That kind of involvement earned McLaughlin $2.6 million in sales her first full year in real estate. She more than doubled that her second year with a sales volume of $5.8 million with 36 transaction sides. Her average sales price is $185,000.

McLaughlin began her real estate career in 1991 with a push from her mother-in-law, who had been a real estate professional for 30 years. McLaughlin had taken a year’s leave of absence from her job as an elementary schoolteacher to care for her mother-in-law, who was recovering from spinal-cord surgery.

It was time, McLaughlin had decided, for a change. She had taught school for 13 years. In 1989, she was thrilled to be honored as Elementary School Teacher of the Year for all of Sarasota County. “It was almost as though I needed a new challenge after that,” says McLaughlin. “Of course, I hadn’t done it all -- you can never do it all in teaching. But I wanted something new.”

Her husband, Dick, who is a sales and marketing director for new-home construction, advised his wife to join RE/MAX, an unusual choice for an untested agent. He convinced her that with her contacts in the school system and community activities, she should be able to generate enough business to pay the office fees without a problem.

He was right. “It went gangbusters,” says McLaughlin. “I had people calling me --other teachers, parents -- all asking me to sell their houses.” Not that it fell into her lap. She drew on her extensive contact base. And, she advertised in several small community newspapers to get her name and photo out in front of her target audience. “I had a little bit of a [financial] buffer,” says McLaughlin, “so I had some dollars to put into my advertising. That made a big difference. If you don’t have that money, then borrow it. It catapults your career.”

In addition, she got publicity through her community activities such as chairmanship of the Junior League committee involved with the annual holiday tour of homes. Also, she expanded her resale base by getting the Certified Site Professional (CSP) designation offered by the National Association of Home Builders for those wanting education in new-home sales. A lot of salespeople don’t hone in on new-home construction,” she says. “I think it’s a big help. I went out and learned all the new-home communities. It gave me another bank of listings I could shoe.” Also, new-home agents sometimes refer listings and buyers to her.

McLaughlin is in the process of designing a campaign of postcard mailings with her husband, who she says helps her tremendously with marketing. It was he who suggested she use her teaching background in her promotions. McLaughlin says that prospects respond well to her experience as a teacher. “I really have knowledge about schools,” she says, “and, for families, that’s marvelous.”

Former schoolteachers often do well in real estate, says Tim Crowley, who is a broker and co-owner of RE/MAX Properties with his wife, Judy. “Schoolteachers are very people oriented,” he says, “That’s Marcia. She’s just one of those people who makes you feel like a million bucks.”

McLaughlin credits the Crowleys with excellent training and support, which she used to build a foundation for herself.

Sometimes people feel that RE/MAX won’t train you,” she says, “but I didn’t find that to be true. Tim and Judy worked with me. They’ll work with any agent who they believe has potential.” McLaughlin can’t recite her sales figures off the top of her head. “I don’t keep close track of the numbers,” she says. “I just go from day to day, servicing my people and working hard. It all falls into place. I get the most pleasure in getting families into homes.”

McLaughlin runs her business from a home office fully outfitted with a fax machine, copier, color printer and computer on which she uses Top Producer. She has someone who helps her with clerical tasks once a week.

Having her office at home, says McLaughlin, allows her to juggle her work and family responsibilities more effectively. With daughters who are 15 and 17 years old, she says the balancing act is much less intense than it would be with younger children. She says she’s usually sitting at the computer by 8 a.m., but she may take a mid-morning detour to throw in a load of wash or attend a school advisory board meeting. Then, she’s back at the computer or out on the road at showings in the afternoon. “I can be cooking dinner while I’m running listings for buyers I’m going to be working with the next day.”

The flexibility is important to McLaughlin. “I have to have a balance in my life with my kids, my life with my husband, my church and other activities. I want to enjoy my kids. When they’re off at college, then I’ll devote more time to the business.”

Update 1999---Marcia McLaughlin's Success Continues!!!

Now one of Florida's top mega-million dollar real estate professionals, Marcia has been elected to the prestigious Re/Max Hall of Fme and Platinum Club. Her daughters are both in college and doing great!

Marcia's community involvement includes being a board member of the All Children's Hospital Guild and new College Library Association, SAC Ashton School Advisory council, sustaining member of the Junior League of Sarasota, and is involved in fund raising for the Arthritis Foundation, Heart Association and Cancer Foundation.