Joe Horgan graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a dual emphasis in Finance & Management in 1993. After spending the first decade of his career as a Project Manager for a custom home builder and then as a Mortgage Broker, he decided to take the skill-sets he developed and crafted from both and channel those into real estate, becoming a Broker in 2004. Joe joined Pointe3 Real Estate 5 years ago this Summer.
I sat down with Joe to learn more about him for this week’s Agent Spotlight!
When and why did you get started in real estate?
I was a mortgage broker for a number of years but had my real estate license for my own investments and I was working with buyers from time to time. I came to the conclusion that the mortgage side wasn’t the best fit for me, so I switched over to real estate full time and haven’t looked back.
Why did you join Pointe3 Real Estate?
I was working for a wonderful broker before Pointe3, but he was too small to give me the support I needed to take my business to the next level. I saw a job posting from Pointe3 that I shared with a good title rep. friend of mine who was familiar with them, and he highly recommended I reach out. I knew I needed a bigger office to work for, but my personal preference is one that is not too big. I like a certain amount of personal touch and flexibility and I don’t want to simply be a number. After sitting down with Kevin Tisdel, I was sold and every impression or expectation I have ever had has been exceeded since.
What neighborhood(s) do you specialize in?
I call West Seattle home and have owned my home there for 12 years now. However, our Pointe3 office is in Fremont and I graduated from Seattle Pacific U. I also grew up in Burien, and often get down to Normandy Park and Des Moines. Those areas bookend the neighborhoods I like to work in nicely from north to south.
From east to west: Downtown, Queen Anne, Fremont, Capitol Hill, First Hill, Beacon Hill, Madison Valley and Central Seattle, and Madison Park down the Lake to Seward Park. I also get to Mercer Island and the Eastside often. Of course, by exception, I will go where clients need me to and have gone as far north as Bellingham (to help a good client buy a condo for snowboarding), west to Port Orchard (a close friend that wanted to move back) and south to Tacoma and University Place.
What is the most challenging/gratifying aspect of being a real estate broker?
The most challenging aspect is finding time to market myself, but being busy with business and clients I already have is a good problem to have! The most gratifying is meeting and exceeding my clients buying, selling, or leasing goals, making their journey as stress free as possible, and hearing in the end how appreciative they are. I enjoy working hard for good people!
What do you foresee in 2016’s real estate market?
It is a red hot seller’s market and I don’t see that changing any time soon. We are seeing record growth numbers and relocations. Coupled with a strong local economy and ever growing tech presence, I just don’t see the market slowing down this year and beyond. They aren’t making more dirt here, so unless a property is being torn down for a new one, there simply isn’t enough supply of new inventory for the demand of buyers we have. I think this year and beyond will continue to see break neck growth and appreciation. Think San Francisco. In my opinion we are headed for those price levels.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to buy or sell a home in today’s competitive real estate market?
It is as important as ever to choose to partner with the right broker. This market is incredibly competitive, and recently I have had a number of buyers come to me from working with other agents that finally realized they just weren’t going to represent them well enough to beat out multiple offers. Getting a discount on services through other brokerages is all fine and good, but experience and expertise have never been more important. You need a seasoned professional, a veteran that can cover every angle and nuance. That is often the difference between getting the home you so desperately want and going back to the drawing board, or getting maximum dollar when you sell with the best terms possible. Don’t trip over a dollar to save a nickel. The thousands you think you are saving could ultimately cost you tens of thousands.
Tell us about you! Where did you grow up and where do you currently reside?
I grew up near Sacramento and moved up to Seattle 30 years ago ahead of High School. I stayed local and went to college at SPU. I currently live in West Seattle with my family where we have owned our home for 12 years.
What are your passions or hobbies outside of real estate?
First and foremost, it’s my family. We have 3 children, so most of our days are filled hustling them to baseball, soccer, karate, piano, swimming, plays, etc., etc. For me, going to my daughter’s piano recital or hearing her sing in a play or watching one of my sons play baseball or break his board at a belt test, and seeing the joy they get out of their accomplishments is incredibly fulfilling and I can’t get enough of it. It’s why I do what I do. Family is everything.
What are your favorite things to do in Seattle?
I love the hometown faithful, the Hawks, Mariners and Sounders (and I miss the Sonics!!). There is nothing like the electricity of a Hawks game or a sun soaked Mariners game in summer. And of course, who doesn’t love the outdoors in the great Northwest. Picnics in Lincoln Park while the Vashon Ferry diligently shuttles to and fro as a backdrop, playing in the sand at Alki Beach after some fish and chips, hiking the Falls or Mt. Si, the list goes on and on. And the food! I enjoy exploring all the eats and treats around Seattle.
Why should someone choose you as their real estate broker?
A professional broker should be an expert in communicating, negotiating, availability, work ethic and organization. I pride myself on excelling in all those facets and more. I want my clients to have the best representation possible, and have no doubts they’ve partnered with a seasoned pro who will take them to the promise land. I do it every day and I can do it for you, too!
Are you looking to buy, sell, or lease you home? Contact Joe Horgan today at 206-245-5990 or [email protected].