Today, Mary Lyons Weller, and Karla Haley Malone are the driving
force behind Coldwell Banker Welcome Home Realty.
Both life long residents of the Mankato area, Karla and Mary
purchased the Mankato residential franchise and changed the name
upon Paul’s retirement in 2004.
Mary was one of Paul’s first licensed realtors back in 1990 and
has continued to achieve record sales for the past twenty years.
In addition to earning her Broker license, she also has the GRI
designation and been awarded President Circle and President Elite
status several years running as well as earning a coveted designation
as one of the top three Most Referred Real Estate Professionals
voted on by industry peers. She has held positions on the State
of MN Ethics and Standards Committee as well as being a past member
of the MLS Board of Directors.
When not involved with Real Estate, Mary is generous with her time
in the interest of the community. Her current “Pet” project being
co-chair of BENCHS fundraising efforts for the new Humane Society facility.
She is also actively involved in the United Way, Cavaliers and BNI (Business Networking).
Mary’s husband Al is a dedicated Minnesota Vikings fan and enjoys antiques
and restoration of vintage vehicles. Together they have three adult children
and one very spoiled little Dachshund, Lucy. Mary is also an avid gardener,
enjoys music and any time spent with family and friends.
Karla was recruited by Mary in 1991 and has been a consistent presence with
Butzer/Welcome Home Realty ever since. Karla has also earned the designation
of GRI and Broker Associate as well as being awarded several consecutive Diamond,
Sterling and President Circle sales awards. Karla holds the position of
Relocation Director in addition to continued education and training of sales agents.
As a member of the Ambassadors and MLS Social Committee, Karla believes
community involvement is important to small business and strives to maintain a
personal rapport with area business owners and residents alike. She is also a
member of the Mankato Golf Club and enjoys coordinating and participation in
events that include the entire sales and support staff such as the Fun Days Parade
and Toys for Tots Campaign.
Husband, Mike is an avid outdoorsman and shares his enthusiasm for skiing with
daughter, Syd. Her son, Bryce, is now calling Washington home and the youngest,
Maddie, keeps things lively on the home front. Karla, also an animal lover,
is mom to Golden Retriever Zoie, who has graciously posed as our own Coldwell Banker mascot.
Like so many of the Welcome Home team, Karla shares an interest in gardening and is
particularly happy and content to spend her free time surrounded by friends and family,
entertaining or relaxing with a good book.
Prior to Paul’s retirement Welcome Home Realty was known as Butzer Realty.
Founded in 1985 the company launched with only two sales associates. By 1989
the company had expanded to almost 15 sales associates.
In 1990 Butzer Realty purchased a Coldwell Banker franchise and became known as
Coldwell Banker Butzer Realty.
After 14 years of success with Karla and Mary as the top producers Paul hung up
his final "Sold" sign and turned over the reigns to them.
Of course, none of this would have been possible had Colbert Coldwell and Benjamin Banker
not seen the need for honest, knowledgeable real estate people.
In 1906 Coldwell, a young real estate agent, saw families trying to piece their lives together
after the San Francisco earthquake. Disapproving of agents who acquired property from
vulnerable sellers and sold at huge profits, he founded his company with a revolutionary philosophy:
the customer’s best interest above all.
Benjamin Banker was the oldest of seven children born in Wisconsin and raised in Chicago.
In his 20's he ventured to San Francisco to sell meat-slicing machines.
A chance offer for a free visit to what is now known as Candlestick Park led to his change of careers.
It was inevitable that Coldwell and Banker would meet being in the same profession
in the then young and small city. They shared similar values and in 1913
Banker joined Coldwell as a salesman and a year later became his partner
forming the association that would lead to the formation of the world’s
leading real estate services firms.
The two men devoted the rest of their lives to building Coldwell Banker.
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