March's Member Spotlight: Kevin Paton
Congratulations to Kevin Paton, REALTOR® at Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Macomb. Kevin was nominated for being a wonderful standard of hardworking while still demonstrating great morals and ethics in his day-to-day business practices and personal life. Whether that's helping other agents, providing great to his clients to his involvement with several charities. Have one conversation with Kevin and it's easy to see why he's such a likable, positive, and hardworking man. Very deserving!
Professional Questions:
Tell us about your real estate career (title, office, years, specialties, designations, etc.)
I am a REALTOR® of about 21 years now. I do hold a MRP and GRI designation. I love working with first-time homebuyers, investors and waterfront properties because I was born and raised on the water and still live on the water to this day.
You’ve been nominated for being a wonderful standard of hard work, while still demonstrating great morals and ethics in your day-to-day professional and personal life. How does being recognized make you feel?
I feel very honored. I've been trying to shy away from the stress of the personal life chaos going on right now because the last thing people want to see is another person complaining. So I always love emphasizing the achievements that my kids make and funny stories that I can tell on a daily basis.
It's always a struggle to be a great husband, an amazing father and still the best REALTOR® I can be for my clients, however I don't let things get me down at least not for long. A good friend once told me “don't let things get to you, and there is always something better waiting in line.” I believe you can't focus on the negative in this business. It will ruin you.
How did you get started in the real estate industry?
Believe it or not, I graduated early from high school and had a great career and paid schooling working in the Tool & Die industry as an EDM operator. When General Motors went on strike in the late 90s, my boss said he's been doing this a long time and his advice would be for me to find a different career. Shortly after that, he laid me off and the company went under. Having my mom in the Real Estate industry, I thought to myself, let's give it a shot and went to school to get my license in real estate. I worked as her assistant and then we created a team of four (4) for about 10 years. When Weir Manuel took over Schweitzer, I went off on my own and have been a solo agent ever since.
Which professional achievement are you most proud of?
I probably have two professional achievements I am most proud of. (1) One of them was the prestigious Chris Knight award through CBWM. I grew up in this industry always hearing and seeing Chris and his amazing achievements as top agent in the company and in the industry. I always thought to myself he was a machine that did the impossible. It was years later that I sat with him at a table for a top achievers luncheon and he told me about his family and how he never tries to miss a soccer game or an event for his kids. That became my life goal. I wanted to be a Chris Knight.
(2) My second was the 1st GMAR Greater Neighbor Award. It was awesome being acknowledged for the things I do both in and out of the real estate industry. Both brought tears to my eyes of course.
What piece(s) of technology do you incorporate into your business practices?
That's a tough one… Other than my cell phone and my laptop, I try to stay away from the craziness of technology. However I do love my laser measuring tool!
Do you have a favorite MiRealSource tool?
I love using ListTrac’s Analytics, the MiRealSource Single Property Website and MarketStats. I try to utilize the relevant graphs and reports in every listing appointment.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a REALTOR®?
I absolutely love people's reaction when they fall in love with the home or when they get an offer accepted. Helping them begin the next chapter of life and being a big part of it is such an amazing feeling. I also love hearing stories of where people came from and the places they have lived.
What is the most difficult aspect of being a REALTOR®?
Dealing with people that are cut throat. This is a rapidly growing industry and I hate dealing with dishonest people. It's also very difficult juggling around when to work and when to spend time with family. We often work when others do not. That tends to be evenings and weekends and also even holidays.
What is a “tid-bit” of information people don’t know about being a REALTOR®?
We do not have a magic hat where we can totally control how fast a home sells or for what price, but we can certainly try and help offer the best advice possible.
Personal & Fun Questions:
Tell us more about you? (Interests, passions, hobbies, family, etc.)
I'm totally an outdoorsy guy. I love being outside, boating, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, etc. I just enjoy walking around in the outdoors is great. I am married and we have two incredible young boys. They are 4 and 9. They are certainly the fuel that keeps me going every day.
Can you share with us some of your community service involvement, how you became interested, and where or how someone can get more involved?
My community involvement is pretty lengthy. I am strongly involved in Special Olympics @https://www.somi.org. Actually, my involvement came about from another REALTOR® out in Plymouth over 10 years ago. He invited me to be a part of an organization that specifically raises money for the area 35 Chapter, which is in the Eastern UP. This chapter receives the least amount of State Funding for Special Olympics so it a great charity to support. Over the years, I've gotten to know those kids and watch them grow up. It's just amazing.
I also love helping out at my son’s school. Being a part of the Watch Dogs (Dads of Great Students), coaching Science Olympiad, volunteering, donating and sponsoring. I also have been requested to volunteer one day a week to help teach first and second graders math for 1 hour. I also do volunteer time on the Macomb/Lake St Clair chapter of Ducks Unlimited for Wet Lands Conservation. If people want to get involved, there are so many organizations that would love to have volunteers. You just need to ask. If you see an event, be a part of it, sign up or buy a ticket & see what the organization is about. You'll know if it's the right fit for you. Volunteer time doing what you have a passion for--people know the difference.
What is your life Motto?
Affirmations!!! I am amazing, I am beautiful and I am rich (rich doesn't just mean having money)!
Which personal achievement are you most proud of?
My two sons are my greatest achievement.
Where is the most interesting place you’ve visited?
Quebec. It's like the UP on steroids. I cannot wait to take my children there. And where I go, there is no Internet or cell reception. You bring a satellite phone for emergencies and the closest town is over 50 miles away.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Alaska for sure. That's on my bucket list. When my youngest gets a little older, we are definitely making a trip to Ireland and Scotland.
Who or what are you most grateful for?
Honestly, I'm grateful for the path I chose in life. I'm grateful for the risks that I took or will take. I'm for sure grateful for the family that I have and their patience. Also, the ability that I can stay home with my child who is sick or attend a Halloween party at school because I can set my own schedule. I am also truly grateful for the friends I have made in this business. There are some truly great people out there in this industry who always offer a helping hand or step up in times of need.
What are your goals for 2020?
To do better. I don't track my numbers. I have no idea what I make. When people ask me what my goals are or what I sold, I always tell them the same thing. “I just want to do better.” It's worked out over the years so why change it?