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Giving, in a big way!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX of Naperville

Remembering those that give...  

 

I've been to New Orleans many times...

 

This time was different... the city was still reeling from Katrina and fighting to come back... they were glad we (NAR) were there, but it was different than before.

 

I've had cause to reflect on this as a Naperville custom home builder  has just recently sold the "Katrina" house. Last Year Doug Overstreet, pledged all of the projected profits from this house, and asked his suppliers if they wanted to participate (no pressure). Then he pledged $10,000 from each additional sale that year.

 

But he didn't wait for the money to come in... he projected the profits and wrote the check. A check for $173,000 to the American Red Cross... no small sum for a small family run company.

 

 

So, here it is a year later, the home sold for a bit less than hoped and took a bit longer to sell than expected, so while there were some additional costs involved... there was never anything said about it. I personally want to thank Doug and Overstreet Builders for taking the initiative and getting involved. Doug is never cowed in the face of his convictions, never afraid to step out.... he's a pleasure to work with. The Overstreets are always active in their community... two years ago my wife Lisa and I were fortunate enough to attend a concert at his home to raise money for mission work in Honduras.

So if you are looking for a great luxury or custom home in the western suburbs of Chicago ... he's the man to call..  

Kristal Kraft
Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO
Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

Moo ~ that is a very impressive contribution. Your builder is a fine example of a human being!

kk

Dec 16, 2006 04:01 PM
Gary Schmitz
USRED - Brentwood, CA
US Real Estate Directory
I love to hear great things like this !!! It's nice to know that there are people like this still out there.
Dec 16, 2006 04:04 PM
Angus in Naperville IL
RE/MAX of Naperville - Naperville, IL
Kristal & Gary - Thanks for the comments. Yes, he is a good guy with focus and a vision.  
Dec 16, 2006 04:14 PM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO
Angus, outside of Gary Crosswhite from Missouri I am not aware of any other Rainers who are home builders and people were talking the other day about getting good home builders on here. He sounds like a fabulous human being and I'd love to see you invite him. This is the kind of story that SHOULD get media attention. It's what professionals in real estate really do!
Dec 16, 2006 04:26 PM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
I love people like this that give so generously and genuinely back to the community. Who did the concert at his home? And what kind of mission work in Honduras? Just curious....
Dec 16, 2006 09:57 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Your homebuilder found a great way to contribute to New Orleans through his profession, building a home. It's always a reinforcement if you can emphasize your industry as well as contribute.
Dec 16, 2006 10:08 PM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
Angus, did you catch my Moo?
Dec 16, 2006 10:52 PM
Angus in Naperville IL
RE/MAX of Naperville - Naperville, IL

Carole - Overstreet Builders is here, Libby (sales manager) will, on ocassion... lurk.

Rich - He has a beautiful piece of land in the country, they had a popular Christian Rock band and organized it through their church. It was quite a shindig!

Sharon - He did and he did it quickly and decisively

Chris - I did! It took me a while to stop laughing... I loved the topless picture of you with the cow

Dec 17, 2006 02:58 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Moo - do you remember the name of the band?

Dec 17, 2006 03:01 AM
Angus in Naperville IL
RE/MAX of Naperville - Naperville, IL

Rich, I will try to remember... or find out.

 

Dec 17, 2006 09:23 AM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO
Thanks Angus you have been helping this post reading challenged gal all weekend lol And of course you invited them! You Rock.
Dec 17, 2006 02:44 PM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699
Angus, haven't talked to you in too long! Great post. Love to hear that human kind is still out there and going strong. Read your meme. Brought up some good info on you! Have a wonderful holiday. I'm going to go pick up some lost cows in Hawaii for you.Angus Missing Cow
Dec 18, 2006 04:25 AM
Gabriel Silverstein
Angelic Real Estate, LLC - New York, NY
SIOR
What goes around comes around - and I hope it does well for this guy.  That is a bold (and admirable) step!
Dec 18, 2006 12:54 PM
Angus in Naperville IL
RE/MAX of Naperville - Naperville, IL

Carole - Overstreet is the only custom home builder that I have ever represented. (I did finish off a subdivision (twice) for Bigelow Builders years ago) We've been working together for 4 years, it's a nice relationship and one that I can feel good about. The donation thing was great, I had already made several donations through the Red Cross and NAR and Libby told me that I didn't need to worry about this one, but I wanted to participate in my own small way. Glad that I did.

Gena - You rock! Next time you spot my cow, please send him home.

Gabriel - I believe that charity and community is an integral part of his life and business. The family has been building since 1961

 

Dec 19, 2006 01:52 AM
John Hruska
Homes Charlotte, LLC - Charlotte, NC

Angus,

It's great to read stories like that.  Thanks for the post.

Dec 19, 2006 05:45 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
Angus.... yes, I agree. This is an awesome story.  He does seem like not only a great builder, but a great person....  thanks for sharing.,
Dec 19, 2006 01:06 PM
S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL
United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL
Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist
Angus - thanks for sharing this with us.  It truly is heartwarming to know that there are companies out there that do the right thing and help out however they can, especially for great causes both within as well as outside their communities.
Dec 19, 2006 06:47 PM
Angus in Naperville IL
RE/MAX of Naperville - Naperville, IL
John, Jeff and Leanne - Thank you for your comments! This was a pretty low profile thing, but when you see other people doing these things it makes you take a good look in the mirror as well. So perhaps the influence reaches even farther.
Dec 20, 2006 03:03 PM
Roberta Lee
Century 21 Olde Tyme - Norco, CA
Norco Corona Riversid Homes For Sale

I'm always amazed at how the best in people come out at the worst of times.  Good go.  It makes me proud to be a Realtor and part of the building industry.

Roberta Lee

Century 21 Olde Tyme

Norco, CA

Dec 26, 2006 03:54 PM
Angus in Naperville IL
RE/MAX of Naperville - Naperville, IL

Thanks for the comment Roberta, I concur!

Happy New Year!

 

Dec 28, 2006 01:39 AM