Real Estate Zealot

Let An Expert Help You Buy a Home

Greg Howard with Metro Real Estate Group specializes in residential real estate in the Colorado Springs area. He can offer the right, expert guidance to help you sell your home quickly or find the right home to buy.

Interviewer: Hi I am Kathy Soltero with metrobrokerstv.com, and today we have in the studio with us Greg Howard, he is with Metro Real Estate Group. Greg, thank you so much for coming in and talking with us today.

Greg: Thank you for having me.

Interviewer: Tell me a little bit about your business and where your real estate offices are?

Greg: Our real estate office is kind of in the downtown portion of Colorado Springs, we're off North Tejon. It's a small office; there are about eight different brokers there. And I am with Matt Tolooee at Metro Real Estate Group.

Interviewer: Okay and what areas are you specializing in?

Greg: I specialize in pretty much anything, I hate to say that it's that broad, but the only thing that I don't do is commercial work and the primary reason for that is, I work by referral. And by referral, I don't like turning things away that I don't have control of, hence so I try to do whatever I can, whenever somebody is referred to me.

Interviewer: Have you dealt with many short sales or bank owns?

Greg: Unfortunately, we have to deal with all those things. In the past 10 years, I've done everything from lots, short sales, manufactured homes, multimillion dollar homes, ranches, everything, when I first got started up I primarily focused on HUD foreclosures and investment properties.

Interviewer: Okay and how do you feel that Colorado Springs market is doing now?

Greg: I think it's doing pretty well. I don't know that there's a market in the US that's doing wonderfully but, if, if somebody wants to sell their home and they have the right kind of information, I think they can do pretty well. It's the factor of selling homes is all about, how you bought the home and how long you had the home. And then have an agent that actually can provide you with the right guidance to keep you either out of deep water or to actually skim some off.

Interviewer: Right, do you feel like the market down there is stabilizing a little bit, do you think that you're starting to pick up a little, are you still seeing a lot of foreclosures?

Greg: Well I, I actually watch the foreclosure list and I still see a lot of foreclosures. I think it's a tricky market for sellers to actually sell properties but it's a wonderful time to buy, and even if you had to sell and then buy, it's really still a good time. I don't think there is a bad time here. If somebody said, "When is the best time to buy a piece of property?" The answer would be... five years ago...10 years ago. So today will be that "ten years ago" or "five years ago".

Interviewer: Exactly, do it when you can right now.

Greg: Absolutely. Get on the merry-go-round when you can.

Interviewer: Exactly, so what do you enjoy most about real estate?

Greg: If I had to pick something that I enjoyed, it was probably the clientele of the buyers. They are happy to be there as long as you get them in the right direction, make sure the financing is working well they are just a pleasure to be with all the time. There's nobody more gracious than a buyer when you hand them a key at closing.

Interviewer: Well how can customers reach you?

Greg: Customers can reach me via the web at greghowardrealtor.com. You can also find me at Metro Brokers on their website at Greg Howard. You can also reach me on my cell phone which is 719-445-9515.

Interviewer: All right, Greg thank you so much for coming in and sharing all that with us today.

Greg: Very good, it was a pleasure, thank you.

Interviewer: All right, and for more real estate related videos like this one be sure to tune into Metro Brokers TV online.

Fuller Sotheby's Focuses on Quality Homes and Excellent Service

Scott Webber, owner of Fuller Sotheby's International Realty talks about the Denver area market and how Fuller Sotheby represents quality homes and provides excellence in real estate.

Today we are talking with Scott Webber, owner of Fuller Sotheby's International Realty here in Denver, welcome to the show.

Scott Webber: Thanks Dan, good to be here again.

Interviewer: Glad you're here, two years ago you had just bought Fuller Towne & Country Properties and I'm sure you heard a lot of people say, "Wow! That guy bought a firm at an interesting time."

Scott Webber: Well no doubt, the timing was suspicious and coincidental.

Interviewer: Right.

Scott Webber: But you know when you have been at this business for 35 years and you're committing for another 20 years, what's a little blip in the market?

Interviewer: There is bound to be a few.

Scott Webber: Yeah, you know when it's a long term commitment you know these are just the up and downs in the business and you are prepared to deal with whatever market comes at you.

Interviewer: Well let's talk about that, how has it been over the last two years? Can you give us a quick assessment of where you are at and where the market is at, at this time?

Scott Webber: Well, you know the market is definitely recovering, I mean we are clearly seeing listing inventories getting smaller...we are seeing more buyers in the market. So the balance between the supply and the demand is, is definitely improving. We've seen more sales in the luxury segment so far this year, than we saw all of last year.

Interviewer: Talk about the luxury market, obviously Fuller Sotheby's has been well entrenched in there and that's been a difficult market over the last two years both for buyers and sellers in all the ways. You said it's getting better... the outlook is that it will continue to improve? Some people are concerned about a double dip, what do you think?

Scott Webber: I don't think this double dip rumor is anything worth worrying about.

Interviewer: Sure.

Scott Webber: I mean, I think people are just gaining more confidence in the overall economy all the time and we are, we are definitely seeing that in the way people are spending today, you know people are definitely much more liberal in their spending and so the luxury segment has picked way up, we are having way more showings, way more contracts, in fact multiple offers.

Interviewer: For disclosure, obviously I work in the luxury market, I have a lot of luxury listings. One of the things that I run up against and I'm sure you hear a lot of as being owner of the company is, Fuller Sotheby's wouldn't be interested in selling my home, mine is not a luxury home.

Scott Webber: Yeah clearly, our program is oriented towards the segment of the market that is maybe $500,000 or above, but really our brand is more about the quality factor than it is about the luxury segment. You know we're really just an organization with a brand and with a philosophy that's oriented around the concept of quality, and just really doing things with excellence. And so every one of our clients benefits from that commitment and that philosophy regardless of the price point. Last year, we sold a property for $50,000, and we also had the highest sale in the market at $9.2 million. So you know, we are selling everything in-between, and we take as much pride in selling the property that's on the lower average sales price range as we do in the luxury segment.

Interviewer: I tell people all the time that, you know, yes we sell million dollar homes, and if yours is not a million dollar home, don't worry, you'll just get the million dollar service.

Scott Webber: That's exactly right, that's exactly right.

Interviewer: Yeah, all right, what's left on the horizon, what do we have to look forward to where is the market heading?

Scott Webber: Well, I think we're just going to see continual improvement you know we are really fortunate in Denver, you know Denver you know there is, there is immigration into Denver, there is a lot of companies moving here, there's you know there's, there's growth, there is, Denver is very fortunate and, and so I see the Denver market you know itself you know getting stronger, I see the national marketplace getting stronger, I think that you know that the future is bright, very bright.

Interviewer: Yeah, people still want to live in Denver.

Scott Webber: Absolutely. It's a good place to be.

Interviewer: Thanks for being here.

Scott Webber: Thank you Dan, good to be here.

Metro Brokers offers superior technology and services

Art Momper with the Denver Home Team brings his vast experience to Metro Brokers. He made the switch to Metro Brokers because of the advanced technology, which combined with his experience, puts him in the top 5% of Brokers nationwide.

Interviewer: Hi, I'm Kathy Soltero with metrobrokertv.com. Today we have in the studio with us Art Momper and he is with the Denver Home Team, welcome.

Art Momper: Hi.

Interviewer: Tell me a little bit why you joined Metro Brokers? Tell me a little bit about your history, where you have been, how you are doing?

Art Momper: Well I've been previously with RE/MAX for about 31 years and had a long happy career there, but you know recently I started to do some analysis and looked at some of the options, because of market conditions that we have and found that Metro Brokers is really providing equal to superior technology and services to the RE/MAX affiliation I had and, and certainly in a much more favorable price point and I found that, that would allow me to continue to increase my technology investments and client representation.

Interviewer: How would you say that the technology helps your business?

Art Momper: Well you know, I've been in the business 36 years, so I have a lot of experience and you know for clients, that's something that is really important and really valuable. A lot of brokers can invest in technology but they don't have the experience component as well so, but experience without the current market tools doesn't help you much, so I made sure that I am always in the top 5% of brokers nationwide and the technology tool box that I offer. This transition to Metro you know I get to use their technology and continue to invest in the services that I am keen on, you know I think it's important that somebody who lists a property with me that their property on the first page of Google within a couple of days and, and all the primary websites that are available and you know I can put QR codes on brochures and people can pull up the information by mobile and I make sure every current opportunity is available, so my adjustment to Metro has been an excellent opportunity to allow that investment to increase and maintain my book of business as well.

Interviewer: What areas do you focus on, do you have a certain price range or...?

Art Momper: Well you know we, in this industry these days can't be too focused on price range in my opinion but you know and actually one of the things that I enjoy the most is helping first time buyers because you know you get to kind of refresh your vision of real estate through their eyes a little bit, so I enjoy that a lot and of course I work with multi-million dollar properties as well.

Interviewer: And Art, since you have been in the business so long, how would you say your past clients are rating your services?

Art Momper: That's a good question and I'm real proud of that you know, obviously we all depend on our past client base for our business as well and referrals and I do get a very strong response there and but I think the thing that most of my past clients respect the most in me is that I'm always going to give them an honest answer and I have an assistant for 25 years and her name is Harriett, and she and I kid each other all the time because I probably talk more buyers out of buying more houses than most brokers have sold because if I don't think it's a good fit I'm going to tell them that you know I'm not going to worry about the commission, I am going to worry about giving them the best outcome and so they, they respect that on, of me and they know that I am going to also have all the current tools like we talked.

Interviewer: Right, well Art Momper, the Denver Home Team, we appreciate you coming in and telling us about your business and congratulations and keep up the good work.

Art Momper: Yeah I appreciate it, thank you.

Interviewer: Thank you so much and thank you for watching metrobrokerstv.com. For more real estate related videos be sure to tune in.

Moving Ahead without the Tax Credit Incentives

Alison Brennan talks to us about how the tax credit effects home buying, as well as how the extensions affect sellers and buyers alike.  She also discusses opportunity that still exist and how to be creative without the government’s help.

 

 

METRO BROKERS INC. PROUDLY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH COLORADO EAGLES HOCKY TEAM

Contact: Courtney Lis Voca

PR 970.581.6231

Courtney@vocapr.com

 

METRO BROKERS INC. PROUDLY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH COLORADO EAGLES HOCKY TEAM

Relationship will facilitate Metro Brokers expansion and commitment to Northern Colorado

(Loveland, Colo.) - July X, 2010 – Metro Brokers, Inc. www.metrobrokersonline.com is proud to announce a joint partnership with the Colorado Eagles, Northern Colorado’s beloved hockey team based in Loveland, CO. Metro Brokers will be involved in a variety of marketing and sponsorship opportunities during the upcoming 2010/2011 hockey season at the Budweiser Events Center. Metro Brokers is dedicated to growing its membership and client base in and around Fort Collins and this relationship will help foster brand awareness for the growing real estate company in Northern Colorado.

“The Colorado Eagles have established an amazing fan base in Northern Colorado,” said Bob Luna, president, Metro Brokers, Inc. “This is a perfect venue for Metro Brokers to establish itself among the people in the community in a creative and unique manner and establish a strong identity by getting involved with such a noteworthy organization.”

As president of Metro Brokers, Bob Luna has been committed to growing its membership base into outlying areas along the front-range and this relationship illustrates their commitment to the people of Northern Colorado. A total of 9 Metro Brokers offices and 50 agents currently reside in the area.

“Metro Brokers is the ideal business model for those agents interested in controlling their own destiny,” said Doug Lindstrom, broker owner of the Metro Brokers Loveland office. “As a result, we have experienced substantial growth and success during the down market. We hope this partnership with the Eagles will prove our commitment to Northern Colorado, help us grow our businesses and foster a long relationship within our community.”

Metro Brokers Inc. provides real estate agents an independent framework to succeed through innovative technologies, brand awareness, continuing education courses and extensive multi-media mix marketing. Unlike other real estate companies, Metro Brokers Inc. is actually owned and operated by its brokers and prides itself on its strong team of agents.

“Just like the Metro Brokers organization, the Colorado Eagles are a hard working, high producing, and successful team, making this partnership a perfect fit for both sides,” said Lindstrom.

About Metro Brokers, Inc.

Metro Brokers, Inc. has been Colorado's leader in real estate, technology and services, for more than 30 years, providing the framework, structure, brand and freedom for real estate brokers to work professionally, efficiently and profitably. Our network of nearly 2,000 highly experienced real estate professionals specialize in residential, commercial and investment properties and have access to ground breaking technologies, continuing education courses, and innovative marketing that help buyers and sellers make the most of their real estate transactions. Unlike most other real estate companies Metro Brokers, Inc. is actually owned and operated by its brokers.

A Conversation about the Luxury Home Market

Alison Brennan talks to us about how the local luxury real estate market compares to the national market, and what local markets are doing better than others.  She also discusses selling in today's market, are people able to sell their property today.

Sports Star Relocation Services by Bill Stubblefield

Interviewer: Today we are talking with Bill Stubblefield from Coldwell Banker, and the Ali van Westenberg Real Estate Partners. Welcome to the show.

Bill Stubblefield: Thanks for having me.

Interviewer: Sport star relocation.

Bill Stubblefield: Yes.

Interviewer: I am sure there are lot of agents that say, "I wouldnt mind representing the sports star."

Bill Stubblefield: Thats exactly why I joined the business.

Interviewer: Well is there a flip side to that, I mean, is it difficult too?

Bill Stubblefield: Oh sure, absolutely, because sports star relocation is not just about you are helping the athlete buy and sell a home...

Interviewer: Right.

Bill Stubblefield: There is a lot more to it than just doing that.

Interviewer: Because I imagine your average agent, you would say, yeah he is a sports star he is going to be buying a multi-million dollar home--I will work with those people all day.

Bill Stubblefield: Sure, sure.

Interviewer: But as you said, there is more to it?

Bill Stubblefield: There really is lot more to it because most of these athletes that we know as soon as you see a trade deadline go across, or as soon as you happened to see free agency at the end of the sports season, now you know, today actually is free agency open market for NFL players, a lot of those players are not going to get long-term deals so it's, it's as much helping them negotiate a lease and find a place to live and as well as just not helping to buy.

Interviewer: I know a little bit about this topic and I know in recent years, particularly with the way the economy is, a lot of these agents for these sports stars have recommended them not buying and renting because of the economy, have you seen that?

Bill Stubblefield: I wouldnt say it's necessarily because of the economy. It's got to make sense. It's got to make sense for the athlete knowing that they might only be here for one, two or maybe three years tops because of the nature of their business.

Interviewer: Yeah.

Bill Stubblefield: Financially it wouldnt make sense to you and I to go and invest a lot of money knowing that we might have to move you know in the next couple of years.

Interviewer: How do you get started in that section of business?

Bill Stubblefield: Great question. I am involved with a company called Mike Ferry and what he is, he is a professional business coach. As a part of that system, I was introduced to a gentleman Ed Kaminsky. He is the CEO and President of Sports Star Relocation out of California, so basically through our network, thats how we went.

Interviewer: Okay and how many athletes have you been able to assist in Denver these days?

Bill Stubblefield: At this point I have worked with about a dozen and with every major sports team here.

Interviewer: Gotcha, and how is this different than working with a regular you know buyer who is not an athlete?

Bill Stubblefield: Well, working with an athlete you got to consider if its a mid-season trade for instance, if you are in Colorado you want to just make some big changes, well those athletes that come into the city if they have families, its helping them with, helping your kids find schools, their wives and kids find doctors, knowing where the store is, knowing how to get their cars to their new city, getting their house to the new city, finding these places in the city, so its a lot more than just being able to help them buy yourself home.

Interviewer: So you really have put together what a whole group of special services is that right?

Bill Stubblefield: Thats correct its specifically regarding imagine if you had to move...

Interviewer: Yeah.

Bill Stubblefield: Everything in three days.

Interviewer: Okay.

Bill Stubblefield: You need help...

Interviewer: Right.

Bill Stubblefield: Utilities, you need help with like I said transferring your cars, its all those things that are really important not just the athlete but their families.

Interviewer: So you are really like a concierge?

Bill Stubblefield: We are, we are, we are a relocation specialist.

Interviewer: Right.

Bill Stubblefield: For professional athletes.

Interviewer: And actually the purchase of the home may only be a small part of that entire equation.

Bill Stubblefield: Absolutely. You bet, at the end of the day yes we are real estate professionals, we would love to help you buy and sell a home, but we know that its hectic as the professional sports life can be, we have to help them accomplish all the goals in the meantime.

Interviewer: Bill, thanks, great meeting you, good luck.

Bill Stubblefield: Thank you.

Fuller Sotheby's International Realty continues success with referrals and a strong web presence

BrokerIPTV: Today we are talking with Tom Narvaez from Fuller Towne & Country and Tom, thanks for being with us.

Tom Narvaez: No problem

BrokerIPTV: GenX GenY segment. Do you feel being a younger practitioner in the business helps?

Tom Narvaez: Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean we are so technology based right now that I really think it helps to be in our generation and to be that technological savvy.

BrokerIPTV: When you guys started, who was the mentor? Who helped you? Who is really valuable to your business?

Tom Narvaez: When I got started really, it was my in-laws at the time Denver Colorado Springs and they have been in the business for many, many moons and taught me a lot about what is good to do and what is not good to do. They are kind of 24x7 people. I work hard. I play hard. So, there is a happy medium there, but just learned a lot about how to do real estate and how to really be successful.

BrokerIPTV: What methods do you use to attract business these days?

Tom Narvaez: Mainly sphere[Phonetic], I am a big... I am referral based guy and I think that is the only way to be in the business these days. I think the days of working open houses and doing a lot of floor and sign calls, I mean that's all great, but if you don't have established relationship and a connection with someone, it is too easy for people to move on, especially with technology out there and everything that they have got at their fingertips. A lot of people don't think they need Realtors unless they feel like they have a connection.

BrokerIPTV: What technology do you use to aid the business? Are you a web site guy? Are you focusing in on viral marketing on Internet? What are you doing?

Tom Narvaez: I am really a big... as far as listings go, I am a big web based, just massive presence and I feel like my job as a listing agent first and foremost is to get maximum visibility. So, I generally advertise about 15-20 web sites on all my listings and I think that just gets maximum exposure.

BrokerIPTV: Where do you feel the industry is going?

Tom Narvaez: It is going to go... still continue go web based. I think the savvy age, I mean the savvy people and sellers out there are going realize that they still need listing agents, but I think on the buyers side, it is going to... our roles are going to diminish a little bit just because of technology and it is going to be... we are going to get a call from someone and say I've got two houses, you know that I know that I want and then let's go take a look, a live look and then let's put an offering. So, there may be more... they may be asking for more of a refund type thing, rebate type situation or I am not sure... I am not sure how it is going to play out, but I think from the buyer's perspective it is going to diminish our role and from the seller's perspective, it should stay fairly consistent because especially markets like now, they need professional Realtor.

BrokerIPTV: Thanks Tom.

Tom Narvaez: Thanks Dan.

BrokerIPTV: Appreciate it.

Quality, Versatility And Design Are Key To Denver Custom Home Success

Broker IPTV: Today we are talking with Jon Crabtree from Frontgate Development Group and Jon you are medium to small builder, what would you say?


Jon Crabtree: I would say pretty smaller actually. We try to only do a few a years to keep the quality. I like to be there everyday and kind of keep my hand on the quality, I think that important to us, as well as changes in just every little detail, I like to be there for.


Broker IPTV: I want to talk about consumers in this segment. What do you here from consumers and what they want form a home?


Jon Crabtree: I think that they want the moon now-a-days, which I can understand. Again there is a lot of poor quality out there. So, what they wanting is versatility, a lot of people want flexible spaces, they want to, like I said we are put in elevator shafts roughing them in, so as they age, I think they can put elevator in. Now, they do not want the elevated today, but may be in 10 - 20 years, they will, so we are looking for versatility and flexibility, for sure.


Jon Crabtree: Do you solicit feedback form realtors on your designs?


Jon Crabtree: Always, yeah as many people as possible, other builders. I pretty much like people to come though, neighbors, I know the lot of people have that hold "don't steal my idea thing," but I feel like the ideas always have to keep coming and keep evolving, so I get stagnant by trying to hide it. So, I like everybody telling me what their feedback is and so I can change and adapt.


Broker IPTV: Is there such thing as they perfect design for today's family?


Jon Crabtree: I don't know. I am trying my best. We are getting as close as we can and I think every time it gets better, but every fine families definitely different, but I think quite a few of us have it now, having a little bit.


Broker IPTV: Do not worry, because when they ask that question a Frank Lloyd Wright. They said out of everything you have ever design, what has been your best, and he says "my next one."


Jon Crabtree: Yeah, exactly. I feel you are always trying a little bit better and they do get better every time.


Broker IPTV: Is there a signature that is visible in a FrontGate custom home?


Jon Crabtree: I just think quality, I honestly, a lot of people like some of our basements and I think that's one of the things that sets apart. It is our basements are really a good part of house and though through when we started, but I would just say the quality in general, because we like to mix up our styles not repeat very much.


Broker IPTV: Give an Internet presence?


Jon Crabtree: We do www.frontgatecustomhomes.com.


Broker IPTV: And do you derive sales from that you think?


Jon Crabtree: We are starting to. Actually, we just started a new campaign we are spending a little more money on marketing now, that the economy is worse, so as people ramping down, we are trying to ramp up and spend more money that than we had to before. So, that is, we are defiantly trying and it's getting better what we are doing a little right now and I think it is looking elegant, so.


Broker IPTV: Thank you man.


Jon Crabtree: Thank you.


Broker IPTV: Good meeting you.

Mile Hi Modern Team Proves "Architecture And Design" Can Be Your Brand

Mile Hi Modern Team Proves  "Architecture And Design" Can Be Your Brand

   

BrokerIPTV  :Today we are talking with Peter Blank and Craig Mayer from Fuller Towne and Country Properties and the Mile Hi Modern Team guys. Thanks for being with us.

Craig Mayer : You are welcome.

BrokerIPTV  :What is Mile Hi Modern Team, how did that get started give me the info?

Peter Blank : We started Mile Hi Modern with the focus on contemporary modern a Mid-Century Architecture. We felt that in the industry there was no real focus on that. Both, Craig and I coming from the very strong architectural background that is our passion, we really wanted to take that to a new level in the real estate world.

BrokerIPTV  :How is that been working out?

Craig Mayer : Excellent has been very good notch for us. We started this in 2004 business has been phenomenal.

BrokerIPTV  :Are is there a lot of contemporary architecture in Denver? Is this a good city for that?

Craig Mayer : Well what you...

Peter Blank : Contrary to what you might think. Denver does have an amazing variety and the significant number of Contemporary and Modern Style Homes. We have estimated it is probably less than 2% of the overall housings stock, but that is a significant number of houses, if we can create that is our dominant notch.

BrokerIPTV  :What defines Contemporary Architecture?

Craig Mayer : Contemporary Architecture is really - and there is a different between Modern and Contemporary. Modern really by definitions started in the 30s and 40s within of our great architects and it really, meant clean lines, very horizontal, broad, lots of glass, relation between indoor and outdoor space. Contemporary Architectures really architecture of the day, that has to do with more style and fashion. So, a contemporary house in the 80s is not necessarily modern. It was Contemporary 80s, Contemporary for day. So, there is the differentiation all though a lot of it does kind of translate well to each other.

BrokerIPTV  :Where do you guys want to be then in that definition?

Craig Mayer : We are in both and so - we are both and also lots of Mid-Century, we focus on and we also concentrate on new construction today. As new the builders and new processing have been Green Technologies that are coming in, that are very modern and thought process very modern in the way building practices are done today.

Peter Blank : I just would like to add on that. I think Mid-Century Modern is an incorporate to many things that are very contemporary in what home buyers are looking forward today. There were open floor plans, lots of glass, indoor, outdoor, so to living those are almost timeless attributes that buyers are looking for.

BrokerIPTV  :I got a 70s brady bunch style. I mean if I don't fall into your category can I still hire you guys?

Craig Mayer : Well sure actually a lot of our sellers like the way we do business. In the way we talk about their properties. So it may not fall under the Mile Hi Modern Model per say, but definitely false into our normal real estate which is Fuller Towne and Country Properties.

BrokerIPTV  :Guys, interesting subject we could talk for a longtime if I had, thank you very much for joining us...

Craig Mayer : You are welcome...

BrokerIPTV  :Really appreciated, good luck to you.

Peter Blank  : Great, thank you Dan.