Experienced Realtor: Holly Reef has 30 years of real estate experience.

Holly Reef started selling real estate while in graduate school and has never looked back. She lived in Dallas and worked in corporate America after graduating from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1988. After being laid off, she returned to Denver to attend graduate school at CU Denver. While earning an MBA, she worked on obtaining her real estate license simultaneously in 1994. She is celebrating 30 years as a realtor this year.

Reef has been with RE/MAX Professionals since 2011. “I thought RE/MAX was going to be this huge company with too many people and this particular group has seven offices and they are all small offices,” said Holly Reef, Real Estate Broker, Re/Max Professionals. “So they have 20-50 agents and one of them has 100 (Highlands Ranch). That is what drew me in. I wanted the RE/MAX umbrella and the benefits that you get from the RE/MAX name worldwide. I wanted that in a smaller setting so that there weren’t 5,000 agents.”

Reef sells both residential and commercial. She started selling commercial properties two decades ago. “Most realtors are one or the other and don’t really overlap,” said Reef. “I have done a lot of commercial leasing in the last two years as well.”

Reef also focuses on personal relationships and never forgets to have fun as well. “When I answer the phone, I want that client to feel like they are the only person I am working with,” said Reef. “I always answer the phone for clients or I call them back immediately. Most of my clients are now very good friends.”

Reef understands that buying a home is one of the biggest decisions in one’s life. “You have to make sure it is not a stressful process,” said Reef. “I have a great team behind me including lenders, inspectors, administrative people.”

That big decision that many face on whether to take the plunge and buy a home is one where Reef suggests to not be afraid. She has seen mortgage rates go all the way up to 15% in her tenure and they have dropped as well. “When the rate goes down, refinance,” said Reef. “With interest rates where they are now, there are not as many bidding wars,” said Reef. “There won’t be 50 people bidding on one house. You can’t be afraid to get in there. You pay 100% of someone’s mortgage if you are renting. I think it’s [owning a home] is one of the best investments you can make.” Reef’s advice is to get in where you can even if it is a townhome. Interest rates are projected to go down three times this year so potential homebuyers should keep an eye on the market.

Reef, who was a member of the Glendale Chamber years ago, recently rejoined. “A friend of mine who is a lender heard that the Glendale Chamber was fun and he wanted to do something different so he joined,” said Reef. “I used to be a member of the chamber and I remembered that they were fun events and fun people. In today’s market, you have to get out there and remind people that you are a realtor.”

In her free time, Reef enjoys giving back to the community. She is President of the Board of Directors for Colorado Horsepower — Equine Therapy for Vets and First Responders. She is also the Event Chair for Shining Stars Foundation for pediatric cancer.

Reef says people should call her because she is fun, knows her job very well, and she will treat them like family. She can be reached at 303-356-6076 or visit her website at www.hollysellsdenver.com. RE/MAX Professionals is located at 4272 Lowell Blvd in Denver.