ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dave Stone was a nationally recognized expert on the real estate industry. He was the author of numerous books, publications, cassette tapes, and audio-visual training films on such topics as listing and selling real estate and motivating, hiring and training sales associates. Stone entered the real estate profession in 1953 as a homebuilder. He opened a real estate office with his father following World War II, and the family operation became the dominant seller of new homes in California's Santa Clara Valley. Their secret of success involved a marketing strategy - the establishment of a trade-in home and guaranteed sales operation. Stone's success in these areas led to his first book, HOW TO OPERATE A REAL ESTATE TRADE-IN AND HOUSING PROGRAM, in 1965. President of the Stone Institute, "the Mayo Clinic of the real estate industry," Stone lead a consulting team that provided speaking and seminar services for homebuilders, land developers, Realtors®, and lending institutions. He lectured before over one million Realtors®, builders, and related groups in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Australia, England, and Puerto Rico. In 1984 Dave Stone founded The Builder Marketing Society as the only chartered organization dedicated exclusively to New Home Sales and Marketing practices. Stone was selected as the first Sales Manager of the Year in 1960 by the National Association of Home Builders. He was also honored by Homes for Living as their Realtor® of the Year in 1982, not only for his commitment to Realtor® excellence, but also for the time and energy he has devoted to raising the educational levels of those within the industry. The Bill Molster Award, given annually to recognize the person who has done the most to advance the goals of the National Sales and Marketing Council, was given to Dave in 1990. The Legends of Residential Marketing award was given to Dave in 1996 by the institute of residential marketing of NAHB and Builder Magazine making him the first non-builder to receive this award. Dave passed away July 1, 1995 after a 12-year battle with chronic lymphatic leukemia. He is survived by his wife and three children, who have created the Stone Family Enterprises in response to a high demand for Dave's books and teachings The Stone Family Enterprises Copyright © 2004-2007 All Rights Reserved