Veterans Day 2012 – A Time To Reflect

Veterans Day 2012As a retired military combat veteran, Veterans Day holds a special meaning for me. It’s a time to reflect on those who serve or have served in defense of this great nation.

From the Revolutionary War to the war in Afghanistan, America’s veterans have always paid the price to keep this nation free. Freedom and liberty are fragile things often preserved with the blood of those who swore an oath to defend her at all cost.

I’m saddened more and more as I look at our nation. She was once the greatest nation on earth. Today we’re headed down a path from which there may be no recovery. We’re faced with crushing debt, a deep crevasse between her people, a tax system that needs an overhaul, and an economy that barely functions.

President John F. Kennedy once said, “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.” If we don’t stop blaming others and accept responsibility for the future, America as we know it may not survive.

President Ronald Reagan always saw America as that “shining city on the hill.” I share that vision and truly wish that all Americans could see this nation through the eyes of a veteran. I’m not sure there’s another group that loves her the way we do.

It’s time to put aside our differences and work together as Americans to solve the problems facing this nation.

 Tom Branch, Broker, CDPE, SFR

Photo licensed from iStockPhoto

The Branch Team Named One of the Best Real Estate Teams in Dallas

D Magazine Best Real Estate Agents in Dallas 2012Tom and Gina Branch, The Branch Team, with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs were named as Top Residential Real Estate Producers in Dallas by D Magazine at a reception held at the Four Seasons Resort in Irving.

In the July 2012 issue D Magazine’s editor wrote, “Racking up tens of millions in home sales in the hotly competitive North Texas market isn’t easy.”

The Branch Team closed more than $15m in sales in 2011 with 112 sides and 96 listings.

Gina Branch stated, “We’re proud that the vast majority of our business comes from referrals. We stay focused on providing quality service before, during, and after the sale.”

Source: D Magazine, July 2012 | Logo used with permission

 

Memorial Day 2012 – Some Gave All

Some Gave All

Click for Larger Image

“We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we will always be free.”

– Ronald Reagan

 

Photo: Copyright 2011 – Tom Branch

Memorial Day 2012 – A Time to Remember

Memorial Day 2012As a retired military combat veteran, Memorial Day holds a very special meaning for me. It’s a time to reflect back and honor those who not only served, but made the ultimate sacrifice for this nation and her people.

Many people have tried to capture the essence of it. Few accomplished it.  Billy Ray Cyrus’ song titled, “Some Gave All” is one of them:

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

What non-veterans cannot comprehend is the guilt felt by many of those who make it home. Jamey Garner’s song titled, “That’s What Soldiers Do” showed remarkable insight :

Those emotional wounds run deep and those veterans returning home need our support more than ever.

Freedom is not free. We enjoy our liberties because brave men and women have always been willing to put everything on the line in order to insure them.

If you love America and our way of life, thank a veteran. Their blood has been shed preserving the liberty that we enjoy and many take for granted.

Photo licensed from iStockPhoto

RE/MAX Shines in 2012 Power Broker Report

Once again, the industry-leading productivity of RE/MAX® agents is on full display in RISMedia’s 2012 Power Broker Report, released in April, 2012.

Within the 45 RE/MAX® offices listed, RE/MAX® agents average 15.1 transaction sides each – by far the highest number in the most meaningful metric of agent productivity.

Realty Executives trail with 12.5 sides per agent, followed by Coldwell Banker (10.4), ERA (7.5), and Keller Williams and Century 21 (7.3 each).

Additionally, RE/MAX® tops the list in average agent sales volume, with $3.2 million. This is nearly $1 million more than the next closest competitor, luxury specialist Sotheby’s (2.4 million). Realty Executives ($2.3 million), Prudential ($1.95 million) and Coldwell Banker ($1.9 million) rounded out the top five.

The 2012 report ranks the top 300 brokerages based on transaction sides, as compiled from 2011 data.

Source: RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs

 

Gina Branch Selected as a 2012 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent

FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent

We are pleased to announce that Gina Branch has been selected as a 2012 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent for the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Texas Monthly partnered with FIVE STAR Professional to identify the real estate agents in the Dallas Fort Worth area who provide exceptional service and overall satisfaction as indicated by clients, peers and industry experts. The 2012 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agents are a select group of fewer than 7 percent of all real estate agents in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Tom Branch, Broker, CDPE, SFR

FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent is a Service Mark of FIVE STAR Professional. Logo licensed from FIVE STAR Professional.