Page 14 - REMAX – Fall 2017 Regional Matters

RE/MAX of Southeastern Michigan
AGENT SPOTLIGHT
Pat Rice of RE/MAX Classic (Canton Office)
Congratulations to Pat Rice, realtor for RE/MAX Classic (Canton Office) and Leader of the Business Empowerment Committee for the Wayne Mainstreet Board on her receipt of the GMAR Placemaking Grant to create a pocket park in downtown Wayne!
Community citizenship is one way that RE/MAX agents differentiate from other realtors in the industry. Our partnership with Children’s Miracle Network and the RE/MAX How Hot Air Rises School Balloon Program are just a few ways that our agents can give back to the communities in which they live and work. Being part of the Wayne Mainstreet Board is a perfect example of how Pat mixes community citizenship with her real estate career.
Pat has been a realtor for 31 years, 16 of those years with RE/MAX Classic. She wanted to be part of the Wayne Mainstreet Board because she liked the goals to make her city, Downtown Wayne, a desirable place to shop, and enjoy neighbors. As the Leader of the Business Empowerment Committee she guides and motivates the committee members to be creative with ideas to help existing businesses to expand and enhance their business, and to recruit new business to the city of Wayne.
Each year, the Michigan Realtors® awards one Placemaking Grant to each local association. Seeing a need to do something with a vacant piece of land between two buildings in the busy part of downtown Wayne, Pat decided to apply for the Placemaking Grant. She was awarded $5000.00 in August of this year, which is the largest grant ever issued to one group by GMAR. Transformation of the area will be outdoor tables and chairs, benches, overhead lighting, electricity, social events, outdoor exercise classes, small concerts, picnics and overall a gathering spot for Wayne residents to share time with other residents. One of the founding settlers of Wayne was Ezra Derby, so the committee has decided to name the new pocket park “Derby’s Alley”.
Being part of the Wayne Mainstreet Board and an active participant in the community has positively impacted Pat’s real estate career. She explained, “I have been active in my community also with Wayne Rotary, City Planning Commission and Beaumont Healthy Wayne. People who I volunteer with have bought and sold houses with me and they have referred their family and friends. They always comment that they feel they have known me for a long time by seeing my yard signs and photo.” Being with the RE/MAX brand has also been a positive influence on Pat’s career. When asked what does she like most about being with RE/MAX, Pat explained, “I do not have to sell the company. Because of the tremendous amount of advertising done at the national and regional levels, consumers already know the RE/MAX name and the hot air balloon. All I need to do is sell my business style.”
Way to go Pat Rice!
14 REGIONAL MATTERS • FALL 2017