Aren writes: In 2001 the real estate market was HOT!  I was 20 years old, had saved $5,000 and was approved for $155,000 FHA to purchase a duplex.  My Realtor, Myrna, and I competed and lost in multiple offers on 6 duplexes.  Then a duplex on N.E. Johnson St. appeared.  I knew it was the right choice.  The listing agent was the owner; he met us at the property that day. We wrote a P.A. on the spot, gave him his price, negotiated for me to do any FHA repairs, added money for closing costs and the owner/agent signed it.  DONE!  When he returned to his office he found faxed offers for significantly more money but, being an honorable man, he sold it to me as agreed.  I did a long list of improvements, learning as I went. I discovered that my fiancé, Danielle, was a very good decorator and painter.  Together we made the duplex really nice.  In 2005, Myrna called and said, “It is time to sell.” — I did for $275,000!  I was then able to purchase my present home plus a house to fix and sell;— also bought within hours of the listings hitting the MLS.  I fixed the “flip” house to the extreme and sold it at a healthy profit and then bought another…..

Now married, Danielle and I own our own home, a rental house with twenty acres and a side/side duplex in Anoka county.  We have great credit and a healthy financial future, thanks to our hard work, good luck and great guidance from Myrna.  My Dad always told me, “You make your money when you buy.”  That is especially true in today’s soft sell market.  I see great buys today.   In fact, I am purchasing a St. Paul duplex that Myrna just found this weekend.   Having a Realtor with investment savvy has given me the confidence and knowledge to prosper in this changing market.

Myrna Responds: It worked for you because you’re good with money, have an eye for value and the courage to tackle the tough projects. You trusted my advice to act and act fast when there was an opportunity or when a price reduction was necessary. Plus, you kept your day job.  

Ruby and Paul write: Dear Myrna, it was very thoughtful of you to send us tickets to the State Fair. We took our daughters and thoroughly enjoyed it. We ate typical fair food and actually saw a baby calf born!! We also want to thank you again for your professional advice on how to prepare our home for sale. It must have been good because our home sold quickly and at a fair price. We would certainly recommend you at any time. Thank you so much!

Myrna responds: My pleasure, Paul and Ruby. It is no surprise that you love the fair. With Paul’s many years as head of the Department of Agriculture at the U of M you are truly part of our state’s rich agricultural heritage.

Scott writes: Initially my wife and I tried to sell our house with XXXXX Realty; it was a nightmare. Seven months passed and we still had the house and a mountain of frustration. Myrna Bourcy with RE/MAX changed everything for us. She sold our townhouse in a week and found us the perfect, affordable single family home that fit the picture we were focused on. She made the process seamless and enjoyable. My wife and I could not be happier. Thanks Myrna!

Shelene and Ian write: Myrna Bourcy's professional 'get it sold' work ethic was tremendous. She always followed through and returned calls and emails promptly during our time together. We didn't need to ask for anything. Everything was done for us, from the For Sale signs, to the detailed listing. Our town house sold, in a slower market, in just 2 months. Myrna and Re/Max will always be highly recommended by us. Thank you!

Myrna responds: It is a great time to be a move up buyer, with good up front planning. However, by the time you contacted me, you’d been poorly advised, moved into your next home and had two unsuccessful listings. You had long been making two house payments and some hard decisions. You did walk visible lighter as we left the closing. I am grateful for your business and your trust. You’ve already introduced me to a co-worker with a similar plight. We will work hard for them so they can walk a little lighter too!

Jon and Cleo Write:   We first met Myrna in 1998 at an open house that she was holding on one of her listings in the Innsbruck area of Fridley.  We were not represented by another agent, so Myrna acted as “dual agent”, and treated us very fairly.  We were impressed with her honesty, her knowledge o of the industry and her always quick response to our questions and concerns.   She kept in touch with us after the sale, and we again called her when we started a search in 2004 for a condo in Minneapolis for our daughter.  Even though this price range was modest, she searched the market extensively, and treated us as if we were buying a million dollar property.  We found a suitable condo very quickly and then encountered numerous problems with the listing agent of the property.  Myrna navigated through them with ease and we were able to close within 3 weeks.  When our housing requirements changed again, we of course chose Myrna as our listing agent.  We were confident that with her expertise and level of  service that our townhome would be sold within a month.  Actually, that was the time parameter that we gave her.  We were gone for the winter, activated the listing on March 1st, and said we wanted it sold by the end of the month before we returned.   She marketed the property successfully, and, at the second showing, wrote a full price offer – all within less than 3 weeks!!   She again represented both the buyers and us, and handled all issues to everyone’s satisfaction.  The new buyers, like us 8 years previously, were so impressed with Myrna that she was given the listing for their large and expensive home in another part of the city, which she also quickly sold.   We highly recommend Myrna Bourcy.  She is fair, honest, knowledgeable, experienced, communicates well and follows up promptly – all of the qualities of a top-notch agent – exactly the kind of professional that will serve your real estate needs well, whether you are buying, selling, or BOTH. 

Myrna Responds: Wow, what a “Top Notch” testimonial!  You write beautifully. I’ll be quoting you for years!  

Sharon Writes:  We first meet Myrna when we were looking to buy a house back in the city closer to work. We saw an add for a house we thought we would be interested in and called the number and got Myrna on the phone. We explained our situation to her. She was having an open house that day at a different house close by the one we thought would work for us, she asked us to stop by and see this house and then she would take us to the other house, we called about. We ended up buying the house she had the open house at. The closing was so smooth we were so very pleased. So some years later when we decide to move again, of course we called Myrna and in 30 days the house was sold with another great smooth closing.  As Myrna took care of it all.

Can't tell you how pleased we are with the way all was handled. We recommend her highly to any one that is looking for a GREAT REALTOR. 

We also want to Thank You so very much for the fair ticket, we took our Granddaughter, and we had a wonderful time!!!

Marta writes: Last June, as first time home buyers my husband and I felt very intimidated.  Our best friend recommended Myrna.  To say that Myrna made the process of  house buying easy is an understatement.  She spent a considerable amount of time listening to and learning about us.  Very quickly it became clear to me that she, in fact, understood what we were looking for far better than we did!  Myrna explained the process we would go through and set appropriate expectations.  Most importantly Myrna was patient during several appointments as she showed us all over the Twin Cities.  I am a very indecisive  person yet at no time did I feel pressured.  Myrna was excited to show us one St Paul house. The neighborhood looked perfect but completely out of our price range-close to Mississippi River Parkway, downtown St Paul and Minneapolis with lots of trees and beautiful early 20th     century houses.  As we drove up I said, “I do not need to go inside. I am ready to make an offer.” We made an offer that evening. Myrna is a great negotiator.  We closed in early August.  Myrna understands real estate, more importantly she understands people. 

Myrna responds: In 2 weeks time I saw you and Cort go from not knowing where to start to recognizing an extraordinary home from the curb. Plus we had fun.

Rose writes:  Jim and I want to thank you ever so much for all the help you gave Mary in finding the right home for her.  You were so patient with her (and us) even when we were not so enthusiastic on some of the places  you showed us.  I had utmost confidence in you at all times, and you came through with flying colors.  The closing was so smooth and well explained.  I know you  put forth much work in making it so.  Mary is all moved in.  This will be a new chapter in her life.  Thank you again for all your help in finding the duplex for Mary.  If the time comes for Jim and me to change our lifestyle, we shall seek your help.

Myrna responds:  From the time we first met back in February until our closing last month, we had lots of work and planning to do.  It was a pleasure to get to know you and your family.  It is very satisfying to see one’s children grow up and make good decisions. Owning a home is a major step toward financial Independence.  Your generous assistance and the income that duplex provides, means Mary is now a proud homeowner at a cost very similar to her former rent.  She's learning quickly the value of “Service Plus” and still unpacking boxes.  I received an email last week  proudly announcing she only has 29 years and 11 months left to pay.

Jim & Vi write:  Myrna, we were surprised that it took only two weeks to sell our income property at a good price.  We searched long and hard to find a great Realtor like you with quality character that was not self-serving, but helpful, truthful, fair and just.  You met all our expectations and then even exceeded them by helping us financially with our 1031 exchange of our income property.  Thanks for your many hours of help and having the faith to finish the exchange when we may have given up.  You made it happen!  Thanks again to you, Myrna!

Myrna Responds:  It was truly my pleasure to get to know such genuinely nice people as you, Jim and Vi.  I eventually developed the ability to listen when you both talked to me at once and said different things- you do that you know.    

Pam writes: In 1991 I was a single mom with two small children when I decided I needed a real home rather than an apartment.  I met Myrna at an open house in Innsbruck.  She showed me the reality of the situation and then we began our HUD house hunt.  Myrna was relentless in her search for me.  I bid on a beautiful twin home in Coon Rapids, far beyond my expectations.  I later remarried and after our children were raised, decided to sell.  Myrna was again there for us. Our twin home sold quickly, but the housing market was tight and we again started a search that included several bids and let downs before purchasing our home in Lino Lakes.  Over the years I have referred Myrna to two friends who used her services.  Also, my almost 90 year old Grandmother fell in love with Myrna and requested we have Myrna sell her home in Columbia Heights after her death. When the time came, her home sold within a day.  Myrna Bourcy is my Realtor of choice. 

Myrna Responds: Foreclosures (HUD homes) are often not pretty but cheaper and a chance to build “sweat equity”. You had a need, enthusiasm, courage, and support of a strong, loving family to make your dream of home ownership a reality.

Arvilla writes:  When I decided to sell my townhouse, I knew it would be a challenge.  Winter was approaching and I had 12 outside steps. Those steps were not immune to the snow and ice of a typical Minnesota winter.  I needed a good Realtor. I remembered the picture and phone number painted on a bench     along North Innsbruck Drive. The          Realtor was Myrna Bourcy.  I called Myrna.  She did not hesitate to accept the challenge. With the creative marketing my  townhome sold. Myrna exceeded my expectations.  Recently on the TV show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”, the question was asked, “What real estate company has a hot air balloon for its logo?”  My thoughts flashed to the colored       professional card, Myrna’s picture, phone numbers… and in the left hand corner-a hot air balloon. RE/MAX was the answer.  I was on my way to being a millionaire.  In reality, I was not a participant; I was in my living room in Minneapolis.  Better luck next time.

Myrna Responds:  You did win not a million dollars but a   million thanks for a delightful letter.  If I am ever on a game show and asked to “Name a feisty retired guidance   counselor who makes her own decisions,  maneuvered 12 slippery steps through 20 Minnesota winters, made 2 trips to Antarctica to see her beloved penguins and (if that’s not enough snow and ice) went snowmobiling this winter…I know the answer…Arvilla!

Lyf writes:  Just over 8 years ago, before I was married, Myrna helped me find a starter home/investment property in NE Minneapolis.  She encouraged me to look at a plain old 1950’s duplex on Lincoln St. in an area she thought had good potential.  I ran the numbers and was excited about living rent free in half of the property.  Two and a half years later, after Heather and I were married, we wanted a single family home.  With Myrna’s help we found a country home a little out of town, again in an area that promised growth potential.  We kept Lincoln St. another year and rented both sides.  At that point, Myrna said it was a good time to sell the duplex.  We did– for 2 1/2 times what we had paid for it only 3 1/2 years earlier.  This year Myrna helped us sell our country home for more than any comparable area house even after the market had softened.  We now live in a 3600 sq ft lake home.  Because of the rapid equity Myrna helped us gain, our present payments are much like they would be on a modest starter home.

Myrna responds:  What an amazing real estate story.  Add  that to your career advancement that allows your beautiful wife Heather to be a full time at home mom to your delightful daughters, not to mention the boat on the lake out your backdoor. Here is my plan, Lyf:  For the next 8+ years I am going to be seeking lifestyle advice from you.

Vi writes:  Over 25 years ago I met a young math teacher in St Anthony Village.  She purchased our old duplex in NE minneapolis.  Several months later I met her in the checkout lane at the grocery store.  She told me she was then a Realtor.  That meeting was one of the most fortunate of my life.  As the years have gone by, she has been a Realtor, counselor and friend to everyone in my family.  Last month we met with a financial planner about retirement issues.  I realized over half of our assets are in real estate that Myrna sold us.  The former teacher, now wise and a wonderful Realtor, guided us through it.  

Myrna Responds: My friends are my clients; my clients are my friends. Efforts to separate the 2 seem to go against the nature of the business and my nature for that matter-to offer help and assistance.  Thank you for the 25+ years of business and friendship especially for the new clients/friends you have sent my way. 

Keith writes: I called Myrna in 1989 after having my home for sale with another agent for over 6 months.   Myrna took over and sold my home in one week.  Myrna was very honest and genuine - not like the high pressure/low results agent she replaced.  In the spring 2006, when I was ready to move again, I did not have Myrna’s current contact information. I listed my home with another agent.  Again, it sat on the market for several months.  One day I passed a for sale sign with Myrna’s picture on it.  I tossed a coin and gave her a call.  History repeated itself.  Myrna took over and my home was pending in two weeks!   Thanks, Myrna!

Myrna responds: My pleasure, Keith!  There is still a lot of work to do to get your home to closing, but your home was fairly priced, beautifully maintained and well marketed and that’s the formula for success in 1989 or 2006.  Least we lose contact again, each month you will find a Message from Myrna in your mail box.