David Pike
Working for tips

David Pike has the recipe for success: Blend one part financial savvy with two parts customer service.

As an accountant-turned-restaurateur-turned Realtor, Pike’s formula has been a career hit.

“I think the secret is that every successful Realtor should have to work for tips. We are service providers,” he says.

He’s not joking. Pike, the father of two young boys, spent many years keeping guests happy in the restaurant and hospitality business. He worked his way through high school and college with a job at Howard Johnson (while also earning an accounting degree).

In the late 1970s, he purchased Zang Brewing Company, one of Denver’s earliest brewpubs and a landmark sports bar, located at I-25 and 23rd Avenue. At the time, Downtown Denver seemed more hopeless than hip, and turned into a ghost town at nightfall. Still, Pike took the investment risk and owned Zang for 10 years.

“That got my appetite wet for real estate. I really learned about the power of time and money,” he says.

After that, he moved to Hawaii, where for several years he owned and operated a restaurant.

When he returned to Denver he was ready to jump into a full-time real estate career.

“I was looking for something with unlimited income potential and low overhead. And I wanted to spend more time with the kids,” he explains. He spent a bit of time in commercial sales but since 1995 has concentrated on residential real estate with a Jefferson County focus. He works in the Coldwell Banker office located in West Lakewood.

After more than a decade in real estate and restaurants, Pike’s advice is simple and clear:
“Work on your service,” he says. “There’s a lot of good people out there who can help you with contracts and the more technical aspects. The secret is to create good service.”

Pike was recently elected to the JCAR Board of Directors for a three year term. He has no immediate committee plans but hopes to find where he best fits. “For the first few months I’m going to keep my eyes open and my mouth shut,” he says.

“The whole industry is changing,” Pike explains. “I joined the Board because I’m selfish – I want to be the first to know of those changes.”

Did You Know:

Home is where the heart is: Originally from Boston, where he attended college, David Pike makes his home in Jefferson County, and lives near Fox Hollow Golf Course.

Foothills roots: He spent 12 years working in Genesee and still handles some mountain property transactions.

The next generation: Pike has two boys, ages 9 and 12.