What did a 25 year career in the automobile industry teach Bert Smith of RE/MAX Greater Waco about real estate? Confidence. Bert was originally licensed in 1968, but took a different career path, owning and operating an automobile dealership until 1996. “I started out selling vintage Cadillacs in Dallas,” says Bert. “I became #1 in sales and received the training and confidence that is necessary when selling anything.”

After selling his business and retiring eleven years ago, Bert became antsy and decided give real estate another try. He spent over a month in Austin reacquiring his license and researching companies to join. His choice from the start was RE/MAX. “I am very much in favor of the 100% maximum commission model of RE/MAX. I had ever confidence that I would succeed in real estate and couldn’t see paying a Broker part of my commission,” says Bert, who had been buying and selling property for years on his own investment. “Also, the history of RE/MAX and its structure impressed me.”

Though his experience is across the board, these days Bert is involved with more commercial and farm and land sales than anything else. “Land is always a good investment, it doesn’t change much with the market and there are always buyers,” he says. “There’s a great adage that says ‘you can’t hurt dirt’.” The experience has been fun for Bert, who trades his dress shoes for boots when showing the large acreage properties.

In the future, Bert intends to stay right where he is, declaring “I’ll work for RE/MAX until I can’t get up in the morning”. This year marks Bert’s ten year anniversary with RE/MAX and he continues to feel enthusiastic about his work. “I’m still full of vim and vigor and long as I enjoy getting up and going to work, with a little fishing on the side, I’ll be at RE/MAX Greater Waco.”

For agents just entering the real estate business, Bert has words of wisdom. “Connect yourself with a seasoned agent and stay with them for about five years. Be a part of a successful team or an assistant to someone who really knows the ropes,” says Bert, who has mentored and trained a number of agents. “Many new Realtors strike out on their own before they are ready and their business suffers for it. Put in the time with a successful and seasoned agent.”

Outside the office, Bert is an avid Bass fisherman  and uses this recreation to cut down on stress. “When you are in that boat on the water, nothing else exists and you think only about what you want tom” he finishes. “It’s extremely relaxing.”

Contact Bert Smith at RE/MAX Greater Waco by calling 254-776-8100 or emailing BertSmith@remax.net