After completing 20 years of service in the United States Navy, I originally had plans to complete my master degree and teach at some middle or high school in the Island/Skagit county area.
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Back in 1993, Just before retirement, As a Senior Chief Petty Officer, I was assigned as the Quality Assurance Supervisor (QAS) with the Scorpions of VAQ-132. All the men in my division were senior Petty Officer which is a requirement for a Quality Assurance Representative (QAR) for their area of expertise; primarily responsible to inspect “safety of flight” work that they lower level Collateral Duty Inspectors (CDI) were not allowed inspecting. For click here for more of my bio
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Anyway, the squadron was just back from a Mediterranean deployment onboard the USS Saratoga and several some these men were in the process of purchasing a home. I was called several times by these men asking me questions and advise during their home purchase. After one of those times, my wife asked me why don’t I become a real estate agent and make some extra money while going to school.
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I never really thought about it and really did not have an idea as to where to start, so I looked in the phone book and found a company that had a “real estate school.” I then decided to call and get some information.
The real estate company I called was Realty World McDowell and Company. I spoke to John, the “trainer” which was the brother of Elaine, the Broker/Owner of the company. He recommended I come down and chat with him to get some information to determine if I really want to get into this profession.
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When I met with John, he informed of the approximate cost to get licensed and start working as a Realtor® in their office. I thought all real estate agents were Realtors®, but I found out that to be a Realtor® , one must belong to a local Realtor® Association so you can be a member of the Washington State Association of Realtors® (WAR) so you can be a member of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). So to be a Realtor®, I have to pay dues to all three associations. With all the education and my positive experiences with the all the associations, the dues are well worth it.
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So why become a Realtor®? The reason most major franchises require that their offices become Realtor® offices, which require all agents in that office to become a Realtor® is that they are required to more educated in the real estate professional and abide by the Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of NAR. We maintain a standard that is much higher than required by the real estate licensing laws of Washington State.
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The local association at the time was the Whidbey Island North Association of Realtors® (WINAR). Also at that time, we had to subscribe to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) owned by our sister association, the Skagit County Association of Realtors® (SCAR). The year after getting my license, WINAR established the North Whidbey Multiple Listing Service. Eventually, the associations merged forming the current North Puget Sound Association of Realtors® (NPSAR) and joined the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) which serves almost all, if not all, Real Estate Brokers in Western Washington.
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So there I was, licensed on October 3, 1993 and on “terminal leave” with the US Navy (still getting active duty pay until February 1, 1994) learning how to become a Realtor®.
Jimbo… really great hearing form you; albeit this blog. I hope you, Ann and the girls are doing well down there in hte land of steers and …
I just love your blog. Keep it up.
March 2, 2008 at 10:52 am
After much thought I thought I’ll create a real estate blog that most should find interesting; add maybe informative.
March 2, 2008 at 11:10 am
After completing 20 years of service in the United States Navy, I originally had plans to complete my master degree and teach at some middle or high school in the Island/Skagit county area.
*
Back in 1993, Just before retirement, As a Senior Chief Petty Officer, I was assigned as the Quality Assurance Supervisor (QAS) with the Scorpions of VAQ-132. All the men in my division were senior Petty Officer which is a requirement for a Quality Assurance Representative (QAR) for their area of expertise; primarily responsible to inspect “safety of flight” work that they lower level Collateral Duty Inspectors (CDI) were not allowed inspecting.
For click here for more of my bio
*
Anyway, the squadron was just back from a Mediterranean deployment onboard the USS Saratoga and several some these men were in the process of purchasing a home. I was called several times by these men asking me questions and advise during their home purchase. After one of those times, my wife asked me why don’t I become a real estate agent and make some extra money while going to school.
*
I never really thought about it and really did not have an idea as to where to start, so I looked in the phone book and found a company that had a “real estate school.” I then decided to call and get some information.
March 2, 2008 at 11:55 am
The real estate company I called was Realty World McDowell and Company. I spoke to John, the “trainer” which was the brother of Elaine, the Broker/Owner of the company. He recommended I come down and chat with him to get some information to determine if I really want to get into this profession.
*
When I met with John, he informed of the approximate cost to get licensed and start working as a Realtor® in their office. I thought all real estate agents were Realtors®, but I found out that to be a Realtor® , one must belong to a local Realtor® Association so you can be a member of the Washington State Association of Realtors® (WAR) so you can be a member of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). So to be a Realtor®, I have to pay dues to all three associations. With all the education and my positive experiences with the all the associations, the dues are well worth it.
*
So why become a Realtor®? The reason most major franchises require that their offices become Realtor® offices, which require all agents in that office to become a Realtor® is that they are required to more educated in the real estate professional and abide by the Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of NAR. We maintain a standard that is much higher than required by the real estate licensing laws of Washington State.
*
The local association at the time was the Whidbey Island North Association of Realtors® (WINAR). Also at that time, we had to subscribe to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) owned by our sister association, the Skagit County Association of Realtors® (SCAR). The year after getting my license, WINAR established the North Whidbey Multiple Listing Service. Eventually, the associations merged forming the current North Puget Sound Association of Realtors® (NPSAR) and joined the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) which serves almost all, if not all, Real Estate Brokers in Western Washington.
*
So there I was, licensed on October 3, 1993 and on “terminal leave” with the US Navy (still getting active duty pay until February 1, 1994) learning how to become a Realtor®.
May 13, 2009 at 6:37 am
hehehehe… Let’s see how long it takes you, Pete, to see this!
Hope all is well, my friend. Starting to get HOT here in Texas!
May 13, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Jimbo… really great hearing form you; albeit this blog. I hope you, Ann and the girls are doing well down there in hte land of steers and …
I just love your blog. Keep it up.