Business Innovators Radio - Interview with Shelby Crisman, Realtor with Denver Milehimodern

Episode Date: August 21, 2023

Shelby Crisman balances her customer-focused persistence with her bright and engaging personality for a client approach that results in long-lasting relationships. With experience in vacation rentals, co-living spaces, and investment properties — all through her design-minded lens — Shelby’s passion for helping people manifests in building robust real estate portfolios for her clients.Shelby takes pride in creating an elevated experience at every price point. By offering an educational and intuitive approach for her clients, Shelby digs deep to understand her client’s wants, needs, and everything in between. It’s easy to see that Shelby’s process results in high values for her sellers and dream homes for her buyers.This educational approach is what keeps Shelby’s buyers and sellers informed throughout the process. By getting to know her client base on a personal level, Shelby is not only able to better identify sound investment opportunities but she is also remembered as a close friend long after the transaction has closed.Professional ProficienciesFirst-Time Homebuyers + InvestorsShort-Term + Vacation RentalsEducation + Thorough Client CommunicationShelby is a traveler at heart, valuing the moments she can get away and connecting with new experiences, people, and cuisines. Although the adventurer has visited forty countries, Shelby also loves her home state where she can ski and experience live music.Shelby’s Home StaplesHouse PlantsBouclé ChairGreat LinensLearn more:https://www.withshelby.com/Elite Real Estate Leaders Podcasthttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/elite-real-estate-leaders-podcastSource: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-shelby-crisman-realtor-with-denver-milehimodern

Welcome to the Elite Real Estate Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Trailstone Insurance Group, bringing you interviews with the best real estate and mortgage professionals, empowering you to understand the current trends in the housing market so that you make the American dream your reality. Enjoy today's episode. Well, welcome to the Elite Real Estate Leaders podcast. Today we have with a Shelby Christman, who's a realtor with Mile High Modern. Shelby, welcome to the program. Hi, Mike.

Thank you for having me. really excited to be here today. Yes, I'm looking forward to talking to you because it is invariably true each and every time we talk to a new person. It's like different and fresh perspectives on real estate. So I'm excited to learn from you. But before we dive into that, give us a little bit of your background and story and how did you get into real estate? Sure. Thank you, Mike. So I'm originally from Connecticut. I've been out here in Denver, Colorado going on my fifth year. So although not a native, You know, I've traveled the world and landed back here in Denver. So I've just established my real estate career and have had such a great time getting to know all the folks here, people transferring in. There's so much to offer here in Denver and the state of Colorado. You know, with traveling, I would suspect that you are pretty good with meeting new people and developing relationships, right? I mean, that's kind of the first thing that popped into my mind.

So you talk a little bit about the way that you are interacting with your real estate clients. Absolutely. So I originally was in the Airbnb world before I moved here to Denver out of New York City. And for me, it was interfacing with the stranger looking to rent a property, but also the back end of, you know, operating and managing with the client. So the homeowner. And I really just learned to love that aspect. I think part of that has to do with my travels, you know, staying in hotels, staying in

Airbnbs and meeting people along the way and understanding what people want and are looking for and the accommodations that make them either make or break their travel stays. And then I took all of that kind of curated information. And I think it helps me become a better realtor, both on. the sales side and the buyer side of what can my life look like living in this space and having the opportunity to kind of paint a picture of what someone's life would be like based on their needs and wants. So I think the travels both for me and then also kind of facilitating travelers on the Airbnb management side has really opened my eyes to being a better and good realtor.

Yeah, for sure, because you kind of relate, you know. So what were some of your favorite places that you liked to travel? Oh, goodness. I do get this question a lot because I just hit my 45th country this July in Turkey. Turkey did take number two top countries, but my number one will be South Africa. You know, I'm the perfect person to say, hey, I love culture. I love food. I need to be doing all sorts of activities, but then can also appreciate a nice sunset or a tranquil beach.

So having kind of a country that gives you a little bit of all of that is always going to rank high on my list of places to go. Yep, for sure. And then how long, how many years were you in that travel mode? So when I left New York City, I always said that I would come back to Denver, but I did a lot. little travel stunt in between for about two years. I was going from hotel to Airbnb to hotel and being able to kind of see how spaces are curated for a vibe or a culture or functionality really opened my eyes to say, oh gosh, I love design. I love furnishings. I love, you know, color palettes, anything that is a part of creating a space.

really has ultimately come back to help me in real estate and painting a picture for how people should and could live in their spaces too. You know, that's a big piece that I think a lot of times people don't pick up on, which is kind of the color you can bring based on your personal experiences. So do you want to work with someone that just says, here are the stats of the piece of real estate, bedrooms, bathroom, square footage, or let's look past that. What could this be? and how can we make this your own? And I think that being able to draw from your travels is huge.

Now that you put roots back down here in Denver, you're able to identify with people that are kind of coming from the travel temporary space and wanting to put roots down the same way you are, right? Absolutely. I think I can kind of speak to my own experience of moving here and trying to figure out how I can get exactly what I wanted in Denver. my example being, you know, when I got here, location meant everything to me. Coming from New York City even, you know, you can live on one side of the city,

but spend all of your time in this pocket and you're spending hours, minutes, you know, time wasted, getting to the neighborhood that you want to be in. And for me, coming to Denver being such a hot market at the time, things were quickly escalating in price. And so I looked for something that I could add value to. For me, that's something that I translate to my business as well. You might have to buy a two-bed, one bath and create that three-bed, three bath that you've always wanted for yourself rather than being priced out. There are creative ways to add value to homes and get exactly what you're looking for. And that's what I did when I got here.

Well, that makes me think of another question. How would that look? What's a creative way that you can take a two-bed, one bath, and make it feel like a whole different space or a bigger space? Little things to closing a doorway and making that a wall, pulling backslashes out, and brightening it up, paint. There are a lot of cosmetic renovations that you can do that A, won't break the bank. B, it helps you put your personal touch on a space and kind of bring out the character. that you are and build a home that feels comfortable for you. Someone that's more artistic wants wallpaper and dramatic, you know, light fixtures while someone that's a really simple, wants white on white and just a functional space, nothing too over the top. And I think that,

you know, my personality, the type of realtor that I am, I always take my clients out on a preview day, so to speak. What does that mean? I'll say, hey, you know, while you're trying to figure out exactly what you want, I'm also trying to figure out who you are. So walking these spaces with my clients saying, oh, I love this. I don't like that. This picture is really unique. It's speaking to me ultimately allows me to almost start to handpick potential properties for my clients and or if it's someone that really cares about location but can't get in to a home that's fully turned key, I can walk a space and say, hey, you know, this is going to cost you $3,000. Adding AC over here will cost you $6,800. Some of the bigger functional items versus

we can throw wallpaper on this. We can take this ugly yellow color and throw some offway in here to just brighten up the space for you. And I think that that helps me relate to my clients and have them trust me, but also can give them a couple more options, especially when inventory is so limited like it is right now. Yeah, that's a really... Oh, go ahead, do you? I'm glad you said that about design, honestly, because what I immediately thought of,

and if you go through your social media, you can just see the color and your style that you bring just to even your social media. So when people are searching you, I feel like, you know, that is kind of your billboard. And when you said that you like to help your clients see the design, That's amazing, but I feel like you can also kind of cater your design to that person. Once you give them that preview, you know what they're looking for and you can really hone in on what they're going to like rather than showing them 100 properties and they get the real estate fatigue and then they don't want to look anymore. So I think that you really bring an amazing thing there with your design eye and you can really see it through your social media and website stuff.

Thank you. I so appreciate that. I think especially with inventory being tight, as we all know, what, four million short or something along those lines. You know, we have to come up with creative ways to not only buy homes, but, you know, make it fit to our family. Right now people are sitting on that two, three percent that they bought two years ago and they aren't moving. So, you know, we're down 2,300 units from last, this time last year. and there's less to pick from. So it's how to paint a picture for the clients to make what we do have available work for them.

And what value add they can bring themselves, you know, is there room to add an extra powder bath? And that's what's holding them back from this purchase. Is there an opportunity to, you know, in the exterior, make it a livable backyard for their kids or their dogs, you know? And that's just where we are. today in this market. Yeah, you have to be creative. You can't know, you no longer have the financial ability just to find your perfect home because that's probably going to outpriced you in this market, unfortunately. So I think your design, I really gives your clients that extra boost and using you. And that's a huge benefit for them. You know, another thing that I was thinking about

Shelby when you were describing that is I think that when you're working with buyers, people are kind of testing the waters and going, does she know what she's talking about? Or is she going to be someone that's going to help me out? And if you're kind of assessing one agent versus another and one person is just matter of fact and here's the listings and we're down this and take your pick and I'll drive you around, yay, or someone like yourself that gets excited, enthusiastic and passionate, going, okay, here's not quite what you're looking for, but look, what if we did it this way and what if we brought this in? And what if, what if, what if they sense your creativity. And now that gives that energy. And now they're feeling like that connection, that no like and trust factor way more

than just a Debbie Downer who's like, well, there's not much to pick from, but let me know where you want to get in and I'll help you out. So I think that fresh perspective is such a huge boost for you. Thank you. Yeah. I mean, being honest with my clients, uh, definitely translates. Coming off of a multi-offer scenario, you know, my bread and butter was the 16 offer bidding wars, that 5, 6, 7 to 850 range where it was, this is what's going to take. Are you willing to do it rather than kind of sugarcoating it and giving people false hope too? So as much as I can bring the creativity to it, I think that strategy and being real with my clients is what they appreciate about me. You know, I can I can show you homes all the time and tell you, hey, we're going to get priced out. What's the point? Or I can say,

hey, let's shop 50K down. Let's think about the value ad you can bring to it and be a hopeful buyer in that manner. We will see an end to this search if you can work with me here and there. You know, and that brings back to that whole concept of, you know, let's go to a real estate closing and, you know, air quotes on the word closing. But in reality, it's an opening of a relationship. And when you treat people the way that you're describing, they might be still looking for that next thing down the road. But it might be two, three, four years down the road when market conditions change. But guess who they call the person that was really complimentary of their choices, that was creative, that someone that got them in right now and met their basic needs, but gave them the hope that, hey, when things move or I'm going to keep in touch with you or, hey, it's been three months since you moved into your place. I got this idea for you.

All of a sudden now that lays that groundwork, right? Is that what you found over your experience? Absolutely. I definitely have found myself that most of my relationships transcend into a friendship outside of these deals. And whether they're on, I try not to be too pushy, but I'm always optimistic for people. I do have a bit of a hunger drive in me and a shark mentality that the needs and the wants of my client are so important. If there is a will, there is a way, not just to put someone in a home to put them in a home, but to really find them something that's going to work for them, both as an asset, caring about

whether it's location, square footage, you know, every single client has such a different need and want. And the closer you get to them or the more willing you are to listen to their needs and their wants and really go on this journey with them, the not easier, but, you know, the faster we get to the ultimate goal, which is to find a dream home or even a milestone home, just a first home, a trading up home, a, you know, I want to eventually rent this out later, three year home. So for me, that connection really allows me to understand who they are, what they need, what their intentions are, and how this will ultimately play out for them and with them,

whether it's a milestone or a dream for them. It sounds like you are the epitome of honesty and integrity. Truly, I think that shines through just in your voice and your personality and all of your social media totally. But I think you really get a certain piece, which is the golden rule is treat others how you want to be treated. But the platinum rule I think is so much more important. It's treat others how they want to be treated. So I feel like you've already just shown that you treat your clients how you would appreciate being treated. You want that honesty, even if it's going to maybe hurt. their feelings and they don't get the house that they were really hoping for because maybe you did

have to go 50K down or whatever it is, just having those honest conversations that you would have with a sister or a brother and treating them that way, I think is so great. And I think you definitely show that you do that. There is some strategy behind it all. I would be lying if I said there. It's catering to the 300,000's catering to the $1.1 million. or client, I think it's being open-minded and understanding all the different markets that allow me to get real with people and be like, this is where we're at. This is where you want to be. This is what it's going to take. And I'm along for this ride. It's your journey at the end of the day. I'm going to support you every step of the way, the best that I can. And, you know, the end goal is to

get you a house, sell your house, sell your house, and have a continued relationship from there. I do have a very organic business, and I think that that's really special to me. I did move here kind of right time, right place. A lot of my friends were first-time homebuyers, and I've had the opportunity to trade up with them, turn those into investment properties, and move forward with trading it up to something larger since they're having children. And that's translated into a lot of referrals, friends of theirs, coworkers of theirs. and I'm so, so appreciative for that because it is so personal to me.

I get to continue the journey with them, the baby showers, the weddings, the things like that that ultimately create a special bond between two people and families, you know. Totally. I love that. Well, Shelby, you've painted the picture of creativity and enthusiasm and passion and caring for the industry for your clients. I think that is so amazing. If someone is interested in learning more about you and how you operate and connecting with you,

what's the best way that they can do that? Thank you, Mike. I'd love to connect with more people. So my personal cell is 860-30-305-4-2-4-2. I am always available on text. I am never not working. Even if I am traveling or across the world, there's always someone there to be full service to my clients. and you can follow me on social media at S-H-E-L-B-C-R-I-S.

I am in the process of merging that in my business account, which is with Shelby, but I would love to connect with you and continue on these journeys together. Excellent. Well, Shelby, thank you so much for coming on today. It's been a real pleasure talking with you. Thank you, Mike. Thank you for listening to the Elite Real Estate Leaders podcast, brought to you by Trailstone Insurance Group. To learn more about the topics mentioned on today's show or listen to past episodes, visit www.org.com.com.