Thanks to many for their support!

TWENTY FIVE –– It seems like an innocent number but it represents the number of years my former employee, disc jockey Mary Ann Ortiz, who made me sign a contract that my dad and I would pay her each night she worked, have been married. Amazing but true that she has put up with me for all of these years!I love you, Ms. Ortiz.
There are numerous people who deserve a big thanks as we wind down another year on the
calendar and welcome in 2012. First of all, thank you to the more than 100 clients who hired me to list their homes this year and the 94 clients who allowed me the privilege of either selling their home or helping them purchase one. I never take it for granted in this business and I do appreciate the one key word –– LOYALTY.
Thanks also to Matt Widdows, the owner of HomeSmart Realty, the largest real estate company in the state and the number 1 real estate company in North Central, for opening up a new office for me on Central Avenue.The new location and new company would not have worked without the greatest group of 35 independent realtors who joined our Central office. This group consists of the best realtors in North Central and together in just six short months, we have sold more than 200 homes and have the number 1 market share in the area. PRETTY AMAZING. You have a few choices for realtors but if you want your home sold or you want the best value, hire one of us!
A big thanks to the North Central News for all that they do for me. This paper has been the backbone for marketing my properties over the many years and it serves as a wealth of knowledge for anything that goes on in our neighborhood. Thanks for being a huge part of the North Central area. If you have a business in the area, there is not a better medium to promote your products. Speaking of the area businesses, thank you to all of you for allowing me to place my sports magnets in your stores. I feel very strongly about supporting our local restaurants and stores because they are essential to a balance for our residential neighborhood. If our Central Avenue residents don't support these businesses, they will have a difficult time surviving.
KEEP THE MONEY IN NORTH CENTRAL! If any of the area businesses are interested in
having my sports magnets in their stores, please let me know. There is no charge for your clients
to take a Suns, Cardinals or Diamondbacks schedule home with them. Ok, the catch is it also has my name on it but it is COOL.
Thanks to my good buddy and former Ramms co-coach, Mark Hester, from Hester- Heitel Insurance, for co-sponsoring this column. His company provides all kinds of insurance and they are the best. Mark also is the president of the 100 Club, which provides assistance to the families of policeman and firemen who die or are injured in the line of duty. He is part of a wonderful organization.
Finally, this has been a blessed year for my friends and family but it has been a little weird in losing my dad, Herb. I still want to call him daily and let him know how his grandkids are doing. My prayers and thoughts to any of you who have lost a good friend or relative this past year.
A toast for the new year is to a happy and healthy 2012.
Cheers!

Bobby Lieb