{"id":1188,"date":"2019-01-04T18:17:00","date_gmt":"2019-01-04T18:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realtrends.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/04\/bhgre-reliance-shares-agents-winning-photos-art-of-living-better-contest\/"},"modified":"2025-03-13T02:18:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T02:18:07","slug":"bhgre-reliance-shares-agents-winning-photos-art-of-living-better-contest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realtrends.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/04\/bhgre-reliance-shares-agents-winning-photos-art-of-living-better-contest\/","title":{"rendered":"BHGRE Reliance Shares Agents’ Winning Photos From Office’s “Art of Living Better” Contest"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

\n

BHGRE Reliance Shares Agents’ Winning Photos From Office’s “Art of Living Better” Contest<\/h2>\n

Winning Photos Share the Joy in the ‘Art of Living Better’<\/em><\/h6>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"BHGRE<\/p>\n

 <\/h4>\n

Local East Bay Brokerage BHGRE Reliance Partners Discovers Creativity Brings Closeness<\/h4>\n
\n

What started as a simple employee photo contest at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners in its East Bay region quickly became a celebrated event. Its real estate agents and staff submitted more than 100 pictures capturing \u201cheartwarming moments in time\u201d as part of its \u201cArt of Living Better<\/a>\u201d contest. While the winning images were spectacular, the contest became a case where life reflected the art: it brought its team members even closer together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Winning Images:<\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. First Place:<\/strong> Lois Harris, Realtor, Oakland office \u2013 Photo:<\/strong> Couple jumping in the water<\/li>\n
  2. Second Place:<\/strong> Mark Hardwicke, Realtor, Berkeley office \u2013 Photo:<\/strong> Dog eyeing breakfast<\/li>\n
  3. Third Place:<\/strong> Maria Elola, Realtor, Fremont office \u2013 Photo:<\/strong> Two children laughing<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \n

    \u201cThe real estate business \u2013 and being an agent \u2013 is more than just about selling homes,\u201d said Matt Cord, president and owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners. \u201cAgents are people and having a balanced life means there is more than just real estate 24\/7. Agents have families, kids, dogs, cats — and life is a joy. This photo contest captures living better in a profound way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    The architect of the photo contest Shelley Altura, chief strategy officer at BHGRE Reliance Partners, was anticipating “a handful of entries” when she announced the contest in the fall. She was soon deluged with entries. “We called the contest the \u2018Art of Living Better’ because we wanted to celebrate what our people do outside the office. What they shared with us are dozens and dozens of genuinely heartwarming moments in time,” she said.<\/p>\n

    Altura said she watched the contest do something unexpected. “As agents and staff shared their photos, they shared their stories behind the images. When you share your life’s most precious moments with your colleagues \u2013 and many of these photos capture these memories \u2013 it brings everyone closer. That was pretty magical,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Honorable Mentions Included:<\/h4>\n