Rochelle Barber

Residential Real Estate Broker
Windermere Stellar
503-419-7355
rochellemovesnw.com

How long have you worked in Real Estate?
Looking forward to my second year. I entered into real estate with a background in banking, as a small business owner, and retail management.

What is your specialty?
Helping. I believe in providing the very best experience for my clients. I don’t want them to see me as just a real estate broker. I want my clients to see me as a resource.

What is one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home?
Work with a Realtor® and a Loan Officer you like and trust. They will provide you invaluable experience and help you avoid common pitfalls in a real estate transaction. An extra tip for sellers: Remember you’re not just selling a home; you’re selling a lifestyle.

What is the most unique property you’ve listed or sold?
All homes have their own personality. It’s the little things that give it character. A special built in feature, the way the natural light warms a room, the flow of the space. They are as unique as the people who call them home. So to pick just one would not be fair.

What is the most challenging/gratifying aspect of what you do?
This is an emotional roller coaster of an experience. It is a huge commitment of life energy to own a home. Sometimes it’s hard to get them to step back and look at the big picture of the process. This profession is more about lifestyles than homes. Basically you are trying to find the space to fit the lifestyle and when you do it’s transformative. I love watching the eyes light up as they see themselves living in the space. I believe any agent will tell you that handing the keys over is so gratifying. All the hard work has funneled down to this moment and when you see their dream come to fruition when you place their dream in the palm of their hand, this is a beautiful thing.

What do you see in the future for real estate sales/prices?
Top Real Estate Analysts agree that the lack of inventory that hampered the market in 2016 will continue into 2017 as market factors indicate it will be a hindrance to home ownership until 2018. If projections ring true we will start to see a buyers’ market in 2018. Real Estate Analysts are also predicting a 6 percent appreciation for 2017, this will decline as we move into a buyers’ market 2018. Concerns over the projections of rising interest rates may not come to pass, especially if some deregulation is implemented. This could be favorable for Real Estate. If banks are given more freedom to lend more, this could energize the housing market as more buyers may qualify for homes.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Hobbies, volunteering, family, fun?
I love to have dining experiences at our local restaurants. I love walking with my dog & enjoying the outdoors with my family. I love art and music. I’m always inspired by either Pinterest or things I see out and about, which leads me into yet another art or crafting project or mess as it’s affectionately known. Being born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I can never get enough of boating.

What do you like about living in this area?
Every place in America has its special signature that is displayed within its communities. I was born and raised in the NW. I love the fact that we really have it all, the beauty of the seasons, the Pacific Ocean, the majesty of the mountains and everything in between. We are an eclectic group in a small city with a swanky urban city vibe. We are alive with the creativity and beauty that is all around us.

Anything else you would like our readers to know about you and your company?
Since this is the holiday season I would like to talk about the Windermere Foundation. Windermere understands the importance of giving back to our community. I didn’t just want to work for a real estate company. I wanted to be a part of a culture. This is an integral part of how we do business and why we donate a portion of our commission from every transaction to benefit the communities where we live. Since 1989 the Windermere Foundation has collected and contributed over $30 million to help children, homeless, and families in need. Every year our offices close for the Windermere Community Service Day, where we dedicate a day of work to help those in need. This is only one of the many reasons why I chose Windermere.