A Trip Down Memory Lane at Metrotex Association of Realtors

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What are those things on the shelves behind Jennie Ling and Virginia Cook? Any agent under age 35 may NOT know what they are. Old MLS Books! Yes, boys and girls, back in the days of ice cube trays, garages you had to open yourself, and pay phones, these books were how you looked up homes for sale in the MLS. Cumbersome, you bet, but they were  updated weekly. Anyone want to complain about computers again? I was at Metrotex Association of Realtors today, talking to the most energetic group of young real estate leaders in town:  the MetroTex Young Professionals. God is was great to talk with them… no one asked me what blogging is, instead, we compared platforms (WordPress versus Blogger versus Blog.com) talked shadow inventory — unlike some young cub reporters, I know what it is — the rise in Dallas rentals, and the future of the market. After the talk, Joe Mazza showed me the Metrotex Library: Jennie Ling, who was number one in real estate sales probably longer than any human being has been, brought these books in along with some other relics of old real estate — lockboxes — to show the young ones what life was like back then. In just a few years, maybe they’ll add a new bookshelf of more things to keep for posterity: magazines!

Candy Evans, founder and publisher of CandysDirt.com, is one of the nation’s leading real estate reporters.

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  1. Peggy Jones on October 19, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    Yes, we "ole-timers" in the real estate business all aspired to be a Jennie Ling. Not only was she number 1 in the city for years, she was the nicest and easiest agent to work with if you had the opportunity to do business with her. Great Realtor, great friend, and great person!! Peggy Jones

  2. Peggy Jones on October 19, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    Yes, we "ole-timers" in the real estate business all aspired to be a Jennie Ling. Not only was she number 1 in the city for years, she was the nicest and easiest agent to work with if you had the opportunity to do business with her. Great Realtor, great friend, and great person!! Peggy Jones

  3. Joe Mazza on October 19, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    Candy, thanks for posting these photos and story!!! We are very grateful to Jennie Ling for chosing to donate this important local historical real estate information to MetroTex Association of REALTORS. If you have not ever seen an MLS book, please come down to the MLS office at our Dallas location!

  4. Joe Mazza on October 19, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    Candy, thanks for posting these photos and story!!! We are very grateful to Jennie Ling for chosing to donate this important local historical real estate information to MetroTex Association of REALTORS. If you have not ever seen an MLS book, please come down to the MLS office at our Dallas location!

  5. Candy Evans on October 19, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    Seriously, not only do I love LOVE Jennie Ling I think we should clone her!

  6. Candy Evans on October 19, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    Seriously, not only do I love LOVE Jennie Ling I think we should clone her!

  7. Suzanne Smith on October 20, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    Great piece, Candy! Clone Jennie–impossible; but treasure her, always! She’ll forever be one of a kind!

  8. Suzanne Smith on October 20, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    Great piece, Candy! Clone Jennie–impossible; but treasure her, always! She’ll forever be one of a kind!

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