Tracie DeMars

Real Estate Broker
ReMax Equity Group
360-903-3504
www.traciedemars.com
www.learningtobuyahome.com

How long have you worked in Real Estate?
I’ve been blessed to have been a full time licensed Realtor® for over 11 years now, and I worked with an excellent builder for 2 years before that.

What is your specialty?
I work a lot with first time home buyers, and then again when they sell their homes. Real estate isn’t just about homes, but about the relationships you build with people. I’m a people person, so my specialty is really people, whether they are buying or selling.

What is one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home?
Education! Take a home buyer education class if you are thinking about buying a home. If it is your first, or even your fourth. Whether you are buying or selling a home, I don’t think you can have enough education on the paperwork involved, process, steps, loan programs, questions to ask a Realtor, lender, or inspector.

What is the most unique property you’ve listed or sold?
The absolute coolest property was a 100 year old home in Hazel Dell on 1.25 acres. There was so much history there….like a monkey tree who had been brought here as a seedling from settlers (owner said story was Lewis and Clark), a separate housing behind the `big house’ that may have been the original kitchen, and so much more.

What is the most unusual thing you’ve encountered while working in real estate?
I’ve seen 50’s-era bomb shelters turned into wine storage, and I’ve walked into homes with mannequins EVERYWHERE, Purple shag carpets long enough to French braid, stunning views that take your breath away, picturesque pastoral homes, cabins in the forest, secret rooms in houses, and once I showed a home that had been a castle of sorts.

What is the most challenging/gratifying aspect of what you do?
Every market has its own challenges. As many agents will tell you; right now our biggest challenge is low inventory, and high buyer demand. Especially in that $250,00-ish and under category. Right now we have the Baby Boomers retiring or downsizing. They are looking for 2 or 3 bedroom, 1 1/2- 2 bath ranch homes. On the other side we have the Millennials, and they have actually surpassed the Baby Boomers in size, and are now coming into their own and going for the same type of home. We don’t have enough of them out there.

What do you see in the future for real estate sales/prices?
I think we will start seeing changes starting next fall with prices and interest rates, but won’t really see how that affects things until coming into 2018. Real estate runs on a (roughly) 10 year cycle and we’re about at the top again.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Hobbies, volunteering, family, fun?
I have a very supportive and understanding husband who I’m crazy about, and we are celebrating 24 years together this month. We have been blessed with 3 children. 23, 20, and 6 (1/2). We have 2 big goofy dogs, and 3 cats who are pretty certain that I am here to serve them. Our home is always a zoo with people coming and going, and the animals. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What do you like about living in this area?
We are so lucky here. We are just a short drive to the mountains, to the Pacific, to major cities, to rain forests, and high deserts. We have a moderate climate, and a friendly population. It’s an area where there is something to do 365 days of the year.

Anything else you would like our readers to know about you and your company?
ReMax Equity Group is a great company to work for. I’d like to give a shout out the Clark County Association of Realtors®. Their goal is to protect homeownership, ethics, and professionalism within the real estate industry. Realtors have a Code of Ethics, and Standards of Practice by which we must abide. We are continually taking education to increase our knowledge to share with the public, and work together for the common good.