Ian Morris is a seven-year Microsoft alumnus who helped launch and run MSN HomeAdvisor, Microsoft's real estate business, in 1997. He joined Kirkland-based HouseValues Inc. in 2002 as executive vice president of marketing, was promoted to CEO in June 2003, and led the company through its initial public offering the following year. He has an M.B.A. from Harvard.

What are the biggest challenges facing the real estate market today?

Most agents are not salaried employees and only receive a paycheck when transactions close. Transaction volumes in many major markets across the country are down. This makes it harder for our customers to make commitments, which is a challenge for us. On the flip side, difficult times make our services more valuable, and many of our customers are seeing great success thanks to their affiliation with HouseValues, despite the challenging real estate market.

How can agents best compete in an environment that has so much real estate information available free on the Internet?

Agents who viewed themselves as "gatekeepers of information" are, for the most part, no longer in the industry or they?ve already changed their style. Top real estate professionals empower their customers by providing access to the information they need.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

Product manager for Aetna?s 401(k) plan unit. I learned the importance of innovation. Major mutual funds were making inroads into this business mostly at the expense of the large insurance companies. Many were more nimble and were providing consumers with more of what they wanted. It was a tough environment and it underscored the importance of staying close to your customer and always innovating to best serve those customers.

What is your idea of happiness?

It?s all about family and the people that matter most. I am fortunate to have grown up in a wonderful family and now, to have one of my own. In addition, I get great satisfaction at work, and in building relationships with the family that I work with every day. That closeness can make life more challenging at times, but it is still very much worth it.

What is your most significant achievement?

From a career perspective, it's what we have built at HouseValues and the success it has helped create for thousands of Realtors across North America. Customers tell us every day that we have helped them change their lives both financially and by helping them take control of their schedules and lives.

What business decision do you most regret?

Not joining HouseValues sooner.

What talent would you most like to possess?

The ability to hit a 100 mph fastball would be great.

What personal trait would you rather not have?

Impatience. Next question.

What trait bothers you most in others?

When people don't push themselves to reach their full potential and see how successful they can be. I get very energized by other people?s passion for what they do.

What attributes do you like most in a person?

Passion, enthusiasm, integrity and a can-do approach to solving problems.

If after death you could come back as another person or thing, what would it be?

It would probably be a comedian. Jon Stewart and Lorne Michaels both have gigs that I think I would particularly enjoy. They seem to have a lot of fun, and they get to influence a lot of people?s thinking along the way.

What is your favorite place in Washington?

Being out on Lake Washington with family and friends is tough to beat.

If you could change one thing in Washington, what would it be?

My wife and I are originally from the New York area, and we are both very close to our families (who remain there). We love Washington, but we would enjoy it even more if our families were here. That, and while we are at it, perhaps a place to get a real slice of New York pizza or a real bagel.