JENTESKE & JEAN LEWISstlrealproducers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/... · All information, loan...

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JUNE 2018 ST. LOUIS METRO EAST INFORMING AND INSPIRING REAL ESTATE AGENTS JENTESKE & JEAN LEWIS COVER STORY: RISING STAR: Shawna Aughenbaugh Woofe Realtors REMAX ALLIANCE MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Police and Children Together PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: Zac Knoblauch, Rigid Inspections

Transcript of JENTESKE & JEAN LEWISstlrealproducers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/... · All information, loan...

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J U N E 2 0 1 8

S T . L O U I S M E T R O E A S T

I N F O R M I N G A N D I N S P I R I N G R E A L E S T A T E A G E N T S

JENTESKE & JEAN LEWIS

COVER STORY:

RISING STAR:

Shawna Aughenbaugh

Woofe Realtors

REMAX ALLIANCE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

Police and

Children Together

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT:

Zac Knoblauch,

Rigid Inspections

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2 • May 2018 www.realproducersmag.com • 3

Providing Peace of Mind, One Home Inspection At A Time

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Free Gas Inspection Free 90 Day Home Warranty

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Meet A Realtor!

26

DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of N2 Publishing but remain solely those of the author(s). The publication contains paid advertisements by local companies. These companies are not endorsed or specifically recommended by N2 Publishing or the publisher. Therefore, neither N2 Publishing nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies. NOTE: When community events take place, photographers may be present to take photos for that event and they may be used in this publication.

If you are interested in contributing or nominating Realtors for certain stories, please email us at [email protected]

Partner Spotlight:

Rigid Inspec-

tions

10C O N T E N TS

TABLE OF

Meet Our Rising Star:

Shawna Aughen-

baugh

12Master-mind IL

16

Cover Feature

18Making A

Differ-ence

24

We are pleased to bring you this monthly edition of Metro East Real Producers. It is our mission to inform and inspire Realtors all over Metro East and surrounding areas. The publication has both a social side and a business side. We highlight top-produc-ing agents and give you an inside look at their lives as well as their businesses.

This publication is being provided free of charge to you as a top producer in real estate. The costs of producing, printing and mail-ing each magazine is covered by the advertising partners that you see in each issue.

Each publication you will see is unique to the Metro East real es-tate market, and the publication will reflect who you are as a com-munity of Realtors. A typical publication will include: social event information specific to the area, upcoming meeting information, fun and free social events put on by the Metro East Real Producers, upcoming developments, business information, pictures, personal stories and articles, along with other information specifically tai-lored to the Metro East market.

In addition to the magazine, we will host various free events to bring the Realtor community together. This includes social events – free dinners out at restaurants, business reviews, golf tourna-ments and more. We will communicate the various events that we are hosting through the newsletter and emails. If you wish to be included, please email me at [email protected]. The events and publication are designed to increase social connections between the top 300 Realtors and top affiliates so that the best of the best can grow their businesses together. It is our goal for the events to create a culture where there is no “hard selling” but a culture of relationship building on a more intimate level.

I would like to personally thank all of our business sponsors who partner with us in making the magazine free to all top producers, as well as the many Realtors who contribute to the issues. Just know that Metro East Real Producers would not exist without you! I look forward to meeting each of you at our upcoming events.

Nick Najjar Publisher

MagazineABOUT THIS

publisher’s note

M E E T T H E M E T R O E A ST R E A L P R O D U C E R S T E A M

Mary Jo Schaper,Contributing Writer

Chris Van DeHay, Videographer

Chris MalacarneContributing Photographer

Brian Ramsey, Contributing Writer

Dianne Collins, Co-Publisher

Nick Najjar, Publisher

Matt Gilbert, Publishing Assistant

Debbie Ward, Web design /

Social Marketing

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6 1 8 - 6 9 1 - 8 0 0 58 8 8 - 2 3 4 - 1 2 4 5

REAL ESTATEHOSPITALITYHISTORICAL

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Call or email for more information

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Don't forget your special clients or loved ones.We have all the tools to make your

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Please send all nominations to

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S T . L O U I S M E T R O E A S T

A P R I L 2 0 1 8

S T . L O U I S M E T R O E A S T

I N F O R M I N G A N D I N S P I R I N G R E A L E S T A T E A G E N T S

Diana & Mark

MASSEY

COVER STORY:

RISING STAR:

Jason Buss

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT:

Scott Ross /

Absolute Clean

MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

Dream Home Charities -

Sherry Gilleland

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BANKING MORTGAGE

First Mid-Illinois

Bank And Trust

(618) 655-7225

www.firstmid.com

Regions

(618) 779-3031

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FOUNDATION REPAIR

Midwest Basement Tech

(800) 848-9805

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tech.com

HOME INSPECTION

Hawley Home Inspections

(618) 593-9631

www.hawleyhome

inspectionsllc.com

Metro East Home Inspec-

tion

(314) 705-8171

www.metroeasthome

inspection.com

Rigid Inspections

(618) 975-7031

www.rigidinspections.com

HOME WARRANTY

Home Warranty Inc.

(260) 433-4027

INSURANCE

COUNTRY Financial -

Derrick Lebryk

(618) 622-3767

www.countryfinancial.com/

derrick.lebryk

MOLD TESTING &

REMEDIATION

Absolute Clean

(618) 402-8225

www.absoluteclean floors.

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Mold Man USA

(312) 995-0368

www.moldmanusa.com

MORTGAGE

Cornerstone Mortgage Inc

(314) 400-6379

www.cornerstone

mortgage.com

/melissakeyser

Homestead Financial

Mortgage

(636) 256-5712

www.homestead

financial.com

Prime Lending

(618) 978-6498

www.lo.primelending.com

/ aeversmeyer

This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate

affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These

local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support

these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!

PR

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Wells Fargo,

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TITLE & ESCROW

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Article by Brian Ramsey

While exploring concepts for the word “rigid,” Zac

Knoblauch found it to include meanings such as

thorough or exacting. That is exactly how Zac wanted

to conduct business at Rigid Inspections, a company

that he founded a few years ago. Knoblauch loves his

work and appreciates that it contributes to the process

of families who want to reach their dream-home goals.

about the inspection process and a copy of the guidelines on the Illinois Standards of Practice. This helps clients to understand what is involved in his work, which is meant to manage expecta-tions and emotions. Zach also personally provides each client with a folder that specifies the life expectancies of things in a home, as well as seasonal maintenance checklists that the home-owner may use to keep up with home maintenance. The key to his business is careful follow-up a few days after the inspection.

Zac encourages all families to attend the inspection. “More eyes on the situation are always good,” he explains. Attendance provides him with an opportunity to educate the client on the aspects of good home ownership, including maintenance tips. It also ensures that he will be able to make a good contact with clients and that they will have ample opportunity to ask appropri-ate questions. In all that he does, Knoblauch seeks to constantly make customer service the foundation of his work. Transactions are good when all parties are informed, not stressed and satisfied.

In each inspection, Knoblauch pays for a free termite inspection and a no-charge investigation with his thermal imaging process. The technology measures temperature differentials and often can determine water leaks before the signs are visible. Families ap-preciate the ability to be able to schedule or check pricing online.

For an added cost, Zac also provides a home-energy score for each home, which provides information on energy efficiency. His excellent work and great value has earned him a five-star rating on Google.

When not inspecting homes, Zac enjoys playing golf or riding his motorcycle. He also loves to grill out and spend time at the shooting range. In addition, Knoblauch serves his community as a volunteer firefighter.

For thorough and complete inspections, call Zac Knoblauch of Rigid Inspections at 618-975-7031. You may also visit their website at rigidinspections.com.

Rigid Inspections

partner spotlight:

tee or warranty of stress-free ownership. Still, Zac tries to assist the buyer or seller by going beyond the call of duty to provide the most complete assessment and evaluation of a home. Even though the inspection of kitchen appliances is not required, he tries to check them. He also tries to educate clients on the proper maintenance of homes, which leads to a longer life for appliances and home construction.

Rigid Inspections communicates with the client via email at the beginning of the process, and the client receives information

Zac attended a local community college after high school and began working with golf courses. After some time exploring career options, Knoblauch settled upon a web design degree. An internship led to a full-time job in web development, which he served in for four years. Over time, Zac felt confined in a cubicle and longed for the opportu-nity to work in some form of construction – doing something with his hands. A program on HGTV inspired him to sign up for classes related to home inspections, and the rest is history.

Knoblauch notes that many misunderstand the work of a home inspector. The detailed report that he leaves is an indication of the state of the home at the time of inspection. It is not a guaran-

An Inside Look With Zac Knoblauch

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Article by Brian Ramsey Photos by Chris Malacarne Photography

Woofe Realtors

DOING THE NEXT RIGHT THING

meet our rising star:

SHAWNA AUGHENBAUGH

Shawna Aughenbaugh is living proof that choosing a second career can be intimidating but completely fulfilling. After only a few years of real estate sales, Shawna is clearly earning her status as a rising star.

Last year, she sold nearly $6 million on her own and assisted her business mentor with another $8 million. She is in her element and poised to grow.

Aughenbaugh attended college for a few years, taking mainly general education requirements, hoping to find an interest in a career. As time progressed, she did not feel that she was, so she chose to work in the restaurant/bar industry. Shawna had the fortune to work for some very good places and was able to earn a good income. Eventually, though, the work took a toll on her, and she longed to find something different yet fulfilling. A cousin encouraged her to obtain her real estate license, and she has been very grateful.

Shawna loves the day-to-day grind and even the hours on end. She has always been a workaholic, but the key ingredient to her success in both careers has been her insatiable desire to build relationships with people. She notes that she never sees clients as “deals” but as friends. In fact, her mantra is to focus on people, and then the deals will follow.

Her business is beginning to escalate with referrals and repeats. Aughenbaugh has made it a staple of her activity to cold call on

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property owners. She does not pay for leads but makes it a priority to contact people daily. This process does lead to increased rejection, but Shawna spends great effort to keep her mindset secure and in a positive direction. Clients respond well to her attentive service, and she communi-cates effectively, always making it a point to talk with them about their families, occupations, recreation activities and their dreams.

Like others, Shawna has had to expend great effort to find a balance in managing her time. She has be-come adept at multi-tasking and has become consistent in her relationship building. To Aughenbaugh, success is reaching the goals that she has set. She observes that success is different for each person, but she is pleased with her ability to stay true to her business philosophy.

For the budding agent, Aughenbaugh challenges them to find a brokerage that is committed to training and to being available for questions. “The exam prepares people to understand the laws, but there is a need for learn-ing how to function as a successful agent,” she notes. She is serious about the right mindset. She concludes that many who focus on the money will most likely not find success.

When not selling homes, Shawna loves to work out at the gym by lift-ing weights and training. She enjoys traveling and takes a few vacations each year. Experiencing cultures from around the world is of great interest. She just recently returned from the Dominican Republic.

Shawna Aughenbaugh of Wooff REAL-TORS will continue to improve her skill set and build relationships. For her, each day is filled with an exciting new turn, but her strategy is always the same: just to do the next right thing! What follows are the right things.

201 West Pointe Drive, Suite 1Swansea, IL 62226

618-257-8700

1005 Plummer Drive, Suite BEdwardsville, IL

(618) 659-8700

IllinoisTitleandEscrow.com

Kim WeilbacherLoan Officer NMLS: 1618477

[email protected]/kim.weilbacher

All loans subject to credit approval. Rates and fees subject to change. ©2018 PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. (NMLS: 13649) Equal Housing Lender. PrimeLending Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee no MB.6760635. v010918

HOME LOANS MADE SIMPLE

Aaron EversmeyerProduction Manager NMLS: 362917

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Eversmeyer Mortgage Team603 N Main Street | Columbia, IL 62236

Photo provided by ShawnaPhoto provided by Shawna

Photo provided by Shawna

Photo provided by Shawna

Her parents; photo provided by Shawna

Family! Photo provided by ShawnaGrandparents and childhood photo. Photo provided by Shawna

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Mastermind IllinoisArt Snarzyk Brings Huge Value To Metro East!

Art Snarzyk III bringing huge value teaching the DISC to people at Master Mind Metro East. Providing massive value by learning strategies of the 7 Levels of Communication by Michael J. Maher. For more information on where to find Art see: innerviewadvi-

Mastermind ILJoin Us For This Free Local Event!

Mastermind IL is an informal meeting of professional service providers who understand that personal development will open the door for authentic relationships, more referrals and a sense of fulfillment. You will hear from peers as they share their own personal success stories, how they implemented and how they overcame challenges. The intent of this event is to help create a community of like-minded professionals that encourage and empower each other.

Who:

Everyone welcome.

What:

Networking, meting and lunch included

When:

Join us each month on the third Thursday:

June 20July 18Aug 15

Where:

Edison's Entertainment Complex, 2477 S. State Rte. 157, Edwards-ville, IL 62025

Need more info? Contact Nick Bifano at 217-553-1317.

Please bring plenty of business cards!

sors.com. Find the right people now. InnerView Advisors helps small-business owners to find the right people for the job. They use the most modern analysis tools and direct, in-depth consulta-tions to help small-business owners succeed with new hires.

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Jen Teske & Jean Lewis

R E M A X A L L I A N C E

cover featureArticle by Brian Ramsey Photos by Chris Malacarne Photography

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The team’s first name was The All About You Team. It was cum-bersome, but it projected not only an image but a description of the heart behind this pair’s work. Throughout their personal and professional lives, Jen and Jean have been selflessly serving one another and those around them. It is not just a character quality but a business mantra. They care about people, and they know how to meet them where they are and take them to where they should be.

Jean Lewis was one of 12 children (let that sink in). When your family has enough members to start a basketball team, some interesting things can happen. Jean attended the University of Florida to study history and secondary education. Later she chose Southern Illinois University of Carbondale to obtain her

The old saying that two are better than one is true on so many levels. It is not just a quantity thing but rather suggests greater opportunity, more resources, better experience. There have been many famous pairs like Gilbert and Sullivan, Lewis and Clark or Laurel and Hardy (I digress). Nevertheless, duos have been shaping our world since the beginning of time. Occasionally, they do not reach national stardom but significantly make a difference where we live. Such is the Jen and Jean Team of Jen Teske and Jean Lewis.

master's in College Administration. She worked for a while in Student Services but then decided to help her husband through dental school and in establishing his practice. Not surprisingly, she worked at the office on the customer service side, and even had the opportunity to impact other offices around the nation through training and consulting.

With two children and a recent divorce, Jean decided to return to some college towns and make a resurgence using her old skill set. She was able to teach as a substitute among other things, but her primary concern was to raise her children. Although she was licensed in 1997, she describes her early years as “the hobbyist.” In 2004, she came to the Metro area and four years later began to work unofficially with her new friend Jen. They both had hockey players, and so they helped one another and traveled to games. In 2010, they made the partnership official, and the rest is history.

Jen Teske grew up in the Carolinas and attended Western Caro-lina University where she studied Business Administration with a major in Management Information Technology. Her junior year, she accepted an internship with IBM in Florida. Her roommate there brought home a nice man from Iowa who was serving as an electrical engineer intern. The two met and were later married the week after her college graduation.

For a brief time in Iowa while her husband finished his degree, Jen worked as a COBOL programmer. Later, her husband, Mark, accepted a position with Phillips 66 in Texas, and she worked

It Is The “All About You Team”

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for a large firm in information technology. A car accident caused her to move her work closer to home, and she was able to work in airport system design and technical/editorial writing. When Mark was later transferred to the Metro area, it placed Jen in proximity to Jean and ... well, you know what happened.

Jean notes that real estate sales offer so much. She loves the variety of people and circumstances. She also observes that to help them, she must always be versatile, open and constantly aware. It is impor-tant to work with people who know, love and trust you to navigate them through the difficulties of buying or selling a home. Lewis also mentions the fact that not all situations are as happy as one would like, for some are changing due to death, divorce or downsizing. She knows that managing emotions is a huge part of her work.

Jen agrees with the joy of making connections and building relationships. She also says that real estate satisfied the entre-preneurial drive that she always felt. Several in her family had built their own businesses, and she realized that she wanted that as well. Teske notes that they spend some considerable effort to learn as much as possible about their clients (finances, desires, dreams, likes and dislikes, etc.) and then offer the best information so clients can attempt an informed decision. She quips, “It is a huge responsibility, but there are so many opportunities to serve.”

Jen and Jean remember the difficult adjustments as well. With so much to learn and a plethora of challenges, the industry makes one adjust quickly. There are so many people involved who are depending on a successful transaction that pressure is a given. They also continue to work on time management and on trying to “turn it off” when they need a break. Jen observes that “hard work can bring much success, but then success spawns more hard work.”

Regarding the idea of success, Jean explains that it can only hap-pen as a combination of one's personal, financial, professional and spiritual pursuits in life. Jen thinks it is something still in progress since it involves setting goals, achieving them and set-ting new ones. She hears many talk about balance but concludes that there are many unbalanced times in life. The real key to her is making sure that every area reaches its highest potential.

Jean has two sons, Nicholas and Colin, and two stepdaughters, Lexie and Jessica. Her husband, Matt, has a background as a geologist but now works for the team. The family loves to travel and snow ski.

Jen and Mark just celebrated 27 years of marriage, and they have a son, John, and a daughter, Mary. They have two terriers: Lucky and Lily. The family loves to travel to resorts or on cruises, but work is also a favorite for them.

For those considering work in real estate, the team challenges them to make learning a constant habit and to find a good mentor

and business coach. Follow them around, and let them educate and guide you. Set your goals from the very first day, and no mat-ter how small they may seem, find a way to achieve them.

Jen Teske and Jean Lewis are models of commitment and ser-vice. While on the ski slopes, Jen observed Jean talking through a deal on the phone. Today, three magnets hang on their white board in the office (transaction results displayed) that combine to say, “making it happen.” The two are a recipe for getting things done because, in the end, it is all about you!

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making a differencePACTPACTUnderstanding The Police And Children Together

Program With Mark Terveer

Article by Brian Ramsey

The men and women who have sworn to protect and serve labor tirelessly to keep our streets safe and laws

upheld. We often think only of their actions while on duty, but many expend great efforts to help and make

connections in other venues as well. St. Louis is one of the many chapters of a program called “Police and

Children Together (PACT)." Officer Mark Terveer is one of many who organizes and works the events, and he loves

the fact that a host of people seek to bridge the relationship with children and impact their lives.

PACT identifies children between the ages of 9-13 who appear to struggle with comfortable social environments. Most are shy, and many are from less-fortunate neighborhoods or from single-parent homes. The organization gives students the opportunity to experience things that many other young people enjoy and maybe even take for granted. Students from six different school districts are the recipients of a youth camp, birthday gift cards and a spe-cial Christmas shopping experience.

This month, students and staff will spend a week at the host facil-ity, Lake Williamson, a Christian-based vacation area where they will enjoy some hearty meals and some vigorous activities, such as a two-tier-high wire obstacle course and a zip line. Twenty-five to 30 children will help set up for lunch, which may include

a BBQ. They also take in some local, historical sites, such as the St. Louis Museum and a tour at the old Federal Courthouse. The courthouse was the scene of the Dred Scott Trial, and the stu-dents join in their own mock trial for fun and education.

During the year, students receive birthday gift cards, which is a rare treat for most of them. At Christmas, they will enjoy some time at Walmart or Target where they can “shop with a cop.” After an intense shopping excursion and lunch, the young people return to the Police Department to help the officers wrap presents. Officer Mark Terveer notes that many of the children remember to buy very specific gifts for family members, and they often do not buy any gift for themselves. It is a classic example of the phrase, “It is better to give than receive.”

Terveer explains that the students find the activities to be enjoy-able and interactive. Those who donate their time find this also, and they value the friendships that they make with the students. Over time, Mark remembers many who have kept in touch with him. As with any organization that serves, PACT is privately funded and is of no cost to participants. Many chapters have been unable to survive, but thanks to the giving spirit of the Metro area, PACT continues to thrive. Mark explains that the leaders must solicit funds and often travel to local groups and businesses to promote what they are doing. “It is nice, because the program sells itself,” says Terveer.

Real Producers magazine salutes the many who give either in time or resources to Police and Children Together, and hopes they continue to make a difference in the lives of our local youth.

Call today to schedule your inspection!

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26 • May 2018 www.realproducersmag.com • 27

How many years have you been a realtor? Almost three years.

What is your career volume as a realtor? $5,926,000.

What is your total volume last year as a realtor?$3.3 million.

What awards have you achieved as a realtor? RASI 2016 Rookie of the Year, RASI Bronze (2016), Gold (2017) for sales performance, Coldwell Banker 2017 International Sterling Society, Coldwell Bank-er Brown Realtors Top Performer 2016 and 2017.

When did you start your career in real estate? July 2015.

What did you do before you became a realtor? Customer service and banking.

What are you passionate about right now in your business? First-time home-buyers.

What has been the most rewarding part of your business? Helping clients through the difficult process of the sale or purchase of a home smoothly, and they are still happy in the end!

What was your biggest challenge as a realtor? Possibly saying no to a potential client.

How does real estate fit into your dreams and goals? It allows me to balance being in a professional envi-ronment with great clients and still manage a family and get to spend enough time with them.

What's your favorite part of being a realtor? Seeing the smiles on my clients' faces after closing!

Define success. The ability to balance a successful career, healthy lifestyle and a happy family!

Tell us about your family. Husband, Patrick. Two sons, Jacob (3) and Henry (1 1/2). Live in O'Fallon, IL. We love baseball, go-ing on family trips and visiting the St. Louis Zoo and Six Flags!

Favorite books? If I get a chance to finish any I start ... professional development and anything by Emily Giffin.

Are there any charities or organizations you support? I am on the Board of Directors for the Realtor Association of Southwestern Illinois. Spend time volunteering in our church, St. Clare of Assisi in O'Fallon, IL; advisor for the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

ASHLEY BARUD

Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors

meet a realtor!

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