Claremore Daily Progress

Business

February 8, 2010

Local real estate business celebrates 1-year anniversary

Joy Hampton

Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 — Nationally, the mortgage and real estate business has been bleak with the failure of Freddie and Fannie Mac and bad loans and foreclosures.

Locally, Rogers County has continued onward. One success story has been Solid Rock Realtors which celebrated one year in business on Feb. 2 with an open house, giant sub sandwiches, cookies, and cake.

Jeni Urie, wife of owner Michael Urie, said she is proud but not surprised that her husband’s business has been solid throughout its first year even in a rough economy.

“Every since I met him, I knew he wanted to do this,” she said. “It’s been his goal to have his own real estate business.”

She attributes his honesty, work ethic and agreeable personality as part of his success.

“He’s very personable,” said Jeni. “Very outgoing and likable. He’s very old-fashioned about hard work.”

Asked what gave him the courage and faith to start a new real estate business in the current economic climate, Michael smiled.

“The faith is God-given,” he said. “We set goals and everything just fell into place.”

He said the name was important to him and the web site domain was available. The fact that the building he located is rock was simply a “coincidence” as he had already planned what he wanted to name the business long before the rock building was located.

“I did property management when I was in college,” said Michael. He attributes the late Judy Wiggs for mentoring him.

He worked in real estate part-time at first, getting his license in 2002.

A Rogers County native who grew up in Chelsea and graduated from Chelsea High, he knew this was a growing county with a good real estate market. He selected Claremore for his business because “it’s the hub for Rogers County,” he said.

“Last year was a record year for my business,” he said. “We’ve been blessed.”

Michael said he recruited people to his team who he knows have good moral character.

“It’s a very family-like atmosphere,” said Jeni.

“You’ve got to be nice to people and learn about them,” said Michael of his customers. He said a good realtor does not have to be a salesman.

“You just let people fall in love with a home,” he said.

He believes it’s part of his job to protect people and connect them with a good loan officer. When a family is looking for property he will help them assess their needs. Other professionals such as the loan officer will help them figure out what they can afford.

He also helps them arrange inspections and title insurance through dealings with reputable people.

“The biggest thing we’re trying to overcome is the economy.”

He said things like HGTV hurt business because of all the talk about markets being down.

“Real estate is local,” said Michael. “Things are still moving in Oklahoma. You can still get 100 percent financing. “

He said there’s incentives for first time financing and Cherokee Nation financing are some of the options available.

“Use all of your resources,” he said.

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