This past weekend (Labor Day) is the annual Colorado Springs Balloon Classic. This is a terrific event for kids, families and the overall community. With so much negative news it was a pleasure to be able to focus on something that brings joy to so many people.
This year was different for me becuase I was a crew member for a balloon pilot. What I discovered is that a pilot of a hot air balloon is very similar to being a Real Estate Broker working a contract. We are dependent on many people doing their jobs and yet good agents, like pilots, are prepared to do everyone's job if needed. The ease of the transaction (or balloon flight) is dependent on how all the different jobs are performed. Being a chaser is fun because you have to be prepared to "chase" the balloon and plan for following it on roads you know about as it travels across town. After landing, the balloon is packed back up by the pilot and chase crew and champagn is served to celebrate a successful flight.
Saturday night is the first night of "Balloon Glows". This is where balloons are aired up and ready for flight but tethered to a truck or structure to keep them on the ground. As the crowd counts down to one and together yells, "Glow" all the pilots ignite their propane gas and "light up" their balloon. This particular night we had winds and gusts of up to 12 - 15 miles per hour. That may not seem like much but put a 10 story balloon in the air and you quickly discover the power of wind and also the power of a 10 story balloon. Over and above all of that add the crowds walking around (in the dark) and trying to appropriately ask people to please not step on the balloon or the ropes as it is going up or going down (reminded me a lot of friends/family remembers of a buyer or seller with their input. It can be hazardous to everyone involved whether it is a balloon classic or buying/selling real estate.
In real estate, we have a simiilar experience with both the buyers and sellers doing their parts; the listing and selling agents doing their jobs, the inspector doing his/her job, the appraiser doing their job and the lender and title companies doing their jobs. There can be more people involved but this is probalby the best representative of a "standard experience". If one of these people were to be like the balloons and the ropes, the balloon itself, the basket, the propane tanks, igniter switches or the wind, the entire transaction can be hampered by this.
As we all know successful closings require an open mind, diligengent follow-up and communication by all parties. Its not that something won't come up but more about how to deal with it when it does. Are you going to be someone who drops a rope for a balloon pilot or the pilot who navigates the balloon and the crew as the wind gust happens.
For this week, this month and the rest of this year, my wish for all of you is the peaceful calm of a balloon ride in all of your business dealings and real estate transactions.
About the Author: Kelly Young, GRI
- Author's website: www.sellmyhomeincoloradosprings.com
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Kelly is an Associate Broker with Red Rock Realty. She has over 12 years experience in Real Estate in the Colorado Springs and Front Range region of Colorado. She represents buyers and sellers of real estate buying homes, land for sale, mountain getaways. Specific areas include: Black Forest, Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Divide, Falcon, Downtown, Manitou Springs, Monument, Old Colorado City, Westside, Woodmen Hills and Woodland Park. You can reach her at 719-226-0126 or by clicking "email the author" above.
Hi Kelly, this is really interesting to hear first hand what it is like to be part of a crew. Your comparision to real estate is great! It sounds like being on the chasers can be quiet challenging.
Take care,
Sondra, it was amazing and I was so suprised about how much there is and also how fun it is to be involved. We knew the pilot and he asked us if we would be willing to crew but you can volunteer and be assigned to a balloon for next year. Great fun!