Very Grateful

November is typically the month that we give thanks for all of the blessings that we have. It is also a time that we are reminded that not all of us are as blessed. We are reminded that there are millions of our fellow Americans who are homeless and hungry and many more of us in other parts of the world who live in societies where even the basic freedoms that we enjoy are denied. Wouldn’t you agree that no matter how bad we think we have it in today’s economy, that there are others who would give anything for what we have?

So many of our cover stories in the last (almost) 10 years have shared their inspirational stories of how they had to overcome incredible challenges to achieve the life and business that they have today. Truly, “rags to riches” and “success despite the odds against them” are common threads in our cover stories. Our cover story this month, Belinda “Bee” Cote’ of RE/MAX Northwest has just such a story. Bee was supposed to be the cover honoree several months ago but opted for this month’s issue. Now that I know her complete story, I am very glad that she did!

Once again, this month’s cover was shot at Sam Houston Park; this time at The Old Place, one of ten historic structures that date from 1823 to 1905 nestled in ten acres of beautiful green parkland in the heart of downtown Houston. Sam Houston Park is Houston’s oldest public park and is operated by the Heritage Society. The Heritage Society exists not just to educate visitors about Houston’s interesting history but also to celebrate the diversity of the people who came together to build this world-class city. We very much appreciate their assistance with this month’s cover. For more information, please call 713-655-1912 or visit their website at www.HeritageSociety.org.

The Old Place, a cabin built by John W. Williams (an Austin Colonist) on the banks of Clear Creek about 1823, is the oldest structure in Harris County. It was moved to Sam Houston Park in 1973 and is an example of early Texas frontier architecture. Roughly hewn cedar logs and mortise and tenon jointure are defining elements of the structure. The interpretive features of the cabin illustrate the hardships faced by immigrants permitted to settle in colonial Texas in Austin’s Colony.

Now, I would like to reflect on all that I am grateful for not only at this time of the year, but always:

I am grateful that I was born in a country that allows me the freedom to worship as I choose, to vote for the leaders of my nation’s government, to travel where I wish, and to create and develop any business I wish anywhere I wish to build it. I am grateful that I was born into a family who encouraged me to be whatever I wanted to be and made many, many sacrifices so I could have the college education that they were denied and/or discouraged from by their parents.

Lastly, I am very, very grateful to have the love and support of my family (my wife Barbara, my sister Tracey, sons Tim and Jason (and his wife Renea), my step-children, Jerome and Gina (and her husband Brad), and more friends than I deserve.

I am very grateful to have my terrific partner John Cruise and our wonderful advisory board members (listed on this page) as part of our business. Each of these incredible people gives me the incentive to keep “raising the bar” in the quality of everything we do. I am extremely appreciative of our fantastic graphic designer Vanessa Vara and Stephen Zappala who is over business development. They both go above and beyond the call of duty in all that they do. I am grateful for all of our clients whose support makes Premier Agent Magazine, PROFILES Magazine, and Rising Star Magazine both a reality and a success! (Look for other magazines from Legacy Publishing Group being published later this year!)

I am also very grateful to all of you in the real estate industry who share with me how much they enjoy the hard copy of this magazine and/or the digital edition every month.

We share two more terrific stories in this issue. In Lender Profiles we share the stories of Derek Taylor of Cherry Creek Mortgage and Eddie Gant of Jet Lending, LLC.. I know you will enjoy these personal stories as well.

Do you have your Smartphone ready to scan the QR codes?

Good reading, good sales, and success to you!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Steve Levine
Publisher

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11. News Worthy
14. As I See It
12. Mortgage Corner
15. The Business of Real Estate
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20. WCR News
23. Winners Circle