Meet Team Cook, The Cottage Realty Ltd., Loveland CO Realtor

Kevin Cook

Kevin Cook's extensive background as a carpenter/builder brings with it a vast amount of knowledge for helping his buyers and sellers feel comfortable in their decision to sell/buy. It makes it easy when you have a passion like Kevin does. It all started when Kevin Cook himself established The Cottage Realty LTD in 1983. He had already been selling real estate in the local area since 1979, and decided to make a step of faith.Team Cook was formed in 2000 and has been going strong ever since. In 2001, the Team ranked number 23 in the nation in closed transaction sides. And in 2002's report they were again in the top 50.

In the peak of Kevin's profession when asked, "What makes Team Cook successful?" Kevin's simple reply was, "It's easy - no one works harder than we do." This simple, but honest response is best exemplified when calling the office at 5 a.m. and having his cheerful, friendly voice answer. Kevin has not only been recognized by his local Realtor Association as 1989 Realtor of the Year as well as 2003 Realtor of the Year for the State of Colorado. He has also been recognized by the National Association and the Colorado Association, where he served as state president in 1995.

Now with Team Cook, Kevin firmly believes that every client is a client of the whole team. Because the whole team shares the bottom line, each Team member wants success and works to better service customers.
As Team Cook keeps growing, so does Kevin's passion to sell homes to those who never thought possible. Kevin, Connie & Team Cook make dreams become reality!

CONGRATULATIONS KEVIN!!! ON FEBRUARY 26, 2009 LOCAL REALTOR^®, KEVIN J. COOK, ACHIEVES NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®GREEN DESIGNATION

Cook achieved this prestigious designation after completing 18 hours of course work designed specifically for REALTORS^®. The courses were created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of industry experts from across the country; ensuring designees gain comprehensive knowledge of green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate.

More specifically, Cook was trained in understanding what makes a property green, helping clients evaluate the cost/benefits of green building features and practices, distinguishing between industry rating and classification systems, listing and marketing green homes and buildings, discussing the financial grants and incentives available to homeowners, and helping consumers see a property’s green potential.

"Living green is about making healthy choices that are also easy on your wallet. NAR Green Designees have the necessary resources & relationships to effectively work with you on your next green project." said Al Medina, Director of NAR’s Green Designation. NAR’s Green Designation was developed in response to growing consumer awareness of the benefits of resource-efficient homes and buildings. The designation helps consumers who care about energy efficiency and sustainable building practices identify REALTORS^® who can help them realize their green real estate and lifestyle goals.

As an NAR Green Designee, Cook has gained the knowledge and the tools necessary to become a trusted green resource for Northern Colorado. For more information about Kevin Cook, please visit www.lovelandcorealestate.com or e-mail kevinandconnie@realtor.com

June 24, 2011 - Kevin J. Cook of The Cottage Realty, ltd. in Berthoud has earned the prestigious Certified Investor Agent Specialist TM (CIAS) designation, having completed extensive training to understand the different real estate investor types, and the investment opportunities, financing options and calculations needed to provide solutions for each. The five real estate investor types include: First-Time Investors, Move-Up Investors, Portfolio Investors, Performance Investors, and Rehab and Resell Investors.

"For decades, investing in real estate has proven to be a consistent and stable way for individuals to build wealth," Cook said. "Real estate investment supports a number of industries, including construction, retail and professional services, and is a strong way to energize and increase investment in our local economy."

Over the past 12 months, investment and second-home properties comprised more than $300 billion in sales, representing approximately 27 percent of all residential real estate transactions. In addition, in market conditions affected by mortgage industry challenges, 48 percent of investors made all-cash purchases.

"As markets face the challenges of distressed properties and a difficult economy, real estate investors have the opportunity to find productive deals while helping communities stabilize." Cook said. "Investors provide much needed liquidity to the market, decrease vacancy rates, improve neighborhoods, and present solutions for homeowners who need to sell."

With the CIAS Designation training, Cook will help northern Colorado area residents build wealth through real estate investment, and homeowners facing foreclosure find potential buyers for their properties.

Today, millions of homeowners are either delinquent on their mortgages or in the foreclosure process. One potential solution for homeowners in this situation is a short sale, in which the lien holder accepts a sale price of the home that is less than the mortgage owed. Increasingly, real estate investors are facilitating this solution.

"When it comes to properties that actually end up in foreclosure," Cook added, "up to 30 percent of them can't close conventionally. Investors are often the only ones who can buy them."

Kevin Cook with Team Cook at The Cottage Realty, ltd. has been awarded the National Association of REALTORS^®’ Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.

Connie A. Salazar

Along with Kevin, Connie believes in the Team concept full heartedly! She and Kevin are the "rainmakers," or the primary agents on the Team. They concentrate on sales, and driving leads to the company. Connie has been working alongside Kevin for over 20 years now. Connie is an Accredited Buyer Representative. She was awarded this title over five years ago by the Real Estate Buyer's Agency Council of the National Association of Realtors®. This ABR title demonstrates her willingness to take every step necessary in continuing her education in the field of buyer representation. It also shows all our clients that she will continue training to deliver ethical and professional service to all buyers.

Connie wears MANY different hats as a part of Team Cook. She specializes in so many areas that the Team thinks of her as the "Jack of all Trades". Some of Connie's daily tasks include, but are not limited to, closing coordinator, accounts payable, showing specialist, setting up files, taking extra care of current contracts and meeting all contract deadlines. She also goes to every closing that takes place as representation of Team Cook.

If you were to ask Connie why she is a part of Team Cook and why she does all that she does, I think her answer would show the kind of passion she has for her lifelong position. "I love the look on a buyers face the moment they realize that their dreams of being a homeowner have really come true. Just knowing that somehow I had a hand in making that dream a reality makes it all worth while. Plus the fact that I just enjoy people." Connie is such an example to the rest of Team Cook in what a true Buyer's Specialist, and team player should look like. Job well done!!!

Rosalie (Rose) Lawrence

Rose Lawrence began part-time at Cottage Realty (before it became Team Cook) in the early 1990's and has worked her way up to full-time broker associate and full-time office staff member. The challenge of meeting and working with many people intrigued Rose to begin a career in real estate. Previously, she worked in banking for many years and also worked at Group Publishing as a computer graphic artist for several years.

Now as a Broker Associate with Team Cook, Rose contributes much of herself as graphic artist, contract specialist, and much more. Rose now handles the "behind the scene" details and many various tasks. Some of those include preparing listing files, designing ads, client care throughout contract process and completing files when the closing of the transaction occurs. Rose is a huge asset to Team Cook and has plans to excel in her talents as a Team Cook Member. JOB WELL DONE ROSE!!!

CONGRATULATIONS ROSE!!! On August 8, 2009 ROSALIE LAWRENCE EARNS PRESTIGIOUS DESIGNATION TO HELP HOMEOWNERS IN DANGER OF FORECLOSURE

Rosalie Lawrence of Team Cook Real Estate Services at The Cottage Realty, ltd. has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by “distressed” homes in the foreclosure process.

Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

In the Northern Colorado area, more homes are in danger of foreclosing. It is happening in all price ranges. Local experts say that even high-priced homes are not immune.

“This CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with sellers and lenders on complicated short sales,” said Lawrence. “It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.”