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Recruiting America’s Heroes: Michael Frederickson

May 26, 2014 By

Today, Memorial Day, we celebrate those who have proudly served our country. With that in mind, we’d like to introduce you to Michael Frederickson, a 27-year army veteran who joined CENTURY 21 Family Realty last year.

We sat down with Michael to hear about his army service and what brought him to real estate.

C21: Can you tell us about your military service?

MF: I was in the army for 27 years. I retired last year as Master Sgt. and Cavalry Scout. I worked as a career counselor for my fellow soldiers, with the goal of maintaining the all-volunteer force. I’d meet with each individual, hear what they most wanted to do and try to find them a job they would like and would fit their skills.

C21: How do the skills from your role as counselor transfer to your work in real estate?

MF: As a career counselor, you are charged with taking care of your commander and taking care of each soldier. You have to listen to what they need and help them find it. The same is true in real estate.

C21: When did you join the CENTURY 21 System?

MF: When I was in the army, one of the men who worked for me was Jose “Joe” Pomales. When Joe was getting ready to move on from the army, he was considering real estate. He worked for a few different brokerages as an independent agent, then CENTURY 21 started recruiting him. Joe joined CENTURY 21 just as I was getting ready to retire. He offered me the opportunity come work for him part time.

C21: How did you enjoy your first few months in real estate?

MF: I started January and got licensed last June. In all honesty, when I first started doing this full time, I was used to knowing what to do in my job every day and what needs to happen – I had been doing it for 27 years! When I started at CENTURY 21, I didn’t know how to do everything yet. I didn’t have all the answers and it was hard. When I joined the army, there was a sergeant there who told me what to do. As soon as that difference clicked in my head, I knew everything would be ok. I just had to learn to do my job again.

Now, I enjoy the flexibility of real estate. That flexibility provides me the opportunity to spend more time with my children.

C21: What is the biggest lesson you learned?

MF: As you step away from the army, you are beginning a new career. You have to spend the time and the effort to become as proficient in your new career as you did in the military.

C21: How was your team at CENTURY 21 Family Realty helped with the transition?

MF: In our office, we have a bullpen where new agents sit. When a call comes in and you don’t know the answer right away, there is always someone there to answer your questions. Everyone in our office is so helpful. Joe also has training every Wednesday. Some offices, no one teaches new agents how to succeed, here we have great resources. We really are a family. It’s such a wonderful place to work.

C21: How do you spread the word to other veterans who may be thinking about a career in real estate?

MF: The army does have a program for transitioning to retirement, leaving the army and becoming a civilian. Joe has created flyers about that transition from the army to real estate. We have ten veterans in our office and Joe still serves in the Army Reserve.

C21: It sounds like you and Joe have created a welcoming environment for veterans looking to move into real estate. We thank you both for your service and are proud to have you as members of the CENTURY 21 System.

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Chief Operating Officer Greg Sexton Featured On Real Estate Today Radio

May 21, 2014 By

This week, CENTURY 21 Chief Operating Officer, Greg Sexton, was live on Real Estate Today Radio sharing the results from the C21® 2013 Veteran’s Day survey in a conversation about veterans and homeownership.

As we approach Memorial Day weekend, honoring our veterans is top of mind. The survey, released for Veteran’s Day this winter, explores veterans’ opinions about purchasing a home.

The research reports that three of out four military families say homeownership is very important to them when returning home from active duty. When looking for a home, the top priority is space – space to run outside, space for their growing families indoors, both with bedrooms and living space.

In the interview, Greg Sexton shared, “Homeownership is about financial security and safety. The home is the place that allows each of us safety and refuge for our family and friends.”

CENTURY 21 has been committed to not only hiring veterans through the brand’s Recruiting America’s Heroes program, but also to serving military families looking to purchase a home. Greg commented, “Only about 10% of our returning veterans use the Veterans Affairs benefits available to them when finding a home. We are working with our CENTURY 21 Professionals to make sure they are aware of the benefits so they can share those with veterans in their own communities.”

Hear the full interview with Greg on Real Estate Radio Today, the official real estate program of the National Association of REALTORS.

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Serving America’s Heroes – Lessons Learned In Recruiting

May 20, 2014 By

What franchisor wouldn’t want a business partner who is objective-oriented, possesses technical and technological skills, has unparalleled integrity and who adheres to a strict code of ethics?

As franchisors, we know firsthand the challenge of finding professionals who have the skills and ambition necessary to thrive as a franchisee. From desire and intellect, to character and integrity, to being self-motivated for personal and brand-wide success, it is a challenging endeavor.

The good news is that there are hundreds of thousands of candidates waiting in the wings for the opportunity to run a business, who have the skills necessary to immediately jump right in, make a difference and contribute to enhancing your business’ bottom line. They are our nation’s heroes: our veterans and the men and women of the armed forces.

In the 12 years since American troops first deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, about 2.6 million veterans have returned home with the hope of seamlessly assimilating back into civilian culture. Military experts have told me that whether during times of war or peace, 200,000 servicemen and women will cycle in and out of the armed forces in any given year, year in and year out. This represents a tremendous opportunity for franchise companies to grow their organizations with worthy, honorable and goal-oriented professionals.

At Century 21 Real Estate LLC, we are always looking for ways to grow the number of independently owned and operated offices in our global system. As legendary sports coach Lou Holtz told an audience of thousands during the CENTURY 21 Global Conference this year, “If you are not growing, then you are dying.” As Holtz noted, growing isn’t just a worthy goal; it is a necessity for survival and economic well-being. By focusing on the growth opportunity with our veterans and the men and women of the armed forces, we are able to grow our system while making a difference in the lives of others and doing what’s right for those who have protected our freedoms.

To continue reading, please visit FranchisingWorld.com.

To join the conversation on how to best support our veterans, connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

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Watch Rick Davidson on, “Preparing Veterans & C21® Agents for the Perfect Partnership”

February 28, 2014 By

Earlier this month, Rick Davidson, President and CEO of Century 21 Real Estate LLC, joined Veterans United and Easter Seals for a Google Hangout titled, “Preparing Veterans & C21 Agents for the Perfect Partnership.”

We are thrilled to announce that you can now watch that Google Hangout, both the high level recap or the full length version in HD.

Here is a look at the Hangout:

For real-time on updates on the brand’s support of veterans and the ways you can help, be sure to follow “CENTURY 21″ on Facebook and Twitter.

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CENTURY 21 Veteran’s Day Survey Finds Home Ownership Most Important Factor For Returning Service Members

November 8, 2013 By

Today the CENTURY 21 brand announced the results of its Veterans Day survey, conducted online by Harris Interactive.  In honor of its long-time partnership with, and dedication to, Easter Seals, CENTURY 21 conducted the survey to identify veterans’ perceptions of home ownership and the roadblocks they face when searching for a home.

According to 75% of military families, owning a home is one of the most important things to service members upon returning from service.  Among the reasons that becoming a homeowner is so significant to veterans are a desire to have their own residence (73 percent), establishing a household (43 percent) and financial security (36 percent).  In addition, the majority of veterans (88 percent) indicated that owning a home makes them feel safer.

“Home ownership is a top priority for many, but is especially significant to those returning from a tour of duty,” said Rick Davidson, president and CEO, Century 21 Real Estate LLC.  “Veterans have done so much to serve our country.  We are proud to work with Easter Seals to help empower veterans to lead more independent lives and fulfill the dream of homeownership.”

When we say “Welcome home,” we meant it.

Check out the infographic below with the full results of the survey:

For active or retired service members who are interested in Easter Seals resources available to them, call the Easter Seals Community One Source Hotline, (866) 423-4981, or email veterans@easterseals.com.  Visit www.century21.com/aboutus/veterans to learn more.

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