The difference between plans and achievements is action. Dreams will remain as nothing more than high hopes without the planning and follow-through to put those ambitions into drive.

Elaine Montgomery is a prime example of that spirit.

As a Real Estate Agent with Murney Associates, Elaine keeps her focus on producing all-in results for those around her.

Elaine feels blessed to have lived in the Ozarks all of her life. She remembers the events that led up to her getting into the business when she earned her license in 1982.

“I was 20 years old when my dad gave me the same amount of money he had given to my sister for her car. I had told him that if he gave me that same amount of money, I would put it toward a down payment and closing costs for a house.”

As it turns out, Elaine got her house.

“It was a little bungalow near the college. I loved it and I sold it five years ago for twice as much as I paid for it,” Elaine remembers.

One day, not too long after closing on her home,  she was looking through the newspaper, she saw an ad for a real estate school.

“Jim Jones was offering 20 free positions in his school,” she recalls. “So I signed up!”

For about seven years, Elaine worked in the business. In time, she shifted directions a bit and worked for over 11 years with Chase Bank as a Training Manager.

“When my kids moved out, BankOne had merged with Chase. They wanted to move some operations out of state in the fall of 2009 and I wanted to stay here. Chase was great about the situation and gave me a generous severance package which included a job coach,” she remembers. I went on to help Expedia.com start up a call center and helped with the hiring and training and ran a team for a while.” In 2012, Elaine made the decision to get back into the real estate business.

“That’s the point when I really consider that I got started in the industry,” she points out. “I worked for CJR (formerly Carol Jones) here in town and they were just starting up the Success Learning Center Pre-license school. I helped with that for a little over a year.”

In time, the real estate market started picking up again after the economic downturn of the late 2000s. At that point, Elaine stepped away from training and put her full focus on helping people and selling homes.  That’s when she joined the Murney Associates team.

“It is the finest brokerage in the US in my opinion, and the largest one in SWMO. Our owner- Patrick Murney treats every agent and our clients like kings and queens!.”

Through time, Elaine has continued building her business step by step. In the process, she has earned the Gold Medal award for Sales and Service through the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors where she serves as a Director on the GSBOR Board currently, and she has ranked among the top agents in the state.

“I’m not a number watcher. I believe if you do a good job and take care of your clients, the money will follow. I truly care about my clients,” Elaine says. “I get up and read my bible every morning. I place my worries in God's hands, and he provides for me. I love seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces when they reach their goals and find their dream home!.”

Through time, she has been very grateful for those around her who have supported and mentored her in her path forward, including Max Latham, Mike Kersey and Letty Van Kleeck. She also credits Jeff Parker for his role as an outstanding broker.

Away from work, Elaine’s world is made much richer by her family, including her husband.

“He is my executive real estate chauffeur on the evenings and weekends. He’s amazing and supportive,” Elaine says. “We also have two fine sons and two delightful daughters who make us very proud. I’m also blessed to have parents who have taught me great values and work ethics.” In her free time, Elaine looks forward to time spent with her grandchildren, including going to and supporting them in their sports and school events.

Another favorite place to be for Elaine is at their lake house which was Joel and her lifelong dream to obtain. 

“I love that place,” Elaine says. “It’s right on the water and the second I arrive and it feels like someone took all the weight off my shoulders.”

When it comes to giving back, Elaine enjoys being part of the GSBOR REALTORS® Helping People organization; whose works on raising funds to support and partner with Empower Abilities.

“This is an effort that helps senior homeowners stay in their homes … putting in needed upgrades for homeowners by partnering with local contractors,” Elaine says. “They provide every possible resource and knowledge for people who have special needs or disabilities.”

Elaine also serves as councilperson for the MU Greene County Extension. She also partners with Grace Church for a free shred event each year during Missouri Good Neighbor Week.  In addition, Elaine is currently representing Greene Co, participating in the Neighborhood Leadership Academy., which will assist their team to learn additional skills to assist in bringing communities closer throughout the areas she lives in.

Whether she is diving in to help her clients achieve their dreams or supporting her community, Elaine Montgomery demonstrates that her's is a life of involvement … and action … to achieve.