Hands in, gang! We are racing to the end of 2016, and for many of us it has been a blessed and abundant year. Individuals in our industry know just how much work goes into finding success.
This time of year, we pause to appreciate all we have, and where we came from. We reached out via email and on Inman Coast to Coast to see what the top of our crop is thankful for this year.
Charlie Young, Coldwell Banker
“I’m thankful for the all those that serve our country and for those that work so hard every day to make the lives of our neighbors better. I’m thankful for the great agents, managers and brokers of the Coldwell Banker network for delivering on the promise of home to the communities they serve all year long.
“And, most of all, I’m thankful for my family.”
John Davis, president, Keller Williams
“I’m thankful for the incredible opportunity to help people fund their lives so they can create opportunities for their families.”
Philip White, president and CEO, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates
“I am thankful to have an incredible team at Sotheby’s International Realty. We have built a very strong, sustainable, global company during our time together. Every day I am amazed at the breadth, passion and commitment of our global staff. I am truly grateful for them all and honored to be part of this journey.”
Sue Yannaccone, president and CEO of ERA Real Estate
“I have so much, and so many people, to be thankful for this year — 2016 has been a year of change and transition with my new role as ERA Real Estate’s president and CEO, and it wouldn’t have been as successful as it has been without the help of the wonderful people who surround me every day.
“First and foremost, my family. Without their constant support and guidance I wouldn’t be where I am today. And, the entire ERA real estate team. We are brimming with talented professionals dedicated to helping our collective network — from leadership to brokers to homeowners — continue to thrive, and I appreciate them immensely.
“Thanksgiving is also a time of year when I reflect on how lucky I’ve been to have a group of trusted mentors through the years, all of whom have been instrumental to my growth, and I am grateful for that. Finally, I am so very thankful for the wonderful opportunities I have been fortunate enough to have throughout my career, and I look forward to the future with great excitement and gratitude.
Chris Heller, CEO, Keller Williams
“These are exciting times in real estate. I’m really grateful to be part of this profession when so much innovation is happening to help agents and consumers.”
Next, we asked the same question in the Inman Coast to Coast Facebook group, and again with grace and humor some of the brightest talents in our industry shared their personal blessings, triumphs, hearts and minds
Lee Davenport, coach, Agents Around Atlanta
“The relationships that were strengthened and formed this year. I count it a privilege to make friends in and outside of real estate through the nation. Here’s to continued friendships in 2017!”
Cheryl Spangler, principle broker/co-owner, FORBZ Real Estate Group
“Thankful for family! The ability to spend time with them, vacation with them, help them and be there when they need me. And this year, real estate has once again proven the best career choice I have ever made because it always provides in new ways.”
“I am thankful for stories and the people who trust us to tell them.” – Amber Taufen, editor, Inman
Deidre Woollard, head of communications, Partners Trust
“I’m thankful for email. We all complain about our flooded inboxes with spam and junk mail, but email is also where good news (and bad too) comes in, where friends old and new start to connect and where, no matter where I am, my world is with me.”
Becky Boomsma, marketing director, Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
“Freedom, opportunity, family and friends — all treasures that I value daily.”
Billy Ekofo, director, Century 21 Redwood Realty
“I am thankful for just the awareness to be thankful.”
Elaine Dixon Hanson, associate partner/Realtor, Partners Trust Malibu
“I’m thankful for both the professional and the personal support I receive from both my fantastic brokerage at home and from my professional colleagues across the nation. I’m grateful to have had a chance to meet so many wonderful people through my involvement with Inman and its resources. So many of these colleagues are personal friends, now!”
“I am thankful for love — the love of people, life, experiences, my career, family, etc. Leading with love first.” – Debbie Biery, expansion ambassador, eXp Realty
Shannon Harrington, associate, Re/Max Advantage
“My daily ritual of making at least one gratitude list consistently for 15 years and passing this habit on to my amazing 21-year-old son. Daily gratitude changes everything. My husband. My team. Roller skates, My brand new drum-set.”
Jas Jagpal, broker, Re/Max Dynasty Realty Inc.
“Always feeling gratitude and not taking things personally — knowing that each and every one of us has a story that made us who we are.”
Bobby Bryant, founder/president/CEO, ask DOSS
“I’m thankful that I’ve stayed prepared and was able to see an opportunity when it presented itself because of that preparation. It’s an awesome time to be an American and a real estate practitioner!”
The common theme amidst all of these posts: love, light and the support of a strong network of friends and family.
We all have traditions that make this holiday special. A favorite dish that only you know how to make; perhaps it’s running a 5K turkey trot, or maybe it’s listening to Alice’s Restaurant on the radio at noon as you wind down a country road on the way to your family meal.
However you are celebrating this year, make sure to give thanks for all you have and the freedom to have it.
I am reminded of a quote this time of year:
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” – Henry David Thoreau
Happy Thanksgiving!
Please share what you are thankful for below. Our reader’s comments will be the whipped cream to the pumpkin pie of this article.
By day, Rachael Hite helps agents develop their business. By night, she’s tweeting for listingdepot.com.