Ben J Kolkman - Minneapolis, MN Real Estate Agent - Minneapolis REALTOR

What year did you become a real estate agent?
2004

How many years have you been in Real Estate?
I started working full time as a Realtor in 2004. I started investing in re-hab and rental properti

What is the average home price in your market?
$220,000

Are there any new developments or trends in your area?
New condo units are being built all over the Twin Cities. Many are converted older buildings, as well as brand new buildings. The remodeling trend has really shaped many of the market I serve as well. Most of the older homes in the Twin Cities have seen some level of remodeling. As the "Buyer's Market" emerges many of the sellers I'm working with are willing to negotiate with buyer, and offer incentives, to encourage a faster sale. Lastly, as the number of motivated sellers rises, many buyers are finding really good deals out there. This has attracted many buyers into market, looking for new homes, as well as investment purchases.

Why do you enjoy being a real estate agent?
Community, People, and Homes - My passion for people and the communities we live in drive my career. I feel like an ambassador for the community, as well as a personal advisor to the people I serve. I also really enjoy construction and remodeling, which of course helps me guide my clients.

What is the most challenging issue you face as a Real Estate Professional?
I find educating the media on the Real Estate Market to be a significant challenge. There is a ton of public interest in real estate which fuels the media’s desire to cover the story. Unfortunately, with media timelines as short as they are, the story often gets sensationalized. I’ve provided a number of interviews to local media outlets. I also host a series of town hall meetings through my neighborhood association to discuss local housing issues, as well as teaching in workshops, and working as a speaker.

Tell us one of your client success stories or an interesting moment in your profession.
Recently I had a client selling their home, and as often happens, a friend of theirs had heard about it through the grapevine. Their friend loved it and said they wanted to buy it. Sounds great, but, we hadn’t listed the home for sale yet. My clients informed me of the situation, and we promptly listed the home for sale. At that time we also provided the necessary disclosures, and inspection reports, required in the area, to the buyer. Who protested saying they wanted “everything” in the reports to be “fixed”. This is an 80 year old home, and the list of items in need of some repair was long. My sellers were concerned. I asked the buyer to write us a formal purchase agreement, which they eventually did. But in the mean time, I a second buyer came to us and also wrote an offer. Now my sellers were looking at two interested buyers, and were getting excited. We told both of the buyers that we would make a decision the next day. One of the buyers improved there offer that evening and in the morning, we accepted the better offer, selling for more than we had expected! My clients told me the advice I gave them along the way helped them through the “sticky” stuff and kept them from making any mistakes. I was a great feeling!

What is your best characteristic?
Loyalty

Who or what inspires you the most?
My wife

What is the best advice you ever received?
#1 - Remember that there is always someone, bigger, faster, or better then you! #2 - Sometimes it is better to be lucky that good.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Along the east side of Lake Harriet, right here in Minneapolis, MN.