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When should I change real estate agents?

Joan Harned Ask a Realtor

Dear Joan,

My wife and I have decided we want our second home in Beaver Creek and we are willing to pay up to $5 million if we have to, just so we can get a nice, updated (contemporary style) home with killer views and hopefully ski-in and ski-out. We want four or five bedrooms and we want it turn key so we can come enjoy it soon, instead of acquiring a bunch more projects in our life.

We thought we had a great agent, but so far she has not shown us anything that we want. Should we change agents, or continue our search ourselves on the internet? We’re open to suggestions.



Dear Searching,

No agent is good enough to show you something that does not exist. You did not say what age group you are in, but I am guessing you are from the generation that wants exactly what you want, exactly how you want it and you want it immediately. Unfortunately, our market is not big enough to be able to supply exactly what you are asking for.

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Actually, we are in an interesting era in our resort communities, with very little new product and radically changing tastes. We have more and more buyers who are not looking for the mountain elegance that has been so popular for so many years in our ski resorts. They are now looking for the sleeker, more modern look, that only exists in new product or remodels.

My suggestion is for you to go back to the basics and look first for the best location you can afford. Then look for the best floor plan you can find in that location — we call it “good bones.”

Your real estate agent may have to show you some of the same properties you have looked at before, but this time try to look with different criteria. Then forget about what it looks like now and find out what it could look like with a major face-lift. Then have your competent agent find you the right person to help you get a bid and organize the remodel.

If you can buy the property for the right price, then you can end up with a fabulous property that is exactly what you want — but not instantly. Remember, the really good things in life are well worth the wait.

Joan Harned is an owner and broker for Keller Williams Mountain Properties and heads up Team Black Bear, her own real estate team. Harned has been selling real estate in Eagle County for 27 years, is a past chairman of the Vail Board of Real estate agents, past Real estate agent of the Year, past director on the Great Outdoors Colorado Board and a member of the Luxury and Land Institutes. Contact Harned with your real estate questions at Joan@TeamBlackBear.com, 970-337-7777 or http://www.SkiAndTeeHomes.com.


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