Real Estate Realities opens membership to other industries

Carol Wood

Business Report Staff Writer
FORT COLLINS — Real Estate Realities Inc., the business-oriented charity that helps generate funds for abused and neglected children in Larimer County, is expanding its membership beyond those in the real-estate community.
Since its inception two years ago by Craig Secher, a former Larimer County child-protection case manager, Real Estate Realities has raised funds by offering memberships to real-estate agents, mortgage brokers and other related businesses.
After screening, prospective members are invited to join Real Estate Realities by paying an annual fee that earns them a spot in Real Estate Realities˜ literature and client handbook, as well as visibility at promotional events throughout the year.
Much of the fees then are distributed to severely abused and neglected children in the county who otherwise might fall through the cracks. In the last year, Real Estate Realities generated in excess of $20,000 that was used to meet the needs of children.
Secher then offers free, one-on-one consulting to prospective home owners about the process of buying or selling real estate. The service is provided at no cost or obligation to the client, who before entering into a real-estate transaction can learn about agency, different real-estate brokerage relationships, simple methods of buying a home, or securing its financing.
As part of the free consultations, Secher provides the client with a list of Real Estate Realities˜ members. The clients are urged to select their agents and lenders from the members, and through their selection support the fight against child abuse. Member agents and companies offer commission discounts and other incentives to home buyers and sellers who use their services.
Last month, Secher opened the program to businesses outside of real estate.
"Several other businesses in the community have expressed an interest in helping," he said.
The community sponsorship program was launched to find 10 businesses in Fort Collins and 10 in Loveland that want to assist abused children. Any sort of business can pay a $500 annual fee to Real Estate Realities and earn a spot in the handbook and literature that he distributes to home owners with whom he consults. They also are recognized at Real Estate Realities˜ community events that include an annual pool tournament and foster children˜s Christmas party.
"It˜s a way sponsors can benefit while helping kids," he said.
Already, nine Fort Collins businesses have signed up. They are: Phone Connection, Norlarco Credit Union, Elliott˜s Martini Bar, EGiL Painting, Verinet Communications, Security Products & Services, Cottman Transmission, E&H Auto Performance and Miramont Sport Center. The campaign to enroll 10 Loveland businesses begins this month.
Secher said that 100 percent of the fee will go directly to local abused and neglected children. Corporate sponsors will be acknowledged as supporters of Real Estate Realities at business expositions, booths, community displays and events that Real Estate Realities sponsors. The sponsors also will have rights to use the Real Estate Realities logo to advertise their participation in the community program and be added to the Real Estate Realities Web site.
Additionally, Secher produces a monthly newsletter for all members that provides up-to-date information on which specific services and children benefitted from Real Estate Realities.
Secher conceived of the program after his years as a child-protection case manager made it apparent that there is not enough government funding to help severely abused and neglected kids.