Hi RainMakers~
I was just reading my new June issue of REALTOR magazine ... and was intrigued by the 10th anniversary issue for "30 Under 30". Fascinating bios of some of the best Realtors in the country- young, passionate people giving a new face to today's real estate. Great minds: inspired, passionate, creative.
And then I thought, If this "30 under 30" is great, then there must be "50 over 50" who are golden. We've been the faces of real estate for the past 25 to 35 years. Also great minds: Dedicated, resilient, flexible, adaptable. We must be all that & more, if we've survived the cycles of our markets in the past quarter of a century.
Undoubtably, both groups are visionaries and will work together to help all our future clients. But, I can't help wondering...Who would the Realtor magazine feature if they were to do a follow up article called "50 Over 50" ?
Hello "RainMakers"... I'm new to Active Rain... so let's see if there's any Rain in this Cloud?? (Pun intended)
When I started selling real estate 28 years ago, we didn't have a computer system. Anyone else out there that remembers "The Book" that was printed monthly? Then we evolved to the bi-monthly printed book that contained all of the available homes for sale.
Then came the radical idea of computerized data... on the DOS system. How fun was that? When updated windows based computers saw the beginnings of web-sites, some Realtors were skeptical about whether an online presence was really necessary. And email... who would need that, when we could just talk on the phone or leave voice mail messages? Then suddenly, email became obsolete, as social media forms of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others replaced the way we communicated.
This past week I attended an all day workshop on "Cloud Computing". Imagine a time when all operating systems are compatible to all computers and all information is readily accessible in a public or private cloud. The next 10 years will show massive leaps forward in how we do business locally & globally. The "Cloud" will be where we store, manipulate, and share data.
There's no question that the technical aspects of business is rapidly changing. The question now becomes... Will the real estate community embrace the next big change? Will we merge our local Grand Rapids, MI MLS data with other local MLS systems, evolving to state sytems, a national system? How will we store our data in the future? Who will have access to it? Is the real estate community positioning itself to be a global presence?
Cloud Computing photo courtesy of mansikka on flickr
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Residential Real Estate Broker in Grand Rapids, MI serving greater Grand Rapids, Heritage Hill, Eastown, East Grand Rapids, Cascade, Ada, Grandville, Wyoming, Rockford, Kent & Ottawa Counties
EXPERIENCE
PERSONAL INTERESTS
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 
Each year I strive to do my part to make our planet a better place than it was a year ago. I believe we all need to be involved in our communities, helping to effect positive changes in the environments around us. I believe that "Giving back to our Community" is not only helpful for those around us, but it also helps to promote balance within our own lives...mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
Issues that have been important to me, and those of which I am currently involved or have been actively involved in the recent past, include: HOUSING ISSUES...working with the homeless, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, working with Fair Housing committees to help eliminate discrimination in housing, and serving on various committees for the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES...Sustainable Living has become increasingly important to me. I am involved in locally grown, organic food co-ops and Community Sponsored Agriculure (CSA). Supporting locally owned businesses, as well as global businesses that strive to be less destructive to the Earth and it's people is important to me.
YOUTH...Working with our youth is a passion for me. I have enjoyed my time with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade girls in the local school system as their "Brownie Girl Scout" leader, and also my work with 4th & 5th grade girls as their "Junior Girl Scout" leader. Most recently I was working with middle school girls as their "Cadette Girl Scout" leader. THE GREATER COMMUNITY...Volunteering at Hospice and helping the terminally ill with holistic health practices; Volunteering at Frederik Meijer Gardens, local botanical gardens.
SERVICES FOR BUYERS
I have worked extensively with the first time buyer market, and welcome the chance to help you locate your first home.
I have worked with many investors to find appropriate investment properties and purchase them with 1031 Exchange or inside Self Directed IRAs to save money and avoid capital gains tax. I look forward to helping you with the same.
I have successfully worked with many relocation clients, helping them find the exact requirements their family desired.
I also have extensive experience with the closing of short sales and foreclosure purchases.
SERVICES FOR SELLERS
I have successfully negotiated short sale transactions and hold the SFR (Short Sale & Forclosure Resources) National Certificate.
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