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Yes, I Admit it...I am a Newbie!!!

By Deena Kitchen

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Lake Country

April 21, 2011 06:09 AM

Not only am I a newbie to AR, but to Real Estate also. Hello everyone! My name is Deena Kitchen. I am a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Lake Country in Camdenton, MO...AKA Lake of the Ozarks and love it!

I was a teacher for 14 years and last Spring at this time I decided to leave my teaching position and go into real estate. I got my license in July and started with Coldwell Banker in August. My passion for teaching and learning still burn strong within me. This is how I found AR. I have been visiting here for months and reading blogs because I learn so much from the people who write them.

I believe in the power of surrounding yourself with people you want to be like...so here I am. I look forward to getting to know all of you, learning from you and maybe, just maybe someday I can help others in this field.

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Susan Brown

Fonville Morisey, a Long and Foster Company - Cary, NC

REALTOR - Cary NC Homes for Sale

Hi Deena...from one newbie to another, welcome! Everyone here is extremely nice and helpful so soak up everything you can! You've done very well in business for only eight months and no real SOI to call on! Congrats!

Apr 21, 2011 02:48 PM

Deena Kitchen

Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Camdenton, MO

Thank you Susan, I appreciate your encouraging words. I see you are a musician. My musical talent is singing. I love country and classic rock. My husband (a drummer) and I have decided to start up a band again since our 4 children are out of the house now. It is wonderful to see that we both are affiliated with Coldwell Banker and love music=)

Apr 21, 2011 03:14 PM

Rosa Almond

Douglas Realty - Timonium, MD

E-PRO, SSC Short Sale Certified

Welcome aboard Deena!!! I'm new too!!! Good Luck!!

Apr 22, 2011 04:17 PM

Doug Anderson

Tucker Associates Real Estate Services - Danville, CA

Bay Area Real Estate Views

Deena welcome to AR and Real Estate in general. Best of luck here and in your new profession. A former life in teaching is an excellent launching point and with the last name of Kitchen I am sure you will succeed :)

Apr 22, 2011 06:38 PM

Deena Kitchen

Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Camdenton, MO

Rosa, I am glad to meet another newbie and a CB affiliate=)

Doug, Thank you! I truly appreciate your comment.

Apr 23, 2011 09:17 AM

Yolanda Hoversten

Self Employed - O'Fallon, IL

Referrals for O’Fallon, IL & the Metro East

Hi, Deena! Everybody starts out as a Newbie... you will be teaching others before you know it. Welcome to ActiveRain!

Apr 25, 2011 04:11 PM

Deena Kitchen

Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Camdenton, MO

Thank you Yolanda, I hope so...FYI, I was born in raised in Rock Island, Illinois. Live there til I was 27=)

Apr 26, 2011 06:59 AM

Amy Hahn

Pine Knoll Shores Realty - Morehead City, NC

Realtor/Broker - Crystal Coast, NC

Welcome Deena....I have found that most of us (Realtors) had a "Previous" life. I was a veterinary nurse prior to RE and Love being a REALTOR. Welcome to Activerain, and please feel free to call or email if you have any questions about this Fabulous Platform!

Apr 27, 2011 09:16 AM

Jon Cagle

Senior Loan Officer at US Bank Home Mortgage - Eugene, OR

Lane County Oregon - Direct FHA, VA, USDA Lender

Deena, welcome to the AR family! Take all the online classes you can and have a blast. You will meet lots of awesome and helpful people here.

Apr 27, 2011 11:53 AM

TERI LINDSAY

Reno, NV

STAGELIGHT HOME STAGING CO.

Hi Deena! Have you looked at the AR "The Manual"? It's really helpful, and what I really liked about it was the intro to the "founding Fathers" of AR. Since you are relatively new to RE, I pose a quick question..... do you use house staging to present your listings? Curious....

Apr 27, 2011 04:55 PM

Deena Kitchen

Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Camdenton, MO

Amy--Thank you for offering your support and guidance...I have found everyone here on AR so far to be very friendly and helpful.

Jon--Thanks for the advice. I attended 2 webinars just last week and you're right...they are so helpful. I actually understand how to add pictures and links now;)

Teri--Actually I only have two listings. One is owner occupied and the other is vacant, but furnished. I have been curious about the whole staging thing and you look like the person who could help me;) Thank you for posting a response.

Apr 28, 2011 06:50 AM

Yolanda Hoversten

Self Employed - O'Fallon, IL

Referrals for O’Fallon, IL & the Metro East

Deena, I thought I'd peek again here. :) We're almost neighbors! If you need any help, just ask... I have a few tricks up my sleeve. ;)

Apr 28, 2011 03:18 PM

TERI LINDSAY

Reno, NV

STAGELIGHT HOME STAGING CO.

Hi Deena.... is the "owner occuppied " house showing well? Were you able to get great photos for marketing?

Apr 28, 2011 06:04 PM

Deena Kitchen

Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Camdenton, MO

Yolanda~Thanks for taking another peek... I will remember you when I need a few tricks=)

Teri~ For a newbie I believe my photos turned out pretty well. Lucky for me the owners are immaculate=) (lights on toilet seat down) The market is very slow here at the Lake. This particular listing has only had 4 showings and all the agents told me that it did show well. I have expressed my opinion of the listing price being too high with the sellers but I can't seem to get them to budge...even after showing them their competition.

Apr 29, 2011 08:49 AM

Billi Evans

Murney Associates - Springfield, MO

Deena, blink your eyes and you won't be a newbie. It goes that fast. Being from the Springfield area, we are neighbors in Active Rain terms. My Dad lives at Osage. Did you teach at Camdentom? My brother and sister went to high school there. Anyway, welcome.

Apr 30, 2011 06:40 PM

Deena Kitchen

Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Camdenton, MO

Hi Billi! So glad to meet a neighbor=) I did not teach in Camdenton. I taught in Waynesville when we were stationed at Fort Leonard Wood. I spent last year traveling the United States teaching teachers. I really enjoyed that, but decided to take time off the road. As far as time flying, you are so right. It has been 9 months for me now...curious...how long can one call themselves a newbie in real estate=)???

Thank you for introducing yourself and I look forward to getting to know you here on the AR platform.

May 01, 2011 08:24 AM

Olga Diaz

COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON - Pullman, WA

Potter, Mng Broker, CRS, ASP, ePRO, ABR

Deena! Congratulations to you and welcome! You will enjoy AR and I hope you love REAL ESTATE! Wishing you the best!

May 02, 2011 05:58 AM

Deena Kitchen

Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Camdenton, MO

Thank you Olga=)

May 02, 2011 09:07 AM

Elisa Uribe Realtor #01427070