In the business of helping customers buy and sell homes, Action Realty of Detroit Lakes recently took part in a different sort of commercial sale, that of its own business.
Opal Rogstad and Joanne Olson started the local realty company back in 1986. In late March of this year, Action real estate associates Steve Larson and Lief Rogstad bought out Olson and are now partners with Opal Rogstad, who remains an owner.
"Joanne is not retiring. She will still be working here. She just sold her half of the business," noted Opal Rogstad.
With a staff of 15 and a distinctive round-featured building situated on South Washington Avenue, Action Realty recently saw its second-generation take over the reins during its sale.
"I knew I always wanted to do this, be an owner," commented Lief Rogstad, who is also Opal's son. "It was just a matter of timing."
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"This is really exciting. I love houses, which is why I got into real estate six years ago after I sold my advertising specialties business," added Larson. "I have really enjoyed real estate and am excited about our new partnership. This is a tremendous opportunity."
Larson and the Rogstads plan to continue to expand the Action Realty business, using the many new tools and latest technologies now available within the industry.
"We don't have any radical changes planned, but we will continue to grow the company," commented Lief Rogstad. "We have a great location and a great staff of real estate professionals. We are very fortunate to have four associates with over 20-plus years of experience as well as several others that have 10-plus years in the real estate business too," he added.
"The Internet is such a great tool and we will use it to market our commercial and residential properties," added Larson. "We recently became licensed in North Dakota so we cover a wide range (of territory) in the area."
Opal Rogstad noted computer innovations and the ability for customers to view properties online has been one of the biggest changes the real estate business she has noticed through the years.
"Today you can see a whole house worth of pictures online with the click of a mouse," she explained. "Computers have changed everything."
Another transformation the longtime real estate professional noted taking place in the local real estate community has been the amount of development in the area.
"There has been a lot of development in the community; new communities, new businesses, which is fun to see."
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"That is one of our strengths -- both Opal and Joanne have deep roots in the community, which is why they have been so successful over the years," added Larson. "They work, live and know the lakes area."
One thing about the business that has not changed through the years, however, is the contagious excitement of finding a client their perfect home, said Lief Rogstad.
"I was brought up in real estate," he started. " I have been in real estate for 11 years, but counting all the times I would go out with my mom to show properties when I was younger, I've been doing this for almost 25 years and there is nothing more exciting then selling a person the house of their dreams," said Rogstad.
"It is something that can make your week," added Larson. "You can tell right away when they walk into a property, their face just lights up when it is the right one. You can't help but get excited too."
As the next generation begins to take over the Action reigns, Rogstad and Larson point out they are continuing that family training tradition on the next generation as well.
"Just as my mom showed me the business at a young age, I am showing my kids too. My son is already a great door closer when we are looking at properties," said Lief Rogstad.
Larson noted the same sort of effect real estate has had on his family.
"My daughter loves to come with me to show properties, and she already knows where to find all the light switches, " concluded Larson.
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Action Realty is located at 1219 South Washington. For more information, call 218-847-1658 or log onto www.actionrealtydl.com .
