I am thankful ---- are you?

November 24, 2008


It is almost Thanksgiving ---- WOW, where did the year go?


This is a time when people stop and think of the things for which they are thankful. I would like to share with you mine.


1) My life - I am a breast cancer survivor.


2) My husband, Boyd--- he is so understanding, so dependable, so comforting, so handsome, such a great business person and most of all, I know he loves me. Just to brag a little --- he has a Ph.D. in Statistics.


3) My wonderful and exceptional children,


Our son,Claude, who is instrumental in the running of our real estate company, The AgentOwned Realty which Boyd & I founded in 1992. Claude is so much like his Dad - very smart, very dependable and has a good business sense. All the sales associates love him. He is single, doesn't drink and loves his work. His hobby is cars --- he really likes a nice car.


Our daughter, Liza, who was in real estate sales with AgentOwned Realty for 10 years and is now involved with Claude in the running of AgentOwned Realty. She is extremely smart like her Dad, but has a lot of my characteristics (which is not necessarily good). She is very competitive --Liza has developed a plan for our company where the sales associates can make money now, in the future (retirement) and even after death. It is an awesome plan and will take our company to the next level. Liza is married to an artist, Art--- he is such a great addition to our family. I am very thankful for Art. They have 3 children ------


Ralph Wetherell who has been like a son since before 1992. Ralph was with Boyd and me when we had the Coldwell Banker company in Charleston and has been on board with AgentOwned Realty since its inception. Ralph joins Claude and Liza in keeping AgentOwned Realty on top.


4) Our wonderful and exceptional grandchildren - Wilson (16), Owen (12) and Eliza (5). They have such different personalities. Wilson is very studious and thank goodness does not want to drive. Owen is our sports enthusiast --- loves football, especially South Carolina. He takes great joy in teasing his Granddad who got 2 degrees from Clemson. Eliza is very smart, full of energy and loves her school. Being the only girl, she has the men of the family wrapped around her little finger.





5) My puppies --- Nellie (a chocolate lab - 6 mos), Maggie & Ox (black labs - 3.5 mos). One of the most relaxing things for me is sitting on the grass at home with the puppies playing around me.














6) Our other family --- brothers, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc.


7) Our successful real estate company which continues to be such a joy to Boyd & me. -- Yes, even in these"times"


8) Our sales associates with AgentOwned Realty -- each and every one of them (450 total). Without the special sales associates, we would not have a real estate company. This company is all about the sales associates --- what can we do for them?


Stokes Gramling who is the technology genius of AgentOwned Realty, is very special. I am so thankful to have him as a significant part of our family.


Billie Jo VanDusen, who is the marketing genius of AgentOwned Realty, is top notch. I am so thankful to have her as a significant part of our family.


Linda Vincent & Jenny Welch who are administrative assistants in the main office of which I am the Broker-in-charge ---- not a day goes by that I don't realize how fortunate I am to be able to have such capable assistants. I am BIC of 4 offices and these two keep me straight.


Stan Huff who is the assistant manager in the Johnnie Dodds office. He has been so supportive and so helpful.


Our managers of offices of AgentOwned Realty who have taken the responsibility of nurturing their agents to keep the message alive --- Mike Wayman, Kirk McLeod, Keith Twillman, Ken Roe


The managers of our joint ventures with AgentOwned Realty. These joint ventures are essential to a successful real estate company --- Wally Burbage with Allstate Wally Burbage & Associates, Kevin Breeland with Residential Mortgage of SC and Dan Johnson with Global HomeUSA.


Becky Hayward - the best loan officer in Charleston - so thankful to have her for Johnnie Dodds and IOP offices



Carol Jo Horne - the best loan officer in the Sumter, Manning, Santee area



Angie Jordan --- without Angie, we would not have an office in the Manning/Santee area and now we have 3 offices in that area.


Kim Peasley-Parker --- without Kim, we would not have an office in Sumter and now we have a fast growing office there with approx. 25 agents


7) Our special friends


8) Last, but certainly not least, our American Troops. I am so thankful for those men and women who give so much (including their lives) so that we can have our freedom and everything that we have.


Reading back over this list of things for which to be thankful reminds me again of how fortunate I am. Thank you to each of you for making my life so wonderful.

I would love to hear from you --- what are you thankful for?

Liz Loadholt

Another Patriotic Day at AgentOwned Realty

Friday, Nov. 21, 2008


Patriots today:

Sumter: Syvlia McCabe, Pat Del Beni, Kim Peasley-Parker, Holly Racer

Johnnie Dodds: Jason Ogden, Stan Huff, Neil Schneider, Liza Valero, Tyler Bergin (strectched it a little, but the spirit was there), Billie Jo VanDusen, Jenny Welch, Linda Vincent, Boyd Loadholt, Liz (me), Becky Hayward, Clara Hahn, Deborah Huggins, Mike Terry, Susan Bryant, Deepa Patel, Art Cope, Deborah Lawrence, Greaton Sellers

IOP: Elaine Buckholtz --- Ken Roe would have, but did not know about our tradition.

Santee: Kim Matthews

Manning: Mary Partee, Shaun Richburg, Angie Jordan, Alfred Kelley, Joette Wielicki, Lola Bradshaw

News from Manning:

Congratulations --- the sign went up today at their new office - Wyboo-Lakes














Look at what a beautiful job the Manning office did for the Chamber dinner last night. It was a tremendous success.















Did you know that Elizabeth Taylor owned property in Clarendon County? Today Peggy Haley in our Manning office turned in a contract and the seller is Elizabeth Taylor ------- and guess who the buyer is ----- none other than Don Knotts. This is a true story.


Reminder: Ethics Course in Charleston at Berkeley Co-op in Goose Creek on Thursday, Dec. 4

and in Manning on Thursday, Dec. 12. I am still waiting to decide where to have it --- if we don't have anymore sign up, we may just have it in the Manning office.


Have a wonderful and successful weekend.

Until later ----

Liz Loadholt "Moma Liz"

Another Patriotic

Another Great Day in the Real Estate Office

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008

GREAT NEWS ----- Joe Eddleman who suffered a heart attack on Nov. 8th, is back in the office --- only for a few hours a day, but we are thrilled to have him back.

REMINDER: Tomorrow is red, white & blue day.

In the offices today:

Santee: Martin Rigden, Neil Pepple, Susan Stroman, Kim Matthews, Jill James

Johnnie Dodds: Clara Hahn, Stan Huff, Jason Ogden, Kay Kennerty, Ken Kurtz, Neil Schneider,Joe Eddleman, Rick Sanchez, Mike Terry, Delores Johnson, Scott Ferguson, Susan Bryant, Ute Appleby

Manning: Angie Jordan, Belinda Jordan, Billy Geddings, Alfred Kelley, Debra Gleaton, Charley Schmidt, Shaun Richburg, Joette Wielicki, Bo King and Mary Partee.

News from the Manning office: "Angie Jordan is setting up an AgentOwned table for the Chamber Dinner tonight. The Chamber is celebrating 30 years of the Striped Bass Festival, and we are displaying a “pageant table” with pageant photos, crowns and trophies from some members of our AgentOwned family. We’ll also have some AgentOwned koozies, jar openers and other freebies for the guests to take home." Great job, Manning!!!!

The below photo collection is from the IOP & Johnnie Dodds office meeting at the Tides --- we had a great turn-out -----Thanks everyone for your participation.

Enjoy life ---- we only have one ----- Today is ever so important --- tell someone today that you appreciate them.

Until later -----

Liz Loadholt

Exiting Times are here Again

Monday, Nov. 17, 2008

Things are exciting everywhere for AgentOwned.

The Trolley Rd. office in Summerville just had a former agent, who had transferred to Keller Williams about 4 months ago, come home. Welcome home, Jeff Cook. He also brought 4 other agents from KW with him. Jeff already has a tree established.

Isle of Palms office: Ken Roe from Carolina One has transferred and is the new BIC for the IOP office. Ken was the BIC of a Carolina One office ---- Yeah, Ken. This shows how smart you are.
We Welcome Ken to our AgentOwned family.

West Ashley: Brad Weaver, a top producer from Carolina One's James Island office has just transferred over. Welcome, Brad. Steve Olson has started his tree with Brad. Good job, Steve.

Manning: Deborah Wilson, owner of Homes Plus Realty has just decided to close her company and join the AgentOwned family in the Manning office. She brings with her Ruth Maple. They are both a part of Angie Jordan's tree. Welcome to Deborah and Ruth.

Sumter: Bea Patel has just moved over from Russell Jeffcoat. Great move, Bea. Bea will be a part of Sylvia McCabe's tree ---good work, Syliva.



In the offices today:
Manning: Peggy Haley, Angie Jordan, Shaun Richburg, Belinda Jordan, Deborah Ridgeway, Carol Jo Horne, Lola Bradshaw, Mary Partee, Charley Schmidt, Daisy Simpson, Alfred Kelley, Celina Gleason, Joette Wielicki, Deborah Wilson, Ruth Maple

Johnnie Dodds: Stephanie Wilson-Hartzog, Tyler Bergin, Stan Huff, Greaton Sellers, Ashley Melton, Currie McCullough, Susan Bryant, Bonnie Simpier, Betty Pigot, Tim Rogers, Jason Ogden, Susie Schumm, Rick Sanchez, Mike Terry, Ken Kurtz, Tom Nelson, Max Hill,

Santee: Ricki Williams, Martin Rigden, Jill James, Kim Matthews, Neil Pepple

I HAVE A FEW STORIES that have helped me in my own life. They seem to me to embody truths that I believe are very important.

One of my favorites concerns a laboratory experiment by botanist Alfred Russell Wallace, a contemporary of Charles Darwin. Interestingly, he developed the theory of evolution at about the same time that Darwin did. Wallace was ready to publish it when he learned that Darwin had started the experimentation about six months before he had. Wallace, a gentleman, deferred to Darwin, and it is Darwin whom posterity credits with the theory of evolution.

In the experiment, Wallace was in his laboratory observing an Emperor butterfly trying to get free from its cocoon. The struggle was intense, with life-or-death consequences. He wondered, "What would happen if I assisted this process?" So with a knife he made a slit down the length of the cocoon. This is what happened, in his words: "The butterfly emerged, spread its wings, drooped perceptibly, and died."It had a swollen body, and small shriveled wings. The pain and intensity of the struggle had been denied it and it had failed to grow.

Had it been forced to push its own way through the tiny opening, fluids from its body would have been forced into its wings giving them the size and strength to fly.

Of course, we don't always welcome adversity with open arms. We don't always welcome pain or setbacks. Yet with the right kind of thinking, we can keep them in perspective and see them as opportunities to grow, strengthen, and excel in our lives. With the right outlook and attitude, we can triumph over any adversity.

Until Later ----
Liz Loadholt

A Red, White & Blue Friday

Friday, Nov. 14, 2008

Our patriots today:

Johnnie Dodds: Jason Ogden, Stan Huff, Ed Ball, Rick Sanchez, Max Hill, Delores Johnson, Bonnie Simpier, Stephanie Wilson-Hartzog, Jenny Welch, Linda Vincent, Billie Jo Vandusen, Stokes Gramling, Sandy Nettles, Elaine Buckholtz (IOP), Janet Harris (IOP), Clara Hahn

Sumter: Kim, Marion,Kathy, Pat, Shirley. Kim, Marion & Pat

Not much time today: Here is a little update on my puppies:

This is Nellie --- isn't she beautiful --

Here is Nellie being really sweet to Ox.

To the right are Maggie and Ox --- it is next to impossible to get a photo of the 2 of them --- they are so full of energy.

Until Later ---

Liz Loadholt

Another Great Day in the Real Estate Office

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008


Here is a great thought for the day:

"Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more."

When Barbara speaks, she will ask her audience to shut their eyes and to think about someone who at some time in their lives has rekindled their inner light. She will leave the room in silence for several minutes, and it is always a profound experience for everyone as they remember the JOY they received from the appreciation of someone when they needed it the most.Afterwards, she'll ask them to write down the name of the person they thought of and to commit to their own act of appreciation by letting that person know in the next 72 hours that they thought of them. She'll suggest a phone call, a note, or even just a little prayer if they are no longer alive.

After one very moving session, a gentleman came up to talk with her and thank her for creating a new awareness in him. He said he had thought of his eighth grade literature teacher because she was everyone's favorite teacher and had really made a difference in all of their lives, and he was going to track her down and let her know what happened.

One afternoon nearly two and a half months later, Barbara received a call from him. He was very emotional on the phone and could hardly get through his story. He said that it had taken him nearly two months to track his teacher down, and when he finally found her, he wrote to her and the following week this was the letter he received back:Dear John,You will never know how much your letter meant to me. I am 83 years old, and I am living all alone in one room. My friends are all gone. My family's gone.I taught for 50 years and yours is the first "thank you" letter I have ever gotten from a student. Sometimes I wonder what I did with my life. I will read and reread your letter until the day I die.

He sobbed on the phone. He said, "Every reunion we've had, she is always the one we talked about. She was everyone's favorite teacher-we loved her!"But no one had ever told her... until she received this letter.

Never forget... it is not the things you get, but the hearts you touch, that will determine your success in your Dash.

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments,but what is woven into the lives of others."

In the offices today:

Johnnie Dodds: Rick Sanchez, Jason Ogden, Stan Huff, Greaton Sellers, Stephanie Wilson-Hartzog, Susan Bryant, Mike Terry, Susie Schumm, Betty Pigot, June Kemmerlin, Amee Baker, Ed Ball, Max Hill, Becky Hayward, Joe Eddleman (in thought & spirits), Ken Kurtz, Kay Kennerty, Lane Baker, Deane Chavous, Bonnie Simpier

Santee: Martin Rigden, Jill James

Sumter: Marion, Sylvia, Pat, Kim, Shirley and Jo

Reminder: Friday is red, white & blue day.

Until later-----

Liz Loadholt

Another Great Day in the Real Estate Office

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008

Time was short today --- we spent the morning in Management Meeting and then the afternoon talking to agents from other companies about our Estate Plan --- The Tree is working!!!! Is it working for you?????????

In the offices today:
Johnnie Dodds: Jason Ogden, Stan Huff, Lane Baker, Deane Chavous, Neil Schneider, Mike Terry, Stephanie Wilson-Hartzog, Ed Ball, Currie McCullough, Deborah Lawrence, Susie Garvin, Susan Bryant, June Kemmerlin, Amee Baker & Joe Eddleman(in thought & spirit), Rick Sanchez

Santee: Susan Stroman, Ricki Williams, Neil Pepple, Jan Lovell, Jill James, Martin Rigden, Kim Matthews

There was a really good feeling in the Johnnie Dodds office today ---- a LOT of activity ---

Until later ----
Liz

Another Great Day in the Real Estate Office

Monday, Nov. 10, 2008

I hate to begin by apologizing, but--------------- I owe Jason Oggen an apology. Friday, he was difinitely dressed in red, white & blue ---- Jason, you are definitely a patriot!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remain positive ---- Bambi Magraw of the IOP office stated today: "I refuse to participate in the doom and gloom -- when another Realtor says something about how bad the market is, I tell them that the market will turn around --- I will not participate in their negative thinking". Thank you, Bambi.

"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor." Henry David Thoreau

WOW --- that is strong. You are incontrol of your thoughts --- make them positive.

Listings: I have noticed that you guys are doing great with your listings --- keep them coming. You are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the offices today:

Johnnie Dodds: Stan Huff, Neil Schneider, Tyler Bergin, Ken Kurtz, Stephanie Wilson-Hartzog, June Kemmerlin, Susie Schumm, Mike Terry, Tim Rogers, Kay Kennerty, Deborah Lawrence, Amee Baker, Becky Hayward, Liza Valero, Deane Chavous, Ute Appleby (Joe Eddleman was here in spirit and thought)


IOP: John Beall, John Kennington, Jim Raih, Bambi Magraw, Kim Ohlund, Roe Gabriel, JoAnn Leigh, Melinda Mitchell, Elaine Buckholtz, Janet Harris, Peggy Reese, Jim Covington

Santee: Ricki Williams, Jill James, Neil Pepple, Susan Stroman, Martin Rigden, Kim Matthews

Manning: Belinda Jordan, Mary Partee, Angie Jordan, Peggy Haley, Shaun Richburg, Charley Schmidt, Alfred Kelley, Joette Wielicki, Billy Geddings, bo King & Carol Jo Horne.

Friday, Nov. 7, 2008

Red, White & Blue Day ----- Another soldier from Mt. Pleasant was killed in Iraq this week --- he leaves behind a wife and 2 young children. Our simple gesture of wearing red, white & blue is not much, but at least it shows that we care and we are supporting our troops.

Patriots in our Santee office: Kim Matthews, Jill James

Patriots in Johnnie Dodds: Stan Huff, Ed Ball, Greaton Sellers, Liza Valero, Becky Hayward, Linda Vincent, Billie Jo VanDusen, Deborah Lawrence, Mary Nielson, John Beckroge, Tom Nelson, Boyd Loadholt, Chris Borders, Clara Hahn, June Kemmerlin, Rick Sanchez

Johnnie Dodds had an office meeting this morning. Marilyn Durkee made the below photos. Thanks, Marilyn --- they are great.

Cannot believe it is Friday already --- Ya'll have a wonderful weekend.

Until later ---

Liz Loadholt

Another Great Day in the Real Estate Office

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008

This blog presented by AgentOwned Realty for the Charleston, Sumter, Manning and Santee, SC markets ---- visit http://agentownedrealty.com

Good information: Melinda Mitchell writes: "I am advertising a golf-view townhome in Shadowmoss in the Post & Courier. So far, I have shown it five times from calls off the ad and have picked up two buyers. All of the calls have been from older clients who still use the newspaper to find homes. I know many agents have cut their advertising expenses and I see very few ads in the newspaper on the weekends. I think that is why I am getting so many calls."

Most Interesting: Susan Bryant writes: "I had a closing on Friday that was part of a chain of 4 closings that I am aware of and there may be more down the line. It wouldn't surprise me if the first closing in the chain might have been the result of a first time home buyer using the $7,500 tax credit. Two of these sales were in other states, mine in MT. Pleasant, and then my sellers purchased a home in Virginia. The Virginia sellers no doubt purchased another home and so forth. In any case, it only took one purchase to start the chain of sales so we will no doubt be seeing more of these situations, but it was a little tense in that so many closings had to happen on the same day with everyone moving to the next house. "

Yeah!!!!!!!!!! I've gotten approval from LLR for the Ethics course to count as 4 hours of elective for your continuing education. It is most important that you let me know if you are interested in taking the class. I am in the process of obtaining a place in Charleston to have the class.

Gosh, John Kennington has been in the JD office all day ----he is really working.

Until later -----
Liz Loadholt

Another Great Day in the Real Estate Office

Monday, Nov. 03, 2008

Yesterday, I left the office without hitting the publish button --- sorry --- maybe you will get 2 updates today.

This blog presented by AgentOwned Realty for the Charleston, Sumter, Manning and Santee, SC markets ---- visit http://agentownedrealty.com/



WOW!!!!! Can you believe that it is November? Where is the year going?



Congratulations to the Manning office: They are opening a branch office at Wyboo Plantation. Tammy Cupp is their first agent there and she is going to get this branch going. I will be the BIC just like in Manning.



Unfortuantately with the hard times that we are having now, we have had to cut more salaries.

At Johnnie Dodds, we are cutting out weekend secretaries, eliminating the receptionist position, cutting Linda & Jenny hours back to 32 hours each per week. We are sooooooooooo sorry to lose Kimberly Bessinger --- she is awesome and we wish her the very best. Anyone know of a good job for her, please let us know.





In the good news category: Amee Baker (Johnnie Dodds) was in today --- told me she now has 4 listings and her goal is to have 12 before Jan. 1, 2009 ---- Go Amee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She and June Kemmerlin are teaming up --- you got the really young inexperienc with the older very experience ---- what a team!!!!!!!!!!!!



In the offices today:

Santee: Neil Pepple, Martin Rigden, Susan Stroman, Jill James, and Kim Matthews



Johnnie Dodds: Bonnie Simpier, Tyler Bergin, Susie Schumm, Stan Huff, Jason Ogden (Sophia Ogden), Joe Eddleman, Deane Chavous, Ken Kurtz, Betty Pigott, Ashley Melton, Currie McCullough, Mike Terry, Greaton Sellers, Tim Rogers (Hope Rogers), Liza Valero, Becky Hayward, Max Hill, Rick Sanchez, Tom Crosby, Michael Whitfield, June Kemmerlin, Amee Baker, Susan Bryant



Manning: Angie, Peggy, Joette, Yana, Linda, Charley, Celina, Billy, Lola, Mary, Bo, Daisy, Tammy



I took my 2 newest puppies to the vet today for their shots ---- at 11 weeks old, Ox, the male, weighs 26 lbs and Maggie weighs 23 lbs. They are so cute --- they are as thick as they are wide.

Until later ----
Liz Loadholt