Press Release

 Tom Verhelst, CRS, Michelle Pearson, and  Alan Olson, Broker/Owner of Century 21 Vista, Inc.  recently earned the Century 21 System’s Centurion Producer Awards for their continuous sales success.

The Centurion Producer Award honors Century 21 System sales associates who sell in excess of 7 million dollars in real estate within a calendar year.  Only 2% of all Century 21 agents worldwide achieve this award.  These agents were presented with a Centurion Award statue and lapel pin, in addition to being recognized at the Century 21 System’s International Convention in Orlando, Florida. 

“Tom, Michelle and  Alan have over 70 years of combined experience in the real estate industry and are leaders and innovators in delivering powerful home buying and selling choices to their clients because they are so knowledgeable about the communities they serve,” said Barb Ecker, Office Manager.  “These agents are a valued and trusted resource for the Fergus Falls community and major contributors to the overall success of Century 21 Vista.”

“It’s pretty much business as usual.  Sales are quite good,” said Alan Olson, a veteran Century 21 Broker, from the Century 21 International Convention in Orlando.  “Our business is up ten percent.  And I owe it to the fact the national media is saying things are terrible.  It’s going quite well for us.”

Being 180 miles northwest of the Twin Cities, “we’re somewhat isolated from the big swings both up and down because we’re a rural area and quite stable.” Olson said in describing why his particular area is faring well.  “We haven’t had huge inflation and consequently we don’t lose a lot either.”

Olson, a self-described Pollyanna, echoed what many other real estate experts have said, namely that if a person is willing to sell their home for a “bit less” than they thought it was worth, there are plenty of bargains to be had.  Someone selling in Otter Tail County and moving to the Twin Cities would make out quite well, he said, “because you would sell high and buy low.”

But Olson acknowledges that in many regions of the country the real estate market is not as vibrant as his.  “There are areas that are suffering and areas that are booming,” he said.  “It’s strictly local,” saying Otter Tail County real estate is stable, despite projections nationwide that home prices would fall from 6 to 7 percent this year.

In fact, Olson sees another profitable year for his business.  “From what I’ve seen in the last 4 months, our market is going to grow, he said.  “I feel I’ll be looking at another ten to 15 percent increase in 2008”.