RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
Dale Bordner went from teaching to selling real estate, and she says it's a common career path.
Peers honor Realtor
for her volunteer workHow did you get started in real estate?
Dale Bordner
>> Company: Bordner Realty>> Honor: Named 2003 Realtor of the Year by the Honolulu Board of Realtors, in part for her community volunteer efforts.
I taught for the state Department of Education for two years and Star of the Sea for two years. I'm a science teacher by training, but I got into real estate and started my own company. Officially it's been Bordner Realty since 1984. We're just a small company. I've never had more than 4 or 5 agents. My children were young and I just wanted the flexibility that the real estate sales offered.
Did you work for other agencies first?
I started with a couple smaller companies and finally started to get my brokerage license. There's a lot more to running your own business than people realize. You're autonomous, so you become the CEO and the janitor at the same time.
Have you done more teaching?
Just strictly real estate; no more teaching. With every real estate transaction there's a lot of education that goes on with your client. There are a lot of real estate agents who are former teachers. It seems to be a natural segue. You need someone who's going to explain it to you in a way that makes sense, because there' s a lot of legalese that's involved.
What types of community volunteering have you done?
In about 1988, I got involved with Leahi Soccer Club, which is the oldest and only all-female soccer club on Oahu. They have players from under 10 through the women so it was nice to be able to see woman who are active and are providing good role models for the younger girls. I've been active up at the University of Hawaii with the Rainbow Wahine Hui and I was a part of the group that helped start the UH soccer program there. My children both play soccer. So it just kind of goes from one thing to another and I got involved with the YWCA Leader Luncheon. The other organization I'm active in is called the National Girls and Women's in Sports Day. Basically, it's a national organization that recognizes women in sports. Once a year, we have a sports day here in Honolulu for girls ages 5 through 13 and we have it at the University of Hawaii athletics site. It's great. We have about 1,000 girls show up, and this year it's going to be on Valentine's Day.
Why so busy?
One thing kind of leads to another. It just kind of happens. The one thing that I've been trying to tell people that as a volunteer you gain an immense amount -- I don't want to say more than you put in. What have I gained? I've got to meet a lot of very nice people. People have different perspectives. You make a lot of friends. Maybe it's my mother or my grandmother's influence. My grandmother ran her own laundry business. That's the thing about real estate. It's ageless and it's genderless. I think we in real estate are very fortunate in that respect. You have to have someone who's supportive. You wouldn't be able to do things if you didn't have the support of your spouse. My husband is an attorney. He's an insurance defense litigator. He doesn't say no. I know some husbands that say no.
How was business last year?
It was a very busy year. There were a lot of transactions. I would have to say it was a record year last year. We're hoping the market will continue. The inventory has been getting smaller, so that'll be a challenge. We're here to help our buyers and sellers.
What do you tell people who wonder if this is a good time to buy?
The market always goes up and down. The only thing you can count on is things will change. Nothing stays the same.
What are the major issues in real estate these days?
Licensing and agency issues have come up to the forefront. In terms of a licensing, the state of Hawaii is looking at trying to do reciprocal licensing among states. The state commissions would allow certain reciprocities. I think it's just the nature of the mobility of people right now. People are very mobile. You have people who own properties in several different states, or Realtors who do business in different states. It's not very broad yet, but I think it's a sign of things to come.
Inside Hawaii Inc. is a conversation with a member of the Hawaii business community who has changed jobs, been elected to a board or been recognized for accomplishments. Send questions and comments to business@starbulletin.com.
