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Geri Sides: the broker who lights up a room with her smile

Geri Sides, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker Landmark Group, is an effervescent woman who can light up a room with her smile and is an expert when it comes to the ins and outs of the real estate industry.

The roots of Sides’ real estate knowledge date back 36 years ago to Los Angeles County, but she has specialized in and been based in Fallbrook for the last 26 years.

“I came here to Fallbrook when interest was 17 ½ percent,” she said, laughing at the memory.

Sides has been on the exhilarating rollercoaster ride of the real estate market over the years as both an agent and broker, experiencing both the highs and lows of the market.

“The real estate market right now is a little slow and I think the majority of people think it is going to come down some more,” said Sides, who disagrees with that theory.

Sides is firm when she says North San Diego County is one of the most desirous places to live in the nation and does not see listing prices cascading any further down. She also opines that if people do not “step up to the plate” and purchase a house at this time, they could regret their decision.

The current lull in the real estate market does not faze Sides, considering she has waded through the cyclic market multiple times.

“It’s either feast or live on credit cards,” said Sides with a sharp wit. Sides’ says the market is low because inventory is high – a lot of properties are on the market. Properties that would usually sell within 60 days can now take 120 days or longer.

Sides explained that if there is a $500,000 house for sale, there are 25 more houses for that same price on the market. With a great deal of competition in the marketplace, buyers have a large number of properties to choose from. Due to this large pool of inventory, Sides offers this piece of advice to sellers: “If you get a decent offer, don’t counter [offer], because the buyers will walk away from it.”

Regardless of the slow market right now, Sides says she still enjoys the real estate business. “I’m never going to quit; I’ll work until they take my license away,” she said, laughing. It is obvious that this talented and knowledgeable Realtor loves dealing with people and genuinely enjoys showing property.

Following a day of showing property to prospective new clients, Sides can immediately grasp their likes and dislikes for a future home. Her talent of honing in on these important cues is why the majority of her business is derived from referrals.

Sides specializes in the Fallbrook/Bonsall area and enjoys living and selling properties in this desirable community. She says one of the reasons she like this area is because it is a representation of true upscale rural living.

“It is green all year around,” she said, smiling. “I’m not leaving; I’m staying.”

When Sides is not buried in real estate work, you can surely find her at the Del Mar Racetrack, cheering on one of her racehorses as it gallops at lightening bolt speed around the track. This real estate professional is part of a family-owned horseracing business: Sides Racing Stable.

“My son does the accounting; my husband trains the horses; and I pet the horses,” Sides said. “And if we win, I get all the goodies!”

Sides’ fondness for the races is based on the combination of socializing with people and the high energy that swirls through the crowd and the horses. “I like Del Mar as much as I like real estate,” she admitted.

Geri Sides can be reached at (760) 731-5174 or [email protected].

 

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