Michael Welk

JCAR’s second seat offers first-rate vision

“If you narrow your mind, you rule out possibilities,” says Mike Welk, JCAR’s newly seated chair-elect. “There are a lot of different angles. You have to be open to changes, and be prepared with knowledge.”

If he wasn’t so sincere and likable, Mike Welk might be mistaken for another over-optimistic motivational speaker. Fortunately, Welk is the real deal, offering encouraging insight rooted in experience.

“We’re not here to sell houses,” he says, in an easy voice both warm and professional. “We’re here more as home solvers.”

And problem solve he does. Before launching a career in real estate three years ago, Welk worked as a firefighter, a mortgage lender, and an internet technology expert.

“Problem solving has been a theme,” says Welk, who works with Your Castle Real Estate in Lakewood, and is also a real estate investor. “I’m always trying to be creative and innovative, and that’s important at this time in real estate.”

Though companies are folding and agents are wringing hands with worry, Welk doesn’t appear glum.

“It’s not all gloom and doom, especially in Denver,” says Welk, who is working more short sales and listings than in the past. “We’re starting to see the market stabilize. There are a lot of positive things happening. If you have a clean home that is affordable, this is a good product.”

It’s this upbeat message, along with detailed statistical market reports, that Welk shares with members during monthly JCAR meetings. Market conditions and education are his favorite topics, and he’s working hard to help members get the most from their association.

“JCAR is a home for members,” he notes. “JCAR is an excellent resource to help REALTORS build their business. Now is the time to take advantage of education and marketing resources available through JCAR.”

While many members take classes to fulfill credit requirements, Welk would like to see members take courses to simply learn more about the industry. There’s nothing Pollyanna when Welk speaks about the need for increased knowledge.

“This industry is so driven by fulfilling CE (continuing education) credits,” he says. “We need to spend time getting educated and being the best we can in the industry. We need to focus more on learning, which in turn makes us more professional. And then, we can educate the public about the value of an educated REALTOR.”