In an ever-changing profession where some agents move on to other careers, Mel Rutherford is a mainstay in the real estate industry.
Since the Kentucky native and longtime Miamisburg resident gained his license in 1970, he has thrived through two recessions, multiple market highs and lows, and changing trends like the prominence of technology and online marketing.
Mel’s nickname, “Mr. Real Estate,” is well-earned through four-plus decades of personal customer service, a commitment to being available to clients every day of the week, and an affable personality that provides clients peace of mind.
“Real estate is my passion. It is what I know, and what I love,” Mel said. “I have no intention of retirement. I can see myself celebrating my 50th anniversary in the business, and venturing into my sixth decade as a Realtor/appraiser.”
After a long and storied tenure with RE/MAX, Mel returned to the entrepreneurial roots of MR Real Estate (www.mrmel.com).
Mel’s foray into the profession can be traced to 1968 when he purchased two rental properties in 1968, restored them and sold them. That hooked him on the art of buying and selling of properties. At the time, he worked for General Motors at Delco Moraine, yet he envisioned a fulfilling career in real estate.
In 1972, he graduated from the Real Estate Institute of Ohio State University. A year later, he earned his real estate broker license. He opened his own firm in Centerville in 1975 and left GM in 1977. Rutherford moved his headquarters to Miamisburg in 1978, and a year later, amid a major recession, interest rates soared to as high as 20 percent.
“Many real estate agents left the field then, but I was determined to survive and build my business because real estate is all I knew, and it is what I loved,” Rutherford said. “I poured myself into seminars and workshops, and learned how to become an even more proficient Realtor/appraiser and salesman.”
Rutherford attributes his sustained success to ongoing education, setting new goals to achieve when objectives are reached, and never allowing the advent of technology to replace personal customer service and communication.
“The Internet is a valuable tool for real estate, and it is important to embrace trends that improve the industry, and helping clients, whether they are buyers or sellers,” Rutherford said. “Nothing, though, replaces the importance of in-person communication, phone calls, prompt responses and availability to clients regardless of the day of the week.
“The key to success as a Realtor/appraiser is always be open to improving yourself but recognize traditional values,” he added. “Buying and selling a property is the most important transaction most of us make, which is why people want to work with someone they trust.”
Mel continued to diversify by earning his securities license in 1983 and his appraisal license in 1993. He joined RE/MAX in 1995, doubling his income his first year and eventually winning multiple sales awards. Mel was inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame in 1999 and served with the organization for 20 years before returning to his independent roots.
Mel has carved a niche as an expert in the Miamisburg, West Carrollton and Germantown markets. He serves clients throughout Montgomery, Warren and Greene counties.
For more information, visit www.mrmel.com.