When you are relocating to another state, it is a harrowing experience at best.  You are not only uprooting you and your significant other's lives but your childrens as well.  I'm speaking from experience here as I've moved to Austin, Texas in 1985 and then moved back to the Cedar Rapids area in 2004.  Five homes later, my wife, daughter and son are living in Marion, Iowa.  There is no better place on earth to raise your family than in Eastern Iowa.  I am so happy to be back in the midwest and raising my family here.  You will come to know this place for it's friendly neighbors, out of the way generosity of people, and family values that are still engrained here in the midwest. 

So, I got to thinking that if I had to move all over again from Austin, Texas to Marion, Iowa, I would have loved to have known my Realtor and a little bit about him/her.  With that said,  here are the top ten things you need to know about your Cedar Rapid's Realtor.

  1. I am a native Cedar Rapidian and know this town like the back of an Iowa pork chop!
  2. I am a family man.  I learned the value of family from my mother and father who still own a house on the Southeast side of Cedar Rapids.  My father Al Smith is and always has been my role model.  He is the winner of the prestigious President's Award for Volunteering from President Bush.  My mother's passion in life has always been her children, and now her grandchildren.  I believe I have part of my mother's heart as a father raising my children.  I have one daughter adopted from China and a son of my own.  My wife is native to New Orleans, LA.  She is slowly adjusting to the winters here in Iowa; bless her heart! 
  3. I am a former elementary school teacher.  I taught elementary school for twelve years.  If I am an expert at anything, I am an expert in working with families.  Working with over 300+ families in the twelve years that I taught, I understand the displacement of moving to another city, where you have to form new friendships and say goodbye to the old ones.  If you have any questions at all about elementary, middle school, high school, or colleges in the area, I believe I can handle that!!!
  4. I am a self-taught technology expert.  I can fax, email, call, or snail mail any information you need about this area.  All you have to do is ask!
  5. My business philosophy is "Get By Giving."  The more you give to people of your time, efforts, financial resources, and talents, the more you will get in return.   I have my PhD in Giving from the University of Life.  My professors over the years have been my family, friends, co-workers, and most importantly my students.
  6. My personal philosophy is "I am Third."  My faith is first and foremost in my life.  It grounds me and provides me with a foundation to do everything that I do in this life.  My family and friends are second.  I am always there for a friend or family member.   Then, I come third.  This has been both a strength of mine and a weakness.  It's been a strength because I get a wonderful feeling by giving, and it's been a weakness because I have sometimes sacrificed my health and finances to help others in need.  I think God will forgive me for being a few pounds overweight and a few dollars shy in my bank account!
  7. If you work with me, you will respect me. 
  8. I am a huge cycling fan.  I have rode on three separate occasions with Lance Armstrong, when I lived in Austin.  I have ridden in ten Ragbrais.  For those of you foreign to the acronym, Ragbrai stands for Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.  The Des Moines Register has sponsored this ride for 30+ years and riders from all over the world participate in this celebration of Iowa on the last full week of July.
  9. I did not become a Realtor to get rich.  Anyone who goes into this business to get rich is going to be very disappointed.  This is a people business and that is why I will always be successful.  I will become rich from my relationships with all of the wonderful people that will come into my life as a result of buying or selling real estate in the Cedar Rapids area.
  10. Of the 900+ Realtors in this area all vying for your business, I realized that something was missing, and that something was integrity, honesty, and values.  The "stalker agent" is alive and well in this business.  Don't get me wrong, there are some wonderful Realtors in this town and I have gravitated towards them because of their positive attitudes.  What I'm trying to convey here is the values with which I was brought up on are still alive and well inside of me, and all I want is a chance to work with your family.  Give me an opportunity to work with you, your family, and bring you into an extended part of this wonderful community we call "The City of Five Seasons."  Oh, and what does The City of Five Seasons mean?  You'll find out shortly after you move to this beautiful city!