W I L L A M E T T E VA L L E Y
C O N N E C T I N G .
E L E VAT I N G .
I N S P I R I N G .
COVER STORY
COLLEEN BENSON
TRENDSETTER COURTNEY HARRIS PREFERRED VENDOR SPOTLIGHT PAINT AND PINOT MARK YOUR CALENDARS REAL PRODUCER’S - HOLIDAY SPARKLE & SPIRITS EVENT THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH
Cover Photo by: Pamela Hagedoorn of SilverDream Photography
OCTOBER 2019
Your clients matter here Lisa McCormick
Senior Mortgage Loan Originator 503.928.8631 O. 503.931.2185 M. 280 Liberty St SE, Suite #100 | Salem, OR 97301 NMLS# 109599
Inspire hope. Deliver dreams. Build prosperity. Put your trust in Academy Mortgage and myself, and I promise I will never have to ask for it again.
Cherry Creek Mortgage Co., Inc. NMLS #3001. All rights reserved. Oregon License Number ML-4807.
Ben Nelson
NMLS ID# 1392905
Sales Manager, Producing Mobile (503) 910-9872 Office (503) 673-3618 ben.nelson@academymortgage.com Corp NMLS 3113 State Lic: OR # 1392905; WA # MLO-1392905
To Apply for Approval: www.benlends.com Communication: Availability 7 days a week from 7am-10pm, Weekly Status Updates to Borrowers and Brokers under Contract Delivery: Fast, Dependable Pre-Approval you can trust with the ability to close loan in 20 Days Service: We Strive for Every Homebuyer to understand and be confident about their mortgage options so they can have an enjoyable Home Purchase Experience 2 • October 2019
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MEET THE TAB LE OF
CONTENTS 06
09
11
Preferred Partners
Publisher’s Note
Your Are Invited
14
18
24
Top Producer
29
MVAR Scholarship Recipients
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door: Stigmatized Properties
30
Preferred Vendor Spotlight
On The Rise
WILLAMETTE VA L L E Y REAL PRODUCERS TEAM
Sabrina Dikeman Publisher
Allison Blakely Client Relations
Pamela Hagedoorn SilverDream Photography Publisher’s Assistant/ Photographer
32
Calendar of Events
Kathryn Davidson Photos by Orion
Rick Osborn
Katrina Albers
Dana McCarty
Jennifer White
David Giglio Skyline Video
Writer
Writer
Photographer
If you are interested in contributing or nomination REALTORS® for certain stories, please email us at sabrina.dikeman@realproducersmag.com. DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of N2 Publishing but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by N2 Publishing or the publisher. Therefore, neither N2 Publishing nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies. NOTE: When community events take place, photographers may be present to take photos for that event and they may be used in this publication.
Writer
Writer
Videographer and Media
4 • October 2019
www.realproducersmag.com • 5
PREFERRED PARTNERS
This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted affiliate sponsor to use. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring Willamette Valley Real Producers. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting Willamette Valley Real Producers! 1031 EXCHANGE Beutler Exchange Group LLC (503) 748-1031 www.beutlerexchage group.com BASEMENT WATERPROOFING John’s Waterproofing Company (503) 419-0404 https://www.johnswater proofing.com CONTRACTOR Goff Construction (503) 559-8670 www.billgoff construction.com FIREPLACE INSERTS, STOVES, Home Fire Stove 1695 Market St NE, Salem, OR 97301 (503) 364-6339 www.homefire stove.com FRAMING AND ART GALLERY Elsinore Framing and Fine Art Gallery 444 Ferry St. SE, Salem, OR 97301 (503) 581-4642 www.elsinore gallery.com
GARAGE DOORS AND REPAIRS Dave’s Garage Doors (503) 641-8987 www.davesgarage doors.com HOME INSPECTION Inspections Unlimited – Brandon Biehn (503) 931-6401 www.inspections unlimited.com HOME STAGING Creative Concepts (503) 881-0886 www.stagingoregon.com HOME WARRANTY Kimberly Peterson First American Home Warranty www.homewarranty. firstam.com HOUSE CLEANING SERVICES Azucena’s Cleaning (503) 779-5906 www.azucenacleaning.com MORTGAGE/HOME LOAN AND REFINANCE Academy Mortgage Ben Nelson (503) 910-9872 https://academymortgage. com/lo/bennelson
Cherry Creek Mortgage Lisa McCormick (503) 502-0336 www.cherrycreekmortgage. com/profile/lisa-mccormick Land Mark Professionals Katy Canales (503) 581-8100 www.bestloanprogram.com Mortgage First Corporation (503) 588-3511 www.mortgagefirstcorp.com US Bank Home Mortgage Angie Stanley Team (503) 316-3700 https://mortgage. usbank.com/or/salem PHOTOGRAPHY/ MULTIMEDIA SilverDream Photography (503) 507-5783 www.silverdream photography.com Photos by Orion (503) 385-1435 www.photosbyorion.com PROPERTY MANAGEMENT/ SALES Centurion Real Estate Management LLC 1365 Commercial St. SE, Salem, OR 97302 (503) 588-0940 www.c-rem.com
REAL ESTATE SCHOOL An-1 Superior Schools (503) 551-4467 www.a1schools.co ROOFING AND ROOF REPAIR Anytime Roofing (503) 446-0918 www.anytimeroofingllc.com SIGNS AND GRAPHICS 1 Day Signs (503) 371-1329 1010 Commercial St. SE, Salem, OR 97302 www.1-daysigns.com TITLE AND ESCROW Fidelity National Title Company 500 Liberty St. SE, Suite 200 Salem, OR 97301-3496 (503) 585-7219 www.fidelitytitleoregon.com VIDEO PRODUCTIONS AND WEBSITE DESIGN Skyline Video Productions (503) 979-2141 www.skylinevp.com
Dress up your listing with
Window Coverings! Free In-Home Consultation
A1 Superior Schools, Inc. provides Online real estate broker licensing courses and partners with Chemeketa Community College to offer live courses. Check out our list of CE classes that meet states’ requirements
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Check out our website or contact Stacey Harrison for more information Stacey@sts.careers | www.a1schools.co 503.551.4467 | 888.903.1021
Andrea McCann • 503-581-8257 6 • October 2019
ADDING TO YOUR TEAM?
Locally Owned | Experts in real estate education
www.realproducersmag.com • 7
Big banks pick their own products and rates. We act as your client's personal shopper.
PUBLISHER’S TODD ALLEN
Brokers are better.
President
503-588-3511
todd@mortgagefirstcorp.com NMLS #41813
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NOTE
As I am writing this, I still can’t believe it happened so fast. Real Producers magazine is now represented in over 100 markets across the nation. I am so thankful for everyone who made this possible but I especially want to thank the partners who have been with me since the beginning. I have personally met with every business we have ever signed on for the magazine and I have a huge appreciation for what they do. One of my biggest reasons for starting this program was my admiration for the real estate industry. Having onetoe” in the industry for many years, I had a pretty good understanding of the market in our area, knew many of you “movers-&-shakers” who were doing amazing things in our community and loved the depth of the industry from its political issue to its influence in our cities growth. It was not only my goal but my honor to produce the most professional and beautiful social and trade magazine just for you! As you can tell, I am very proud of it and work hard very every day to make something each of you can also be proud of. As a vendor in years past, I really understand the struggle of building your business around real estate agents. Let me tell you, it ain’t easy. So, a special shout out to those business owners who took a chance on a concept. In 2017, when I first started
meeting with prospective businesses, I didn’t even have a sample of the publication, just one from another state as an example. I laugh when I think about it. But it really shows the power of the program. We signed on some of our industries best vendors and launched the first publication in four months. As of October 2019, coast to coast, Real Producers partners with real estate agents and associations in over 100 metro markets! That’s just silly. Cheers to the REALTORS® who share their stories issue after issue. Cheers to the writers and photographers who make them look awesome. Cheers to the businesses who provide this free of charge to the top producing agents. Cheers to the designers at the home office who continue to improve the look of the magazine. Cheers to the publishers in each market who work so hard to make this an unforgettable experience. And cheers to you the reader. I hope you continue to engage in our platform at a high level. Sabrina Dikeman Publisher
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8 • October 2019
Serving Marion & Polk Counties
Welcome new Preferred Vendors: Stacey Harrison - A1 Superior School, Jeff Reynolds - Home Fire Stove, & Kim Peterson - First American Home Warranty!
Each office is independently owned and operated.
www.realproducersmag.com • 9
SilverDream Photography Portraits Headshots Weddings High school senior Equestrian Events Pamela Hagedoorn 503-507-5783 www.Silverdreamphotography.com
YOUR ARE
INVITED
Real Producers - REALTOR’S® Sparkle & Spirits Event Real Producer’s Fall Willamette Valley social is Thursday, November 14th! Please join Top Producers and our Preferred Partners for a night of friends, connections and fun. Location: Reed Opera House Ballroom 189 Liberty St NE, Salem, OR 97301
EFFICIENT OIL TANK DECOMMISSIONING
REALTORS & RP Preferred Vendors, join us at The Reed Opera House Ballroom, for food, drinks, music and fun! This pre-holiday event is just for you!
Turn to Bill Goff Construction for all your environmental consultation needs. Count on our licensed, bonded, and insured business for your environmental consultation.
Highlights of the event: • Live Acoustics • Assorted heavy appetizers w/ amazing desserts • Free Wine Tasting (guest wineries TBA) • Red Carpet Photos • Commemorative Wine Glass gift • Non-host full bar • Door Prizes - lots of door prizes! MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW! You will NOT want to miss this one!
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 / Stop in for a bit or stay for the whole time
BILL GOFF CONSTRUCTION O IL TANK REMO VAL • LO CAT IN G • T EST IN G SO IL REMED IAT IO N • ABAN DO N M EN T • CLEA N U P
Thursday, NOVEMBER 14TH, 2019
SELL FASTER. SELL FOR MORE. Creative Concepts Home Staging & Contracting stagingoregon@gmail.com - (503) 881-0886 Professional Home Staging - Reliable Contractor Services
503-559-8670 B illGof fConstruction.com • CCB #52834 10 • October 2019
Beautiful Results!
www.realproducersmag.com • 11
C
top producer
Colleen Benson has become a leading agent through hard work and definite ambition. At 22-years old, she started in the world of real estate, and was lucky enough to be mentored by one of the top producing agents in the Portland area. For many years she assisted him in his growing commercial business in the Pearl District. In 2014, Colleen moved south to the Willamette Valley to help launch the Keller Williams Capital City office. Now with 23 years of experience, she leads the Colleen Benson Homes Team, serving primarily Salem and Willamette Valley with expansion goals for Portland, Eugene, Bend and the Oregon Coast.
Photography by Pamela Hagedoorn, Silver Dream Photography Written by Sabrina Dikeman
A Cu p of A mbition
Colleen and her husband, Kerry, together have four children ranging in ages from 18-30. They enjoy time as a family watching football, Oregon Duck Games, and traveling. In her
spare time you can usually find her in the kitchen cooking up a family feast. “He’s my number one coach. I couldn’t do this without him.” A C u lt u r e of P r od u c t ion No one succeeds alone, and Colleen attributes her success to the team of agents she works with, the training and support, and the Keller Williams culture. From the front desk, to her agents, to her directors, coaches and KW leaders; she is surrounded by talented individuals passionate about their business, who take sincere ownership for their success and that of their agents. All agents at CBHT are full time, professional, and arrive at the office at 8:30 am sharp. They participate in stand up-script practice, and then move right into an uninterrupted morning of lead generation and lead follow up. They pride themselves on having a fun office environment and a culture of production and support. Plans are to double the team in 2020, so that Colleen can focus more of her time on training and coaching both new and seasoned agents. “It’s becoming my passion
more and more to transition into agent coaching. My affirmation these days is: ‘I get agents into production quickly!’ The goal of growing my team of agents to be financially successful is everything to me.” She provides agents with high-level training and accountability coaching that allows them to serve their clients well. For the future, she plans to expand her business to Bend and continue developing her business on the Oregon Coast. CBHT’s vision is to: “Dominate the market and grow a business big enough to hold and grow with the talent within it.” Helping her agents achieve a life by design and to hit their goals for their family, is a huge priority for Colleen. We are there to get things done and to be accountable to one another. But here’s the cool thing… we all understand one another and give each other
C olle e n
B e nso n & Team 12 • October 2019
www.realproducersmag.com • 13
the grace to pave our own paths at the same time. We are parents, spouses, volunteers, and each one of us has a very full life. Sometimes life calls, and we have to run out to pick up kids or take a day to volunteer in a classroom. We all get it and that’s the amazing thing about our team family,” say Benson. “Work-life balance is really important to us.” A W i n ning Com b in ati o n As a testament to their achievements, The Benson Team has been ranked in the top 1% of the company nationwide, and one of the top teams in the Willamette Valley for units sold. These are honors that Colleen credits to their powerhouse team. Each agent acting as equals in every aspect of their business. They all work with sellers and buyers, show properties, and even tag-team open houses. They are fully immersed in day-to-day operations and consistently offer a unified, yet agent-specific client experience. G r a t i t ud e- Coming Fro m C o n t rib ution “When I see my agents flourishing and doing well, that’s when I really love real estate,” Colleen Benson begins. “I am humbled and grateful to be working alongside such talented individuals.” “I’m especially grateful for Keller Williams. I wouldn’t be building an organization as a realtor without the mentor-ship and training I’ve been blessed with at KW”. In 2015, Colleen launched the Colleen Benson Homes Team. Soon afterward, she hired Jennifer Price and shortly after that, Emerald Ledgerwood. These two ladies are the backbone to the company. They handle all systems, models, training, on-boarding, client care, gratitude parties, events, and more. They travel several times a year for KW training on expansion, team building, hiring, 14 • October 2019
retention, technology, and agent coaching. “They are both so talented. I call them the “success team”. We work well together and I am so truly thankful and blessed to have them beside me,” says Colleen. The Succe ss Te a m Jennifer has over 20 years experience in customer service and 16 years as a licensed real estate agent. She is passionate about her role in helping coach the new and seasoned agents with their real estate goals. " I love pouring into others, and love watching the agents excel, that's where I find my energy." Another passion of hers along with coaching is helping recruit agents and finding new talented individuals that are looking for a team environment to build their business and income. Jennifer and her husband Josh have two boys. On their down time you can find them camping and exploring the Willamette Valley. Emerald has been working in the Real Estate Industry for 5 years. She
is passionate about the changing technology of our industry and helping the team continually improve their processes. “Technology is rapidly changing our business. It is my responsibility to keep the Benson team two steps ahead with ideas and tools to help our agents take market territory” Emerald states. Outside of Emerald’s professional life she has 3 children who are all very active in multiple sports and their community. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and always making memories. Embr a c i n g Te c h n o l o gy The Colleen Benson Homes Team stands out in regards to their progressive systems, from technology, to team branding, social media and customer appreciation. “The opportunity to affiliate with one of the most innovative teams in Salem comes at a time when agent and client demand is hyper-focused on high service coupled with high tech,” explains Emerald. “Through our support and technology, we are able to deliver an experience that meets the demands of the modern agent.” When it comes to attracting agents, the Benson Team aims for the cream of the crop. At the core of the team’s growth is their innovative approach to real estate. “Our agents and our clients are the heart and soul of our business,” www.realproducersmag.com • 15
coaching, extreme service, and a generous culture that builds enough wealth to give back and change the world.” Now those are bold goals and ones that with her determination and professionalism, she’s sure to achieve!. “We are all so fortunate to work in such a wonderful city during a wonderful period of growth,” says, Colleen. “We’re all on this crazy beautiful ride together and when we support each other, we all win.” Giving back to their community is not only a personal priority for everyone on the team, but the public exposure and relationships that they have built through these experiences have positively impacted their business, as well.
says Emerald. “We created everything with them in mind — from the technology to the marketing to the internal culture. We’ve built tools that help agents work more efficiently, superpower their business, and give them a competitive edge every step of the way.” These tools include innovative technology, which provides access to valuable data and insights so agents can strategically price their properties and time their listings. Print and online marketing collateral, and a content management system provides digital and social media marketing consultation. The unique Benson
16 • October 2019
Team’s CRM platform helps agents nurture relationships and close sales efficiently and with maximum success. They’ve created a “touch-system” for their future, present and past clients do that the Colleen Benson Team is always “top-ofmind.” Colleen and her team call all their clients “forever clients.” Team members say these technologies are a tremendous and very welcome asset. The Benson Team has a tech-forward real estate platform that creates efficiency and delight at every step of their clients’ experience.
you’re uncomfortable, because getting comfortable being uncomfortable, is when you learn the most. Colleen says that she never wants to stop learning and that learning happens through collaboration. Likewise, her door is always open to other agents. She says, “This industry is hard! It’s a little easier when we have one another to lean on and get help from.” That’s one of the reasons why she chooses KW. Colleen teaches new agent classes and finds it extremely rewarding to help other agents master the business; to assist them in developing negotiation skills and to learn to think outside the box, which, according to Colleen is an essential skill to have in real estate. She says, “Teaching and coaching sharpens my skills.”
Nev er Sto p Le a r n i n g Colleen believes that you grow when
Colleen also hosts a weekly radio show and podcast, “Keeping it Real Estate with Colleen Benson”
Pow er in N um bers Beside camaraderie, accountability, progressive systems, great advancement and teaching of skills, this healthy team has been able to create a more consistent stream of income that has lessened the roller coaster effect of the typical real estate career. All of this results in a better work/ home life balance. Since the formation of the team, the team members have been able to take time off without worrying about the business. The team is there to jump in with a client, showings, open houses, etc. that airs Saturdays and Sundays at 1 pm on KSLM 104.3 FM. You can also find her podcast on iTunes. Even after all these years, Colleen remains humble in her work. She understands that her job, first and foremost, is to be a guide to her clients. It’s not necessarily about buying or selling them a house, but about walking them through the process with ease and grace to minimize stress and maximize profit. Pa y in g It F or wa r d wit h G r a t it u d e Giving back to the community is the backbone of Colleen’s culture and business plan. She and her team partner with Marion-Polk Food Bank to
conduct food drives around their open houses, participate in adopta-street clean ups, volunteer their time to the Salvation Army, and join in a variety of fundraisers including Boys and Girls Aid, Family Building Blocks, and the Willamette Humane Society. “I’m always looking for a new opportunity to help our community.” Colleen sums up the vision and goals of her team by saying: “We come from a heart of contribution so we can create opportunities for others through experience, training,
Although they have big growth goals, Colleen’s vision has always been to create a team that is not focused on the number of agents, but rather the quality of the relationships, support, and overall experience for each agent. “As I’ve said before, being a real estate agent can be a tough business. It’s important to work with people you like, respect, and who believe in you. I want to continue to build and work at something that we can all be proud of.” Colleen says.
www.realproducersmag.com • 17
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18 • October 2019
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crime. So it’s important to realize that there are degrees of stigma. And what may bother one person may not seem so bad to another. One of the classic examples of stigmatized property is a home where someone dies inside a house. Another example is a home where drugs like methamphetamine have been manufactured. Yet other example, though generally considered less worrisome to many buyers, is a foreclosed home where a former owner loses the property due to job loss.
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door:
STIGMATIZED PROPERTIES When an owner attempts to sell their house, do they have to tell you if it might be haunted? Ever get the heebie jeebies when you’re touring a home? And wonder if the house, might be in fact haunted, and you’re being followed as you go from room to room? By REALTOR®, Roy Widing
Dealing with stigmatized properties can be unforgettable to both real estate agents and their clients. Also known as ‘tainted’ real estate among other monikers, the issue of stigmatized property can be very important for Oregon home buyers and home sellers. Every experienced Realtor® has them: Stories rarely shared with clients that involve particularly unnerving moments in an agent’s real estate
20 • October 2019
career. And, for purposes of this article, we aren’t talking about simple cases of a flea-infested house, or one with no water or electricity. The topic? Stigmatized properties. Homes where people may have died, crimes have occurred, or where ghosts are said to roam. Definition of Stigmatize verb - to set some mark of disgrace or infamy upon
While this definition may be readily grasped, state laws vary significantly in how they address stigmatized property. This presentation is not a legal analysis, but in Oregon under the broadest sense of the term, it’s commonly understood that a stigmatized property can range from minor, where there are problems, like mold, to major, where undesirable things have occurred, such as a heinous
This Happened to Me: A Case Study Here’s an actual true story that helps to illustrate the impact of stigmatized property. While at work one day, I received a phone call and determined the caller was clearly distressed. I quickly recognize the caller as a client I assisted with a home purchase months earlier. Listening further, I detect serious concern in his voice as I’d never observed from him before. As the client talks, I listen while automatically running through a brief mental checklist of his closed transaction: ‘Paperwork completed correctly?’ Check. ‘Home inspection performed?’ Check. ‘All inspection issues addressed or negotiated?’ Check. ‘Building permits researched?’ Check. ‘Insurance, title report, loan and closing documents taken care of?’ Check. I run through a few more items in my mind, then hear him say the word ‘Ghost.’ In the Beginning After looking at many homes, this buyer and his wife ended up making an offer that had some ‘back and forth’ on the price, but it was ultimately accepted. Looking back at the transaction, there was never any indication to suggest this would be anything but a ‘normal’ home purchase. And everything was normal. Until after the transaction closed. Which is when things took a decidedly different turn.
bells ringing. You get the idea. There was no reason for them to expect anything specific, except these noises were apparently coming from inside the house…and at odd hours. After a while of having their sleep disturbed, the home buyers grew concerned and began to ask around the neighborhood. “Do you hear strange sounds at night like we do?” After being told “No” by at least one neighbor, one neighbor asked if the home buyers knew about the event that had occurred inside their home. Story specifics vary, but one of the neighbors explained that a child had died inside the house and was then laid to rest on the property. Understandably, this distressed the buyers, who thought they should have been told before buying the home. After speaking with the home buyers, I next called the seller’s real estate agent for the transaction and simply asked: “Did you know that the property had a history of a death in the house? “Yes,” he quickly answered, then followed up with what I knew aligned with what Oregon real estate agents are instructed regarding state real estate law. “But my broker told me we didn’t have to disclose it.” And he was correct.
Not very long after this buyer and his wife moved into their recently purchased home, they began to hear strange noises, usually in the middle of the night, like around 2 or 3 AM. But then things got even weirder.
I also understood that a Realtor's® fiduciary responsibility toward his seller client; Because if the seller’s agent had openly revealed the situation while marketing it, there was a good chance the property would have sold for considerably less. Usually, the rule is ‘disclose, even if an item seems trivial.’ Yet in this instance, there was no state law requiring such disclosure and the seller had a vested interest in not bringing the issue up.
The sounds they heard appeared to emanate from inside the house for no readily explainable reason. Sounds like dropped tableware, moving furniture,
As a result of the impact from their home purchase of the stigmatized home, the home buyers moved and
rented out the property. Witnessing this unpleasant situation had me researching to better determine what might have been done differently. At the time, there were no online resources solely dedicated to determining if a house is stigmatized. On top of that, repeated online searches eventually turned up one news story relating to the property. However, that was accomplished by a search using the specific house address and buried in a list of much other website information. It was virtually a ‘needle in a haystack.’ Rules of Disclosure Realtors® are compelled to abide by real estate law. So what exactly is required by an Oregon real estate agent regarding stigmatized, or other ‘tainted’ property? Oregon law states in Oregon Revised Statutes 93.275 the following excerpted incidents as among those considered not material to a real property transaction: (a) The fact or suspicion that the real property or a neighboring property was the site of a death by violent crime, by suicide or by any other manner. (b) The fact or suspicion that the real property or a neighboring property was the site of a crime, political activity, religious activity or any other act or occurrence that does not adversely affect the physical condition of or title to real property. The seller must disclose material facts about a property to potential buyers. A material fact is any detail that might influence a buyer’s decision about purchasing the property and the price they will pay. A haunting or other suspect paranormal activity is not considered a material fact. What’s Legal Vs. What’s Right Was not disclosing such history the right thing to do, though? You be the judge. That’s where there is a
www.realproducersmag.com • 21
divergence of opinion and it’s not always because someone is buying or selling a property. To some buyers, what has happened in the past within the four walls of a house, especially a death, matters. Other buyers may have a more practical perspective and appear to be less bothered by property history. And in an odd twist, some reports suggest properties located near a cemetery actually sell for considerably more money. As a result, there are diverse opinions on certain kinds of stigma. Take for example houses considered ‘haunted.’ A Realtor® survey found that most people are open to purchasing a haunted house. Why Stigmatized Properties Are Different One reason stigmatized properties are different is because they don’t affect everyone the same way. Another reason is because factors that stigmatize a property vary. Some are undeniably gruesome, like violent death, while other, more common stigmatizing factors have limited psychological effect, like bank foreclosure. Yet other stigmas, such as a former meth lab, are doubly troublesome, since they carry both a market stigma plus can render a property un-finance-able. Stigmatized properties are uniquely different than usual issues like dry rot or a leaky roof because that they frequently involve very human emotions. And when we consider what makes a home, where children are raised, birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated and many cherished memories are created, common sense dictates that a house should comport with the real estate concept of ‘quiet enjoyment,’ least of all being awakened at 3 AM to later be surprised with what has occurred in the home.
22 • October 2019
Advice to your Seller? Usually the best advice for home sellers is to ‘Disclose, disclose, disclose.’ Yet there are exceptions. For example, in Oregon it is illegal to disclose certain facts about a property. Under Oregon law, neither the seller nor their agent is allowed to disclose that an owner or occupant of the real property has or had human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP! Here is a slightly frightening story from a friend in real estate that is sure to make us hold our breath I gained a listing for a large home on acreage after the elderly lady that owned it passed away. The home was, at one time, a very nice family home but through many neglected years it degraded significantly. The entrance of the house had a front door that looked like something salvaged from an old European castle that had seen many battles. The house was vacant, creepy, and the first time I went into the house, I had a feeling as if someone was watching me. I didn’t want to go into the house by myself so I asked a co-worker to come with me to take photos. After taking photos, my co-worked acknowledged that he wouldn’t want to be in this house
alone either. Every visit to the home, I brought someone with me. The acreage that the home sat on was dividable and even had a lake on it. The property had great potential. One day a well-known contractor in the area, his wife and a partner came to look at the house to see if it could be salvaged. They determined in their opinion, that it would be a tear-down. From there they wanted to walk the property. Before leaving to walk the property, the contractor asked me to send him the property descriptions and plot maps via email. He gave me his business card with his personal email address written on it. I had the card on my phone as I locked the backdoor and proceeded to walk through the house to exit out the front door. When I got back to my car, the card was gone. I thought, “How could the card be gone? How could I have lost it between the backdoor and the car?” I then went back, unlocked the front door, walked to the back, looked for the card, walked the main level of the house, checked everywhere, but nothing. It was nowhere to be found. I went back out to wait by my car for the others to come back from touring the property. Suddenly there was something coming down from the sky that flickered and twisted and landed at my feet. It was the business card. There was no wind, no windows open in the house, no way the card could have been in the sky, higher than the 2-story house. I picked up the card, held it up to the sky and said, “Okay.” I showed that house about 5 more times. A few people asked unprompted if someone had passed away there. They must have felt something too. Sandy Manning HaHa! Ever have a property that was a decent investment aside from those possible ghostly roommates? Maybe all it needed was a little love and care, a paint job and new floors to lose some of its creepy luster? Maybe all it needed was Chip and Joanna Gaines, an old priest, a young priest, and thousands of dollars in repairs!
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on the rise Written by Rick Osborn Photography by Katheryn Davidson, Photos by Orion
COURTNEY HARRIS
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE
FUN FACTOR 24 • October 2019
HUNG UP HIS CONTRACTOR TOOL BELT AND PICKED UP REAL ESTATE For a real estate broker rising so fast in the business, Courtney Harris says – in his trademark self-deprecating style – that he’s actually a little bit of a slow learner. “I’ve have 26 years in construction in my work history and I hurt all over. I’m in pain all the time,” he said. “My wife recommended that I consider something different several years ago. I’m just a slow learner, and so I put it on hold until I was really in a
lot of pain. And I know the housing industry really well, so it seemed like a natural fit.”
have. I’m happy to deal with hectic. I’d much rather that than have all the free time in the world.”
After obtaining his real estate license on his birthday in 2017, Harris marched down to the HomeSmart Realty Group office in Salem to sign up. He hasn’t looked back. He hasn’t had the time.
A key element to Harris’s success is the fun factor.
“I like being busy,” he said. “It can be hectic, but it’s a good problem to
“I love to play, man,” he said. “There’s no sense in doing anything in life unless we enjoy doing it; then even the worst things can be made enjoyable. I take that fun approach to everything I do professionally. It’s potentially a
www.realproducersmag.com • 25
high-stress environment and so I like to do everything I can to make it enjoyable.”
It’s a mantra that he has adopted whole-heartedly.
Looking back on 26 years of grueling physical labor in the construction business, Harris points to times he’s had to crawl under houses every day for weeks among cat feces and skeletons of dead animals. It wasn’t a lot of fun, so Harris resolved to make it fun. That’s not the only trait he learned from the construction industry. Though he’s quick to point out he turned in his contractor days for good, he brings a wealth of home construction knowledge that gives him an edge when it comes to product familiarity.
“This is just simply cyclical and if I’m not the type of person who gives back, then I don’t deserve to have it,” Harris said. “I invest a lot, and give back a lot both in money and time because it’s not mine to keep. If I’m not willing to give it away, I shouldn’t be focused on getting it.”
“I hung up that contractor label and so I don’t speak anymore as a contractor, but I do draw upon that experience to help my clients in as many ways as possible, whether it be simply feeling the slope of the floor as you walk into a house or identifying fix-up work that might be needed,” Harris said. “I have a long list of vendors I’ve worked with in the past that represent my culture, which is to care for our clients.” In his years as a contractor, 19 of those were as a small business owner, so Harris is no stranger to what he calls “shaking the tree” to gather business. He’s a man of routine, which also comes from years in construction where a 7 a.m. start time is standard and the hours can get long. “I’m used to getting up, getting ready for work, and having stuff set to go,” he said. “I’m used to having a routine, as well as being self-employed.” Harris’s past work and his life experiences have prepared him well for success. One of the owners of the HomeSmart Realty Group franchise is a friend, and when he heard Harris was looking to get out of construction, he proposed real estate. Harris fits with the company culture, which is based on family and always giving back to the community.
26 • October 2019
Married to Kimberly Harris for 23 years, Courtney Harris has four daughters who “outnumber him.” They include 20-year-old Caitlyn who is studying nursing at Chemeketa Community College; 19-year-old Katarina who just finished her freshman year at Grand Canyon University in Arizona; 16-year-old KyLee who is going into her junior year at Western Christian School; and 13-year-old Claire who also attends Western Christian School. With multiple all their children attending Western Christian School, the Harris family has been active there for many over the years. Courtney Harris coached middle school softball and Kimberly Harris is an assistant varsity girls basketball coach. They are big athletic supporters, at the school, with the family helping pay for to improve the new softball dugouts, and building a snack shack that can be moved from one field to the next on campus. The family is also is active at Saint Anne Orthodox Church near Corvallis. They participate in the church’s annual Fourth of July Parade float and Kimberly is a driving force behind the church’s annual Greek Festival. Whenever Courtney Harris gets referral business through contacts at his church or his daughters’ school, he donates 10 percent of the proceeds to the corresponding institution. “We have a great opportunity here to do a lot of business so we need to tithe, give back to the community, and invest back in our businesses,” he said. “We’re active in our community with HomeSmart Realty Group. We don’t do it from a marketing perspective, we do it because that’s who we are. That’s the culture and that’s why I choose HomeSmart. I donate back immediately because, like I said, it’s not mine to keep. I’m blessed.” The model is working for Harris, and he started thriving on the first day. In his first year, he took Rookie of the Year award in his office.
He closed 24 transactions in his first calendar year. With a couple more deals set to close soon, Harris figures he’ll be sitting on $4.8 million in closed sales for this year so far. Not bad for a second-year agent. Out of 15,000 agents in the HomeSmart Realty Group network, Harris was one of three to be recognized as the HomeSmart International Rookie of the Year. But, he still has work to do. “I’m barely scratching the surface,” he said. “I’ve set a goal this year for more than that.” In addition to giving it back to his community, Harris’s parents also are being blessed by the fruits of his
labor. He built a 6,500-square-foot home that can accommodate multiple generations of the Harris family. Taking care of others is in his bones. His humble approach and style he adopts at work is a testament to that. Back during his construction days, subcontractors would be surprised to find out the general contractor on the job was the guy pushing the broom. That guy, Harris, takes the same view of servant leadership into his real estate business. “My goal is to be the chief servant in transactions, in my personal life, and in my spiritual life,” he said. “I see my successes as people served. Whether it’s my specific clients, or
people I work with, or people who hire me to do work, am I a servant to them.” If a transaction ends and it was an enjoyable experience for the client, vendor, other agent and everyone else involved, Harris counts that as a success. He does it through humor, know-how, a servant’s attitude and, above all else, an unrelenting work ethic. “I’m not opposed to hard work and I’m not opposed to paying the bills either,” he said. “That can either crush or inspire you and I use that as inspiration. As a kid we were dirt-poor. I don’t have any desire to live that way, and so that has a big influence on my drive and work ethic. But I also love to work. I just flat love to work.”
www.realproducersmag.com • 27
MVAR
Scholarship Recipients 2019 Caitlin Joy Meek Sprague High School Graduate Colleges Applying for: Linfield Univ., Corban Univ., Biola Univ. College Majors Considering: Political Science & Communications Activities: Speech & Debate Team, Constitutional Law Team, Church Outreach & Kids Camp Volunteer. I have big college dreams. Not of becoming high and mighty, but rather to connect with individuals around me and grow with them. I believe that private colleges, specifically Linfield College, can for fill that dream small class sizes and a centralized student body. Having a smaller environment will help me connect with the professors and other students, providing opportunities to learn inside and outside the classroom. My plan is to start in the fall of 2019 studying political science and communication arts studies at Linfield College. I am interested in these fields of study because of the heavy impact they have on society. I have learned about the importance of government, debate, and clear communication from my Speech & Debate and AP Government teachers. They have really inspired me to continue my studies in these areas, including joining Linfield’s forensics team.
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After my degree, I’m really open to where my experience in college will take me. I have an interest in working for government agencies or within an election campaign; while I am both excited and nervous about how the political climate will change in the next four years, it is possible that this change in the status quo of US can affect my future career. Regardless, I believe that possible experience in my college years such as internships in local government, studying abroad to Washington DC, and competing on the debate team can prepare me for my future career.
Annelise Valencia Williamson Silverton High School Graduate Colleges Applying for: Freed-Hardeman Univ., Harding Univ., Oklahoma Christian Univ. College Majors Considering: History, Political Science Activities: Youth Summer Camp Counselor, Missions Trips, VBS Leader, Concert choir & Choralaires, cross-country, softball, theater, National Honor Society I am a graduate of Silverton High School. As a student, I pride myself in academics and other extracurricular activities. While taking multiple accelerated and college level courses, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA and found time to participate in multiple school activities. These activities include the following: Concert choir & Choralaires, cross-country, softball, theater, National Honor Society, and more. Overall, these activities have taught me many lessons concerning work ethic, perseverance, responsibility and humility; working together to mold me into the person I am today. In college, I wish to continue being involved in school activities and the community. I wish to obtain a degree in history, political science, or Bible. Becoming a teacher of some sort has recently been an idea of mine. The field would most likely be history. I love history and want others to know and understand the importance of what has happened in the past. I think that there is often too much stress on the future and what it could possibly hold. I believe that the past is equally, if not more important. The future is shaped by the past. Whether because of failure that we want to avoid or successes that we want to repeat, the past shapes who we are today. The past is the key to the future. I cannot stress enough, the importance of learning history and appreciation for all that has had to happen to enable us to live the lives we have. Looking back and understanding how far we have come as a society is crucial to becoming grateful individuals today. Pursuing a higher education after high school is very important to me. As the wise Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” If you put in effort to acquire a good education, the rest will be exemplary and last a lifetime. Knowledge allows for and prompts experience to take place. Experience yields wisdom and wisdom creates character. I wholeheartedly believe that pursuing a higher education is what is best for me.
@realproducers
28 • October 2019
www.realproducersmag.com • 29
What a unique and fun closing gift? Give a Paint Party! A little paint, a little wine, and a whole lot of fun! A Paint and Pinot private party is the perfect closing gift for a client or for a unique client appreciation event! Give the gift of a first event in their new home… a Paint and Pinot party for their closest family and friends. Choose a party for 8 TO 30 painters.
Out of our love for friends, our communities, wine, entertainment and the passion of art, Paint and Pinot has provided some great events over the past 4 years! Beside hosting in-home/ in-business private parties, you can also find Paint & Pinot at locations right here in town such as Acme Café, Oak Knoll Golf Course, Barrel & Keg, and alternating wine vineyards. Paint and Pinot started in May 2015 by Aimee Connor and Sabrina Dikeman, life-long best pals, who already organized girl-friend events and involved themselves in many other community and non-profit organizations within Salem and the Willamette Valley. Having Paint and Pinot was a fun way to continue this love for friends, events and art, all “mushed” together. Paint and Pinot is an exciting combination of a painting class lead by one of our incredibly gifted and “entertaining” artists, snacks, wine, brew or cocktails and a whole lot of crazy fun! Our artists will inspire you and Instruct you in creating a stepby-step masterpiece! Trust us, even someone with no experience will be proud! We supply the tables, tablecloths, aprons, paint, easels, canvas and exceptional customer service! For on-site events, you bring the beverages and snacks. For calendar events at our favorite spots, they will have beverages and food for purchase. Paint and Pinot helps you create an artwork you can be proud of and an experience you will love!
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The Best Night Ever - Created by You! PAINT & PINOT 30 • October 2019
Private Parties Celebrate a special day with your friends, co-workers and family! Paint and Pinot Private Events are an amazing way to connect and celebrate! Paint & Pinot as offers a creative new spin on corporate team-building, holiday parties, birthdays, social occasion, girls night out, or just because! You’ll work with a dedicated event manager to customize your event. Choose your own venue (even your home or office), painting, and guest list! We offer both day and evening events. Available for small gatherings or large events. Note: Paint and Pinot also does KIDS PARTIES! Kids paint parties are awesome and they can be done in your home or at a public location! For Classes schedule at local venues, check out www.paintandpinot.net To schedule a private party, call 503-568-3738 www.realproducersmag.com • 31
CALENDAR OF
EVENTS
MVAR - Educational Seminar - Law and Rule Required Course (LARRC) Thursday, October 10, 2019 12:00pm-3:00pm Location: Scottish Rite Center, 4090 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR 97302 More Info: Instructor Sue Curths, CRB, CRS Principal Broker/Vice President of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Light lunch will be provided OAR - OAR Fall Convention & Trade Show Oct. 1 - 3 8:00am - 7:00pm Location: Salem Convention Center More Info: Registration fee covers entry to General Sessions, CE Classes, Trade Show, Trade Show lunch and Vendor Dine-Around, and pre-Presidential Installation reception. OAR’s Annual Fall Convention and Trade Show makes its way to Oregon’s beautiful capital city. The award-winning Salem Convention Center will be this year’s event venue. This is a great opportunity to take time to get up to speed on current trends, earn CE and make new connections. Choose from a wide variety of informative and relevant CE breakout sessions with topics ranging from cyber-security and risk management to appraisal and legal panels where current industry issues will be discussed. You won’t want to miss the multi-vendor Trade Show and Dine-Around. Join us as we honor the 2019 Distinguished Service Award recipient and for the Presidential Installation Banquet for 2020’s OAR President, Lori Palermo, where you can participate in an exciting dessert auction for the HOME Foundation.
MVAR PSA Certification Course 6.0 CE credits Wednesday, October 30, 2019 9:00-4:00 pm Continental Breakfast and Lunch provided Location: OAR Training Room. 2110 Mission St. SE Salem, OR 97302 More Info: The key to competitive home pricing is becoming proficient at comparative market analyses (CMAs). The Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certification is specifically designed to enhance your skills in pricing properties, creating CMAs, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through the anxieties and misperceptions they often have about home values. Want to take the guess work out of valuing a property and creating CMA’s. Then the PSA Certification is for you. Being able to accurately and efficiently value a property is crucial towards ensuring that you help make your clients happy. In this course you will learn: The purpose and benefits of CMAs, and how to guide clients through them • Terminology of pricing and valuation • The Code of Ethics as it relates to pricing • How to identify appropriate comparables, and where to find information about them
• The role of supply and demand in pricing • How to adjust comparables • Specific challenges and special situations in making adjustments • How to work with appraisers • How to hone your pricing skills and practices Soup Wars Annual fundraiser benefiting SAR Community Fund. for the Children’s Christmas Party. October 8th, 5pm-7pm Location: Willamette Heritage Center (Mission Mills) Spinning Room Chefs battle for best Chowder, Chili or Soup. MVAR and HBA are hosting the event. Members are invited to come taste the entries. The SAR Community Fund (nonprofit) is raising funds for their “30th Annual Christmas Party”. MVAR - Managing Principal Broker Forum October 18th 11:30-1:30 Lunch provided Location: OAR Training Room MVAR Risk Advisory Topic – Attorney Questions & Answers October 24th, Noon-1pm Location: Scottish Rite 4090 Commercial St SE Salem, OR 97302
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We offer customized solutions for your buyer or seller. We educate your customer through the entire process. We provide the most cost-effective solution. We offer free estimates. We offer financing (can be paid out of escrow). We offer a transferrable warranty. We provide a dedicated customer service advocate that assists your customer from start to finish of their project. We are a trusted, locally owned and operated company serving Portland and the Willamette Valley. FOUNDATIONS Cracked walls, gaps in your floor, and stuck windows or doors are all signs of a dangerous foundation. BASEMENTS Basement leaks don’t simply vanish, and they only get worse over time. CRAWL SPACES Mold, humidity and allergens are all signs of a harmful crawl space. Improve the air quality by cleaning out and sealing up the crawl space.
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