BONA FIDE! + With law experience and Lummi Island roots, new broker finds place at RE/MAX

by Tara Gilligan Reimer + BELLINGHAM, WA—January 2023 This is a story about a new broker and a seasoned one, who work together now, because of the place they came from. Lummi Island, nine square miles, is a tiny gem on the western chain of the San Juan Islands. A five-minute ride on the Whatcom Chief ferry takes you from Gooseberry Point across the channel. The island is dense with Douglas firs, and there are berry and lavender farms. In the blue ocean surround, orcas are often seen. This is the place where Brenda Beeman, newest broker at RE/MAX Whatcom County, grew up with only a couple hundred people. She attended the Beach School, searched for clams and oysters, and feasted on wild blackberries—often with another, younger, and steadfast spirit named Sandi. Thirty years and several careers and life lessons later, Brenda has rejoined her friend, becoming part of Sandi Harmoney’s Dream Home Team NW. Julie Osborn is also part of the award-winning group. … ‘Love the positive energy and entrepreneurial spirit’ Last summer, Brenda decided to make a career change. She reached out to Sandi, who encouraged a possible move to real estate and RE/MAX. RE/MAX Whatcom County founder and CEO, Lori Reece, meets with every serious candidate who is discerning. Brenda is at ease in any environment (more on that). Lori is direct and an industry expert. Between these two confident communicators, the meeting was a success. Brenda recounts, “Lori told me, ‘Go make your way, girl!’” Another pivot toward RE/MAX was made. Brenda earned her broker license in November, and she appreciates the collaboration at the brokerage. “I love the positive energy and entrepreneurial spirit,” Brenda says. “Everyone is incredibly helpful and encouraging.” … 30 years of experience in criminal justice Coming from her previous work, Brenda can easily read people—their engagement, body language, and verbal responses—a strength for brokers. “I spent 30 years working in criminal justice,” Brenda explains. In 1995, she answered a law firm’s blind ad and went to work as a public defender’s paralegal. In every US county, the public defender’s office ensures that every person charged with a crime receives legal defense. But the stress of ensuring this important American right can often fall to the paralegal and her duties. Paralegals work long hours, manage offices, research cases, and prepare and edit legal documents. Their tasks have direct impacts on the outcomes of cases. “In that work,” Brenda elaborates, “you have to be patient, give direction when needed, and know when to put down your boundaries.” She’s worked the worst cases: homicide, assault, child abuse. But out of that work history, she offers something unexpected, too—the importance of positive work cultures, like the one she found at RE/MAX. In any field, she says, the wrong person in a leadership position can wreak havoc. Not having positive control at work can affect your health and family life. Brenda’s insight on organizational cultures led her to make a change. … Real estate is in the family history Luckily, real estate is not new to this fourth-generation Whatcom native. “My grandfather was a brigadier general in the Army,” Brenda recalls. “He became a realtor for the Yeakel brokerage, working mainly in Normandy Park.” This is a small town with historic and dense neighborhoods, south of Seattle, tucked up to the water’s edge of Puget Sound. Picking up her family’s line of work, now with training and a stellar team, Brenda is setting goals. “I’m outside my comfort zone,” she says, not something that every new broker is secure enough to admit. She’s excited for the coming year. … Sometimes the place where you started becomes the place you return to. Now at RE/MAX and only 24 miles from her childhood home on Lummi Island, Brenda is leveraging her hard-earned career experience while also circling back to the first good things. With Sandi and Julie on the Dream Home Team NW, she’s finding her way in a new career that she loves. About Us! Thirty years ago, a local girl (Sehome High School, Washington State University, and Western Washington University grad) launched a small start-up with a big dream. Little did RE/MAX Whatcom County founder and CEO Lori Reece know that her company would become not only the most successful brokerage but also respected nationally and across industries. Her team, 90+ sought-after professionals, leads by serving thousands of clients and building market share. Learn, collaborate, be kind. When you’re doing all that—together—you know you’re in RE/MAX Whatcom County, the house that Lori built. # # #

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INFLUENCE INCREASES + Marketing director Bailey Moody now a licensed broker

by Tara Gilligan Reimer ANACORTES, WA—November, 2022 Bailey Moody just doubled her value. Already established as the proficient and polished marketing director for Team Kelli Lang (TKL), Bailey is now a newly licensed broker. “I love the environment of my team,” she explains. “I wanted to experience the broker side of the experience. I see how brokers impact lives to help people become homeowners. It’s more than a business to me—it’s a passion, to have that kind of transforming influence.” ... ‘I want to learn as much as I can’ Her team happens to be a big brand, known in Anacortes, throughout Skagit County, and across Washington State. Year after year, TKL, led by team leader Kelli Lang, puts up impressive stats. In the most recent Real Trends/America’s Best List, TKL ranks among the top 1.5% of real estate pros in the US. The team also earned #4 for volume and #2 for sides in Washington state (medium-sized teams last year). Now licensed, Bailey will be a buyer broker training with realtor Jay Kiesser. “I want to learn as much as I can, as quickly as I can,” says Bailey. ... Marketing pro Bailey will maintain her position as marketing director. In that role since April 2022, she has created content and helped build the brand. And she’ll also enhance her team and clients, by serving as a broker. Of her focus, Bailey explains, “I was a stay-at-home mom for two years.” When her husband returned from a long military deployment, Bailey was grateful for his return and help in raising their boy, a toddler adorably named Swayde. Bailey also realized she was ready for paid work. She said, “I’ve got to do something outside of the home.” ... From Southeast Texas to the Pacific Northwest Originally from Magnolia, Texas (that’s the greater Houston area), Bailey and Brandon moved to Washington three-and-a-half years ago. The geographic and climate shifts were huge. Bailey enthuses that now, “The Pacific Northwest feels homey!” ... All about the team Bailey’s gratitude for her team is front and center: “Everyone is completely different. Everyone has a different teaching style.” Describing the chemistry and teamwork of TKL, she says, “It’s freaking fantastic!” What’s also fantastic? TKL’s blend of sales, service, and brand recognition—all thanks to stars like Bailey who know how to become a team. About RE/MAX Gateway RE/MAX Gateway is named for its breathtaking Anacortes entrance to the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest. Owned by Lori Reece, with Laura Bird as designated broker and branch manager, this full-service real estate brokerage is known for agents who specialize in residential and commercial real estate. Lori’s team, sought-after professionals, leads by serving thousands of clients and building market share. Learn, collaborate, be kind. When you’re doing all that—together—you know you’re at RE/MAX Gateway. # # #

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VALUE CREATION! RE/MAX Gateway CEO Lori Reece partners with Seattle Designated Brokers John Manning and Elizabeth Powell to create MORE value for clients

ANACORTES, WA—October 2022 Value creation. This is a RE/MAX Gateway fundamental. Whether our brokers are guiding you through the selling and buying process or keeping you updated on today’s market, our brokerage is known for creating value. And our value just increased with a new partnership. We are excited to announce that RE/MAX Gateway—based in Anacortes, Washington, and Skagit County—recently merged with RE/MAX On Market, a top-producing, residential, real estate brokerage based in Seattle. This merger expands RE/MAX Gateway’s reach into key residential markets in Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond and other major King and Snohomish County cities. ... RE/MAX Gateway is one brokerage owned by CEO Lori Reece (pictured right). Thirty-one years ago, Reece also founded RE/MAX Whatcom County, where she continues to lead as CEO. Today’s news reinforces Reece’s holdings as the second largest RE/MAX group in Washington state—providing real estate services from Whatcom, Island and Skagit to Snohomish, King & Northern Pierce Counties. Statistics for the last year speak to the value in both brokerages: $1.2 billion in sales volume and 2,346 households served. “We are thrilled to join together to offer expert real estate service along the highly desirable I-5 corridor,” said RE/MAX Gateway owner Lori Reece, “For years, I have known RE/MAX On Market owners and managing brokers John Manning and Elizabeth Powell [pictured below], and we always felt there would be great synergies if we joined forces—it’s wonderful to see the vision come together.” ... This merger offers clients an expanded range of expert services and real estate technologies within Western Washington, which has become even more relevant as people reconsider their home location given employers’ more relaxed work-from-home policies. With the recent stock market and economic shifts, people are seeking real estate investments more than ever, including multi-family and condos within commute distance of Seattle and Bellevue and second homes near outdoor recreation. “To continue our momentum in the hot Seattle/Eastside market required scaling quickly,” said John Manning, Owner and Designated Broker of RE/MAX On Market. “We chose to align with RE/MAX Gateway, as owner Lori Reece shares our values and client-centric vision. Together we have big plans to bring even more efficiency, expert counsel, and delight to buying and selling clients across Western Washington.” Reece’s success—including international awards as Broker/Owner of the Year (twice) as well as Top 500 Real Estate Companies (RealTrends since 2005)—continues into a fourth decade of business innovation. Her personable leadership style and commitment to cutting-edge training mark her as a trusted expert in her own brokerages, with competitors, and among Pacific Northwest business leaders. RE/MAX Gateway: On Market Group will continue operations out of its current office in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. The group, comprised of 12 brokers and administrative staff, will be led by managing broker John Manning. This merger, most importantly, translates to greater resources for clients, Reece emphasizes. From the San Juan Islands to the coastal beauty of Skagit County to the Seattle and Bellevue business hub, you can find experience for today’s market at RE/MAX Gateway. About RE/MAX Gateway RE/MAX Gateway is named for its breathtaking Anacortes entrance to the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest. Owned by Lori Reece, with Laura Bird as designated broker and branch manager, this full-service real estate brokerage is known for agents who specialize in residential and commercial real estate. Lori’s team, sought-after professionals, leads by serving thousands of clients and building market share. Learn, collaborate, be kind. When you’re doing all that—together—you know you’re at RE/MAX Gateway. ###  

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