News
Business name: Real Estate West
Date opened: April 2007
Owner: Tina Harbin
Contact info: 1001 N. Fifth St., Grand Junction, CO 81501; www.realestatewestonline.com; 243-7100
What goods or services do you provide? All facets of real estate service; sales, consulting, marketing, trades, commercial, rentals, short sales. foreclosures and HUD properties.
What's new or exciting about your place? We have 28-plus experienced, licensed real estate agents, who are encouraged to do business as independent contractors. At Real Estate West we impose no individual sales goals, in fact, we've all “been there and done that,” and so we stress service rather than recognition. We have an overall monthly company goal, but we do not believe in the TOP THIS and TOP THAT awards! That's one of the reasons that makes Real Estate West so unique.
What strategy do you use to differentiate your business from your competition? We are a non-franchised company which believes in developing our business model based on local market trends rather that what a franchise center might dictate from out of our area. Being independent means that every dime made at Real Estate West is spent 100 percent in Mesa County. Our agents have the capacity to keep more of their real estate commission, and each one of them share in keeping the company running.
What philosophy do you follow in dealing with your customers? What can your customers expect from you? We believe that if a client understands the process in the beginning, there is less likelihood of the “shock” factor down the road. Our agents disclose everything they know about the what if's and why not's that may be involved in selling or buying their home. Knowledge is power and we believe that our clients hire us to get the best possible service which includes being a partner with us in the purchase or sale of their property.
Tell us a little about your background, education, experience: Personally, I was involved in college with our college newspaper where I did writing, marketing and advertising. I was licensed in Georgia in the mid-'70s before I moved to Colorado, where I worked for two large newspapers and drew upon my marketing/advertising background. In the mid-'90s I got my Colorado real estate license, and having my own business was something that just evolved over the years. I kept having this recurring thought that if a good company could do things well, I had ideas about doing things better! My entrepreneurial spirit took off and the company has grown from 1 to 29.
What is the most humorous thing that has happened at your business since it opened, or since you owned it? We have so many comedians in our office — there's really not one thing that I can come up with.
Do you have a favorite charity or charitable event you support or sponsor? We support the Homeless Shelter, Roice-Hurst Humane Society, American Cancer Society and others.
What events, sales or specials do you have planned or going on right now? On April 1st of this year, we will be celebrating our third year in business!
Date opened: April 2007
Owner: Tina Harbin
Contact info: 1001 N. Fifth St., Grand Junction, CO 81501; www.realestatewestonline.com; 243-7100
What goods or services do you provide? All facets of real estate service; sales, consulting, marketing, trades, commercial, rentals, short sales. foreclosures and HUD properties.
What's new or exciting about your place? We have 28-plus experienced, licensed real estate agents, who are encouraged to do business as independent contractors. At Real Estate West we impose no individual sales goals, in fact, we've all “been there and done that,” and so we stress service rather than recognition. We have an overall monthly company goal, but we do not believe in the TOP THIS and TOP THAT awards! That's one of the reasons that makes Real Estate West so unique.
What strategy do you use to differentiate your business from your competition? We are a non-franchised company which believes in developing our business model based on local market trends rather that what a franchise center might dictate from out of our area. Being independent means that every dime made at Real Estate West is spent 100 percent in Mesa County. Our agents have the capacity to keep more of their real estate commission, and each one of them share in keeping the company running.
What philosophy do you follow in dealing with your customers? What can your customers expect from you? We believe that if a client understands the process in the beginning, there is less likelihood of the “shock” factor down the road. Our agents disclose everything they know about the what if's and why not's that may be involved in selling or buying their home. Knowledge is power and we believe that our clients hire us to get the best possible service which includes being a partner with us in the purchase or sale of their property.
Tell us a little about your background, education, experience: Personally, I was involved in college with our college newspaper where I did writing, marketing and advertising. I was licensed in Georgia in the mid-'70s before I moved to Colorado, where I worked for two large newspapers and drew upon my marketing/advertising background. In the mid-'90s I got my Colorado real estate license, and having my own business was something that just evolved over the years. I kept having this recurring thought that if a good company could do things well, I had ideas about doing things better! My entrepreneurial spirit took off and the company has grown from 1 to 29.
What is the most humorous thing that has happened at your business since it opened, or since you owned it? We have so many comedians in our office — there's really not one thing that I can come up with.
Do you have a favorite charity or charitable event you support or sponsor? We support the Homeless Shelter, Roice-Hurst Humane Society, American Cancer Society and others.
What events, sales or specials do you have planned or going on right now? On April 1st of this year, we will be celebrating our third year in business!
