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Conscious Real Estate Supports Girls, Inc. of Metro Denver

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“Who Run the World? Girls!” – Beyonce

 

Girls, Inc. of Metro Denver is dedicated to inspiring girls to be “strong, smart, and bold.” In this world of limiting messages, sexual harassment, the “roles” women and girls are “supposed” to play, and the constant pressure to be pretty and perfect… girls have a lot to hold up to. Girls, Inc. helps them deal with these pressures, identify which ones don’t matter, and learn how to react to the ones that do (like standing up for yourself and shooting for the stars!).

 

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On a Recent Donation to Girls, Inc. of Metro Denver…

 

“Shaina Jordan is my amazing home buyer that selected Girls Inc. of Metro Denver for her donation. I love that Girls Inc. teaches girls to be ‘Strong, Smart and Bold’.

Too often women are taught to be careful. Instead, Girls Inc. teaches them to be brave,” says Conscious Real Estate Agent, Kimberly McAleenan.

“In a world where women are undervalued daily, I topped off this donation to $1,000 to help even more girls learn that they have value and can do so much more,” she added.       Thank you Kimberly!!!

 

The Girls’ Bill of Rights

Girls, Inc. created this Girls’ Bill of Rights to expressly state that girls have the right to:

to be themselves and to resist gender-stereotypes;
to express themselves with originality and enthusiasm;
to take risks, to strive freely, and to take pride in success;
to accept and appreciate their bodies;
to have confidence in themselves and to be safe in the world;
to prepare for interesting work and economic independence.

 

Where Does the Money Go?

 

Of course, when it comes to donations, donors always want to know if their money is well-spent and going to be used effectively. Charity Navigator gives Girls, Inc. four stars, a perfect score for accountability and transparency, and 95.52/100 overall. You can check out their amazing review here. Over eighty five percent of the funds they receive goes to programming!!! Just a tinge goes to admin and fundraising. Needless to say… that rocks! What kind of programming, you ask?

  • STEM Programs for Girls
  • Mentoring Programs
  • Anti-Bullying Solutions
  • After School and Summer Programs
  • College Tours
  • HS and College Prep Workshops
  • And, sooooo much more… learn more here.

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About Conscious Real Estate

We are a conscious real estate company that gives back to nonprofits with every home sale or purchase from out own commission. Yes, we are passionate about our community. We believe that by giving, we all receive. Local Denver nonprofits need funding. By working with Conscious Real Estate, our clients are able to donate large, lump sums to truly impact local programs.

 

Let’s face it… a larger donation goes further! If you’re thinking about moving to Denver, relocating to another neighborhood in Denver, purchasing an investment property, or selling your home, you can be the one in the picture with the big check presented to your favorite cause.

 

It’s a proud moment that makes our clients truly feel part of the community, making the impact they may have always wanted to, but just needed an opportunity like our Give 10% program to make it happen. Learn more here!

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Conscious Real Estate Supports Veterans to Farmers

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Conscious Real Estate agents donate 10% of their own commission from a home sale or purchase to a nonprofit of their clients’ choosing.

 

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Conscious Real Estate Agent Kimberly McAleenan is a veteran herself. So, when her clients chose Veterans to Farmers as part of their 10% nonprofit donation, she was elated.

 

Kimberly explains: “Veterans to Farmers is an amazing organization that helps give Veterans a purpose after getting out of the military. They teach Veterans the tools they need to switch their mindsets from the military mindset to an agricultural mindset.”

 

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“They also educate and encourage Veterans to pursue their new paths to success. This non-profit has completely changed my client Luke B’s life and gave him new purpose,” she says.

 

More than anything, he wanted a home with a massive garage so he could have a space to grow mushrooms (for cooking not hallucinating!) and also be able to help educate other veterans on the process.

 

“I am honored to have helped Luke with the VA home buying process and to be able to donate to such an fantastic Veteran non-profit,” Kimberly beams.

 

denver real estate, kimberly mcaleenan, conscious real estate, denver real estate, denver real estate market

Conscious Real Estate Agent Kimberly McAleenan (left), with her client who chose Veterans to Farmers for his over $800 donation.

 

Veterans to Farmers is an organization dedicated to “turning protectors into providers” by teaching them valuable skills as hydroponic and in-soil farmers. The goal is a return to the family farm, powered by veterans. Farming is also a therapeutic way to channel their energy following trauma, and of course, can help make new bonds, whether with the plants, or fellow program participants – it gives options for healing, while working toward a positive goal.

 

Conscious Real Estate is proud to partner with local nonprofits with unique solutions to help people – such as farming!

 

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Kimberly McAleenan presents a large donation to Veterans to Farmers.

 

We think it’s great. If you’re looking for homes for sale in Denver and want to be represented by real estate advocates that truly care about our community, please contact us for a complimentary interview.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have about Denver neighborhoods, the housing market, an intro to lending programs, or (often our favorite), insight into historical homes (we love ‘em!). We’re here for you and standing by.

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What Colorado Home Buyers Need to Know about Radon

January is Radon Action Month

January is Radon Action Month

Governor John Hickenlooper has declared that January will be Radon Action Month in Colorado. But, in all fairness, radon is a year-round issue.

What the heck is radon anyway?

Radon is the other odorless, invisible gas that can kill you, albeit much more slowly than carbon monoxide. According to EPA Estimates, Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. According to Carolyn Koke, director of market development for the AccuStar and RadonAway brands, radon is responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year–more than drunk driving, falls in the home, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

In Colorado, as many as 50-75% of homes are believed to have radon levels in excess of the EPA recommended action level of 4 picocuries (pCi) of radon per liter of air. Radon is a radioactive natural gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Colorado shows higher radon levels than many states “because radon is a byproduct of the decay of uranium and it exists in our soil everywhere because we live in a highly mineralized state,” said Warren Smith, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Winter is the perfect time to test your home for radon, according to Chrystine Kelley, radon program manager for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Testing your home for radon is simple and works best when all your doors and windows are closed,” Kelley said. “That’s why January is a great time to test, during National Radon Action Month.”

Radon is the other odorless, invisible gas that can kill you, albeit much more slowly than carbon monoxide.

If you are in the process of buying a home in Colorado, you can absolutely test for radon in your new home during the inspection period. However, there are some considerations to testing for radon during your real estate transaction…

  • If you test for radon during your inspection period, home inspectors will typically use a 48 hour radon test, which can be less accurate than the 3-month to 1-year radon test kits. Testing the home over a longer time period will give a far better picture of the true radon levels of the home, as the radon could be unusually high or low over any given 48 hour period.

 

  • The best time to test for radon is in the winter, when the home is all sealed up. A 3-month month test during the winter months will give the most accurate results to demonstrate how much radon is in your home, while a 1-year test will give you a true picture of how much radon shows up in your home over the course of time. Radon simply dissipates with air, so if doors and windows are kept open in the summer, radon levels will be lower or nonexistent.

 

  • If the home is currently inhabited by the seller while you test for radon, you have to trust that the seller is keeping the doors and windows closed during your test. If you are purchasing a home without air conditioning in the summer time, the seller would have to be willing to be unbearably hot for 48 hours on your behalf. In a perfect world, all sellers would happily do this. However, since a possible outcome of the seller’s discomfort would be that the home tests high for radon and now they are being asked to purchase a radon mitigation system for you, some sellers may not be compliant with radon testing.

 

  • If you are considering testing the home for radon during the inspection period, the question you should ask yourself is:

 

  • Even if this home tests high for radon during the inspection period, would I refuse to purchase this particular home if it tests high for radon and the seller refuses to install a mitigation system? (Keep in mind that it’s likely that other homes you may desire may also contain high radon levels with sellers who refuse to install a mitigation system.)

 

  • While 48-hour radon tests typically cost about $100, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offer a FREE test kit to Colorado households, which is likely to be more accurate. Long-term radon tests also tend to be less costly than the 48-hour tests.

Let’s recap. If you are questioning, “Should I test my home for radon?” The answer is definitely, “yes, yes, and yes.”

The question is: should you test the home for radon before you have purchased the home or after you purchase the home? The benefit of testing for radon before you have purchased the home is that you have a chance of getting the seller to install a radon mitigation system on their own dime. Of course, this is at the seller’s discretion and many sellers may not be interested in this expenditure.

What do you do if you already own your home and your home tests high for radon?

If radon levels are high, you can reduce them, but it’s not a DIY job. Certified mitigation providers may use several methods, including sealing cracks in floors and walls and installing underground pipes and an exhaust fan, to lower radon levels. A radon mitigation system in Colorado usually costs about $800-$1,200 unless difficult design problems are encountered. If your water comes from a private well and you found a radon problem when you tested the air in your home, you can also consider testing your water, although radon in water is typically less of an issue than radon in the air.

 

Here is the link for a FREE RADON TEST KIT: https://environmentalrecords.colorado.gov/HPRMWebDrawerHM/RecordHtml/403292

If you would like to learn more about the testing and mitigation of radon, here is a video from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment that is accompanied by scary and ominous music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1OcA1N2Tig&feature=youtu.be

 

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Karis Community: Gracefully Supporting Adults with Mental Illness

karis community, conscious real estate, conscious businesses, donations, denver nonprofits

 

Conscious Real Estate was founded on the principle of giving. 10% of every home sale or purchase is donated to a charity of our clients’ choice.

 

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Karis Community starts with grace.

 

In fact, the word karis means grace in Greek. As a verb, it means to honor to give honor or credit to one’s presence. And, that is just what Karis Community does, since 1976, they have honored adults with mental illness who are choosing to show up and receive help for their struggles through their programming.

 

Life on its own isn’t easy. When you have a chronic illness, whether physical or mental, life can be nearly impossible. It takes a community to help us get out of situations we’ve fallen into. And, it can be really easy to get from one place to another in small slips. Many times when our loved ones get to a place where they need help, we wonder, how did they get there?

 

When one thing goes wrong, the spiral downward is fast.

 

How does it happen? Two metaphors we can relate to are weight and money. To gain weight, it can be pretty easy, we eat our favorite sugary or buttery foods. And, with money, we can spend very, very quickly. How is it that making money and losing weight are so difficult, yet spending money and gaining weight are sooooo easy?

 

Any time you’ve wondered how this person got “here,” just remember the times that you’ve gotten “somewhere” and how easy it was to fall there. It happens quickly. Student loans can engulf us, health problems, Karis Community is there to help people get back up with the support and resources that they need without judgment.

 

If you read the stories of community members at Karis, you’ll find that many of them have suffered with mental illness nearly their entire lives. The message that comes through story after story is fear from past trauma (“I have a very difficult time with conflict. I am still learning that conflict does not have to mean someone is going to get hurt.”) and goals toward self worth (“One thing I have to do is learn to love me, and that will take some time. Here at Karis is the best place to work on it.”)

 

A story from Heather, a Karis resident:

 

I have been suffering from mental illness since adolescence. I have attempted suicide three times and have been hospitalized five times. I have never been able to deal with my childhood abuse and work through it. My mental illness has affected every area of my life and has kept me from having a life. I want to be able to enjoy simple things, like taking a bath, or falling asleep without being afraid, or having someone hug me. I want to be able to have good friendships with people without being scared that they are going to leave me. There is so much to learn, and the process of growing is so slow. I try to give myself as much patience as I give to others. It is a daily struggle.

At Karis I found hope. I found a place where people accept me as I am, care about me, and are glad to see me. It has been a home like I have never known. It took me a long time to adjust, and sometimes I feel like I am still getting adjusted. It is so foreign to live with people who are kind and respectful.

 

I think what I enjoy the most is the time we sit around and visit, enjoying each other’s company. It seems there is always laughter and lively discussion. And when I can’t sleep there is almost always someone else up, too.

 

For now, I try to focus on each day, doing the things I need to do to grow and get better, making good decisions and making the most of my time at Karis. – Heather

 

When all you need is encouragement.

 

Another awesome Karis resident story…. And this one is really, really awesome… Fred!! Fred was a Karis resident who prior to his stay was “warehoused” as he says, in a Capitol Hill boarding house for 13 years. There, he has no motivation for life because everything was done for him: cooking, cleaning, laundry, and medicating.

 

When he was accepted into Karis Community, he was finally able to take ownership of his life. It was everything he needed. It propelled him to even write his own book, which he now receives royalty checks for. He transitioned out of Karis and has his own studio apartment and part-time job and even a sweet romantic relationship that he describes as like “two glowing coals.” They go to church together every Sunday.

 

You can help people like Heather and Fred when you buy or sell a home with Conscious Real Estate.

 

Okay, how does a home purchase change the world?

 

Simple! We create large donations that help nonprofits get a big boost in their programming. With every home buy or sell, Conscious Real Estate agents take 10% of their OWN commission (yes, you spend our money), and pick a nonprofit to which that money goes.

 

So far, we have helped dozens of nonprofits get closer to or exceed their fundraising goals. They are always surprised and grateful for the huge check (it’s literally huge, see below!).

 

karis community, conscious real estate, conscious businesses, donations, denver nonprofits

Conscious Real Estate Agent, Andy Robertson, presents the donation check to Karis Community, a nonprofit in Denver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you looking to move? Know someone who is? Contact us to interview one of our agents to see if we might be a good fit for your needs. We are professional real estate experts with big hearts too. Get to know us!

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Conscious Real Estate Helps Coloradoans Pay for University Tuitions

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allison parks, conscious real estate, penn state alumni, penn state donation, penn state, penn state university., nittany lion

Conscious Real Estate is a socially conscious real estate agency in the Denver area that donates 10% from each home sale or purchase to a nonprofit of their clients’ choice. Penn State Board Member, Darcy Barr, chose to donate to a cause near and dear to her… the Penn State Scholarship Fund! Huge thanks! Here’s more about the alumni organization….

 

Even though the Penn State “Nittany” Lion isn’t naturally found in our Colorado wildlife, you CAN find many human alumni living here in our wonderful state! Ba-da-cha…

 

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Penn State Mascot, the Nittany Lion

 

All jokes aside, college pride is strong with Penn State Alumni, so they have set up a special affiliate group for Coloradoans with a fundraising arm to provide scholarships to potential Penn State students.

 

And guess who’s super proud of Penn State and wanted to give back? Our amazing client Darcy Barr, who chose them as her Give 10% recipient from her recent home purchase with Conscious Real Estate. Awesome!

 

Did you know? There are over 7,000 Penn State Alumni living in Colorado.

 

The CO chapter helps organize group events to promote alumni comradery, offers professional development resources, provides discounts on travel and other services for alumni-only, manages a mentorship program, and holds awards ceremonies to honor alumni achievements, and of course funds the incredible scholarship program (among many other benefits they offer!).

 

Want to connect with the chapter??? Reach out to Darcy!!

 

Our super rad client Darcy is a Penn State board member who also is the creativity behind the scenes of the Penn State Colorado Chapter social media accounts. Following their accounts will help you connect with other alumni, prospective students, and stay in touch on their many events and offerings each year.

 

Ready? Here is everything you need to get started:

 

Instagram: @PSUColorado

Facebook: Follow along here.

LinkedIn: Check out interesting alumni facts.

Twitter: @PSUColorado

CO Event Listings: See what’s coming up!

Website: Click here to join/learn more.

 

Thank you Darcy for choosing Conscious Real Estate for your real estate needs and Penn State Colorado for your incredible donation!

 

penn state alumni, penn state donation, penn state, penn state university., nittany lion

Conscious Real Estate Owner and Agent, Allison Parks, with Client (and Penn State Board Member) Darcy Barr, at the PSU Colorado Annual Picnic

Did this inspire you? Let’s get started! Click here to connect with our of our agents and look forward to making YOUR impact (and finding a home that’s perfect for you!).

 

 

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Homes for Sale in Denver

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Browse Denver neighborhoods, or better yet, fill out our super simple form below to get personalized answers from a real estate agent in Denver here at Conscious Real Estate.

 

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Houses in Denver are available to browse through when you sign up for the MLS or Multiple Listing Service. If you’ve bought a home before, you’ll know exactly what this is. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, the MLS system is a credible service used by licensed agents and backed by the National Association of Realtors.

Whatever you do… use Zillow and Trulia as general guides only. As opposed to the Multiple Listing Service, Zillow and Trulia are advertisers. That’s right. Many listings are fake, already sold, or have incorrect information. (We once traveled to go see a “home” a client found online at Zillow, only to find it was actually an abandoned and empty lot.)

Some of our favorite Denver neighborhoods include:

Bonnie Brae, Krisana Park, LoHi, RiNo, LoDo, Globeville, Alamo Placita, Baker, Downtown Denver, Capitol Hill, Uptown, Sloan’s Lake, Cherry Creek, Crestmoor, Park Hill, Mayfair, Lowry, City Park, Whittier, Jefferson Park, Wash Park (Washington Park), Platte Park, Berkeley, Sunnyside, Hill Top, Highlands, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, Governor’s Park, Jefferson Park, Observatory Park, Golden Triangle, Five Points, Curtis Park, University Hills, Lincoln Park, Regis, and Montclair-Mayfair.

We also love these Denver suburbs which can offer better prices and a bit more space potentially: Lakewood, Golden, Thornton, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, DTC, Littleton, Westminster, Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Aurora.

About Conscious Real Estate (Are you conscious too? Meet your tribe.)

We’re conscious, we’re focused on you, we want what’s best for you, and we don’t focus on the bottom line in our pockets. (Many realtors do.) And, many realtors want to “just get this over with” and get you to sign so they can get paid.

Well, guess what? Not only do we have incredible integrity for your Denver real estate journey, we also donate a portion of our own commission to a nonprofit that you choose (this does not come from any costs to you, the home seller pays our real estate agent costs.)

Why not get started on finding out more…

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Home Purchase Helps Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect

families first, conscious real estate supports families first, denver nonprofits, denver doing good, conscious real estate

families first, conscious real estate supports families first, denver nonprofits, denver doing good, conscious real estate

Conscious Real Estate donates 10% of every home sale or purchase to a local nonprofit of our clients’ choice. Recently, Agent Kimberly McAleenan’s client chose Families First here in Colorado.

Prevention is key.

Raising a family takes endurance and love, patience and grace. Life, on the other hand, often gives us chaos and challenges. And, parents are tested on their patience regularly. Every. Single. Day. It can take a lot out of anyone.

It is the belief of local organization Families First, that prevention and education can help parents and caregivers with frustrating moments and explain parenting skills that can make peace at home.

This in turn, can help end the cycle of child abuse and neglect.

If a family is struggling, they can contact the Families First Support Line, which one mother said was “more helpful than her doctor’s office”:

“Crystal called the Families First Support Line about her ten-year old son was having a rough time.

The Families First Support Line volunteer discussed the situation with Crystal and empathized with her. They discussed the fact that all any of us can control is ourselves. Sometimes we need to work on that to prevent ourselves from getting angry.

A month later, Crystal commented that we at the Support Line were more helpful to her than her doctor. She said it was nice to talk to someone who really cared and was supportive in talking about her concerns.

After talking to us, there has been a big turn around with her son. She was very grateful to the Support Line for the help we gave.” – Families First

Parents and caregivers can also attend local parenting classes to get advice from an expert and fellow parents. Children aged 4 – 12 years old can attend certain free classes and have a separate curriculum. Kids can enjoy a craft, snack, and sharing time geared toward boosting your child’s self-esteem.

Parents have said positive things about the groups…

“If I had to drive two hours to get here, I would. It’s that important to me and my kids.”

“Most of us are not born knowing these ideas… If more people would take this class there would be fewer frustrated children and parents. It made me understand I’m not alone.”

“We were planning to go to the class anyway, but when we heard what our kids would be learning – well, we make this a big part of our weekly family time.”

Families First also offers intervention and began with residential care for abused and neglected children starting in 1986. Since then, they have developed programming to educate parents, help them connect with their children, and provide a place for positive parenting. And, they need donations to keep up with the demand.

Conscious Real Estate Agent, Kimberly McAleenan’s clients recently choose Families First for their Give 10% home purchase donation. (We donate at every home sale or buy!!)

Kimberly said, “One of my favorite thing about Families First is that they help the children and the parents! I think it’s really helpful for both sides to get the education to work together towards a stronger future. They are also opening a facility to help even younger kids so they can try to teach them good tools for life earlier!”

 

families first, conscious real estate supports families first, denver nonprofits, denver doing good, conscious real estate, kimberly mcaleenanPictured Above:

Left: (from left) Conscious Real Estate Agent Kimberly McAleenan, Conscious Real Estate Client Molly, Families First Executive Director Adam Robe, Director of Communications and Outreach, Rosa Huber. “They shared a lot of insight with us and Rosa has been with the company 23 yrs!,” said McAleenan.

Right: Conscious Real Estate Agent Kimberly McAleenan finds the most thoughtful gifts for her clients and promised her client the best gnome ever as a closing gift. Ta-daa!

Inspiring? Contact us to start browsing properties today and make your local impact! – Conscious Real Estate

 

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How to Know if a Real Estate Agent is Any Good – Part 2

The Conscious Group - How to Know if a Real Estate Agent is Any Good: Part 2

The Conscious Group - How to Know if a Real Estate Agent is Any Good: Part 2

Continuing the list of How to Know if a Real Estate Agent is Any Good.

Clearly, finding a good real estate agent is an issue. If  you google “how to find a good real estate agent,” you mostly find articles on how to identify a bad real estate agent… and for good reason. There are more shitheads in the real estate industry than in the White House. (As we all remember, Donald Trump started out in real estate… sigh…) Fact is, when you find a great real estate agent, they will earn every dime of their money.

Have you read Part 1?

Here are the second 4 ways to know that you have found a good real estate agent:

5) They are emotionally intelligent.

Real estate agents will need to be able to use various styles of negotiation over time and will need to have the emotional intelligence to know which negotiation tactics will be useful in different situations. A lot of real estate agents, or humans in general, only know one style of negotiation. Some are incredibly nice, some use a “take it or leave it” approach. If an agent is accustomed to working in the city and then needs to work with clients in a small town in the mountains, they will likely need to take a different approach in their negotiations because the super intense Gordon Gecko shit is going to freak the mountain people out. They live in the mountains for a reason – to get away from loud crazy people. Furthermore, some clients will require their agent to take a hard-headed approach to negotiations, whereas other clients prefer to keep things mellow.

A good real estate agent will also know when to push you or when to back off. Some clients may find the perfect home for them and they are afraid to commit. A good real estate agent will know the area and know if this client has found a rare gem and that now is the time to jump on it! And other times, if the client isn’t quite ready yet, if the agent knows the area well, they can assure their clients that another home with that little extra “something” will come along soon.

6) Your agent pretty much always responds to you in a timely manner.

Things happen quickly in real estate. The Denver real estate market moves incredibly quickly and if home-buyers can’t view the property right away, it will go under contract pretty quickly if it’s priced correctly.

Furthermore, a lot of home-buyers and sellers get kind of freaked out during the process. I started noticing this while helping my friends with their real estate deals. Since I know how they are on a normal day, I have seen some of my most mellow friends start to lose their shit when they’ve had to buy or sell homes. Moving can be a huge stressor. There are a lot of moving parts (cheesy pun intended) and unfamiliar concepts during a real estate transaction. This can be very upsetting for Capricorns who like to understand every step of the process as though they actually are a real estate agent. If you have an agent who responds to you quickly, it can help to put your mind at ease if you have a question that’s burning a hole in your brain.

It can be tough to know what to look for in a good real estate agent.

7) They’re proactive.

A lot of issues can be avoided by planning ahead. Surprises will always come up, but a good real estate agent will foresee the majority of potential problems in advance and at least give you a warning.  If your home doesn’t sell quickly for asking price, this agent is looking ahead to see what additional marketing they could add or if there are any quick and easy fixes to an issue that may be deterring potential home-buyers. If you are a home-buyer who is having a difficult time finding a home in your price range, a good real estate agent will be constantly creating new ways to find you a home in a competitive market. If you are purchasing a home, a good real estate agent will ensure that you are thoroughly inspecting the home and will have helped you carefully craft your offer so that you haven’t offered more than what the home will appraise for.

8) They’re honest with you, sometimes painfully so.

Every real estate agent has to be the bearer of bad news from time to time. We don’t look forward to this, but if we are truly being loyal to you and doing the best job we possibly can, then we have to do it, no matter how bad it hurts.

Maybe your dogs have used the carpet as a latrine one too many times, and you can’t smell it because you’re used to it. No one wants to tell you that your home smells bad, but if we are going to sell your home for top dollar, it needs to be free of pervasive odors. Maybe you feel incredibly soothed by your chocolate brown walls, but a lot of buyers prefer a warm light gray and we can sell your home for more money if you repaint your walls a more neutral color. Maybe you have spent your entire adult life working on your Star Wars figurine collection, but it’s not likely to photograph well or be attractive to buyers, so we might need to put Princess Leia in storage. Maybe we just found out that your last real estate agent sold you the home without doing a thorough inspection and now you are on the hook for $10,000 to replace your sewer line. Maybe your home just isn’t worth as much as you thought it was. Maybe your mom did real estate for 40 years and has now given you advice that is incorrect and we have to tell you that your mom is wrong. Seriously, my dearest client… I would rather stab myself in the eye than tell you that your darling mother is incorrect. All of this sucks. But if we are doing our jobs to the best of our ability, we will be honest with you even when it hurts.

The good news is that great real estate agents exist! You don’t just have to put up with an agent who doesn’t have your best interests at heart. If you don’t feel right with the first agent who you’ve met, interview some others until you find an agent who can provide you with a positive experience.

Want a Fantastic Agent instead of a Problem Agent?  Give us a call at 303-908-9873.  

Make sure you read Part 1 of How to Know if a Real Estate Agent is Any Good.

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How to Know if a Real Estate Agent is Any Good – Part 1

The Conscious Group - How to Know if a Real Estate Agent is Any Good: Part 1

The Conscious Group - How to Know if a Real Estate Agent is Any Good: Part 1

Clearly, finding a good real estate agent is an issue. If  you google “how to find a good real estate agent,” you mostly find articles on how to identify a bad real estate agent… and for good reason. There are more shitheads in the real estate industry than in the White House. (As we all remember, Donald Trump started out in real estate… sigh…) Fact is, when you find a great real estate agent, they will earn every dime of their money.

A lot of agents will have practiced convincing scripts that are designed to get you to hire them. These scripts are formulated to be effective and many real estate agents play the numbers game. “If you talk to X amount of people using Y tactic in Z amount of time, you are likely to earn A.” For instance, these agents will use your name regularly throughout the conversation because that is a proven tactic to get people to like you… (I outlined a lot of the talking points included in these scripts in a previous series of posts, “Shit Real Estate Agents Say To Get You To Hire Them.”)

You are not a number, you are a person and you should be treated as such. A good real estate agent isn’t going to use a bunch of crappy tactics to get your business. A good real estate agent will be honest with you. They will be authentic. They won’t have to utilize a script, but rather, will be able to have a conversation. They will show how they can be of service to you. A good real estate agent will earn your business.

As a consumer, it can be tough to know what to look for in a good real estate agent.

Real estate transactions truly are a convoluted process. In some cases, a consumer may be able to sell or purchase a home without the help of a real estate agent and not lose money, but those situations are few and far between. Most often, you need a (good) real estate agent. A good real estate agent will be able to gain your business without the bullshit… unless you enjoy falling for bullshit. Some people do and that’s ok. And some of you lovely people tend to succumb to pressure… or you want to believe the best in people and take what they say at face value.

Here are the first 4 ways to know that you have found a good real estate agent:

1) You feel comfortable around them.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been showing properties when another group of potential home-buyers enters who look miserable and awkward with their agent. I have seen agents stop everything to give their clients a history of residential electricity during moments that were completely out of context. I have seen agents mistakenly telling their clients that the floors are original hardwoods, when they’re clearly not only not original, but are made of manufactured product. Often, clients look like they have to “behave” around their realtor, like they are with their boss or are meeting their partner’s family for the first time.

You should not have to “behave” around your realtor. They are working for you, not vice versa. Whatever it takes for you to feel comfortable, whether you need to speak your mind freely, ask a million questions, vent about the process, breastfeed your child, or have a bowel movement, this is your time. You are buying or selling a house, dammit. It’s kind of a big deal. There should be no walking on eggshells – only honesty and communication.

If an agent is just coming at you with a sales pitch when you first meet, you are likely to feel uncomfortable. Get out there. When a good real estate agent meets with you for the first time, they will address how they can best meet your needs – not what supposedly makes them so much more special than any other agent.

Furthermore, consider this: if a real estate agents comes across to you as off-putting, how will the other side perceive them when it comes time to negotiate? If you are a home-buyer in a competitive market like the Denver metro area, sellers will be less likely to accept your offer if your realtor comes across as difficult or obnoxious.

2) They listen (instead of constantly running their mouth.)

This should be really obvious, but apparently, it’s not. I can’t tell you how many times I hear people tell horror stories about realtors who simply didn’t listen throughout the course of their transaction. If an agent doesn’t listen to their clients, how are they going to achieve their objectives? If an agent isn’t listening to a home-seller, they may miss some key information about your property that will help it to sell for top dollar. Or if an agent isn’t listening to a home-buyer, they may waste their time by showing them a lot of homes that they aren’t interested in.

Some of my recent clients fired their previous agent to work with me. Among the many things that their previous agent did wrong, she didn’t listen. My clients explained to their previous agent during the inspection period that if the sellers didn’t fix the problems with the property, they were not interested in moving forward with the transaction. Period. Simple. They clearly expressed this to their agent, yet their agent ignored their wishes and continued to pressure her clients into moving forward with the transaction. What their agent should have done would have been to apply that same pressure to the home-sellers to fix the problems that the buyers desired. This agent clearly forgot who she worked for, and also, she simply didn’t listen. I assure you, these particular clients communicated very clearly and effectively. If she would have listened to her clients and understood that they meant what they said, she would have earned her commission. Instead, I got to pick up some clients who were already familiar with the market and already knew exactly what they wanted. All I had to do was my job, while they lavished praise upon me. They even bought me a sweater.

The good news is that great real estate agents exist!

3) They ask questions.

Not only do they ask questions, they ask good questions. How long do you want to stay in this home? What are your ideal goals for this property? Do you have the resources or the desire for a fixer-upper? Do you plan on staying at your job for a long time and if not, where might your job move? Which is more important – being near your work or being near your play? Will living near a busy street bother you? You’ve mentioned loving dogs – do you plan to get one (or many?) You mentioned wanting top dollar for your home – are you willing to paint the home, since “burnt sienna” has not been in style since 1993?

You may have your mind bogged down with this process, but a good real estate agent is like a detective. They will anticipate and meet your needs for many years to come by asking the right questions.

Many of my clients who are relocating to Denver need guidance on neighborhoods and areas. Most realtors just begin suggesting popular neighborhoods to their clients.  Here’s the thing: every neighborhood in Denver is popular these days and LoHi isn’t for everyone. I simply ask clients what their neighborhoods were like in their previous city and ask them what they did and didn’t like about their old neighborhood. I then use that information to guide my clients in which neighborhoods may work for them in Denver. We then drive around to various areas that could be a good match before we ever view homes.

4) They are here to serve their client, rather than themselves.

Real estate is supposed to be a service industry, but a lot of agents make the mistake of believing that they are in sales because they “sell” homes. Here’s the thing: the homes have to sell themselves, (although we can certainly showcase them in their best light.) Yet a lot of agents working with buyers push their clients to purchase homes that aren’t right for them, so they can close the deal and move on to something else. I understand why they do this – if the buyers don’t purchase this home, it could be several more months before they finally do purchase a home, which takes a lot of time and energy. The agents may simply need money now, so they push their clients to move more quickly than the situation calls for. Or listing agents may not get top dollar for their sellers, because that requires a lot more work. And yes – this stuff does take a lot of work. I have absolutely had days where I spend a lot of time winning a relatively small amount of money for my clients. It’s not necessarily a fun or relaxing way to spend a Tuesday – but if it’s important to their clients, a good real estate agent will make it a priority and do their best to achieve the desired outcome.

Want a Fantastic Agent instead of a Problem Agent?  Give us a call at 303-908-9873.  

Check back next week for more on How to Know if a Real Estate Agent is Any Good.