Al Sackmann is selling people on Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Now a realtor, Al Sackmann transferred his love of marketing into real estate more than 10 years ago.

MOSES LAKE - Now a realtor, Al Sackmann transferred his love of marketing into real estate more than 10 years ago.

Sackmann, now 61, worked as a manager for the Moses Lake company Columbia Bean and Produce for 32 years. He was looking for a change because the management part of the business was stressful.

He cited the many issues involved with managing people.

"Hiring and managing people is hard," Sackmann said. "It's easier to fire someone than to lay them off. Business became hard, then it became harder and harder with rules and regulations. You had to worry about those things."

He spoke to Jeff Foster, of Advantage GMAC Real Estate, about going into the industry and made the decision to change careers. Sackmann says he owes a lot to Foster for his help.

"The people aspect is the best part," Sackmann said. "The best part is meeting new people and helping others, especially young people."

During the last few years, he's helped friends of his sons find homes, which he finds rewarding after watching them grow up.

"Now I'm able to help them get into homes," he said.

Today, his work goals are simple. "I just want to be a good real estate agent and make people happy whether they're buying or selling a home," Sackmann commented.

His motto is "honesty, integrity and reliability," he said. "Real estate is a great industry. You can make as much as you want or as little as you want."

Sackmann learned some tips along the way to expand his network. When he first entered real estate, colleague Kent Jones told Sackmann to pass out six business cards daily to acquaintances and strangers.

Jones and Sackmann have neighboring offices inside Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Ranch and Home in Moses Lake. Sackmann called Jones his mentor in real estate.

"What a great asset," he said of Jones.

Jones also worked with Sackmann at Advantage GMAC and has known him for more than 10 years.

Both Jones and Sackmann work primarily in residential real estate, but also sell property in other areas.

"I think I'd consider him a friend," Jones said. "I think if I asked him for something that was legal, he would do it for me."

They spend most of their time together at work.

"We do have a good time on a daily basis," Jones commented. "He's just a fun guy to be around. We have fun, we enjoy our work and try to do a good job at it."

"Al is one of those guys who works very hard at doing things right, but also understands it's probably more important to do the right thing," Jones said.

It's why he gets so many referrals, Jones added.

Sackmann also found it helpful to take advantage of real estate education courses whenever possible.

"There's lots of education," he said.

Before entering real estate, Sackmann learned his work ethic and the lesson of hard work from his father. He worked in agriculture and was one of 17 siblings from Lind.

"He worked hard all his life," Sackmann explained. "I was working in grain fields when I was 12."

He credits his late father-in-law, Columbia Bean owner Dale Nelson, with teaching him about the business and providing him with the opportunity to work in all aspects of the operation.

But the best thing that's ever happened to him during his whole life was meeting and marrying his wife and "best friend" Judy. They have three grown sons together, Jason, Adam and Nick.

He remarked about her support, which has allowed him much success.

"Spouses listen when you have bad times, when you come home from work and have a bad day," Sackmann said. "A spouse can also take away your anger."

The couple loves traveling, spending time together and cooking together. An Alaskan cruise they took in about 2007 was one of their trips. The cruise was part of a fund-raiser to raise money for Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, which was then building a new facility.

His love of fishing has taken him to places as far away as Canada, Alaska and the Northwest Territories. He doesn't hesitate to fish locally either, with trips to Potholes Reservoir and to Lyons Ferry on the Snake River.

A lifelong New York Yankee fan, he has a photo in his office bought by his son of the team's stadium. He's seen the old stadium, but would also like to see the new stadium.

He remains devoted to the team, despite his friends giving him a bad time about being a Yankees fan.

Baseball is his favorite sport and he also loves college sports.

"It's great," he said.

On a personal level, his goal is to be happy and have friends.

"Work isn't as important as that," Sackmann noted. He also wants to carve out more time for fishing.

It is one thing he does to take away his stress.