Marking PAR’s 100th Anniversary: Past President Guy Matteo

Editor’s note: The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. As part of our Member Profile feature, we’ll be highlighting some of the Realtors® who have served as president of the organization.

Name: Guy Matteo
Company: RE/MAX Preferred, Newtown Square
Years in real estate: 35 years
Local association: Suburban West Realtors® Association
Year served: 2011 president

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?
Take time to enjoy the moment and smile a little bit more.

Why should agents get involved in their local, state and national associations?
I encourage members to become more involved in their local state and national associations because the experience that they gain and the friendships that they make far exceed and outweigh the time and effort invested.

What advice would you give someone who was thinking of moving up through the offices in PAR?
For individuals who might be thinking about moving up through the chairs or officers of  PAR, I would simply say, “It’s a truly tremendous opportunity and just do it.”

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the real estate market since you started?
Since I started in 1985, the biggest industry change I’ve seen is the advent of technology. The entire homebuying and selling process moves so much more quickly than it did when I initially got into the business.

Do you think the environment or technology will have a bigger impact on real estate in the next 100 years?
I think technology will have a significant impact on our industry in the next 100 years. I believe in the very way we do business will will change significantly in ways that we can’t even imagine at this point in time.