MEETING MINUTES
Friday, October 29, 2010
Volume 17; Issue 36

Member Spotlight
This week's spotlight is Janice Jaicks.  Please keep this member top of mind this week for referrals. 

Holiday Schedule
There will be no meeting the weekend of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.  And the biggest special day of them all is coming up...The 4th Annual Chili Cookoff next Saturday, November 6th 2010 at 4:30pm (Contact Steve Chilton for information).  If you survive the chili, than you can head on over to the Landmark Restaurant on November 8th at 6:30pm and enjoy Wines of the Northwest but don't forget to RSVP (Contact Don Ellis for information).

Board Meeting
There will be a board meeting next Friday. 

MABE Tip of the Week
We love to have guests...but surprises, not so much!  If you would like to bring a guest to a meeting you need to make an announcement the week prior.  This helps to avoid awkward situations.

 Membership
The two real estate candidates will visit the group one more time so we can learn more about their business and determine which candidate would be the best fit for MABE.

Jeff Sutherlin
United Brokers Group
Posted September 21, 2010

I am very humbled to be here and appreciate the opportunity.  I grew up in Indiana so I am a big Notre Dame fan.  I moved to Mesa in 1987.  I was a senior at the time and attended Mountain View High School.  I then went to UofA where I graduated with a political science degree.  I spent the next 7 years working for Intel. I traveled the world as a project manager then came back to a cubical.  I decided I couldn't do this anymore.  I wanted to work with people. 

I had my real estate license so I decided to go to work for KB Homes.  I was very successful at selling new home and quickly worked my way up the ladder.  I was asked to take over a branch in 2004 where I had 83 agents under me.  This was a difficult time (company had gone through bankruptcy) so it was a tough road.  But I still grew the branch to 215 agents.  In 2008 I resigned as I was burnt out with management. 

I went back to selling homes.  It wasn't easy, the timing was bad.  I called on an old friend, Heidi, to start our own business.  In 2009 she was ready.  This was the beginning of United Brokers Group.  A lot of companies were going down at this time.  But we have over 100 agents and I am proud to say we were and still are a profitable company.  I think you can make money in any market.  I know how to connect people. 

What are my expectation of MABE?  I bring business and I hope that you bring me business.  I will put MABE members on our vendor list.  I plan to give you exposure.  I started a group like this in Scottsdale and it grew to 100 members.  It was a success.  I had to step away when I started my company. 

I am currently president of the Gilbert Softball Little League.  I have been on the board of Goodwill Industries.  I do karate.  I love life.  I live it every day. 

I'm very committed.  My partner Heidi is the broker, compliance.   We turn about 125 deals a month.  The big difference between us and and other realty groups would be our culture.  I am very selective when I hire an agent.  They are producing agents.  We have a low cost structure. low fees.  We have three offices in East Valley.  We also have 5 agents in the West Valley.   Our company has been around for 18months.  Our goal is to be the best company.   We don't do property management.  We handle residential, commercial and land. 

You will see me at the meetings (It's on the calendar!) but Heidi is good for presentation.  As far as promoting MABE member services, I have a lot of control.  I don't force agents to use my vendors.  We don't have preferred vendors due to the drawbacks.  But I do have recommended vendors.  I coach all of our agents so I can refer out that way.  I will bring, I will give and I hope to earn.

Debbie Perkins
Residential Real Estate Agent
Posted September 22, 2010