Gary Hubbell

Make sure you have your financing lined up first. It's disappointing for everyone involved when a deal falls out of contract because you encountered a surprise in trying to get a loan. My real estate career, however, is centered around larger properties that require more knowledge than a typical house in a suburb. When buying larger properties, your broker should have strong knowledge of ranch production, water rights, grazing rights, climate zones, mineral rights, soils, construction techniques, easements, fencing--the list goes on!

Get your property looking good! Unclutter the home. You've already made the decision to move, so start boxing up personal things and getting them out of the way. Let the buyer see an uncomplicated picture. Overpricing is always hazardous. Study the market data and price it to sell it, and then defend that price in negotiations.

I've worked with a wide range of clients, ranging from first-time home buyers to very experienced investors. However, most of my buyers are mid-40's to early 60's, very qualified buyers who are looking to relocate to a dream property in the mountains. I find that most of my clients are pretty sharp people, because they have done the research to know that my skills and expertise are beyond that of the average real estate agent.

I just put a multi-million-dollar luxury ranch in southern Utah under contract. It took a solid week of negotiations between several parties. It's a fine balance between acknowledging the interests of each party and moving the deal forward. Ultimately all parties were satisfied and ready to move forward.

In 2007, we sold our outfitting business and moved out of the high mountains to bring our boys to school. Hotchkiss High School was great for them. I needed a new career and then I realized that all my experience of managing ranches, understanding water rights, hunting lands, and working in the recreation, skiing, and hospitality industries made for a great real estate background. I love what I do and I look forward to helping people.

I have attained the coveted Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation awarded by the Realtors Land Institute. That's a special designation for ranch and land brokers, certifying a high level of expertise in the sale of larger properties, ranches, and large tracts of land. I've taken courses in 1031 Exchanges, mineral rights, water law, timber and forestry, orchard and vineyard production, mapping, land investment analysis, marijuana law, and estate planning. There are 40,000 or so real estate agents and brokers in Colorado, and only 30 ALC's. I'm also a Graduate Personal Property Appraiser and a graduate of the Texas Auction Academy. In addition to real estate, I've sold classic cars, antiques & collectibles, heavy equipment, farm equipment, furnishings, and even the former World Record American Elk antlers ($121,000!)