Battle Creek Realtor
MICHAEL DELAWARE, CRS
REALTOR®
Michael Delaware born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1966, spent his early youth in the Phoenix metro area, often called the ‘Valley of the Sun’. In 1984, upon graduating high school, he left the valley and moved to the metro area of Atlanta, Georgia to attend DeKalb College and later Gwinnett Community College where he studied architectural design. During his years in Georgia, he managed, owned and operated the regionally successful stained and leaded glass door and window company: Artistic Glass of Atlanta, Inc., from 1984 through 2002. While living in the Atlanta area, he attended a comprehensive real estate investment school sponsored by the John Adams Institute, where he learned from experts on the successful actions of real estate investors.
In 1999, after moving into a board of director’s position with his company, he moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife and step-daughter. In 2001, he moved again, this time to Battle Creek, Michigan. In 2002 after selling his interests in the glass business in Atlanta, he joined forces with a Battle Creek based property investment company where he became actively involved with acquiring, restoring and marketing the sale of single family homes.
In 2006 he became a licensed REALTOR® with Troxel Realty Co. LLC, and in 2007 he was awarded the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award from the Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS® for his outstanding achievement in the profession.
In December of 2007, he achieved the status of ‘Certified Residential Specialist’ (CRS) from the Council of Residential Specialists, an affiliate organization of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). CRS is an elite designation held by less than 4% of Real Estate agents nationally.
He has also achieved e-Pro certification from NAR, which covers a comprehensive and interactive course for Real Estate professionals to give them the internet and technology tools they need to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.
His training also includes the Transnational Referral Certification from the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA), which covers training on the servicing of clients with international real estate transactions, a training program also sponsored by NAR.
In 2007 & 2008 he received the 'Educational Achievement' Award from the Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS®. He also dedicates his time to fundraising for many non-profit organizations in the community (See Michael in the Comunity). He is also a volunteer for the Battle Creek Area Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.
In 2010, Michael was honored with the prestigious 'Realtor of the Year' award for 'Outstanding service and contributions to the Real Estate Profession' by the Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS®.
Michael currently lives in Battle Creek, Michigan with his wife Margarita. He is a member of the Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS®, the Michigan Association of REALTORS®, the National Association of REALTORS® and the Council of Residential Specialists.
Michael with his father, Raymond Delaware in Arizona in 2007.
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"My father encouraged me at a young age to learn how to sell things and enjoy being a salesman. In his observation, being successful in sales was a skill few people acquired, but it was one of the most valuable skills one could possess. He made being involved in sales such a fun activity for me, that I have continued being a salesman throughout my entire life. I started out selling 'Mother's Day Breakfast' and 'Pancake Breakfast' tickets to earn my way on a trip to Disneyland when I was in Boy Scouts as a young man. I knew my parents could not afford to pay for the trip, but the troop gave us all an opportunity to earn our way for free if we sold enough tickets. My dad encouraged me to play it like a game, and drove me to neighborhoods where he would leave me to canvas the entire block for hours going door to door. I learned to never be afraid to knock on someone's door. I would get up early on Saturdays and Sundays, and be selling all day long. I eventually out-sold every other kid in my troop combined. I earned my way to Disneyland three years in a row, and my parents never had to pay for anything. My father wanted me to be self sufficient, and that was the most important lesson he ever taught me. Both my parents encouraged me to help others whenever possible. Today I sell Real Estate, and I help people become homeowners. I have helped many people realize the American Dream, even in difficult times. My father was my early inspiration, and has everything to do with my success as a REALTOR today.
Growing up I learned that salespeople are the movers of the economy. If you think about it, every product in our society becomes successful and commonplace because someone sold it. The greatest invention in the world, which could revolutionize society will do nothing but sit there on a shelf until someone gets out there and tells someone else about it. There was a salesperson behind every product that was ever sold, even if it was a supplier who sold the merchandise to a big retail chain store. Someone called someone, and pitched them on something. My father taught me that sales don't just happen, you have to work at it. If our economy is slow, then our society has lost sight of the importance of salespeople. It's that simple. They are the key components in the national game called 'economy'. Every product, every house that I have ever sold happened because I cared about the person I was working for, and I picked up the phone, went to an appointment or went out of my way to make it right for them. I worked hard at it. I learned the basic lessons of persistence, the joy of the game called 'economy' and the love of what I was doing from my father. I cannot thank him enough. He is just brilliant. Today, I still turn to him for advice, even though we are miles apart. He helps keep me focused."
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Michael Delaware - March 23, 2009
Michael and his wife Margarita, 2003
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"For years Margarita would mention to me that I should become a Realtor, and for one reason or another I never took her seriously. Her reasoning was that I had sold just about everything else, so why not sell the largest item you can sell in our society which is Real Estate? As I have learned through the years of our relationship, her intuition and insight into these matters far exceeded mine. After years of gentle reminders from this wonderful lady, a friend and business associate came along and suggested the same. I went home and talked to her about it again, and she inspired me to finally take action and make it my dream. I became a licensed Realtor in August of 2006, and have not looked back. In 2007 I won the honor of being awarded 'Rookie of the Year' by the 'Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS'. My wife has been the central inspiration and encouragement in my new career, and without her support I would not have made it as far as I have. She has kept me laughing at times when I learned tough lessons, and been my guiding light when all seemed dark.
She is the secret of my success, the love of my life, and my dearest friend.
I am truly the luckiest man alive."
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-Michael Delaware, 2009
