When I selected the company I was to hang my license with, I wanted to choose an organization that felt that giving back to the community I worked in was just as important as profitability (well, at least close).

Windermere’s commitment to serving the community goes beyond providing buyers and sellers the best in real estate services. Every time a Windermere sales associate sells a home, a portion of the commission goes to the Windermere Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving back to local charities. I also provide an additional donation to “Project Talk“, a local organization dedicated to the deaf and hard of hearing children of San Diego County.

“At Windermere, every transaction counts,” said Windermere co-owner Jim Browne. “I’m proud to be part of a company that places such a high value on giving back to the community. And I am even more proud at how our agents embrace the spirit of giving back.”

On top of the money donated from every real estate transaction made through Windermere, my fellow agents participate in numerous events in the community. This past year you could find Escondido agents sitting outside their office on Friday nights working at Cruisin’ Grand, our Friday night classic car extravaganza that draws crowds of 10,000 plus to the downtown area. We also hosted a mobile blood drive, gave mini concerts and hawked hot dogs and water bottles.

As a result of Windermere’s efforts, Browne and Escondido Branch Manager Ron Brownell were able to make a sizeable donation to the local charity Rebuild Escondido, an organization established to assist fire victims in the Escondido area.

Meanwhile, Windermere agents from the Carmel Valley office organized a book drive to help build the library at the new East Ocean Air Elementary School. Realtors Shapar Ostovar, Jean Wilson, Peggy Chomas and Dara Chantarit, who coordinated the book drive, collected nearly 500 books for the school.

Contributions from Windermere agents and the public have allowed Windermere to distribute more than two million dollars annually in recent years. Windermere started 2008 by giving and looks forward to another year of enriching lives in our communities.

So when you are thinking about who you would like to represent you in buying or selling your next home, choose a Realtor who not only knows the community, but also gives back to the community.