Paul Wells, broker/owner of RE/MAX of Barrington and RE/MAX Now, was awarded the Eagle Award at the RE/MAX Northern Illinois 34th annual awards ceremony. The Eagle Award had not been awarded for over a decade.

The Eagle Award is only given to select individuals who have greatly contributed to the RE/MAX real estate network by making bold decisions during challenging economic times. Wells did just that.

While many businesses saw the country’s economic situation as a downfall, Wells saw it as an opportunity. According to a press release, he expanded his real estate brokerage by acquiring two competing firms, one in 2009 and another in 2010, while others were simply downsizing.

“I follow Warren Buffet’s advice, which is to do what everyone else isn’t doing,” Wells said. “I saw these moves as opportunities to help our clients gain more exposure for their homes and for our agents to gain more business. If I had waited until the market got stronger, it might have been too late to make this kind of move. Now is a great time to buy.”

Wells now has more than 50 affiliated agents who have helped RE/MAX achieve a 36 percent market share in the Barrington area.