Julie Baldino

CEO / Managing Broker
Front Door Realty
360-989-3390
www.FrontDoorNW.com

How long have you worked in Real Estate?
13 Years and counting. I love this business… Every day I learn something new!

What is your specialty?
I personally list a lot of bank owned and HUD homes, but built a team of 3 listing agents and 4 buyer agents so we can assist everyone.

What is one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home?
Be realistic and believe the data your agent is providing you. At Front Door Realty, it is our goal to make sure home buyers and sellers are educated with up to date information so their transaction commences as seamlessly as possible. I feel so strongly about education, that I co-authored two books (one on buying and one on selling), teach buyer classes, and teach classes for agents once a month at our office.

What is the most unusual thing you’ve encountered while working in real estate?
Since I sell a lot of bank owned homes, we encounter some strange things. From abandoned llamas in a house, to homes being used as a survivalist shelter… I have seen it all!

What is the most challenging/gratifying aspect of what you do?
There are so many things about this business that are gratifying… most of them are also a challenge. It’s so rewarding to close on a home with people who thought they could never buy due to foreclosure or bad credit. I love working with sellers that have been through one or more agents with no success, reinventing their marketing plan, and finally getting their house sold so they can move on to the next chapter in life. However, I have to say the most gratifying at this point in my career, is sitting at our weekly office meeting and beaming with pride at the team of agents and support staff we have… the people I work with are the best of the best!

What do you see in the future for real estate sales/prices?
A slow and steady rise in prices, as well as increased buyer activity. I think we are going to see another small wave of foreclosures in the next year or two, but don’t think it will slow the fast pace of the market. Boomerang buyers are re-entering the home buying market in droves now that their foreclosures/short sales are a few years behind them and credit has improved. Millennials are recognizing the importance of homeownership, and people from all over are moving into the area. These factors coupled with potential sellers no longer being underwater, should make for a strong real estate market in the next few years.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Hobbies, volunteering, family, fun?
I love spending time with my husband, our two daughters, and our 4 pets. We enjoy going to the beach, concerts and plays, and taking trips in our RV. I have a passion for helping animals, and love volunteering with the Clark County Association of Realtors to help further elevate the standards of professionalism in our industry.

What do you like about living in this area?
In late summer and fall, the Pacific Northwest is the most beautiful place on earth. We are so blessed to be within driving distance of the mountains, the ocean, the Columbia Gorge, the forest, major metropolitan areas, etc. We have both the great outdoors, as well as city living at our doorstep.

Anything else you would like our readers to know about you and your company?
Everyone in our office operates on a strong set of core values with a clear mission statement… to help people, and to help our community. It’s not just a business for us – it’s about the impact we make on others’ lives.