While the Snoqualmie Valley housing market has changed dramatically over the past 20 years, the quality of service provided by David Cook's full-service discount real estate company has not.
Cook Real Estate is committed to providing its clients with a wide range of real estate services, including free home warranties with coverage, professional listing services, virtual tours, high-quality photography, and superior marketing at discounted prices. To do.
Mr. Cook gives agents complete and complete flexibility in fees, saving Cook Real Estate clients money and allowing agents to compete with the big real estate companies in their area.
Mr. Cook became interested in property management and real estate while owning and operating Seattle-based Norris Cleaning Corporation in the late 1990s.
“I worked for a property management company that gave me the job of cleaning the building,” Cook said. “And I thought, well, I can do that. I got into the world of real estate and property management through a commercial real estate company called Harper Bond in Bellevue.”
A few months after being hired, Harper Bond was sold to residential real estate company Coldwell Banker. Mr. Cook was hired as property manager and began leasing commercial space in North Bend.
“Lo and behold, I was in real estate,” Cook said. “I dabbled in the rental business in the city, and eventually started putting up my signs everywhere and building relationships with building owners in the city.”
Mr. Cook struck out on his own and founded Cook Real Estate LLC in 2003.
“From day one we did very well,” Cook said. “After a while, he had 12 agents. Then in 2006, the recession started.”
While some agents in the area were forced to look for other jobs, Cook's commercial real estate experience and ability to adapt helped him stay afloat.
“I ended up helping people rent and sell office buildings,” Cook said. “At that time, we stepped into foreclosure assistance and did a lot of counseling. Eventually, things turned around in 2012.”
Since then, Cook and his agents have sold thousands of homes, averaging $20 million to $50 million in annual sales.
When asked about his most significant accomplishment over the past 20 years, Cook reflected on spending two years renovating 102 W. North Bend Way, currently used as the Cook Real Estate office.
The project reflects his pledge to revitalize downtown North Bend during his 2003 election to North Bend City Council.
“It was a Chinese restaurant with that alpine façade,” Cook said. “We spent his two long, hard years renovating the building to match the original. To my wife's credit, we did a very good job and we are proud of the history. Received an award from King County for conservation.
Looking to the future, Cook is looking to add younger agents to his team, but insists real estate is about more than just selling homes.
“Maybe it's a new couple coming in, getting married and buying their first home. Maybe it's a couple ending their marriage and having to sell their home,” Cook said. Told. “That's my job. I help people transition to the next chapter of their lives.”
Original Sylvester Bank building.Photo by David Cook.
