other hurricanes which hit Florida... Not to mention the massive tsunami a few years ago in Southeast Asia!

Thanks for comparing me to the Great Communicator! I'm flattered.

JULIE: Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

MARGARET: Thanks for your comments. Like you said, who hasn't heard of Brian w/i the real estate community. I'm sure there will be a great outpouring of support and I hope that my post adds to it in a little way.

ADAM: Thanks for your comments. I know that you are a big advocate of Brian Buffini's systems. I know that Brian, his family, and his organization appreciate all the support of the Realtor community.

JESSICA: Thanks for offering your prayers.

FRANCES: It was my pleasure to spread the word. I agree -- It's still a Good Life.

SHERRY: Thanks for stopping by and offering your thoughts and prayers.

MARY: I agree. Thanks for posting the link to the Buffini seminar schedule. I'm sure that agents will be turning out in droves.

I will post the photo, I monitor our Buffini Family Blog. Just send it to my email. Thanks Rebecca;)

It's still a Good Life!

Fran Rokicki, Clubnet~Mentor

REBECCA: Thank you very much for e-mailing me the tragic photo of Brian Buffini's home in the aftermath of the fires. How devastating! Thanks for all that you and everyone else at the Buffini organization does every day to help in the success of thousands of Realtors around the country. Our thoughts are definitely with you during this difficult period.

FRAN: The photo is posted now on the blog. You can copy and paste from here.

okay. I am not good at the copy paste thing. One of our Coach's lost their home, also. Thanks for your help. I hope you do get to hear Brian on Friday! It will be an event to give lots of hugs to our Coaches and Staff, too.

I received Brian's email today regarding the fire. I just saw the pictures and it's tragic. Fortunately, his family is safe. It's certainly a reminder that we're all human. Good and bad things happen to us all. I'm sure Brian will be even more inspiring next week.

It's truly important to remember it's a good life. Sometimes, it sucks...sometimes it's great but it's always a good life!!

Brian thanks for posting this, Brian is awesome.

FRAN: Thanks. I'm going to see if I can make it next Friday.

NANCY: Thanks for your comments about this tragic occurrence! I was happy to hear that the Buffini family was safe.

MISSY: Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

in receiving the email from Buffini and reading what his son Adam said- Says it all!

from his email: Quote: my little eight-year-old Adam said it best: "I don't feel sad, Daddy. I am with my family, what more do I need?

well he is right!

Life Is good and God is great and material things can always be replaced

I also wish my coach Diane the best..

Good to hear Brian and his family are safe.....the house can be replaced, but people cannot. they have found some dead bodies in some of the homes that were burned.....so there is always something to be grateful for.

OCT

2007

Thanks for information. I truly admire Brian Buffini and wish him and his family the best!

We have a prayer post called "Pray for California" We have gathered to pray. Thanks for the share.

PATTIE: Thanks for your comments.

KATHY: Thanks for your comments. You are certainly right. These natural disasters can be very scary and it is great to see the outpouring of support during these trying times.

WESLEY: Thanks for stopping by and commenting and for your well-wishes for Brian.

DIANE: Thanks for praying for California. The prayers are deeply needed.

OCT

2007

I heard about this on Friday. Its funny but this trully is such a small Planet. Here is a guy that I only met once and really showed me a great way to run a business. When I heard this, I felt bad for him and all the others who had their house in the path of destruction. Thanks for posting this.

All the people effected by this tragedy are in our prayers

GARY: Thanks for your comments. I'm glad to hear that Brian Buffini had an influence on your life and business.

KEN: Thanks for adding your prayers.

Show your support! The only thing he asks is that you come to a Turning Point, they are posted on Google and here on the Rain on our Buffini Clubnet Group Blog. Brian wants to focus on helping us, so, in this market, this is your best bet! They are held every month in a different part of the country, all year! Please try to find the time and go! Our community of members will encourage folks we know and if all of you would pass the word to your offices and bankers in your area, we could fill that room! If you have any questions, we have clubnet members and staff standing by willing to help you, just let us know which one you can attend.

It's Still a Good Life!

Fran Rokicki, Clubnet~Mentor

NOV

2007

I am visiting Palm Springs in Southern California and thankfully, the fires have settled down a bit! But, it is still dry and warm- you never know when the next fire is going to start!

RICK: I'm glad that the fires have settled down a bit. Scary stuff for sure. Thanks for commenting.

I heard the information from an email from one of my managers. This was the first time I have seen pictures and it really brings it closer to you when you know of someone that this tragedy has affected. I hope he has a wonderful turnout for his turning point. Our prayers are with him and all that are suffering.

MICHELE: Thanks for your comments. I think he will have a great turnout for his Turning Point Retreats. Unfortunately I could not attend due to other obligations. However, a good number of people from my office decided to go, especially after learning of the news. And my post inspired at least one Active Rainer that I know of to attend the Richmond event today.

NOV

2007

We have learned a lot from Brian's "100 Days". We knew the fires were big but when you know of someone who was affected by them they just seem even bigger!! We will keep him and his family in our prayers!!

RICK & LYNN: Thanks for your comments. The "100 Days" program is excellent and is offered at my brokerage. Thanks for your adding your prayers.

MAR

2008

I just saw Brian speak in Monterey. He has handled the fire situation so wonderfully. He smiles and tells us about it now. It definately was sad, but this man can handle anything thrown his way.

MAR

2008

ANITA: I'm glad to hear the Brian is doing well and recovering from his house burning down. Thanks for the update.

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