Victor Kress: Pursue Diverse Interests

REALTOR® Emeritus Victor Kress has diversified his business with property management and insurance to pave his way to success.

Carole Bowen: Branding Counts

REALTOR® Emeritus Carole Bowen is known as the "Lot Lady" for her work with land development and first-time buyers. Find out how she gets her name out and builds her reputation.

Edward J. Aiello: Persistence Is Key

Florida practitioner Edward Aiello has survived relocations and market swings in his four-decade career through a combination of flexibility and determination.

George W. Johnson: Treat 'Em Right and They'll Be Back

REALTOR® Emeritus George W. Johnson started helping clients buy homes during the Great Depression. He hasn't stopped yet.

Buddy Almy: Get All the Education You Can

To make it through tough times, Texas practitioner Buddy Almy has found secrets to success in a career that has spanned half a century.

Chiquita Abbott: Real Estate Is Not a Hobby

Abbott advises colleagues to build their sales skills and learn more about local properties during slower times. 

L. Harrell Pendleton: Busy Through Booms and Busts

Pendleton attributes his successful, five-decade career to hard work and intrepid investing. Find out how he kept his business strong in good and bad times. 

Geary Jones: Start Talking

Jones, of Santa Cruz, Calif., knows what it's like to work in challenging markets. In 1966, interest rates soared and buyers stopped looking. What did he do? He got out of the office and talked to new people every day, never complaining. Read his tips for prospecting and staying upbeat.

Phyllis Waters: Take It One Day at a Time

At 96, Waters has been through several cycles in the housing market and has bounced back after each one. Still active in real estate, Waters, of Michigan City, Ind., says in tough times it's imperative to have patience and a problem-solving attitude. 

Charles Dager: Reputation Matters

With more than 60 years in the real estate business, Dager is still finding success managing the Philadelphia-area brokerage that his father started in 1905. His secrets: Be flexible, control expenses, and see every problem as an opportunity to learn. 

In these uncertain times, NAR is here to help you succeed with the RIGHT TOOLS, RIGHT NOW initiative, offering more than 300 educational products, publications, and services free or at cost. Visit www.REALTOR.org/RightToolsRightNow.