Abbotsford, BC

With the ringing in of the New Year, I'm sure many of you are questioning, as am I ~ Why do I do what I do? Why do I sell Real Estate? And with the recent passing of my father in law, I find myself reflecting on my own father's passing only three years ago, and thus thinking about my Big Why. The Big Why that has unfolded and revealed itself to me over the past three years. The reason I get up every morning and face each day with the utmost optimism and enthusiasm. And the reason, that without my involvement with a company such as Keller Williams, I'm not sure would have been as clear to me.

Years ago when my father and mentor died in my arms suddenly, I couldn't necessarily put a finger on what I was filled with, it was something that was so overwhelming for me I couldn't speak it.

BUT... I can tell you what it wasn't.

It wasn't the need to satisfy my every whim, the need to get more stuff and fill the house & garage with toys & trinkets... they're so nice and new and shiny... and great to have, but they aren't the reason WHY ~ Surely not.

My father's passing was in November 2005 and my father in law passed away this New Year's day, and while goal planning we were asked to make a dream book. The coach suggested we cut out pictures of what we wanted, and paste them to our dream poster! The thought of spending even a moment of my day... when I could hug my child... or call a potential client even... to connect with someone. But to spend it cutting out a picture of a car or a boat... ugh. There's got to be more...

As more days were placed between my father's funeral and my present day... I begin to realise that the overwhelming feeling I was FILLED with was the deepest desire to leave a LEGACY, a legacy for my family, for my friends, hopefully for my colleagues and for individuals I've met even for just a moment.

We don't need a dream poster filled with cars and boats, cruises and spa retreats. By all means if you have a beautiful poster such as this... keep it, but when you get all of that, you will still want something more. That can not be as good as it gets. If there was a picture of a person truly filled with joy, it most likely is a person who has given something dear to them.

I know my father would be proud and truly joyous, as he has given so very much. I think as an adult to learn from your parent in life and in business, is such an amazing blessing. I have no choice but to do the same.

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well travelled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

I'm absolutely thrilled that Katie has just posted her first two Posts on her new Active Rain Blog! - Please take a look and say Hi........When I first accepted the position of Team Leader and Managing Broker and this Keller Williams Office............Katie was the first one to phone me and Welcome me....and for that alone she'll always hold a special place in my heart! :-)...Her vivacious and bubbly personality.....and go getter attitude..........not to mention being a 'recruiter and realtor extrordinaire'.......makes her a stellar part of our Keller Williams Family...!

Real Estate has always been a part of Katie's life. Her father a long time resident .... Hank Van Nes, sold real estate in the Fraser Valley from 1989 until his passing in November 2005.

From Raspberry farm in Abbotsford to playing rugby in Vancouver for several years during high school and university Katie had a chance to experienced the best of both the country and city life. Chosen for regional & provincial rugby teams including Vancouver, Fraser Valley, BC Under 19, BC Senior Women's and CCSD (a Canadian development squad) it was clear her enthusiasm for the sport had no end and led her overseas to New Zealand to play rugby for Wellington and Wellington's NPC team.

You can see how with this background.......we're going to have some amazing posts to look forward to. I for one can hardly wait! :-)

So please Check out her......New to Active Rain! And all about her subdivision....The Pines at the Highlands :-)

Katie Van Nes

The Keller William Difference - Different by Design!

At Keller Williams Realty, we like to think we stand out from other real estate firms in many ways, but these areas in particular define Keller Williams Realty as an industry innovator and leader: Culture, Education, Profit Share and Technology.

We are a company built and shaped by talented, driven real estate professionals who know the value of having a great career, accomplished colleagues, work-life balance and a reputation for being the best in the business.

We focus on helping associates realize their fullest potential. You will find opportunities for growth, support for achieving your objectives and a true sense of family and belonging.

Your success is our goal.... Make today the day you begin the next fulfilling chapter in your life and career.

Mission: To build careers worth having, businesses worth owning and lives worth living! :-)

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in Chilliwack or the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you're considering a career in Real Estate or would like more information about Keller Williams please give Liz a call!

Liz Moras, Managing Broker and Team Leader for Keller Williams Valley Realty, Serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley and the Fraser Valley.

Call Liz at 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@shaw.ca. Be sure to check out Liz's blog at http://lizmoras.activerain.com.

As a newcomer to this terrific source of interaction, I would like to say Thank You.

What an amazing group of individuals! It is indeed a little intimidating... but Liz Moras our new Broker / Team Leader at Keller Williams Valley Realty promised it wouldn't hurt :)

I will be sure to visit the many posts on how to get started. Thanks again for this fantastic forum.

Happy New Year

Athough many have signed up recently from my new Keller Williams office Family - I believe that Michele is the first to post........not only ONE but THREE POSTS on her New Blog! This girl is a breath of fresh air everytime she walks into a room. A bundle of energy, a passion for life and truly faith-inspired individual.

In Michele's first year of real estate she quickly earned her way to the #2 spot in the Keller Williams Valley Realty office for July 2008...and in the top 10% in the Fraser Valley.

...she's set the stage on fire......! A Wow in Every Way - Michele grew up in the Fraser Valley, lived in the Pemberton Valley (north of Whistler) for 10 years before returning to the Langley/Abbotsford area.

Michele and husband Tom have 5 children who all live locally. She loves to sing, shop, decorate, travel and serve wherever she is needed. Michele comes from a diverse background in business and marketing.

!

Please Check out Michele's first posts and make her feel welcome! ...A Great Day

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

How do you sell real estate in snow??

Michele's love, care and commitment to her clients, her close attention to detail and procedure fosters trust, added to the exciting dimension of working with Brenda Evans (‘Your Infinity Team') results in lasting friendships and relationships. Double power brings double results!

What is KW Cares?

KW Cares provides hardship assistance to our associates and the communities where they live and work.

KW Cares is the brainchild of Keller Williams agents who had a dream to reach out and support fellow KW associates in times of need. Mo Anderson, vice chairman of Keller Williams Realty Inc., took this dream and brought it to fruition as a public charity - KW Cares.

Today, KW Cares is supported by all our associates across North America. It has truly become the heart of the Keller Williams culture in action - finding and serving the higher purpose of business through charitable giving in the market centers and communities where our associates live and work.

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in Chilliwack or the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you're considering a career in Real Estate or would like more information about Keller Williams please give Liz a call!

Call Liz Moras, Managing Broker and Team Leader for Keller Williams Valley Realty, Serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley and the Fraser Valley at 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@shaw.ca. Be sure to check out Liz's website www.lizmoras.com and blog at http://lizmoras.activerain.com.

Well here they are - the first group - of my amazing new Keller Williams Family! Its been a whirlwind couple of weeks.........It was only a month ago that I was offered the position of Team Leader and Managing Broker of Keller Williams Valley Realty in Abbotsford.

The first week I was sent to Austin, Texas to what we call FSO (Franchise Systems Operations)......a bootcamp or crash course on all about Keller Williams............it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Not only was I blown away by what I learned about the Company and one of the Founders - Gary Keller....but I fell in love with Austin.........You might have caught the two posts I did from Austin.....

Some Think its Wacky and Weird - Where am I? - Update - I'm in Austin, Texas

Austin City Limits - Part II - and an appearance by Jason Crouch!

And So This is the Promised Story - Me, A/R and My New beginning at Keller Williams!

Now I've officially been in the office for 2 weeks........and have been busy getting to know this amazing Team..............

These members of my office family just joined! Although I don't believe any of them have written a post yet - Please welcome and encourage them........I think we have enough to start our BC Keller Group........what do you think? :-)

Jennifer Lal Katie Van Nes

Michele Cartwright John Welsh - Our OP (Operating Principal)

Sarath Bandara Lana Derksen

Terry Chenier Milton Groening

Bonnie Lavallee Brenda Evans

Audrey Dulle

Ron Dulle

Bonnie Keith

Colleen Dahl

Jogginder Jouble

An "Aha" moment is one of those times in your life that all the pieces fall into place. A moment of clarity that enlightens and actually changes you. Please join and share in our New ....Aha group! :-)

"When the market shifts most people get confused and start believing that the floor is the ceiling when actually the ceiling is now the new floor. Our world and assuredly our markets are being built from the ground up and you can get in on the bottom floor and ride the next wave to the top. Forget about the past, the future is going to be controlled by those who see the opportunities that lie ahead and are rewriting the rules. You can either live in the past or break free to the future." Gary Keller

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you're considering a career in Real Estate or would like more information about Keller Williams please give Liz Moras a call! Managing Broker and Team Leader - 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@shaw.ca.