Helping people Connect the Dots in the Cosmic Cow Pie of life is a good description of what I do. I consult for small business and real estate. I am also a writer & speaker out of Williams, AZ.
What does Carra Riley do?
Jeri Evans, RE/MAX Agent
Don and Lois Aaro, Hawaii Owners
Karen Connell, Past Customer
Tracy Stice, President of Hawaii Association of Realtors®
Clare Leonard and Cindy Hannah
Marcia Fine, author of "Stressed in Scottsdale"
Pat Childers
Faith Barnard
Karen McDonald, Keller Williams Realty
Dear Reader,
You have found it!
A place where you can connect to someone who as been there and done what you are going through right now! With 30 years of Real Estate experience, I offer a different sort of Real Estate guidance to help you navigate through the Cosmic Cow Pies of the current Real Estate markets. New technology allows me to help people in every state make decisions on who they want to work with to buy or sell Real Estate and what might be a possible plan to follow with specific Real Estate goals.
I am confident I can help with any Real Estate transaction or direct you in to a place you can receive the help you need for whatever issue you are facing. I am a problem solver and love helping make a difference in the world one person at a time. I can Read, Think and Reason. I always respond to communication as quickly as I possible and I follow through and do what I say I am going to do. I have worked at a grass roots level with Banks, Mortgage Companies, Title companies, Builders, Developers and even the US Marshalls office. I have lobbied to get laws changed to help sellers, taught for the Colorado Associaiton of Realtors, have been a convention speaker for both Colorado and New Mexico.
The Realtor Pledge talks about Golden Rule behavior in the first sentence and the pre-ambIe to the Realtor code of ethics also embraces Golden Rule behavior in our standards of practice. I sincerely value this moral practice of "treating others the way I would want to be treated" and will bring that principle to your transaction. I will help make sense of the Real Estate "Cosmic Cow Pie" and have fun doing it.
I bring my experience to the table to make the transaction smooth and easy for both the agent and the principle. Whether you are a first time home buyer, seasoned investor with 1031 needs, a homeowner behind on your payments or looking to invest for the first time, I can can assist you in selecting a Real Estate agent who will fit with your personal style.
I filter through hundreds of choices and create an "A "list of three agents. We communicate via, e-mail, social media, skype or webcam and phone. It does not matter what State you are in we will all be looking at the same digital information and will be able to commnicate with 21st century technology. I set up individual conference calls with all three agents.
You will be provided quesitons to ask each agent which we will go over with expectations for responses. I will be right there with you on the phone and will participate when needed. After the interviews have been completed YOU, the principle, will make the decision of who you liked the best and who you feel you could work with... then the proces begins to either buy or sell a property. Every transaciton has the same basic steps and after 30 years and thousands of transactions I can help you through the deal, including your specific, unique requirements and make it pleasant.
As a consultant I am an advocate for what works best for you. My position is as a peacmaker to help you get to the finish line and have fun doing it. I would like for you to hire me to help you navigate the Cosmic Cow Pie of the current Real Estate market.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Please read and verify my testimonials, check out my website and links and see what you think.
Mission Statement: To help people, one at a time, with heartfelt joy and humor.
Vision Statements: My vision is to help mankind by sharing my experiences and possibly save or relieve individuals from unnecessary "pits" in the stomach. I will attempt to help stimulate behavior that makes the world a better place by understanding people are different and by walking in their shoes, expressing respect and love for who they are without being judgmental. The vision is for peace and balance within ourselves and then the world. It all starts one neighbor at a time.
Resume
Carra Lee Riley Born: July 4, 1953
Current Real Estate Consultant, Writer, Speaker
Real Estate Sales with Second Homes Arizona LLC Golden Rule City web site concept developer 2008 Real Estate Entrepreneur & Sales: Lake Havasu City, Arizona 2002 to 2008 Owner/Broker Associate Prestige Real Estate Group LLC 1999 to 2003 Broker/Owner Colorado Real Estate Connections Inc. 1993 to 1999 Broker/Owner Maui Tropical Connections Inc. 1989 to 1993 Broker/Owner Metro Brokers Riley and Company 1984 to 1989 Premier Real Estate 1982 to 1984 Moore & Company 1979 to 1982 Senior Instructor Colorado Association of Realtors Real Estate Convention Speaker: Colorado starting in 1980 and New Mexico Life Time Achievement Award recipient: North Metro Denver Realtor Association 2000 Rookie of the Year: Both, North Suburban Board of Realtors and Moore & Co. Past Owner of Tahoe's Incredible Machine and Colorado's Incredible Machine Buyers Macy's Kansas City & Adler's 1974 to 1976 Graduate: Colorado State University CSU 1974 Graduate: New York - French Fashion Academy 1971 Advisory Board: Colorado Department of Education for McKinney funds. City of Westminster: Legacy Foundation member Graduate: Broomfield High School 1970 4-H Grand Champion winner: Home furnishings and child care. Make It With Wool State Winner Kohl Elementary 1962: 4th grade Carra's Cinnamon Sucker Sales. Doubled money daily.
What are people saying about Carra Riley?
Realtor Testimonies
April 13, 2009
"Carra came to work with me for a short time at Paradise Found Properties in 1988. Never in my career of 30 years have I met a agent with the immediate impact that Carra and Tom ( her husband ) had on the Maui market. They moved in to a very established Maui neighborhood, where every 3rd house was owned by a realtor and in one year, they door knocked, networked and totally took over the neighborhood.
If you want an example of how systematic networking creates success, look at Carra.
She is the Queen !"
Tracy Stice
President, Paradise Found Properties, Inc.
Maui, Hawaii
June 10, 2009
"I am a Realtor in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
I had never worked with a Real Estate Consultant, prior to working with Carra Riley. I ended up working with her on 2 different transactions as a result of the good working relationship we developed.
I was pleasantly surprised at how it made my jobmuch easier and for the clients they had additional Real Estate support to help them make their decisions about their home selling experience.
The first was a home where the seller interviewed 3 Realtors which Carra set up and told us all about. I actually priced the home a bit higher than the other Realtors but with this price told her she needed to paint, cleanup the landscaping and add new carpet. I am also an Accredited Staging Professional and also staged the home for sale. She spent about $4,500 and got back a return of $11,000 by getting her asking price. We had the home under contract within 14 days and closed in 30 days.
This was a great example of a client who listened, followed our advice and got the home sold quickly in a market filled with competition.
The second example was very similar in that the client needed to spend some money for the paint, carpet and landscaping but were not as flexible on price. They resisted the suggestions on price and chased the market and against our advice turned down the first offer only to end up selling $5,000 lower as the market continued to decline this year. We sold the home within 6 months but had the client taken our advice we would have sold at a higher dollar and quicker.
Working with Carra Riley was a pleasure as she helped the sellers understand what they needed to do and validated what I was telling them based on her past experience.
Brenda and Willie Gonzalez
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
G-Force 928-505-5478
Office 888-501-5478
928-846-6044 Brenda's Cell
July 26, 2009
"Carra Riley is one of those people that is successful in everything she does. She has so much energy, knowledge and skill, that she accomplishes about twice as much as most people do in half the time. She really cares about service with her clients and goes the extra mile to make sure they are well cared for.
Carra has been one of my few mentors in the real estate business as she is always on the cutting edge of new trends and technology.
I firmly believe that anyone that gets to work with her is very lucky!"
Heidi Stewart Schaffnit
Re/Max Alliance
Denver, Colorado
August 21, 2009
"Carra is a great lady to know! She is involved in more "stuff" than anyone you have ever met. She is fun, brilliant, and most of all-- game for anything!! Carra is lots of fun and always has a smile on her face. She is a probably the most natural-born salesperson I have ever had the pleasure of meeting!"
Mary Anne DeYoung
Owner Re/Max Elite
Parker, Colorado
Seller Testimony
September 20, 2008
"Carra,
I had no idea when I called to get your opinion about selling my home in Havasu that you would still be so connected to the business.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate you connecting me with the Realtorsin Havasu. I was so impressed with both of them that it was hard to make a decision.
Trying to find them on the phone would have been a night mare. I may have ended up with some one with no experience and no true idea of the time and place we are in with Real Estate. The fact that you were able to check comps and confirmpricing was key. I really needed that check point from this distance.
When the Realtor I chose actually went and coordinated the minor renovation the house needed and then did some staging to make it look inviting, I knew I had made the right decision to stay in Denver and leave the details to the professionals.
I really think it cost less in the long run to have her decide what to do rather than me come to town and labor over things I don't do every day. The fact that my home sold in one day may not be the norm but I am pleased as punch.
I know it has to do with the fact that you know the market and what works. I just took instruction. When we entered the Real Estate market in Havasu in 2002 I had no idea of the ride we had just jumped on. Buying the first three seemed monumental but you made the transactions smooth and easy even from a distance. You gave us guidance on renting and keeping the properties repaired from a distance. You always had a contact for us when we had a need. When it was time to sell and exchange into other properties you once again found the price range and made it work.
I can't tell you how grateful I am for the work you did in Bullhead after the market changed. The two homes we had in Laughlin Ranch and Talon Point would never have sold with out your help.
The fact that you went to Phoenix and fought to change the legislation about having signs on the re-sales in the area was what made it happen. It's been a learning experience for sure.
We have been through some turbulent Real Estate times since 2002. Being a lender in Colorado and as close to the market as I am, I still would not have known what path to take on many occasions from this distance.
Thanks for staying in touch in good times and really for hanging in there when things took a turn in the Real Estate market. You came through on all 14 of those transactions and I really appreciate it.
I wish you the best!
I will be happy to share my experiences with anyone.
Ellyn Meister
Arvada, Colorado
Buyer and Seller Testimony
July 20, 2009
"Dear Carra,
When a novice gets involved in a real estate deal, he expects to have an agent working on his behalf. He expects that there will be some give and take in the selling or buying process. He expects that the process will be pretty straight forward. What this person does not expect is a rel estate agent that might not know all the laws or procedures involved, or who will be working more for him/or/herself than for the person he or she is representing. That is why it was such a pleasure working with you.
It was obvious you were working for me and not yourself. As a real estateconsultant, you had no "axe to grind" and were just out to make sure I received a fair deal.
Your care for me was obvious from the start when you were so very careful in helping me select an agent to represent me in selling my apartment building. Out of the three agents, you helped me find someone that proved to be honest, hard working and cautious in protecting my interests.
It was a pleasure working with him, and I thank you for doing such an excellent job in finding him and then keeping right in the loop with each step of the process. I know that you being there was an influence on him to make sure he was working in line with my desires.
You did a better job in finding real estate brokers for me than I didon my own when I decided to sell my house in Los Angeles and buy a house in Arizona. The agent you found to represent me as the buyer in Arizona was excellent. He did his homework, found a good number of homes for me to look at, all of which fit the description I had given him of what I wanted in a new home. He put himself out to accommodate my needs. Again, I was profoundly grateful to see how you wereright on top of each detail, helping us both through the process.
I saw the difference between the way you selected agents and made sure they were representing my interests and the way I had picked my own agent in los Angeles based on a long time acquaintance but no real knowledge of the way she worked. I thank you again for stepping in and giving me such excellent support and consulting advice and guiding me through that whole process.
The concept of the contingency you suggested I look into was my great protection in this deal, and it is interesting how very important it was for my protection, and yet all the agents involved fought against the idea, tooth and nail. Greatly due to your watchful shepherding and confident guidance, the selling in Los Angeles and buying in Arizona went smoothly and fairly, and I was protected in every step along the way. If you ever need a reference, please feel free to use me, or to use this letter of thanks as proof of my endorsement.
Thank you again for all your help."
R. Dereck Swire
Flagstaff, Arizona
1031 Exchange Agent Testimony
April 8, 2009
"Carra's knowledge of 1031 exchanges, rental properties and great understanding of her client's needs is outstanding. She is great with explanning complicated real estate transactions and 1031 exchanges. It's a delight to work with a professional with such knowledge!"
Mary Lou Schwab
VP , Bankers Escrow Corp.
Denver, Colorado
Lender Testimonies
April 7, 2009
"I have known Carra since she started in real estate. She has amazing energy and enthusiasm. I really appreciate working with her because she is honest and knowledgeable. She was crafting Win-Win Solutions long before it became the catch phrase. You couldn't ask for a better advocate."
Peggy Pingle
Loan Officer, America's Mortgage, LLC
Broomfiled, Colorado
April 15, 2009
"Carra is an excellent real estate agent who goes above and beyond to help all of her clients. I have worked with Carra for several years and her customers adore her. She has a heart of gold and believes strongly in moral values and the golden rule "Treat others the way you would like to be treated."
Monica Hall
Construction Loan Manager ,
Mohave State Bank, Lake Havsu City, AZ
April 21, 2009
"Carra is truly a professional in the Real Estate Industry and more Realtors should be like her. She is hard working, loyal, and has high integrity. I recommend Carra because she gets the job done!"
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