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PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT
eople who are buying a home in Sisters Country are pursuing a dream. The real estate brokers who serve them understand that — because they are here pursuing the same dream. An ethic of honest, exceptional service is no mere cliché here — because these brokers are your future neighbors. They genuinely care about Sisters and those who choose to make their lives here. They understand that buying a home here is much more than a transaction for their clients — and it is much more than a transaction for them, too. Sisters may be a small community, but
its real estate is diverse — from rural subdivisions to townhouses inside the city limits; from a cottage with a small lawn to ranches with wells and water rights to consider. Real estate brokers have to be knowledgeable, diligent and above all, they have to know how to listen to their clients to determine what property best fits their vision of the Sisters way of life. In these pages, you’ll find the stories of men and women who are living their Sisters dream — and can help you fulfill yours. Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief The Nugget Newspaper
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Partners in Real Estate // The Nugget Newspaper // July 10, 2019
For long-time Sisters broker, it’s all about the clients By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
In an interesting way, Ross Kennedy brings to bear his background as a coach and trainer on his work with real estate clients.
“If I’m helping somebody, whether it be in business or in sports, I want the best outcome for them,” he said. That outlook shapes every aspect of Kennedy’s work.
“It’s about the client. It’s not about closing a transaction. It’s about me enabling them to get the best scenario out of it. I do a lot of listening to find out what their needs are.” Working as a Principal Broker with Black Butte Realty Group, Kennedy has experience and expertise in every kind of property in Sisters Country. With a strong feel for the various pieces that make up Sisters’ cultural quilt, he helps clients find just where they want to be in this surprisingly diverse community, whether they are looking for commercial property, a vacation home, or are realizing the dream of living in Sisters full-time. Kennedy continually works to add new tools to his kit to make transactions better for clients. “I now have my own loan origination license,” he noted. “What makes that nice and what makes that convenient for the client is that they have one point of contact for the entire transaction. At the end, the experience for the buyer is so much better.” Kennedy is equally versed in the listing and the purchasing end of real estate transactions, and sometimes he connects the two, as he did with a recent vacation home transaction.
Ross Kennedy (right) is an athlete and a coach. He brings the same values and approach to real estate that he brings to coaching: He seeks the best possible outcome for his clients.
photo provided
“We contacted Ross to help us find the perfect vacation home, and from the beginning to the end, it was wonderful working with him. He has extensive knowledge of the area, which helped tremendously. He has a very calming demeanor, which we appreciate as real estate transactions can be stressful. He kept us well-informed and was easily accessible for any questions. And he found our perfect home.” — Clients Chad and Dyanna Herman “After 16 years of homeownership at Black Butte Ranch I decided to sell my home, so I called Ross Kennedy at Black Butte Realty Group,” she said. “As the only on-site real estate company, I knew they did a lot of business with Ranch properties. Ross was everything I hoped for in an agent: professional, courteous, friendly, knowledgeable, caring and supportive. On top of that, he already had clients searching for a home like mine. He put us together and I received an excellent offer less than a week after our first conversation.” — Seller, Suzanne Parry
Ross Kennedy with the Herman family. photo provided
The Hermans’ comment points up an intangible but critical element of Kennedy’s approach to his work. He is known for that calm, cool demeanor. He smiles a bit when that’s brought up. “I’ve had to develop that,” he confessed, “because I used to be pretty hot.” Maybe. But Kennedy’s background has given him plenty of experience in performing under pressure. And now, years of experience with a wide variety of real estate transaction types — and confidence in his skill set — have enabled Kennedy to alleviate the inherent stress in the work. Experience teaches that there are always options. “You never have to do it just one way,” he notes. “I’m not trying to solve the problem at the moment,” he noted. “I don’t have to be reactive. I can problem-solve because I’ve been there, done that.” Kennedy is gratified to note that he has good personal and professional relationships with other Realtors in Sisters, which makes the work smoother. He
really looks for a win for everyone — and a pleasant experience. “I just want them to be able to say, ‘Wow! That was easy!’” Again, in a way, that relates back to Kennedy’s athletic background. A skilled track athlete, he still competes in triathlons. He’s serious about it — but more serious about the experience than about “winning.” “I have a competitive spirit,” he said. “However, I want to enjoy the experience. I want everybody to compete at their absolute best.” Winning for the sake of winning isn’t a motivator. “I never want to take advantage of a situation,” he said. “I want it to be the best it can be.” And he always comes back to the critical aspect of lending an attentive ear. “Everybody is human,” he said. “Everybody has their own story, and you have to support their story and their journey.” Kennedy says that he truly loves his work. It gives him the flexibility to be a family man and a volunteer coach. “I don’t feel like I’m missing out on my kids’ life and my family
life,” he said. Raising a family here, Kennedy is deeply invested in the vitality of Sisters. And he likes to share the community’s spirit, values and vitality with clients. “We’re a community of support,” he said. “There is a risingtide-raises-all-boats mentality.” More than simply seeking to close a deal, Kennedy seeks to help his clients find their place here. “I try to educate them about our culture, the Sisters culture,” he said. “What part of the culture makes sense to them?” Ross has volunteered on campaigns to support the schools through passage of construction bonds and a local option levy; has served as an assistant coach in track and field and basketball; and volunteers each year with the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. The can-do outlook is built into Kennedy’s nature; it’s the bedrock of his work and nothing satisfies him more than seeing it all come to fruition in a positive outcome. “I love the end of the transaction,” he mused. “You’ve created this wonderful experience.”
The Nugget Newspaper // July 10, 2019
// Partners in Real Estate
Personalized Service,
Real (Estate) Solutions For many years, I was a personal trainer and coach. The same skills have served me well as a real estate broker…passion, understanding, knowledge, communication, creativity, drive, discipline, trust and results.
Ross Kennedy PRINCIPAL BROKER
LOAN ORIGINATOR
AND ONE SISTERS REAL ESTATE BROKER, ONE POINT OF CONTACT — FROM INITIAL MEETING THROUGH FINANCE AND CLOSING
Great customer service should not stop when a real estate broker has a signed purchase agreement in hand. I am unique in that, as an Oracle mortgage broker, too I take our relationship and the process of financing your home one step further than other brokers can by offering you a single point of contact through financing and closing. I walk through the entire lending process with an eye toward expediting approval of your loan. In fact, Oracle timelines tend to be faster than the time it takes through traditional banks.
BUYING | SELLING | REFINANCING Contact me for a Comparative Market Analysis ross@myrksolutions.com Ross Kennedy | Principal Broker Luxury Home Specialist
541-408-1343
NMLS #1612019
Serving Black Butte Ranch & The Greater Sisters Area
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Partners in Real Estate // The Nugget Newspaper // July 10, 2019
McCrystal has strong connections in Sisters By Sue Stafford correspondent
Jen McCrystal knows Sisters and its residents. After 13 years of living here — many of those as the successful owner of the popular Jen’s Garden Restaurant and The Cottonwood Café — she enjoys long-standing, invaluable community connections. Those connections make purchasing real estate in Sisters Country, whether residential or commercial, a smooth and seamless process from initial exploration of available properties to the signing of the closing papers. Her affiliation with a full-service real estate office with a decades-long history in Sisters provides her with knowledgeable back-up and service for handling a transaction. McCrystal’s 20 years as a resident of Central Oregon informs her knowledge of the areas beyond the boundaries of Sisters Country. Her 25 years as a successful small-business owner enhances her ability to guide the selection of a potential commercial property. As a mother of two school-age daughters, she
understands selecting the perfect home, considering livability, convenience, and safety suited to your lifestyle. Jen’s level of professionalism, coupled with her personable demeanor, provides her the ability to represent both buyers and sellers of either a residence or commercial property. Once she has ascertained what a clients’ needs are she will work to make their hopes and dreams come true. The client’s goals are what guide her actions — she’s not about pushing a sale or a purchase just to make a commission. McCrystal emphasizes that she cares that her clients fulfill their dreams — and she feels the responsibility to be a steward of their resources. “I respect my clients’ budget and available funds as though they are my own,” she says. McCrystal brings her background and skill set to bear on behalf of those looking for a starter home or wanting to downsize, starting a dream business, those considering investment property, moving in or moving out.
Residential Real Estate…
Piercey committed to serving mortgage clients By Sue Stafford correspondent
For loan originator Jenalee Piercey, the favorite part of her job at Northwest Mortgage Advisors is “seeing people have something they want to achieve and working with them to reach their goal. “Whether they are first-time homebuyers who have some things they need to do before they can qualify, or someone buying a vacation or second home, I love to help them get it done,” she explained. Piercey is definitely clientoriented, going out of her way to build relationships and make her clients’ experience a positive one. “I know this can be a stressful process, and I want to reassure every client that each step is just part of the process,” Piercey said. “There are so many moving parts to a transaction, but I educate my clients in a way that they can understand while making the process seem painless.” She employs a number of ways to be of greatest assistance and make her clients’ lives easier. She
will make a special trip to pick up documents wherever they may be – at the client’s home, the bank, the realty office. She often has home meetings rather than expecting clients to always come to her office, meeting with clients when and where it works best for them. “Those are the lengths I’ll go to in order to provide outstanding customer service,” she added. Piercey first arrived in Sisters in 2008, when she did her student teaching in the Sisters School District. After teaching in Redmond, she and her family moved to Southern Oregon for a couple of years, but they soon realized they didn’t want to live anywhere else but Sisters. “I wanted to go into the mortgage business because after Rhett was in the NICU for three months, I wanted something that offered flexibility for my family,” Piercey answered when asked why she switched from teaching to mortgage lending. “I have a passion to help my clients get into a home where they can build memories and cultivate joy and laughter,” she concluded.
FINANCE WITH CONFIDENCE “As a mortgage loan originator with Northwest Mortgage Advisors, our relationship is my top priority. I look forward to helping you find the best loan product and rates.” — Jenalee
Beautiful 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath, 2,026 sq. ft., well-kept home with many any ny upgrades. Close to schools, ools, lss, parks, and downtown. Two-story home features es greatroom that opens to o dining/kitchen, propane e fireplace, upgraded kitchen, ch hen, dual vanity master bath an and nd large fenced backyard w with itth covered concrete patio.. $395,000. mls#201902084 0884
…To Commercial Property… Rare opportunity for one of the most highly visible locations in Sisters. 431. E. Cascade Ave., .22 acre (9,583 sq. ft.) lot and 1,064 sq. ft. interior. Ample offstreet parking. Freshly painted interior/exterior. A wide range of possibilities including but not limited to retail, boutique/ market, salon, florist, gallery, office, restaurant, food cart hub. $498,000. mls#201807931
Mortgage Calculators at www.nwmortgageadvisors.com Apply Online SAME-DAY PRE-APPROVAL... Northwest Mortgage Advisors is an affiliate of Golden Empire Mortgage, one of the most respected lenders in the industry for 30 years. We offer competitive loan programs and interest rates.
…And Everything in Between!
FHA • Conventional Fixed • Refinance • Adjustable Rate Jumbo • VA • USDA • Manufactured Homes Construction • Home Equity • Reverse
Call Jen McCrystal, Broker
541-420-4347 • jen@reedbros.com Reed Bros. Realty
291 W. Cascade Ave. | Sisters, OR 97759 541-549-6000 | www.reedbros.com Each office independently owned and operated.
411 SW 9th St., Ste. 204, Redmond
Jenalee Piercey
Mortgage Loan Officer | NMLS#1778674
541-591-5405
jpiercey@gemcorp.com
NW Mortgage Advisors is a direct lender with their own underwriting authority and a broad investor pool. NMLS# OR ML-#2891
The Nugget Newspaper // July 10, 2019
// Partners in Real Estate
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Promoting the lifestyle By Jim Cornelius editor in chief
Jodi Satko is able to help her clients enjoy the Central Oregon lifestyle — because she lives it. A seasoned veteran in real estate, Satko knows how to ask the right, detailed questions to make sure that her clients’ lifestyle and the properties they seek are a great fit. That allows her to streamline what can be a complicated process, strategically seeking out homes that truly match a client’s wants and needs. Her experience, passion and attention to detail make for winwin transactions on everything from single-family homes to ranches and prestigious luxury properties, here in Sisters Country and all across the state. She is accredited in Keller Williams International Luxury Division, making her a resident expert in luxury properties. She’ll soon offer a $3 million listing of one of Sisters Country’s most prestigious properties. For Satko, through Keller Williams Oregon Lifestyle Property Group, the key element of a successful real estate transaction is getting to know clients personally and taking their needs
and desires to heart. “This is a very emotional and personal decision,” she notes. “It’s one of the most important decisions people make in their lives.” There is nothing more satisfying to Jodi Satko than to have a client trust her to find exactly the right property and for them to believe in her when she says, “this is the one for you.” “That’s what keeps my passion going,” she says. That passion has driven her over a 30-year career — a career that has also built on a foundation of training and education for others. “I realized really, really early on that people don’t really understand the process,” she recalled. She started educating and training both real estate professionals and clients and worked as a national corporate trainer for many years. ”That kind of set me apart years and years ago,” she said. As a veteran real estate broker, she takes great satisfaction in seeing her 27-year-old daughter, Courteney Satko, following in her footsteps. “What bigger blessing could you have?” she says. A licensed broker for over
photo provided
three years, Courteney is especially well-positioned to help young families just starting down the path toward homeownership. “She’s really engaged with the first-time homebuyers,” Jodi says. Courteney helps those firsttimers negotiate unfamiliar terrain when it comes to credit, loans, and the potentially intimidating process of purchasing a home. Together, Jodi and Courteney also help Keller Williams engage with the Central Oregon veterans community, and they support Family Access Network in aiding local families in need. Both are deeply immersed in the equestrian life in Sisters, which gives them a deep understanding
of the unique demands of rural real estate transactions. The mother-daughter duo are in the process of creating the Trilogy Scholarship in Courteney’s name through Sisters Graduate Resource Organization, which will be awarded to students of diverse interests and involvement in sports, music, and the arts at Sisters High School. For the Satkos it’s all about building relationships — a hallmark of Jodi’s career since the very beginning. “I have families that I literally started with in the Midwest… I still get Christmas cards from them. I get referrals from them,” she said. “I’m very proud of that.”
OUR CLIENTS “LOVE” OUR “LOCAL” REAL ESTATE VIEWPOINT
A home is not a home because of its room dimensions or the color of the walls.
It is about how you feel when you walk through the front door. And the way you can instantly envision your life unfolding there.
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We Are Ready To Assist You With All Your Real Estate Needs! 541.550.0819 | satkosellsoregon@gmail.com www.oregonlifestylepropertygroup.com
OREGON LIFESTYLE PROPERTY GROUP & LUXURY LIFESTYLE REALTY Y Successfully Bringing Buyers, Sellers & Investors Together Over 25 Years!
Jodi & Courteney Satko, Brokers
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Partners in Real Estate // The Nugget Newspaper // July 10, 2019
Three real estate professionals make a strong team By Sue Stafford correspondent
What’s better than one professional real estate agent handling your transaction? How about three agents who work together as “Your Team in Sisters” to ensure quick responses to your questions and concerns as well as tripling the efforts on your behalf? For Kimberly Gorayeb, Dechen Dawkins, and Emerald Whitlatch, what began as friendship and support in their office several years ago, has grown into a fullblown team effort, whether their clients are buyers or sellers, residents or investors, commercial or residential clients. “We found each other and were friends first,” said Gorayeb. Their team approach is successful because they share responsibilities so all bases are covered, drawing on each other’s knowledge and strengths. They all have a strong work ethic. “We share the same moral values and integrity, and yet we all have our own talents,” Kimberly added. “We have different life experiences and represent different generations, and yet we work well together.”
Gorayeb has been in real estate for eight years and is a principal broker at Coldwell Banker, which indicates she has obtained more education and a certain level of sales. She is the mother of four grown children who enjoys traveling, entertaining, and spending time with family and friends. “It is fun to create relationships with our clients who become friends, and I love entertaining them,” she said. Dawkins, with five years as a Realtor, is an eco-friendly free spirit who brings positivity and joy to everything she touches. Whitlatch has had her real estate license for a year. She is the young risk-taking millennial who enjoys what life has in store. After a successful first year as a team, they are broadening their service offerings. Very soon a fourth team member, whose specialty is property management, will be joining them. The concierge services they can offer are dictated only by the needs of their clients and can be ongoing on a monthly basis or hourly services. “We saw a growing need for this realty concierge service in Sisters and decided to meet the
Your Team in Sisters… …is excited to offer an exclusive full-service Concierge Program.
While you’re away, our team is here to provide a sense of security for our part-time and vacationing homeowners. We assist homeowners with a Lifestyle of Luxury, Relaxation and No Concerns.
photo provided
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2019 and their parents who bid on the “Food & Wine Experience” donated by Your Team in Sisters. need,” Gorayeb explained. The women enjoy working as a team, and their synergy is evident when they get together. Simply put, they love each other. The team agreed the best thing about the real estate business is that every day is different and they get to meet a lot of new people. Dealing with real estate transactions can be an emotional experience for clients, whether they are buying or selling. The women see part of their role is to be a calm, supportive presence, always available to be there to alleviate a client’s stress.
Currently, the team is involved with the Saddlestone development in northeast Sisters being built out by Woodhill Homes. There are currently eight spec homes under construction with plans for another 45 new homes to complete the development. All three women live, work, and play in Sisters. They are active members of the local scene, supporting community charitable efforts and events. “We want to offer something different in Sisters,” concluded Whitlatch, “and we’re in it for the long haul.”
Real Estate Concierge Service Team in beautiful Sisters, Oregon. We are a team of licensed professionals who all live, work and play in Sisters. Our team not only helps our clients find the right home, we also sell homes! Our partnership is determined to help you enjoy the Central Oregon lifestyle.
Our Team is here for you!
A Few Concierge Services We Provide
• Monthly House Visits
• Postal Service: Accept Deliveries & Send Packages • Grocery Service: Pick Up, Deliver, Arrange & Replenish
EMERALD WHITLATCH KIMBERLY GORAYEB DECHEN DAWKINS BROKER PRINCIPAL BROKER BROKER 541.777.4184 541.639.5551 503.989.7732 YOURTEAMINSISTERS@GMAIL.COM
• Trash & Recycling Service • Schedule Appointments & Meet with 3rd-Party Service Providers • Arrange Housekeeping, Plumbing, Heating, Landscaping, Snow Removal, Etc. • Moving & Relocation Coordination • Reservations • Dry Cleaning Pick Up & Delivery • Messenger, Courier & Traveling Notary Service • Party & Event Planning • Personal Shopping • Holiday Decorating & Gift Wrapping
REED BROS. REALTY
291 W. Cascade Ave., Sisters 541-549-6000 | www.reedbros.com Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated
The Nugget Newspaper // July 10, 2019
// Partners in Real Estate
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RE/MAX owner focuses on client satisfaction By Jim Cornelius editor in chief
Leslie Beard has been a selfemployed entrepreneur her whole life. She’s the owner at RE/MAX Out West Realty Sisters, dividing her time between Sisters and her other RE/MAX Out West Realty endeavor in Prineville, which she has owned and operated since 2011. Last year she opened an office in Redmond. “We have three offices to better serve our clients,” she said. Beard got into real estate somewhat reluctantly, she recalled. ”I had a son to put through college and a husband who wanted to retire, so I was dragged kicking and screaming into real estate,” she said. But the field turned out to be a perfect fit for her temperament and her ethic. ”I like to work with people,” she said. “I like to help people.” Working in Prineville, she decided to open her own brokerage, and “RE/MAX was a no-brainer for me,” she said. “It’s unbelievable what they offer — plus the brand recognition.” Beard sees her brokers as her
clients, and she is committed to supporting them in every way possible, from providing them with the best technological tools, to providing office assistance to free them up to spend more time working face-to-face with clients. ”My job is to serve their needs, to be a good steward for them,” she said. She notes that her team is committed to the highest degree of client satisfaction. “We really, really focus on the quality of service we provide to our clientele, not the quantity,” she said. She wants her clients to come to RE/MAX as their “Realtor for life.” “That’s just always our primary focus,” she says. Beard’s ethic and approach to her work has a strong foundation.
We really, really focus on the quality of service we provide to our clientele, not the quantity. — Leslie Beard
“My business and my personal life are based on faith and prayer,” she says. It has been three years this month since Beard took ownership of RE/MAX Out West Realty here in Sisters, and she continues to believe strongly in the community. She notes that prices have gone up, and there is a chronic issue with low inventory. Many people are retiring here or seeking second homes, which means they have specific needs to meet. Realtors, Beard believes, “must continually adapt to change. One thing that does not change is Sisters’ desirability. “It’s never lost its draw,” Beard says. “Sisters has a tremendous amount of charm.” Beard continues to live near Prineville, where she lives “off the grid.” “I love it,” she says. “It’s a great lifestyle.” And, while the real estate market may change, requiring brokers to understand current market trends, changes in law and finance and new technologies;
photo provided
values and ethics don’t change. Whatever the ups and downs and ins and outs of the real estate market, taking care of people will always pay off, in a variety of ways. Beard continues to believe that with commitment to good stewardship, brokers and their clients will thrive — and so will the business. ”If you do it right,” she says, “the bottom line’s going to be just fine.” Contact Beard at 541-771-0829 or email lesliebeard@remax.net.
Leslie Beard
Jeff Dobson
Steve McGhehey
Marina McCurdy
lesliebeard@remax.net
zenzat@aol.com
stevemcgheheymps@gmail.com
Mccurdy.properties@gmail.com
541-771-0829
541-588-0038
541-420-8103
541-610-9867
Peter Storton
Ron Roberts
Winfield Durham
Deborah Meier
peterstorton@gmail.com
ronrobertsrealtor@gmail.com
winfield@sisterscoffee.com
dmeier@remax.net
541-480-9605
541-410-9736
541-420-9801
541-904-5088
Each office independently owned and operated
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Partners in Real Estate // The Nugget Newspaper // July 10, 2019
Making the most of land and home in Sisters By Jim Cornelius editor in chief
Both Sandy Goodsell and Jonathan Hicks found their way into real estate by a circuitous route. They found that the career suited them down to the ground — and for the past several years it’s been enhanced by a partnership that brings out the best in both. Goodsell and Hicks operate RE/MAX Land & Home in Sisters, offering their clients — buyers and sellers — a full range of services and every kind of property, from a small home in town to a house on acreage out in the country. Goodsell has been in the real estate field since 2001. For many years, starting in 1994, she operated Something Special by Sandy, one of Sisters’ signature retail stores. She learned everything there was to learn about the joys and travails of retail in Sisters. In 2001, a friend convinced her to give real estate a shot. Peter Storton was one of the most prominent brokers in that era in Sisters, and full of enthusiasm for the trade. “Peter and (his wife) Janet and I were friends,” Goodsell recalled. Not only did Storton encourage her to go into real estate, he served as a mentor at RE/Max Town & Country. Sandy is adamant that she owes her success to Storton’s mentorship. It hasn’t always been easy. “It’s a great business,” Goodsell said. “But you have to work hard and it is certainly not for the faint of heart.” The recession, which began to bite in real estate in 2007 and hurtled toward the bottom after the financial crisis of 2008, washed a lot of agents and brokers out of the business. Goodsell stuck it out, by becoming an expert in short sales. The experience was intense, but she gained something deeper than mere survival from it. “I learned that there is always a personal story for everybody,” she said. “I heard many, many heartthrobbing stories from people how they got into that position. Helping people through that was rewarding.” Helping people is at the center of Goodsell’s — and RE/MAX Land & Home’s — mission. She and Hicks are intensely focused on making transactions go as smoothly as possible. “I really enjoy the listing side — working with sellers,” Goodsell mused. She loves working the details of a sale. “I like getting all my ducks in a row,” she said with a smile. One of the biggest developments in her career, though, came out of the buyer’s side. “Jonathan was my client,” she said. “I sold them a house at The
photo by jim cornelius
Village at Cold Springs.” Jonathan was managing a Boys & Girls Club in Lane County, but the family was spending every spare moment of free time in Central Oregon. When Jonathan’s dentist wife found a job here, they pulled up stakes and bought a place — through Sandy Goodsell. Hicks enjoyed the transaction and thought he might go into business fixing up homes and selling them. Goodsell had a different idea. As often happens, she’s become friends with her client, and she several times encouraged him to think about going into real estate as a profession. She even tapped him to accompany her on an effort to locate a remote property, which Hicks enjoyed. “It had never occurred to me for that to be my job,” he confessed. “It had honestly never occurred to me. It sounds ridiculous saying it out loud.” But the last time Goodsell brought it up, Hicks told her he’d already scheduled his test — which he’d been studying for for some time. Now he’s a Principal Broker with the RE/MAX Land & Homes franchise. He and Goodsell consider RE/MAX Land & Home to be an excellent fit. Hicks’ values and approach mesh with Goodsell’s — and it’s always about helping clients. Hicks has a particular strength in framing the right questions to ask of a client to determine what their needs and desires really are. That helps make transactions more straightforward and smooth. And he’s tech savvy in a way that continually impresses his partner. “The tech piece is I think a huge push,” Hicks said. “Involving it in the everyday work.” An example is devising immersive 3D walkthroughs that can be viewed on a phone or other device. It can also show a floor plan. The tours are thorough enough
that a client can determine whether or not a property meets the need. “You can see the grain in the pine,” Hicks said. “You can truly see the fit and finish of a house without setting foot in it.” Tech savvy comes as naturally as breathing to Hicks. “I grew up with it, right?” he said. “It’s just a progression along the way.” Hicks and Goodsell devised a partnership agreement that is agreeable to both.
“That partnership works with all of our listings and all of our buyers,” Goodsell said. Whoever brings in a lead takes the lead — but clients get the benefit of both brokers’ expertise. The pair think highly of each other. “She is a fully knowledgeable advocate for her client,” Hicks says of Goodsell. For her part, Sandy says “It’s very fun. He’s phenomenal. He’s just an amazing wealth of knowledge.” The partnership allows Goodsell to be comfortable that she has a succession plan. She wants to know that when she retires her clients will be in the hands of someone who treats them with the same care that she does. Sandy and her husband, Vern, are building a home in Kettle Falls, Washington, with an eye toward eventual retirement, but Sandy notes, “I don’t have a timeline.” Goodsell and Hicks enjoy the work, and take great satisfaction in filling the needs of clients. Hicks sums up the satisfaction of setting and meeting goals for client satisfaction: “You accomplish those goals through your work. It’s not the easiest thing to do at times. But you do the work and you end up with a happy client. And they come back.”
Technology a key tool for Realtors In a competitive, fast-moving market, facility with technology is a critical part of a Realtor’s tool kit. Jonathan Hicks of RE/MAX Land & Home is wellversed and comfortable with using advanced technology as a tool to help buyers act quickly when they need to and sellers to maximize the attractiveness of their property. Hicks and his partner Sandy Goodsell use Matterpoint software to provide an immersive 3D virtual tour of properties. With a “dollhouse view,” potential buyers see the whole property all at once. They can switch to “Inside View” for an interactive walkthrough experience — with an extraordinary level of detail. “Floorplan” gives a birds-eye perspective of the property. While it is important that a buyer actually visit a property, Hicks notes that “we’ve brought in offers from that (virtual visit) only.” For Hicks, it is a way to give
buyers an opportunity to act quickly in a fast-past market with low inventory, “giving a potential buyer every possible tool to say, ‘I love that place!’” Hicks also operates a drone to provide sweeping views of large-scale properties, or to allow a seller to verify questions about a roof without actually having to climb up on it. He can “stitch together giant photos” from miles worth of photography. And all of this work can be done quickly and efficiently, because it’s an in-house service. “I’m not dependent on others to do this,” Hicks notes. “I do it.”
A Matterpoint 3D home rendering.
The Nugget Newspaper // July 10, 2019
// Partners in Real Estate
Land & Homes Real Estate
We highly value the relationships we have built over the years, our clients often become our friends. Not only do we share an office, we share values and resources — which means you have the full support of our team. We offer the highest level of communication before, during and after the transaction.
Our agents have served Central Oregon for over 30 years. C o m m e rc i a l | R e s i d e n t i a l | F a r m | L a n d Jennifer King Broker 541-923-4567
jenniferkingsisters@gmail.com
Sandy Goodsell Principal Broker ABR, CDPE, CIAS, GRI, SRES
541-480-0183
sandygoodsell@gmail.com
Chawna Monaghan Broker 503-705-5494
J Jonathan h Hi Hicks k Principal Broker
865-335-6104
jwhicks000@gmail.com LICENSED BROKERS IN THE STATE OF OREGON
560 NW Birch Ave., Redmond, Oregon 97756 | 541-923-0855
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Partners in Real Estate // The Nugget Newspaper // July 10, 2019
Reifschneider thrives on Sisters broker sharing love of Sisters impacts clients’ lives By Jim Cornelius editor in chief
Sheila Reifschneider loves Sisters — and she enjoys welcoming people who want to live here. Sheila became a broker with Coldwell Banker after raising a family here — and it was a natural fit. She had sort of been doing the work for a while, anyway. “Whenever I had a friend who was looking (for real estate), I fell right into looking for them, because I love it so much,” she said. “It’s right from my heart — and my experience of why I’m here.” Reifschneider and her family have taken full advantage of all the bounty Sisters has to offer — hiking, camping, skiing — and her children graduated from Sisters schools. That means, while she operates across Central Oregon,
My greatest love is Sisters. I just light up when someone wants to see the community. — Sheila Reifschneider
Sisters holds a special place in her heart. “My greatest love is Sisters,” she says. “I just light up when someone wants to see the community.” Her deep knowledge of and appreciation for the community is one of her strengths as a broker — along with a powerful focus on the details of a transaction. “There’s a lot to buying or selling a home,” she says. “(Clients) need to know I am their advocate, I’m taking care of them. I’m never in too big of a hurry that I overlook things.” Coming to Sisters means more than buying a home — it means becoming part of a close-knit community. Sheila enjoys steering clients toward a good fit in community involvement, and she is known to spark friendships between clients with simliar interests. It’s all part of a love for people and a passion for her community. Nothing gives Sheila Reifschneider more satisfaction than “to help people relocate and move here and enjoy (Sisters) the way my family has.”
Suzanne Carvlin knows that when she’s involved in a real estate transaction, she’s having a big impact on her clients’ lives. That’s what motivates her to work as hard as she does to serve those clients. Carvlin recognizes that her clients are chasing a dream by moving to Sisters. She knows what that means, because she’s been in their shoes. “When you buy or sell a property in Sisters, Oregon, you are making an investment in your future and your quality of life,” she says. “My husband and I made a change in our lives coming from the city of Los Angeles to the town of Sisters so we could improve the quality of our lives, too. We now live on our ranch with our pets and farm animals while enjoying the blue, sunny skies and the friendly people we meet.” Living in Sisters since 2010, Carvlin has delved into the Sisters market and surrounding area to become an expert on property and business trends. “I am actively involved in our Sisters community. I keep up
I’ll Go To Great Heights…
to date on our local market and property values, and I can describe the interiors and floor plans and neighborhoods to familiarize you with properties and our area,” she says. “I can direct you to expert information regarding schools, local businesses, community updates, federal and local laws, and assist you in becoming connected with individuals in our community who share your interests.” Carvlin is also noted for her skills in staging homes, coming out of 25 years of experience in design, marketing and staging, 17 of those years with Nordstrom. Her work ethic and personal style have had an impact on her clients. “We engaged Suzanne on the recommendation of a long-time Sisters resident and are extremely happy we did,” Tom and Chris Laing noted. “She has an intimate knowledge of everything related to real estate in the area and is also quick to respond to all our related questions by referring us to arborists, septic system people and so on… She is just great at what she does.”
HOW
To Make Your Home-Ownership Dreams Come True!
TO SELL YOUR
HOME FASTER with
Suzanne Carvlin
“I love Sisters, and my enthusiasm shows when I talk about all Central Oregon has to offer. Buying and selling a home and putting down roots is an emotional experience. Having a trustworthy, knowledgeable real estate partner and local friend makes the process much easier. Let’s get the search started together!”
MISSION To lsupply outstanding service d d and l solutions to buyers and sellers of real estate through dedication and excellence. I can help make purchasing and selling real estate a simple, .4Ҋ/*Ҋunderstand process
List your home with Suzanne and receive a complimentary one hour home staging consultation.
Full-time professional realtor
20
Over 20 years of experience in marketing & staging Tech-savvy Excellent communicator Motivated to serve you
Sheila Reifschneider, Broker 541-408-6355
Coldwell Banker Reed Bros. Realty 291 W. Cascade Ave. | 541-549-6000
Licensed Broker in Oregon
sheila@reedbros.com
Want to get the biggest return on your real estate investment? I can help you stage your home so it can realize its full potential!
SELLERJ
BUYERS
To help you sell your home and maximize your home’s earning potential.
To help you realize your dreams and )ޔ4*0#ome in Sisters.
[ HOME IN SISTERS REAL ESTATE ] SUZANNE CARVLIN
541.595.8707 290 Eѵ Cascade Aveѵ | PO Box 609 Sisters, O 97759 Suzanne@HomeinSisters.com www.homeinsisters.com
The Nugget Newspaper // July 10, 2019
// Partners in Real Estate
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Realtors specialize at Black Butte Ranch By Jim Cornelius editor in chief
restrictions and requirements than other places, necessarily, but they may be different — and Black Butte Realty is positioned to guide clients through the complexities. Bowler is a gregarious, personable sort who thrives on engaging with people on the Ranch. Yoder brings the lockeddown detail orientation he developed in his military service to bear. And they pride themselves on providing top-quality and highly ethical service to each client — buyer or seller, the client comes first. “That’s the way I approach the business,” Yoder says. “We’re going to be the most ethical company we can be.” Taking care of clients at Black Butte Ranch requires a high degree of engagement. Bowler notes that not only is it a dream to live there, it can be a very emotional event when a family has to sell. Black Butte Realty also features the services of Ross
photo by jim cornelius
Kennedy (see related story, page 2); Joe and Carol Dye, who have been homeowners since 1993 and agents since 1996; and office administrator and broker Shana Vialovos. In addition to real estate transactions, Black Butte Realty manages 40 vacation rentals on the Ranch. The agents and brokers at Black Butte Realty feel the same emotional connection that countless clients feel toward a very special place, and it informs every aspect of their work. “We feel a responsibility to the Ranch,” Yoder says.
photo by Curtiss Abbott
Black Butte Ranch is a beloved place for thousands of people who have vacationed there since childhood. For many, it is a lifelong dream to live there or to have a vacation home on the Ranch. Black Butte Realty is on the Ranch to help make those dreams come true. “Black Butte Ranch is a very special place,” says managing broker Gary Yoder. “I traveled for 20 years all around the planet, and there are a lot of special places — Black Butte Ranch is definitely one of them.” Yoder has a particular connection to the place: his father-in-law, Robert Muir Graves, designed the Big Meadow Golf Course on the Ranch, and Robert’s Pub is named in his honor. Don Bowler, who works with Yoder as a broker, concurs with the assessment. He knows, because he lives there. “It’s a pretty unique place,” he says. “Most people think of it as a vacation place, but there’s about 300 of us who consider it a residential community.” Like many of his clients, Bowler dreamed of living at the Ranch
when he retired from a successful corporate career — and he fulfilled that dream. After flunking retirement, he decided to go into real estate and facilitate the dream for others. Black Butte Realty has a special relationship with the Ranch. “We have a contract with the Ranch that allows us to have an office there — an exclusive office there,” Yoder explains. “We focus on Black Butte Ranch, and that makes us the experts on Black Butte Ranch.” Yoder notes that the amenities on the Ranch are top-quality and the golf courses are prestigious. Yoder worked in the golf division of the Ranch for many years before moving into real estate. Bowler extolls the delights of an active, engaged group of homeowners. “It’s a fantastic community,” he says. The Ranch offers a wide range of activities for vacationers and homeowners alike. Black Butte Ranch has unique requirements — for instance a requirement for maximum tree density and defensible space in a community that is vulnerable to fire. It doesn’t have more
With Your Black Butte Ranch Real Estate Experts! — Exclusive Onsite Realtor for the Ranch —
541-595-3838 Black Butte Ranch 541-549-5555 in Sisters
Don Bowler, President & Broker 971-244-3012
Carol Dye, Broker 541-480-0923 Joe Dye, Broker 541-419-1215
Gary Yoder, Managing Principal Broker 541-420-6708
Ross Kennedy, Principal Broker 541-408-1343
Shana Vialovos, Broker 541-728-8354
See all our listings at blackbutterealtygroup.com
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Partners in Real Estate // The Nugget Newspaper // July 10, 2019
Zosel-Harper teams up to serve real estate clients By Jim Cornelius editor in chief
“We had no intention of going into real estate,” Carol Zosel mused to The Nugget. “We were going to come over here and ride our ponies and just ride into the sunset.” But it turned out that Zosel and her husband, Chuck Harper, have a knack for real estate — a knack that a Realtor in a home restoration project they were involved in picked up on immediately. “We’re not sales people!” they thought. The Realtor offered them a truth that became the seed of a new career: “The best aren’t.” “I think it’s really about being of service to people,” Carol says. The husband-and-wife team bring complementary styles to bear in their work. Harper comes from an engineering background and has a degree in rangeland management. His thoroughness and attention to detail are extraordinary, and when it comes to a ranch transaction, he notes “I have a pretty good understanding of water rights, wells, irrigation…” Zosel loves engaging personally with clients, identifying a need and fulfilling it — especially for those who are venturing into
the market for the first time. “I love helping first-time homebuyers,” she said. “It’s such a big deal buying your first home.” She finds profound satisfaction in connecting a client with a place they will love and finding a way to make a dream a reality. “Those are my favorites,” she says. Staging and honest, highquality photography are critical to their success with listings, Harper notes. “If you’ve got bad pictures, your house is at the bottom of the pile,” Harper says. “If you’ve got good pictures, you’ve got a much better chance of piquing somebody’s interest.” Both are deeply involved in the Sisters community. Zosel is president of the youth mentorship program Circle of Friends, and Harper is president of the Sisters Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and is a long-time rodeo volunteer. Their engagement with the Sisters community translates into their work. Again, they don’t see themselves as “selling.” “It’s more about developing relationships,” Harper says. “Eighty-five to 90 percent of
photo by jim cornelius
our business now is referrals — and that comes from building relationships.” Many of those relationships last well beyond the transaction. Clients frequently become friends. “That’s what makes it worthwhile to us, too,” Harper says. Having come into real estate later in their working life, Zosel and Harper don’t feel pressure to build a career. Their unexpected
success in the field gives them the freedom to be supportive of a community they care deeply about — and to focus all of their working efforts on serving the needs of their clients, whether they are buyers or sellers, and with the highest degree of integrity. They have found the work profoundly satisfying — and far more engaging than simply riding into the sunset.
About Carol & Chuck...
Living the High Desert Lifestyle
The best part of working in real estate hasn’t been selling property - it’s been meeting all the wonderful people that have crossed our paths during the course of doing this business and volunteering. It’s truly rewarding to exceed the expectations of people making a significant life decision and, at the same time, to use the skills we’ve developed over the years to make sure the transition is smooth and — hopefully — even fun! Our pledge to give back to the Sisters community and the wonderful friendships we have made during our years in this profession are our greatest inspirations. We look forward to cultivating many more! Carol Zosel, Broker
503-616-8712 carolzosel@kw.com
Chuck Harper, Broker
503-915-9417 chuckharper@kw.com
zoselharper.com
170 W. Cascade Ave., Sisters, Oregon
