Allow me to introduce myself! My name is Melisa Berube, the 2019 President of the Morgantown Board of Realtors. Here’s how this all began:
In 1996 I lived in Florida, newly married, a very new mother, and small business owner. Then when we decided we wanted to be home owners, too. Because of the aforementioned list we had some debt to pay off so our journey of scrimping, saving, and dreaming began. I had a weekly grocery budget of $40 a week, we got creative about saving money doing things like putting 2 liter bottles in the toilet tanks to save on the water bill and keeping the A/C just below the ‘body odor’ setting to save on electric. In the summer of 1997, with a now one year old and another in the roaster, I closed on my first home. With the exception of having my babies placed in my arms for the first time, having those keys dropped in my hand was the proudest I’ve ever been. It was, to say the least, an emotional roller coaster that at times didn’t seem worth it but a life changing experience. At that moment I knew I wanted to help people realize the American Dream. I wanted to walk that path, guide their journey, and be the one to drop those keys in their hand. In 2002 I started doing just that and I haven’t looked back.
Since then I have been actively involved in local and state associations in each of the four markets I have worked. I have served as member, co-chair, and chair of several committees on each of those boards as well as civic groups such as Habitat for Humanity and currently the Coalition for Housing Action Partnership. This is not just my job. This is my career, my industry, and my passion.
To say I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as Board President is a gross understatement. I approach the coming year with excitement, enthusiasm, and a bit of trepidation. I am anxious to bring you information, education, and enlightenment into the industry I hold so dear. Each year my business plan starts with this statement: “My mission as a Realtor is to fulfill each of my clients’ real estate needs; to educate myself, my clients, and the public about the real estate market and industry; to hold myself to the highest standards of ethics and integrity; and to earn the trust of each person I have the privilege of working with.” It is my hope, given the fantastic opportunity of using this platform, to do just that. Educate you, the public, about what my colleagues and I do with the intention of not just influencing the real estate market but to bring our best selves to our communities in order to make a positive mark where we live, work, and play. I look forward to the coming year and if you have a topic you’d like me to cover don’t hesitate to let me know. Thank you for taking the time to read my column, and let’s get this party started!
Melissa Berube, 2019 MBOR President
