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President's Letter
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Referrals! Referrals! Referrals!
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Fellow Colorado RLI Brokers,
It's that time of year again where we're all going ninety to nothing it seems. During this busy time of closing deals and taking listings, I encourage you to slow down and take a few minutes to have some good conversations with your clients about what their next real estate move in life really looks like. You might find that there are investments they're attracted to that are only a quick phone call away to one of your local RLI chapter members.
I was just recently fortunate enough to be on the giving end of three different referrals; two in Colorado and one in Texas. Due to the professional standards of our RLI organization, I know my clients are in wonderful hands with the brokers that I passed them along to. It's very reassuring to know that I don't have to stay on top of a referring broker, checking in to make sure they're doing their job and not dropping the ball....and it's even better when that referral check just magically appears at my office.
Since we have Colorado RLI chapter members scattered all over Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming, we have a huge network of territories where we can easily make sure our clients are properly represented. Have some in depth conversations with your clients about any real estate needs they have outside of your territory, and tap into the huge network of professionals that are only a phone call or an email way.
Justin Osborn, Realtor
The Wells Group
970-946-3935
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September Meeting
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The deadline to book your hotel room for the September meeting is fast approaching!
Book your hotel reservation at the Courtyard by Marriott, Grand Junction, $119.00 per night by August 16th!
Our Friday, September 8 education session will take us out of the tradition hotel classroom. Instead, we'll meet at the Community Building at the Mesa County Fairgrounds at 8:30am.
We'll hear presentations on Site Selection, Soils, Irrigation, Plant Selection and Current Pest Issues by Susan Carter, CSU Extension, Tri River Area Horticulture Agent and information on available Resources by Jenny Beiermann, CSU Regional Specialist in Agriculture & Business Management Economics and John Rizza, Small Acreage Management. After the presentations, we'll take a field tour of Orchard Mesa Research Station - Fruit Trees and Grapes. The class will break into 3 groups to look at the different fruit trees and grapes and will do a 30-45 minute rotation. Depending on length of rotations, class may go until 1:00pm. 4 hours of continuing education for Friday morning.
OPTIONAL:
Friday, 2:00-6:00pm - Stay and enjoy a tour of major wineries in Palisade
area. No charge for tour, but additional costs for lodging/meals on your own.
Need minimum of 20 people to commit for tour by August 8th!
Registration for the marketing and education sessions is available on the Chapter website. |
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Educational Opportunities
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An Evening with Dr. Temple Grandin
Tuesday, September 12 from 7-8
Longmont Museum & Cultural Center
Stewart Auditorium
400 Quail Road, Longmont
Dr. Grandin is an American professor of animal science at Colorado State University, consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior, and autism spokesperson.
Free admission but you must reserve tickets, limit 4 tickets per registrant. Online registration begins Monday, August 7 at 10:00am at Longmont Public Library or call 303-651-8472.
Ariel Steele, a Chapter member in Longmont will be attending so any who are going can contact Ariel to meet and sit together as a group if you would like.
August 22-23, 2017
Agricultural Land Brokerage and Marketing - ALC Designation Elective Course!
Magic Valley Association of REALTORS®, Twin Falls, ID
Instructor: Kirk Goble, ALC.
Register here or contact Nancy Glaesemann at nancy@wmvrealtors.com
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Elections
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Election time again! Yes, it's time for the annual election of officers for the Colorado Chapter. There are several director positions open. If you are interested or would like to get involved with the board of directors or the Chapter, please contact Steve Fleming or Maggie Thomas for further information. Our election will take place in Grand Junction on September 7th at the membership meeting prior to the marketing session. |
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Land Realtor® of the Year
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Also at our September meeting, we will announce the Colorado Land REALTOR® of the Year. The standards for this prestigious award are as follows:
- Consistent and successful REFERRALS to RLI members
- Marketing and education session attendance
- Deals from marketing sessions
- Record of volunteering and completing tasks for the Chapter
- Noted promotion of RLI
- Involvement with the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR)
- Other industry awards, designations, distinctions
- Service to the Chapter (as officer/committee member)
- Teaching classes/seminars
- National RLI service
- Cooperation between RLI members in any form
- Transaction volume; significant, consistent, great numbers in deals or $'s
Please submit your nomination to Maggie Thomas or Steve Fleming by September 1st. The award will be announced and presented on September 7th in Grand Junction.
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Transitional Real Estate, Thinking Out of the Box.
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Just like the song says: "The times they are a changin" This applies to many areas, including transitional land/Real Estate. As professionals, it is probable that we may have viewed transitional land in the past in a somewhat typical manner. For example: large ranches possibly subdivided into smaller parcels or residentially zoned properties transitioning into commercially zoned. But our society and our values evolve. The political climate and the atmospheric climate change as well, and all of these factors affect market conditions.
Our very own beautiful state of Colorado is a shining example of evolving transitional real estate due to Amendment 64 legalizing recreational marijuana. Diversely zoned buildings have become commercial marijuana grows, and while simply changing the type of crop a farmer plants may not be considered exactly transitioning, it is an excellent place to start and explore changes that are taking place for a variety of factors. Those winds of change made it possible for farmers in the Northeast corner of Colorado who formerly grew corn to shift their focus to industrial hemp. When market conditions resulted in the low commodity prices of corn, wheat and soybeans, these forward thinking farmers were able to move into the future with hemp crops that will surely reap greater financial benefit to them. The same can be said for the tobacco farmers in the Blue Ridge mountains and foothills of North Carolina. Facing population increases (farmland transitioning in to suburban housing and retail) rising fuel prices and the end of federal price supports, thousands of farmers accepted federal buyouts and quit growing the crop. Here you have political and social change at work.
Water scarcity (climate change) in California is driving some of those farmers to plant less thirsty vegetables, fruits and nuts. This is particularly true in San Diego County, where water prices are some of the highest in the state. While grapefruit trees still shade the entrance to the Triple B Ranches winery in northern San Diego County, it is now a boutique winery and quaint vineyard. They used to grow citrus, but it's hard to stay in the black that way. Grapes take way less water.
Visualize desolate Texas landscapes transitioned from oil fields to wind farms, warehouse space magically reinvented into retail shopping centers, or an old school building that became luxury apartments. Transitional real estate can be impacted in large part by governmental and legal factors as well, so when determining the highest and best use for these properties, start with local planning commissions and city, county and state officials to eliminate roadblocks from the start. After the preliminary homework is done, get creative! The opportunity to be a part of accommodating changing societal needs while providing a valuable service to your buyers and sellers can be a challenge, but well worth it in the end.
Kem E Winternitz, Accredited Land Consultant
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Colorado RLI & Open Fences Ranch Tour
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| For all you members who missed the ranch tour put on by Joey Burns and all the crew at Lone Eagle Land Brokerage, I must say, you really missed quite a show!
Special thanks goes out to Joeys mom, wife and family for all the fantastic meals they cooked for us. The party got started at their company office with a good old fashion western hoe down serving ribs with all the trimmings.
The next day started out with a burrito breakfast with cinnamon rolls that were to die for. From there we toured several beautiful ranches east of town winding up at The Buck Horn Ranch near Colona for lunch. Unfortunately, they did not allow us to get a nap in, as it was off to Ridgway to preview another property just south of town right under Sneffels Mountain one of the many 14ers in that region.
Low and behold just about the time I thought we were ready to slow down and call it quits for the day, lets load up and haul our butts up to the Uncompahgre Plateau where Elk Mountain Resort awaits. Upon arrival, the beer was cold and the Andrews Brothers Band was playing some good old boot scooting western music. Another fine meal was served to us by the True Grit Cafe, how could you go wrong with a name like that.
Unfortunately, I had to meet a client the next morning so was unable to attend the ranch previews that were offered but I am sure they were just as impressive and well presented.
I really believe that the members should try very hard to attend these events as it is an excellent way to see property throughout Colorado. Also, what better way is there to meet and network with brokers throughout the state then driving around ranches in pickups and SUVs all day long together.
Many, many thanks to our title sponsor, David Light, Open Fences. Thanks also to American AgCredit's Montrose office for their sponsorship as well.
Let's all try to make it next year....mark your calendar for June 7 & 8, and who knows where in Colorado we'll be!
Jim Nerlin
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Colorado Chapter Summer Ag Tour
"Grain to Glass...and a Little Grass"
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On July 20 and 21, the Colorado Chapter held their Ag Tour and Marketing Meeting in Greeley, Colorado. The Colorado and Kansas RLI chapters have made this an annual event the last few years and both chapters were well represented. The tour was hosted by Kirk Goble, ALC from Greeley, assisted by Tom Rainbolt of American Ag Credit in Greeley, a long time RLI sponsor. There were 35 participants representing 5 states. Kirk's stated goal was to "show off Weld County agriculture!"
Weld County is the top producing agricultural county in Colorado at about $1.9 billion/year and is consistently ranked in the top 6 ag counties in the country. Additionally, Weld County is the top oil and gas producing county in Colorado and the area's early settlers were influential in establishing western water law and development of irrigation systems.
The tour started at the Colorado Model Railroad Museum, the largest model railroad layout in the world, with introductions and a preview of the day's activities. After a light breakfast and a chance to see the museum, everyone boarded a bus for the remainder of the day.
First spot to drive by was Leprino Food's newest mozzarella cheese plant located in Greeley. The $275M facility supports the local dairy industry and will produce 2.9 billion pounds of cheese per year. If you've eaten pizza, you've had Leprino cheese, as they are the largest mozzarella producer in the world.
Next stop was at Fritzler Farm's Scream Acres to view a large "agri-tainment" venture that supplements and sometime exceeds farm income from a fall corn maze that features many activities and supports over 300 seasonal employees.
The tour passed the JBS Gilcrest feedlot (60,000 head) to view large scale beef production. JBS is one of the largest meat and livestock companies in the world. They have a large presence in Weld County with 2 feed yards (60,000 head and 100,000 head), beef and sheep processing plants, and a transportation company. The Brazilian based company's U.S. headquarters is located in Greeley.
The next stop was at Binder Farms in Milliken to meet with Coors Agronomist Levi Walker to see a field of malting barley. He explained the Coors Brewery barley growing requirements and treated the group to a morning "snack," courtesy of Molson-Coors Brewing.
On to Windsor, Colorado to visit G5 Hops farm. Owner Jeremy Gourd explained their goal of raising locally grown hops to support the Colorado craft beer industry.
After G5, the bus traveled to Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley, home of the Greeley Independence Rodeo and the Colorado Farm Show. A quick box lunch and then on to the afternoon session.
The tour drove past the JBS Beef Plant in Greeley where about 5,000 head of cattle a day are processed into steaks and burgers to supply supermarkets and restaurants across the country. Colorado is also the top lamb feeding and processing state. All the Weld County JBS operations were formerly Monfort of Colorado.
Next up was a stop at Fagerberg Farms to see large scale farm drip irrigation systems. Farm manager Rod Weimer explained the setup, costs, and benefits of drip irrigation which results in greatly increased irrigation efficiency for their onions and other
produce crops.
As the bus toured Weld County, the group also saw and heard about sugar
beets, dry beans, corn, onions, lettuce, alfalfa, and other crops, as well as the beef,
dairy, and lamb operations that contribute to the diversity of Weld County agriculture.
Tour attendees were then treated to a stop at Great Western Dairy, a 3,600-head
operation owned by Casey DeHaan. Casey showcased their 80-cow rotary milking
parlor where the group could observe a modern, automated dairy operation up close.
The cows enter a revolving carousel to be milked 3 times a day. Colorado is 3rd in the
U.S. in milk production and Weld County has over 60,000 cows to support the industry.
Throughout the day, attendees could also clearly see the impact of the oil and natural
gas industry in Weld County and its integration and impacts to agriculture. The group
observed drilling rigs, well head equipment, and the many trucks required by the
industry. Weld County is 4,000 square miles in size and contains more oil and gas wells
than Saudi Arabia.
Next stop: Industrial Hemp. Passage of Amendment 64 in 2012 legalized
cannabis in Colorado for adult recreational consumption; the amendment also legalized
industrial hemp under a program administered by the Colorado Department of
Agriculture. Colorado Cultivars is the largest industrial hemp farm in the U.S, at over
1,000 acres. Our host was Colorado Cultivar's Damian Farris along with the farm owner,
Tyler Dyer. Damian told about the 50,000 uses of the hemp plant, current markets,
issues and conflicts with Federal law, and how their operation is vertically integrated
through contracting, planting, harvesting, processing, and marketing. There was much
interest from the group and lots of good questions about this burgeoning alternative
crop. Also, a popular photography spot.
Our last stop after a 90+ degree day was at Weldwerks Brewing Company in
Greeley. Colorado is the top beer producing state in the U.S, with large brewers
Molson-Coors and AB-InBev Budweiser, together with 384 craft breweries, and growing.
Weldwerks was named Best New Brewery in the U.S. for 2016 by USA Today and they
have amassed many top brewing awards and medals since their opening. Hosts Kristen
Popcheff, Ethan Schneider, Trey Weatherwax, and their brewhouse and taproom staff
provided a tour of the brewery and the group enjoyed tasting the wide variety of award
winning craft beers created at Weldwerks.
Participants agreed that the tour lived up to its moniker, "Grain to Glass...and a
Little Grass," and all went away with newfound knowledge and appreciation for our ag
producers.
Friday featured a morning meeting with participants from several states
describing their markets, RLI chapter development, and a chance to market some
property listings. All in all, the tour and meeting was a great success. As a bonus,
Colorado licensees received 6 hours of CE credit for the tour day!
The tour and program could not have happened without the effort and support of
our valued sponsors: American Ag Credit, Farm Credit of Southern Colorado, Lands of
America Land Magazine, and Bart Miller, Managing Broker of Mason & Morse Ranch
Company. Big thanks also to the "Organizer in Chief" - Colorado Chapter Administrator,
Maggie Thomas.
by Kirk Goble, ALC
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Marketing Corner
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Bring your listed properties and active buyers to our Thursday, September 7 meeting in Grand Junction. The marketing package form and power point template are on our website coloradorli.com.
We've gone high tech now as well! You can submit your property presentation via a video file. If you have a property to pitch that has video, please bring that video saved as a file on a thumb drive, and we will play it for your portion of the presentation. If you use drop box, you can share the folder link with Maggie and she'll download it. DO NOT bring a You Tube or other internet link as the internet speed at the hotel is often not adequate to play the videos.
The video will be muted and you should be prepared to walk the attendees through the video as if you were giving the presentation. The presentation structure will remain at 4 minutes per presentation.
You can still submit presentations as in the past using the PowerPoint templates. Send your presentations to rli.coloradochapter5@gmail.com by Tuesday, September 5th. The template can be found on the Chapter website as well as the Marketing Session Property Sheet Template.
Do not hesitate to contact me at 970-241-3939 or steve@tworiversrealtyinc.com with any questions or comments.
Steve Fleming, ALC
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