Karen Reneau

Karen Reneau, Managing Broker / Buyer’s Agent

I moved to the Methow Valley in 1987 with my husband Dave Ness.  We are lucky to have found this small and caring community to live, work and raise a family.  I am grateful for clean air and water, many friends and all the great recreation that we have at our doorstep.  I know the ski and bike trails well and often end up showing them to clients along with homes and land.

The most important part of my job is listening to people and asking the right questions. I enjoy working with Buyers and helping them find the right property.  I make sure that Buyers see every possible property available that might fit their needs and provide the most accurate information possible.  It is important that Buyers understand the area and everything about the property they buy.  This process takes time and a willingness to work with people over the long term which pays off in educated Buyers making good decisions.

Background and Job Experience

Real Estate Brokerage Experience:  Real Estate Broker / Owner of Methow Valley Realty, Inc. 1993 to 2010.   Working full time in real estate since 1990, first in writing contracts and administrative work and beginning in 2004 as an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent.

Real Estate Valuation Services:  Preparing Broker Price Opinions for LSI Market Intelligence, Clear Capital, Keystone Management, EMortgage Logic, Transunion, ProTek, PCV Murcor and other companies for several years.  Preparing valuation reports for private businesses, individuals and insurance companies.  This on-going work helps me keep current on local rents, commercial and home values.

Accounting and Business Experience:  Before becoming licensed as a real estate agent, I worked as a staff accountant in a variety of offices, CPA firms and as controller for Sun Mountain Lodge from 1987 to 1990.  My degree and background in accounting has been an advantage in the real estate field especially when dealing with commercial transactions, contracts and valuation analysis.

Building and Construction:  Since living in the Methow Valley, my husband Dave, and I have designed and built two homes and two commercial buildings. During our building projects Dave was responsible for the design and building.  I helped with planning and accounting, but also some of the manual labor.  Dave and I are do-it-yourself people.  We have worked hands on, gathering materials sanding and finishing interior woodwork, collecting river rocks, painting, installing floors, exterior siding, and tile work, and even dabbling in electrical and plumbing.  I have watched and scrutinized the construction process including excavation, foundation, framing, septic and sewer installations, parking lot plans and engineering.   Being a part of these projects has added experience and overall knowledge of property and improvements.

Education:  B.S. in Accounting from Louisiana State University 1982.

Board of Director and Volunteer Work

1994 to Present – Mazama Advisory Committee (MAC):  Members of this committee are appointed by Okanogan County Commissioners as an advisory group that deals with land use planning for the upper Methow Valley.  MAC has worked on many projects including updating the comprehensive plan for Mazama in 2000.  The MAC also instigated a sign ordinance, a vision statement and landowner information booklet.  The MAC continues to meet whenever there is a planned development, commercial proposal or upper valley land use issue needing discussion.

2003 to Present: Edelweiss Maintenance Commission: Member of the Long Range Planning Committee. Town of Winthrop :  Comprehensive Flood Hazard Plan.  Participated as an advisory committee member in this study which was completed by Golder Associates in July 2003.

Past board positions include Treasurer for Methow Listing Service 1996 – 2010, Treasurer for the Methow Valley Nordic Ski Team 2005 – 2007 and Treasurer and web site designer / maintenance person for the Edelweiss Maintenance Commission 2005 – 2010.