Karen is a Grand Junction, Colorado Real Estate Agent who is licensed in the State of Colorado and works out of the Blue Spruce Realty in Grand Junction, CO. Currently Karen has not left a welcome message or submitted a photo, so please feel free to leave a review of Karen or email Karen Maloney Solheim to ask them to sign up and update their profile.
What year did you become a real estate agent?
1988
How many years have you been in Real Estate?
21 years in Grand Junction
What is the average home price in your market?
$189,000- $400,000
Are there any new developments or trends in your area?
As of April 2009 our local real estate market appears to be more active with an increasing number of contracts and sales. There are many homes available for sale, but I look towards and better market as the spring & summer seasons
progress. Loans right now are somewhat difficult to obtain, even with excellent credit history.
Why do you enjoy being a real estate agent?
I enjoy meeting new customers and working with many repeat customers. I feel satisfied when I have assisted my customers with the sale of their home,or in the purchase a new property leaving. It is very rewarding to see a happy and satisfied customer when they have experienced a successful completion of their real estate transaction.
What is the most challenging issue you face as a Real Estate Professional?
The present economy. Real Estate in most US areas is not stabilized. As a result Buyers seem to be waiting for the bottom of the market, not buying today, anticipating lower prices, tomorrow. I feel we may be close to the bottom, but that will not be known until we are at least 6 months out of the low. Also, banks are holding on tight to their money. Buyers must have their finances & credit in perfect order if they are expecting a loan. Banks are also fearful of a continued drop in real estate prices.
Tell us one of your client success stories or an interesting moment in your profession.
My first closing. Vacant land. A neighbor to the land called me. "I want to buy the land next door. Please write up the offer and I will be at your office to sign." Signed,sealed, delivered and closed. Just like that!
What is your best characteristic?
I enjoy helping people obtain their goals.
I was previously a public school teacher, so I try to educate my customers along the way, I think that usually I am patient and that I listen to my customers and follow their directives..eg.show properties in their price range, do the best I can to find the properties they think they want etc.
Who or what inspires you the most?
To see people who have saved, whom have worked hard for little,use their savings to make huge strides in home ownership over the past 20 years,as they watched their home's equity rise
from 2%-10% yearly for almost 20 years. This home investment in 1990 of approximately$30,000, resulted in a rise of value of 300% or more, by 2007.
That is the beauty of home ownership
versus renting. The only requirement is an economy that is rising...which I hope we begin to experience again ,soon.
What is the best advice you ever received?
May all people be happy
May all people be peaceful
May all people be free
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I can't say. I love Grand Junction but there are many other beautiful places in the world.