Brian Pelky

Brian Pelky, CCIM, GRI
Real Estate Investment Broker
Windermere Stellar
(360) 771-4967
www.brianpelky.withwre.com

How long have you worked in Real Estate?
I have been in the business for 19 years. I am a 2[nd] generation REALTOR®, and I had a great mentor! My mother, Lynn Pelky, was a top producer in Clark County and Multnomah County or 30+ years before she retired in 2010. I thank her for bringing me into the family business in 1996. I started doing commercial real estate sales in 2003, and in 2008 I earned my CCIM designation (Certified Commercial Investment Member).

What is your specialty?
Residential sales and commercial investments with an emphasis in multi-family and land acquisition.

What is one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home?
Buy early this year before the Fed raises the 10 Year Treasury – thus raising interest rates and eroding some of your buying power. For sellers, it’s a good time to sell as inventory is low, prices are up and there are buyers out there.

What is the most unique property you’ve listed or sold?
My most unique transaction has more to do with the buyer than the property – I sold the Parker House restaurant in 2004 to horse jockey Victor Espinoza who just won the Triple Crown! The property had been closed for years, and was very dilapidated when he bought it. He has since sold the property.

What is the most unusual thing you’ve encountered while working in real estate?
How fast people were buying real estate in 2005 without any regard to whether they could afford the property. As a sales manager for Riverside Homes at that time, I can remember selling five to be built homes in one day upon their release for sale. Anybody could buy a home, and everybody was. Today, stricter loan requirements and appraisals are helping to keep that in check.

What is the most challenging/gratifying aspect of what you do?
It’s gratifying to be able to help people buy or sell their investment, and to be part of the solution to their real estate needs. I have made many friends for life doing what I do, and the relationships I’ve formed have been extremely rewarding.

What do you see in the future for real estate sales/prices?
As for the future of real estate sales/prices: Prices will continue to go up as long as inventory stays low. Sales activity will moderate when interest rates start heading up, which should happen toward the end of this year as the Federal Reserve raises the 10-year treasury. That will cut into the buying power of first time homebuyers a bit. However, interest rates will still be at historic lows by end of year.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Hobbies, volunteering, family, fun?
When I’m not on the job, I very much enjoy music and playing the guitar in the local bands JETSET, Flexor T and The Stellar Fellars. I volunteer on various local boards and committees. Recently, I joined the board of directors for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. As the Steering Committee co-chair for Meals On Wheels People at the Firstenburg Community Center, I am also passionate about senior care. I just recently went through the Leadership Clark County class of 2015. Our community project was creating a sustainable program for the Vancouver Parks Foundation to involve high school students in cleaning up and maintaining the Jane Weber Evergreen Arboretum on Evergreen Hwy.

What do you like about living in this area?
What I like about living in this area is how close we are to everything! You can drive 2 hours and be at the Pacific Coast, or drive the other direction and be skiing on Mt. Hood. The scenery of the Columbia River Gorge rivals any other location in the world. Our climate here allows for many opportunities for recreation – snow skiing, water skiing, fishing, world-class windsurfing, hiking and trips to the beach – you’ve got to love the Pacific Northwest! I’m very excited about the waterfront development project that is now underway near the Port of Vancouver that will add more housing, shops, restaurants, another hotel and a new park. Downtown Vancouver has really come to life in the last few years, and the revitalization of the west side, in general, is exciting.

Anything else you would like our readers to know about you and your company?
I am proud to be serving on the Executive Committee this year for the Clark County Association of Realtors. In addition, serving on the CCAR Government Affairs and RPAC committees allows me to be on the forefront of the current issues for homeowners and their property rights. I have been with Windermere Stellar since day one, and our company is all about giving back to the community. We do coat drives, food drives and we have the Windermere Foundation. Our office has chosen the Children’s Justice Center as our fundraising recipient through the Windermere Foundation. Last year we raised nearly $117,000 at our annual gala auction for CJC at Royal Oaks Country Club, and we are hoping to break that record this October at our “Evening At The Vintage Circus” gala.