A Brief Personal History of Bob Melvey
Seattle has always been my home.
MY BEGINNINGS
I grew up in Wallingford and went to Interlake Grade School , Hamilton Jr. High, and Lincoln High School, where my father was my Norwegian teacher. (He retired from Ballard High in 1987)
During my senior year I started a business called Trishaw Taxi, which was a Chinese pedicab taxi service around Pioneer Square and the Woodland Park Zoo. The business was not financially profitable, but the education was priceless. I was hooked on being my own boss.
In 1974 my mother and I pooled our resources and bought a dilapidated old three-story farmhouse in Ballard. It needed everything, and we had very little money. But it did give us a foot-hold in a rapidly appreciating real estate market. It didn't take long before it was obvious to me that owning real estate was a good way to create financial security. That's when I began pondering the possibilities of making real estate an occupation as well.
MY REAL ESTATE CAREER
In 1977 at the age of 21 I started my career in real estate sales. My youthful idealism got in the way at first. I had grown up believing that the sales profession was manipulative. I felt that associating with it compromised my values. However, soon I learned that strong values are good for business. I was proud to be in a profession that helped people achieve their goals.
In 1981 I became manager of Loyal Realty and focused my efforts on helping the owners update the firm's image. In 1985 I moved down the street to the finest agency in the Seattle area, Windermere Real Estate. Then as now, Windermere was the local name of quality and service. Also unchanged over the last 23 years is the Windermere crew. We are professional, friendly, and always eager to help each other.
I absolutely love what I am doing and where I am working!
MY LIFE
My wife, Mary, and I have two children, a dog and a cat. Katelyn is 20 and a sophomore at the UW. Ryan is sixteen and is a junior in high school. In addition to being a great wife and mom, Mary owns and operates her own home staging business... A definite plus for my clients! We all live in a comfortable home in Olympic Manor, north of Ballard and due west of Soundview Playfield.
I have purchased, fixed up and sold numerous properties in the Seattle area. But I still own the old three-story farmhouse I bought with my mom thirty-three years ago. I know that good business can also be personal.
Bob Melvey
Assistant Manager
Windermere Real Estate
NW / Inc.
2636 NW Market St.
Seattle, WA 98107
Tel 206 789 7700
Cell 206 650 7880
Fax 425 671 0437
Email