Harris named Realtor of the Year

By CHERIL VERNON

PALESTINE — At 26 years old, United Country Southland Realty realtor Cody Harris wasn’t expecting to be named the Realtor of the Year at the recent Palestine Association of Realtors annual banquet.

“I was very surprised and honored,” Harris said of winning the award. “It usually takes years and years and years of experience to win this award. It’s not normally given to someone in real estate for only three years.

“I know there were other people more deserving than I, so I feel very honored to win this award. I look forward to serving on the selection committee next year to pick the 2010 Realtor of the Year,” Harris continued.

The Realtor of the Year is selected from members of the Palestine Association of Realtors based on criteria including: participation on the local, state and national level of the Association of Realtors; community service; and personal success in the real estate business.

On the state level, Harris has participated in the Texas State Association of Realtors convention for the past three years. He also was elected as a trustee of the Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee (TREPAC) along with 40 other trustees statewide.

This organization works for the rights of property owners, fighting for low taxes and offers support of political candidates who support the same issues as TREPAC.

Harris also is involved in the legislative management team through the state association.

“We stay in contact with our local representatives and senators and are the first one to call them when there is an issue to find out what position they are taking and to let them know the position of the state association,” Harris said.

On a local level, Harris has served as the TREPAC chair for the past two years. Harris also is currently is serving on the Palestine Association of Realtors’ board of directors. He has sold $3.5 million in property in 2008 and is on track to sell $4.5 million this year.

Harris is a founding member of the Palestine Young Professionals Network and the current president. The organization was instrumental in helping pass the city smoking ordinance.

Harris is vice president of education for the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce and president-elect of Palestine YMCA.

He and his wife, Taylor, are involved in various church activities at First Baptist Church of Palestine. They have two sons, Cooper, 2 1/2, and 8-month-old Grayson.

For Harris, real estate is a family business. His parents Larry and Janis Harris are the owners of United Country Southland Realty.

After graduating from Palestine Christian School as valedictorian in 2002 and from Texas A&M; University in 2006 with a degree in Political Science, Harris returned home to Palestine to start his real estate business.

“Ever since I was little I’ve had a deep love for my city and county. I’ve always known this was where I wanted to raise my family,” Harris said. “Getting involved in the community and being a steward of where I live was extremely important to me.”

Harris sells all kinds of real estate, but specializes in farm and ranch real estate and commercial real estate, and enjoys walking the land while showing property.

“I love real estate and enjoy meeting the people I come in contact with through my job,” Harris said. “It’s nice to be able to serve people and make a living doing that.”

Harris also is representing the City of Palestine in the purchase of the Palestine Mall.

A special joy in his job comes for helping first-time home buyers complete their purchase.

“It’s a very rewarding process to walk them through the steps and see it come to fruition,” Harris said.

Harris said the trend of people from larger cities buying property in Palestine has continued.

“A lot of families value the rural lifestyle and quality of life Palestine has to offer. They recognize that and want to take advantage of it,” he said.

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