Ken-Schmidt.wmv (4786 KB)

Featuring an interview with Ken Schmidt, CEO, Coldwell Banker Schmidt Family of Companies

Saw this on the way back from a listing today, just thought it was pretty.  No, it’s not for sale.

Ever wish you could decipher a legal description?  Well, if the parcel is based on a standard sectional description, it’s fairly straightforward…or straightbackward as it were.  A legal description essentially is worked out from back to front.  So for the following description: The West ½ of the NE ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 19, Town 24 North, Range 12 West. We would break it down as follows:

Section 19, T24N R14W That’s 640 acres

NW ¼ of above                                 Takes us down to 160 acres

NE ¼ of above                                   Takes us down to 40 acres

W ½ of above                                    Takes us to 20 acres.

Tomorrow I go to Lansing to be oriented as the new District 2 Director for the Michigan Association of REALTORS®, then attend my first Board of Directors Meeting (technically I still won’t be a Director) and in the evening will be a reception where I’ll actually be installed.  This is new ground for me.  I’ve served my local association as Director, Treasurer and President as well as my current role as RPAC Chair, but I’m slightly ashamed to admit I’ve never even set foot in the MAR offices.

MAR Directors are elected by US Congressional Districts, so I’ll be representing Michigan’s Second Congressional District, which consists of  Benzie, Manistee, Wexford, Mason, Lake, Oceana, Newaygo, Muskegon, Ottawa, the northern part of Allegan and the northwest portion of Kent Counties.  That’s a big freaking area, and it kind of makes me feel important to be quite honest.  My home is in the very northern portion of the district, in Benzie County, so it’s a nice fit that The Coldwell Banker Schmidt Family of Companies (the brokerage I work for) has 11 offices spread throughout this district, which means I should be able to find a hot desk and a wifi connection wherever I may roam.

I’m walking into this new responsibility with a near complete lack of preconceived notions about what impact I will have.  I think there’s a need and a demand for a younger generation to take a larger role in local, state and national Realtor associations, and I’m looking forward to that.  If I have one concrete goal in starting down this path, it’s to get more of the brilliant, engaged young members that I’ve met involved in the direction of their industry.  There is plenty of talent to draw from, and lots of desire, although our associations may not be built to fit the way my generation (I’m an X) and Gen Y want to be involved.

It’s always exciting to start a new journey, and while it doesn’t come without sacrifice (mostly to my sleep schedule) I’m very much looking forward to writing my next chapter.