Realtor for Life: From the Starter Home to the Retirement Investment: Helping Your Clients Navigate a Lifetime of Real Estate In

What does it mean to be a REALTOR(R) for Life? Not all real estate agents are REALTORS(R). The term REALTOR(R) is the exclusive designation of members of the National Association of REALTORS(R) and it's local boards. Licensing is just the first step in an agent's career. Once an agent makes the commitment to being a REALTOR(R), they subscribe to the REALTORS(R) Code of Ethics. Knowing and following the Code of Ethics sets the REALTOR(R) member apart from other real estate professionals, creating a higher standard of professionalism and service. The majority of REALTORS(R) have had other careers before going "into real estate". For some reason, in my first year of college, I declared my major to be in Business with an emphasis in Real Estate. I became a REALTOR(R) and started selling real estate as my first position out in the work world. As of 2015, I have been a REALTOR(R) for 37 years, truly a REALTOR(R) for my entire business life. One of the most rewarding parts of my career is that many of my clients have chosen me to be their REALTOR(R) for Life. I have often helped clients buy their first home. I have helped many of my clients buy multiple personal residences throughout their life. In some cases I am even preparing to work with the 3rd generation of clients within the same family In addition to buying homes, I have also helped my clients to build real estate portfolios. I have helped them save for college or retirement through real estate investments. I have helped them buy real estate within their retirement account and to do 1031 Exchanges to grow their portfolio. I have helped find college condos for their kids. Because I have met and personally know thousands of REALTORS(R), across the country and even the globe, I am able to help my clients to find a qualified REALTOR(R) wherever they, or their friends and family, need to buy or sell real estate. Toward the later stages of my clients' lives, I help with consolidating real estate investments, downsizing, and ultimately working with their estate planning attorney. More than once I have been named in a will to be the REALTOR(R) to sell the house in order to close out an estate. As REALTORS(R), we always need to keep in mind we are not attorneys, tax experts, mortgage loan officers, security dealers or financial planners. It is important to know about all the various ideas discussed in this book, but it is also very important to have a team of experts who you can rely upon to help your clients with their decisions relative to the areas that we are not licensed to perform. The main intent of this book is to help you be the trusted advisor for your clients on all matters related to real estate, and in return they will call you their "REALTOR(R) for Life". I want to provide you with a resource that you can read all the way through and then keep ready as a reference. My hope is that you will get ideas from this book that will enhance your and your client's life.

Duane Duggan is a third generation native of Colorado and a graduate of the University of Colorado Business School with a major in real estate. Currently, Duane and his Team, The Boulder Property Network at RE/MAX of Boulder, have been consistent top producers in Boulder County residential and investment real estate sales since 1978! Duane has been a RE/MAX agent since 1982, has been a regular member of the RE/MAX Chairman’s Club and has been awarded the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award and the Circle of Legends Award. Duane has facilitated over 2500 transactions over his career and the fact that the vast majority of his business comes from repeat and referred clients, provides further testimony to the high level of Service and Expertise provided by Duane and his team! Duane is a firm believer in giving back to his Community and Profession and has done so by contributing his Time and Expertise to numerous local Non-Profit Organizations and by being a mentor and business coach to other REALTORS. Duane is actively involved in the local and state Boards of REALTORS. He served as the President of the Boulder Area REALTOR Association in 2005 and has held various positions with the Colorado Association of REALTORS, including North East District Vice President and Colorado Association of REALTORS Spokesperson