She was the first G.R.I. or Graduate Realtor Institute in Sandpoint. That was back in the day when Brokers were writing up all contracts in pen and ink, using carbon paper, and the IBM Selectric had not come on the market yet.   I came across her old certificate in a box I took out of the attic at Rainbow Realty in Sandpoint, Idaho.  There were plenty of other documents pertaining to training, office management, and the local Association of Realtors.   It was like a Sandpoint, Idaho real estate time machine.   The ads touted houses in south Sandpoint that were listed at $4,000 – $8,000 and today those same houses have sold and closed in the $300,000 range.

She was a full time Real Estate professional and her husband was an Appraiser with a national reputation.   They built a business together, served a community together, and raised four kids together. I recognize now how much they contributed to the community over the years, the volunteerism that they showed their professional association and I know what great parents they were to their children.  I know for sure because they were my parents – June and Jack Young.

Dad lived long enough to see how technology has changed RE forever and Mom has embraced email and computing as a way to stay connected to loved ones.   They were always eager for the next new thing while embracing yesterdays values.  My Mom still marvels at the prices and especially the taxes. I had lunch with her the other day and was concerned about the number of people that have lost their homes and the ones that still may.   She and Dad always felt that owning your own home was the best foundation for a wonderful life.  To have something that belongs to you and your family, a place to raise the kids, enjoy the neighbors, and create a safe haven for loved ones.

At Rainbow Realty they always had the coffee on and everyone was welcome. I put each document in envelopes and scanned a few before I stowed the box again.   I climbed down out of the attic and sat down by the fireplace when clients we have know for years stopped by to chat.   They wanted to know if this was a good time.  I just told them what Mom and Dad would have said:  “It’s perfect.  You’re always welcome and the coffees on”. It’s been nearly 40 years since they founded Rainbow Realty and some things never change.