In her early-20s, Marie Curtis realized she didn’t want a job that left her longing for Fridays and dreading Mondays. When a friend told her “Marry into money and you’ll never work a day in your life,” Marie decided right then and there she’d earn her own money and find work she felt passionate about. After managing a physician’s office, she found herself as a single mom. “That chapter of my life put my survival instincts into gear and took me out of my comfort zone,” Marie says. She crossed paths with real estate investors who turned her on to investment and motivational books. One that particularly intrigued and inspired Marie was, “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. “It offers some great business and life values! Meeting and learning from successful Real Estate Investors really expanded me. I then pursued my real estate license,” Marie says, “and that changed the course of my life.” That was twelve years ago, and Marie has had a successful business ever since. “I found out what really set my soul on fire, which is helping as many people as possible have a roof over their heads and experiencing the thrill and excitement of watching my clients reach their real estate goals and home ownership.” Her dedication to her clients has paid off–her community has given Marie Favorite Realtor® Awards and plaques commemorating multi-million dollars in sales. Since the start of her career she has earned Executive, Multiple 100% Club and Platinum awards with REMAX International. Recently she achieved a prestigious, “Hall of Fame” sales status. To date she has accomplished well over $85 million in sales. That’s big numbers working in a small community with a population of 14,000. “I truly, truly love this career! There is no ceiling on growth in this industry,” she says.

Marie and her husband, Bret Curtis are currently REMAX franchise Owners/Principal Brokers leading a team of nineteen. They have locations in Brookings and Harbor, Oregon serving all of the Southern Oregon Coast. A coastal paradise with sandy beaches, rock outcroppings, and river and mountain scenery, the area is largely a retirement community. Seventy percent of Marie’s business comes from repeat clients and referrals. What keeps her clients coming back? Her online client reviews and word of mouth speak volumes. “I tell it how it is,” Marie says. “I don’t sugar coat things. Clients know I will work weekends to accommodate their schedule. I listen to my client and truly hone in on what my client’s goals are in homeownership and I focus on delivering.” When you speak to Marie it doesn’t take long to feel her genuine and sincere efforts to help and build relationships with you. Her clients rave that Marie “knows her stuff” and is eager to educate them during each step of the transaction.

As a fixture in her local community who eats, and breathes and sleeps real estate, Marie is always available to her clients. “It goes beyond the close of escrow for me. I want my clients to know I have an open-door policy in my office and if they ever need my help, I’m here for them.” Marie says. She often runs into clients out in their small community and keeps in touch via phone, social media, and cards and emails sent to celebrate holidays, birthdays and “just because I’m thinking of you.”

When it comes to marketing listings, Marie stays current on all the new technologies and makes sure clients’ homes look their best before they go on the market. She advises clients on decluttering and repairs and hires a professional photographer for many of her listings. “I spend a lot of time, effort and money to ensure clients’ home shine and get noticed,” she says. She purchases ads in print publications, creates an abundance of online exposure, and conducts a social media campaign for each listing. Photography of each listing includes drone work and Marie has been known to hire pilots for some dynamic aerial work. “For marketing you really need to be in the trend and in the changes. We are not afraid of that.”

As for REMAX International, Marie says, “It provides me with education, recognition, the chance to collaborate with some of the most successful individuals in my profession and growth in leadership. But the number one reward is seeing the thrill of others meeting their life goals. Whether it’s our Team of Realtors®, staff, our clients…I get the most satisfaction in seeing people succeed. It fuels me and inspires me.” When it comes to the growth of her Brokerage firms, Marie credits it to her clients, the dedicated Team of Realtors® at RE/MAX Coast and Country and her husband, Bret, business partner and love of her life. “Who you surround yourself with matters. It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. I love locking arms with them, they are champions! When I see individuals on our Team succeed, I succeed. There’s no other way to look at it.”
What advice would Marie give to others seeking to be Realtors®? “Always keep your sights on being a good person, doing good business and doing more than average for others. I believe success is defined differently by each person. Success isn’t something that happens to you. Success is something that happens because of you. All the more reason to do what you love and love what you do,” concludes Marie.
To give back to her community, Marie donates yearly to local schools, community charity events, No Kill Pet Shelters, and recently she and the Team assisted those affected by wildfires. In her cherished free time, Marie loves to work out at the gym, go for long walks on the beach and spend time with her husband, daughter, son and her three “fur kids.” For the future, Marie will continue her passion in real estate for as long as she’s able and hopes to inspire and assist others on the entrepreneurial journey.

To find out more about Marie Curtis, contact her via email at realtormcurtis@gmail.com or by phone at 541-661-3056. You can also check her out online at www.coastaloregon.com. Her to offices are located at: RE/MAX Coast and Country | 703 Chetco Avenue Brookings, Oregon 541-40-REMAX | 16218 W. Hoffeldt Harbor, Oregon 541-69-REMAX