Janet Allen

Real Estate Broker
Re/Max Riverside
(360) 606-9544
www.RealtyRiverside.com
On YouTube

How long have you worked in Real Estate?
I recently obtained my license again at the end of 2015 and started working in the spring of 2016. I originally got my license in California at age 18 and worked in property management. I also worked in property management in the Vancouver/Portland from 2014-2016. The skyrocketing rents and my wholehearted belief in home ownership were the catalyst for getting my license again.

What is your specialty?
I very much enjoy working with buyers and especially with people who are relocating and are new in town. I like to take all the time that’s needed to really listen to buyer’s needs and desires so we can find just the right place.

What is one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home?
Be ready if you are a buyer! Get pre-approved with a lender so when you make an offer it will be taken very seriously. There is competition with buyers in our current market. For sellers, clean and declutter, inside and out! That includes making sure everything smells good. No need to remodel since the buyer might have different taste than you.

What is the most unique property you’ve listed or sold?
I helped a family get into a 1930 home. It’s very interesting how they built houses back then. Kitchens, bathrooms, and closets were smaller and yards were bigger. Since it was a fantastic price, they were able to update it, add on, and make it their own.

What is the most unusual thing you’ve encountered while working in real estate?
I had a buyer who was interested in land that he could grow nut trees and put young people to work harvesting them. It was a charitable endeavor.

What is the most challenging/gratifying aspect of what you do?
It’s very gratifying to get people into a place after their rent has skyrocketed or they have been looking for a long time. I love getting to know and becoming friends with my clients and our journey is an adventure!

What do you see in the future for real estate sales/prices?
I think prices will continue to go up and sellers will receive top dollar at least until more homes are built, which could take a while. We have some catching up to do after the downturn in the economy when very little was built. I learned from my mentor at age 18 that real estate usually goes in 7 year cycles and with 5 years up and 2 years down. With our recent recession, that cycle changed in the last few years.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Hobbies, volunteering, family, fun?
I once owned Epicurean lunch delivery service and delivered to all of my client’s offices in downtown Vancouver. I am still very much the foodie and I really love going out to eat and then copying the dish at home! I volunteered at Vancouver Schools for 6 years and loved working with children and teachers. Taking nature walks, especially with my daughters, in our beautiful area is something we’ve always enjoyed. It’s a terrific way to de-stress.

What do you like about living in this area?
I like the peace and quiet of Vancouver along with the great schools. Those are the reasons I moved here from Portland in 1994. The area has grown tremendously since then and it’s a great sight to see how up and coming it is. I am especially looking forward to The Waterfront mixed use development that is going to start with a park and walkway in 2018. It’s not a far away as it sounds!

Anything else you would like our readers to know about you and your company?
I’m proud to work at Re/Max Riverside! It’s such a nice office with nice people and it’s located right along the Columbia River Waterfront across the street from McMenamin’s and Beaches. The proximity to the water is wonderful.