Great Western Home Loans Featured Realtors: Ida and Ted Olsen Are a Dream Team!

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Ida Duwe Olsen and Ted Olsen

Multi-million dollar estates! Working cattle ranches! Tornadoes! Naked men! Yes, this hilarious, interesting, and altogether fun Q&A with Ida Duwe-Olsen and Ted Olsen of Williams Trew has it all!

Truly, this husband-and-wife team is not only talented, but they are extremely knowledgeable about the vast and unique city we all know as Fort Worth. Their sense of humor and insightfulness is a wonderful asset to them as both Realtors and great people in general. So of course we absolutely had to feature them as the Great Western Home Loans featured Realtors.

What has your lender done for you lately? Find out what you’re missing with the quality service that Jeff Lindigrin and Great Western Home Loans is known for all across North Texas.

Jump to find out more about Ida and Ted!

CandysDirt.com: So, where are you from?

Ida: Fort Worth, Texas
Ted: Santa Barbara, CA

CD: So, how did you get into real estate? What’s your specialty?

Ida: In my previous career, I was in the advertising, marketing, and sales world but always had a passion for home design and renovations. I started purchasing investment properties in early 2000 and quickly realized how much I enjoyed the process. My strengths are having a strong understanding of the ever-changing housing market, understanding the importance of relationships and creatively marketing properties.
Ted: Growing up in California, I’ve lived and invested in that real estate roller coaster. My parents purchased several rental properties while I was younger and I’ve always appreciated the industry. I think my speciality is being able to make a business case for buyers who have become overly emotional about the buying process. I feel that during the negotiating phase of home buying where the difference in price is nominal, its important to illustrate what that small difference equals when amortized over the life of a loan.

CD: How do you stay sharp in a challenging market?

Ida: By defining the client’s needs, keeping persistent and understanding the reason for the market conditions.
Ted: I believe that there’s opportunity in every market condition. Working with clients, we define the conditions, create the strategy and pull the trigger, but stay open to change based on our ever-changing industry.

CD: Where is home for you in Fort Worth?
Ida + Ted: Home has been in Monticello, Tanglewood, TCU, Ridglea North, and downtown Fort Worth for us. However, we recently purchased a modern house in Northcrest; a small neighborhood in west Fort Worth. We are currently renovating our home.

CD: And you drive a … let me guess, Range Rover?
Ida + Ted: Umm, you’re 50 percent correct. The other is bitter.

CD: What’s your favorite ‘hood in FTW and why?

Ida: My favorite neighborhood is Tanglewood for so many reasons…. the mature trees, running trails, the park, the cool mid-century modern houses sprinkled in the neighborhood, proximity to the Trinity Trails, and all the families. Our kids have been raised in Tanglewood for the majority of their life; strong ties remain in that community. Trader Joe’s makes it a plus plus!
Ted: I like the west side of Fort Worth; Rivercrest, Monticello, and Northcrest. They have great access to the Trinity Trails, nice hills for running and biking and fantastic architecture (with views!).

CD: What was your best/highest sale?

Ida: The best sale for me was probably a property located on Eagle Mountain Lake, which sold for approximately $3 million. The sale of that property created a new record high for home values. I loved being a part of that experience! The sellers also purchased their new multi-million dollar home later that week. It was certainly an occasion to celebrate!
Ted: I recently sold Fort Worth Magazine’s 2014 Dream House built by HGC. That was a pretty cool experience because I was able to see the project through the various construction and design stages while guiding the clients through the design selections along the way.

CD: Likewise, what was your most challenging or memorable transaction?

Ida: One of my most memorable transactions is selling a working cattle ranch. Literally, a working cattle ranch … only in Texas! This city girl put on her boots, adapted to the beautiful countryside, and sold that multi-million dollar Weatherford ranch within months. Very cool experience!
Ted: I was showing townhomes in the spring to a young couple and their parents from the East Coast. While we were in one of the homes, the tornado sirens began blaring. My clients FREAKED. We all (five of us) hid in a small coat closet until the storm passed. We eventually moved on to the next showing and the tornado had HIT THAT TOWN HOME moments before we arrived. Sure, in California we have our earthquakes, but man, this
Texas tornado stuff can really bring an agent closer to his clients!

CD: Tell us: What was the most interesting thing to happen to you while working with a client?

Ida: Well, the most shocking thing that has happened to me while showing houses was walking into a bedroom while a naked man was sleeping! The man was a medical student who worked long hours and his roommate forgot to tell him about our showing. He sat up in bed and we froze. Thankfully, he was understanding.
Ted: The most interesting (and unusual) thing that has happened while working with clients has to be when I locked myself out of my car. I was touring a new development with a young family with children on a 100-plus degree day in August. My iPhone was at less than 10 percent, the kids were thirsty and no one was nearby (GPS wouldn’t even identify the community roads). The good part is that the young family left to go have lunch. Bad part is that the family left to go have lunch! It took approximately 3 hours before the car was unlocked remotely. It was not a good day … and they didn’t even buy a house!

CD: How quickly have you ever turned a house?

Ida: Quick. One of the fun things about real estate is connecting people, defining their need and making things happen. Between our clients and the strong network of Williams Trew, we move lots of houses in Fort Worth. Definitely within 24 hours.
Ted: I received a call to list a property in Rivercrest. A couple hours later, we met with the estate managers and within 3 hours, Ida brought multiple offers. It was under contract within 4 hours of the original call.

CD: How much did you sell last year?
Ida + Ted: In 2014, we decided to officially work as a team to balance one another and maximize our strengths. Our 2014 was tremendous; 2015 is shaping up to be an even more successful year.

CD: What words of wisdom do you often share with clients?
Ida: Well, I constantly share my experiences with clients, making this question difficult to answer with one statement. The most important consideration when purchasing or selling a home has remained the same for generations: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.
Ted: To enjoy the home buying and/or selling process. Its all too easy to get wrapped up in counting dollars versus creating a home for your family (while maximizing the investment).

CD: If you ever change careers for an encore you’ll…
Ida: I would be lifestyle blogger to incorporate the things I am most passionate about; home design, fashion, decor, travel, cooking and people.
Ted: I would love to open a coffee & wine bar in Fort Worth someday. I’ve developed the business plan, chosen the wine, and accoutrement. Just push play.

CD: Do you have a second home? If so, where?
Ida + Ted: Ted’s family has a home in Santa Barbara, which we frequent. We plan to nurse this “second home” as long as its available.

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Joanna England is the Executive Editor at CandysDirt.com and covers the North Texas housing market.

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