Cyndi Ridenhour

Real Estate Broker
Real Living, the Real Estate Group
360-521-9887
www.realliving.com/cyndi.ridenhour

How long have you worked in Real Estate?
I began working in the Real Estate industry 14 years ago as a loan officer and am now in my second year as a licensed Real Estate agent with Real Living, the Real Estate Group. Having a background in lending has really helped me share the whole picture for my buyers and sellers. I am able to help them understand more thoroughly the processes of buying and selling. Having been through buying, selling, building and owning rentals myself has also given me an empathetic perspective, as well as experiences I have learned from, that I can share with my clients.

What is your specialty?
I specialize in outstanding service! It might sound simple, but that’s it in a nutshell. I want my clients to know they are top priority. I let everyone know that I work by referral so that they understand I hold myself accountable to creating raving fans or else my business will fizzle. When someone refers me, I want them to feel proud they did. In an age of impersonal automation I want to create trusting relationships. That begins with always answering my phone and returning calls promptly, followed by good communication and listening to my clients. With a background in marketing and a degree in visual arts, I bring fresh ideas to my listings to make them stand out from the crowd. I also feel service means every little detail counts! When I list a home I do a lot of extras, starting with professional photos. I am blessed that my son Cameron is an avid photographer and shoots incredible exterior twilight photos. This is the style where the windows glow and take on a cozy, inviting warmth and the colors pop. He also flies a drone to provide amazing aerial photos and tours of the listings! Photos are everything in a marketplace where buyers are searching online and first impressions count! I’m excited and passionate about creatively and actively marketing the homes I sell.

What is one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home?
My number one tip for buyers is to get prequalified even if you think you can’t buy, because most times people find out they can, in fact, buy and usually it’s much sooner than they thought! My other tip is please just call me and ask any questions you want! I love to talk real estate! I am never too busy, and I am happy to refer you to a lender that will help you get qualified, whether it’s your first home, a rental or you are ready to move up!

What is the most challenging/gratifying aspect of what you do?
By far the most gratifying aspect of what I do is getting to see the kindness, gratitude and generosity of people every day. My clients are understanding that their perfect home will appear just when it’s meant to be; fellow agents are helpful and humorous; and, buyers and sellers are thoughtful in leaving their home with that extra touch or note for the new homeowner. It’s about everyone working together to accomplish a common goal.

What do you see in the future for real estate sales/prices?
Clark County is in for a continued hot Spring and Summer market! With prices rebounding so strongly it is a great time for those who had wanted to list to finally get the price they hoped for. There are more buyers than homes available for sale, with continued low inventory. Homes are seeing multiple offers on a regular basis, with homes priced in the $200’s being the most aggressive. It’s a fantastic time to sell. Buyers are finding great loan programs with interest rates so low that many times they pay less per month buying than they were renting!

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Hobbies, volunteering, family, fun?
When I’m not working I enjoy spending my time with my husband Brad of almost 20 years, and our two sons, Cameron, 16, and Addison, 9. We love the outdoors! We enjoy kayaking, riding our quads, snowmobiling, hiking and playing golf! I also love to read, bake, paint and pretty much do anything creative!

What do you like about living in this area?
What I like most about living here are the connections through people. Everyone I meet seems to be a friend of a friend or somehow related to someone I know. I grew up here so I am blessed to have a lot of family and friends surrounding me and we enjoy spending time with them, and bumping into them around town! Vancouver has grown so much over the years, but it really still feels like a small community! I also love our location being so close to the beach, mountains, lakes and cities like Seattle and Portland!

Anything else you would like our readers to know about you and your company?
Real Living has treated me like part of the family from day one. I benefit so much from their collective knowledge, support and leadership. I love being a part of Real Living! I can’t say enough about how much I respect and appreciate the people there. I love how real estate has given me an opportunity to teach our two sons about business and work hands on with them. Our oldest Cameron with his growing photography business, watching him cultivate his talents, and seeing that his photos don’t just help get the home sold but become a treasured keepsake to the homeowners. Our younger son Addison, is my number one marketing partner always ready to help with open house materials, flyers, client gifts or whatever he can. I love spending every minute I can with my boys!