As we close out 2008 and look forward to 2009, we take a special look at two offices, one metropolitan, the other in a rural area for advice on dealing with the coming market. RE/MAX Associates Northeast in Kingwood and RE/MAX First in Nederland have been in operation for years and have seen the ups and downs of the real estate industry. We talked first with Joe Stunja, Co-Owner of RE/MAX Associates Northeast to get the story behind this office’s success and the philosophy of its management.

Located in elegant Kingwood just northeast of Houston, RE/MAX Associates Northeast came into being when two area offices joined forces. Before his days in RE/MAX, Joe Stunja served as President of Friendswood Development Company and entered into real estate as an investment. His wife and Co-Owner Tracy, who already had 15-years of experience under her belt, saw to the daily management of the office. In 2002, they combined offices with RE/MAX veterans Ed and Sara Nowak and the four office owners have been grabbing top market share ever since.

“Merging our offices allowed us to gain significant economies of scale and greater profitability,” says Joe. “But ultimately, success is proven by the test of time.” Collectively, the four owners have  experienced the ups and downs of the market and are reassured by its cyclical nature. “We’ve been through 18% interest, the oil bust, dot-com bust, telecom bust, Asian crisis and 9/11,” he says. “Obviously in between these times we experienced periods of growth. These are the times where you can prepare your business for the next market downturn.” Joe reminds us that we are blessed to be in Texas where the market is still stable and even growing in some areas.

Joe recommends expense control and evaluating (and re-evaluating) what’s worth spending your money on before the market ever turns. “You have to get a handle on every dollar coming in and going out,” he says. “Be effective in your business development, find the best ways to communicate to your marketplace and mix innovation with methods you have used in the past to earn your reputation as a trustworthy Realtor.” For this time in the market, Joe emphasizes utilizing the RE/MAX brand value on both the global and local level by engaging the       community. “People still have real estate needs. There are plenty of buyers and seller still out there. In times like these, it’s not smart to hunker down and hide in the sand. It’s time to be aggressive.”

For a more rural perspective, we turn to Nederland’s RE/MAX First owned by veteran realtor Bobbie Dugas. Bobbie began in real estate at the insistence of her mother who felt she would be a natural at it. “I kept telling her I couldn’t sell anything and I finally became licensed just to prove her wrong,” she says. Obviously, mother knew best; this year marked the 10-year anniversary of RE/MAX First. In her 32 career, both Bobbie and her office have done their share of storm weathering –literally.

“Some of our major challenges have come from nature, not the market. We were hit hard by Rita in 2005. The area looked like it had been bombed and everyone had damage to their homes,” recalls Bobbie. “It’s challenging to conduct a business when everyone’s house has been flooded, or evacuated.”  Mostly, Bobbie struggled to keep up morale. She did this by working through the tough times and keeping focus on the community. “It was wonderful how people came together after the storm. It really raised enthusiasm. It took a lot of perseverance and 14-15 hour days to get everything put back together.” In challenging market conditions and in times of natural disaster, Bobbie says the same things work. “Surround yourself with professional, loyal people with knowledge and experience –people you can get along with and get through things with. Above all, be flexible and versatile. It’s the best way to keep your head above water.”

Contact Bobbie Dugas at RE/MAX First by calling 409-727-3999 or emailing bobbiedugas@remax.net. Joe Stunja and RE/MAX Associates Northeast can be reached by calling 281-358-8888 or visiting www.northhoustonhomes.com.