It is now definite. All Pro Realty will be moving its headquarters on June 1, 2007. I must admit that I am torn over the decision. We have lived and worked in Dent and Phelps Counties for going on 20 years now and have a lot of history and friends we are leaving behind. Not the least of which is my Co-Founder of All Pro Realty and my Mother-In-Law Rita V. Echols.

In all honesty real estate has not been nearly as much fun since Rita’s retirement in 2003. And regardless of how busy or tired she was she always took the time to advise our younger Agents and yes…. even me. While we visit Rita regularly it is not the same as it was when we worked shoulder to shoulder every day. I know she deserved a break and retirement but we all miss her deeply.

Moving to Columbia has revitalized both me and the Agents that are coming with me. Even still… I miss you “Ma”.

~Rhonda McMillan
Broker

This is my first post on the real estate blog so please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Brandon Parker and I am a Broker and the Vice President of All Pro Realty. I am a Former Marine, a Husband and a Father to a beautiful little girl with a boy on the way.

To be honest I never intended to be in the real estate industry.  My Mother, Father and Grandmother were all real estate professionals. Before joing the Marines I studied at Westminster College in Fulton Missouri double-majoring in Political Science and Psychology. While attending school my two younger brothers volunteered for the USMC and I couldn’t help but feel compelled to join them.

While stationed at Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan I met my beautiful wife Katarina; a Slovakian national.   After exiting the service, I moved to East Europe where my wife and I were married.  Fresh out of the service and newly married I contemplated what career I would pursue to support my family. 

My Mother, who is also a Broker and the President of All Pro Realty, suggested joining the family business. Although I was raised in the real estate industry I must admit that I had no real interest in taking it on as a career. Growing up I watched my parents and Grandmother work extremely long hours for many years and I have to admit that at first the idea was not that appealing.

After Katarina and I had a sit down discussed with my parents what our goals were, we started to see that the Realtor’s life could be great one!  My parent’s explained to us how they were now working “Smarter not Harder” and while there were still long hours and some missed weekends it was not nearly as difficult a lifestyle as it had been in the past.  They also reflected on how rewarding so many aspects of a Realtor’s job really were.

So I decided to take the plunge. I have always been a “People Person” and have enjoyed meeting and working with people. It gives me a great sense of pleasure when I help a family find that perfect home that they have always dreamed of. I know that deciding where to raise a family and make a home is one of the most important decisions to make in this life and I am honored when clients allow me to be a part of that aspect of thier lives.

What was once a subject of non-interest has now become a passion. Every day is unique with its own obstacles and rewards. While I plan to enroll in college this fall to finish my double major, I will push forward and continue to learn and excell in an industry I now whole-heartedly embrace…. Real Estate.

Brandon Parker
Vice President
All Pro Realty