Local Realtor Is National ‘Hall of Fame” Member

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

Local real estate agent LeRoy “Buck” Schaeffel was inducted into the National Real Estate Hall of Fame this past March at a special ceremony in Washington D.C. Sadly, he could not attend, because he was having knee surgery. Ironically, it was the first National Association of Realtors meeting he had missed in many years. But he does have the plaque and the knowledge that he has earned to go with it.

“I have truly enjoyed being able to help out over the years,” Schaeffel said of his involvement with the National Association of Realtors. “I have learned more about how real estate works for the people we represent. I hope my story will inspire others to get involved.”

Schaeffel came to Mesquite in 2005 from Waukesha, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of ten siblings. In Waukesha he was a partner in an auto dealership for 26 years.

After getting his real estate license in Nevada he went to work for Quality Real Estate. After a few years, Schaeffel then partnered with his co-worker Brandon Parks and opened Mesquite Realty in 2010.
Schaeffel became active in the local, and state Realtors Associations to better advocate for local real estate companies and agents.

“The Mesquite Realtors Association, at the time, did not have any input into how our due’s money was being spent,” Shaeffel recalled.

In addition, Schaeffel became involved in seeking political candidates who would advocate for the local real estate industry. “It seemed foolish for us to back political candidates that ignored the realtors and did nothing beneficial for them,” he said.

Through the years since, Schaeffel has continued to be very active in all the Realtors Associations. He spent nine years on the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Realtors Association, two years as Treasurer of the Nevada State Realtors Association, was active in the Realtor Political Action Committee. Every year he attends the National Realtors Association Meeting in Washington D.C. Schaeffel feels these activities are important for members to be recognized by representatives in Washington D.C.

Schaeffel is proud of his accomplishments. He said that, while serving on the association finance committee for the last 3-4 sessions, the organization was able to enact rules for the Real Estate association to have more say on how the government spent loan money.

“The National Association has 200,000-plus members and should be recognized,” Shaeffel said. “It is our dues money that is used by the government to make real estate loans like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.”

Prominent speakers at association meetings have included Colin Powel, Condoleezza Rice, Dean Heller, Governor Sandoval. The association has many lobbyists and it is a very effective organization.
“When we meet in Washington D.C. it gives us a chance to communicate with our elected representatives.” he said.

Schaeffel has gone into partial retirement but has still stayed connected to the business that he loves.
“I have sold my half of the business,” he said. “But my license and plaque still hang in the office. Although I am semi-retired I still plan to stay active in the Realtors Association.”