Century 21 under new ownership

BONNERS FERRY — The Bonners Ferry Century 21 Four Seasons Realty, next to Safeway, has recently had an ownership change.

Broker Mike Peterson, who is now the former owner of the business, is passing the torch to Broker, and now owner, Kirsten Madden.

Peterson hails from southern California, and happened to vacation in Boundary County, which spurred his decision to move here.

“The people here are fantastic, that is why I came here,” said Peterson.

Peterson has been in the realty industry for about 30 years, and after his move to Bonners Ferry, he and his wife purchased three properties through the existing Realtors at the time.

“At that time, a lot of that stuff was done on a handshake, and I loved it,” said Peterson. “We ended up going to three different competitors and purchasing three different properties.”

With prior experience in the real estate market, Peterson was quickly hired as a Realtor for the local Century 21 office, and eventually purchased it from his predecessor.

As Peterson learned the ropes of the community and how involved everyone was with one another, he began to see how combining resources would be more beneficial than fighting over them. He decided to join the Coeur d’Alene Multiple Listing Service (MLS), following the experience, and expanding the idea to bring it to Boundary County as Selkirk MLS. The groups enlist all of the Realtors and properties in the area in a multiple listing service, which gives them an open communication while gaining a common goal.

“I have a philosophy of truly representing the seller, not which agency sells the property,” said Peterson. “With the internet and technological advancement, it will eventually go regional.”

People in the Selkirk MLS are in Boundary County, then there are the Bonner County, and Kootenai County chapters.

Kirsten Madden has recently taken the reins as owner at the Boundary County Century 21, as Peterson has decided to retire and have more time with his family and ranch, but plans to swing by the office every once in awhile to say hello.

Madden has been working with Peterson for about five years, but has been in the industry for about 10 years. Previously, she was working for the First American Title Company while it was open in town.

“It was what I knew and loved, and what I was good at,” said Madden. “So when they closed their doors, is when Steve Carey asked me why I shouldn’t get my real estate license. It had been something I had thought about, so I jumped at it.”

After getting her foot in the door with the encouragement from her friend at Shelman Realty, Madden was offered a job at Century 21, which she cordially accepted.

“I think Mike did a great job bringing a team together, and the carry on of that is, sort of, the legacy that he started here,” said Sales Associate Jim Greenslitt. “We have a team that works together very well in a very work friendly environment. That has enabled us to hit the ground running, and this has been a seamless transition.”

“It’s almost more of a family than it is of a team,” said Madden.

With a strong team comes maximum performance, both within and out of the office, and encouraging each team member not only boosts morale, but sets a form of friendship and respect for one another.

“Our tremendous office manager that has transitioned things over very well on her end, and we feel that we are well set to serve the community in purchasing or selling property,” said Greenslitt. “We welcome everybody, and we look forward to assisting them in any way that we can.”

“We have a great staff, and I am so excited to work with them,” said Madden.

Purchasing an existing business not only gives the new owner existing clients, but brings a good name with it, which attracts new clientele.

“I really want to thank everybody, my family, Mike, hugely Mike, and the business associates that believed in me,” said Madden. “There was some people out there that kind of pushed me into taking the leap, and it was a good decision, and it is a big thing to do. There were people that believed in me enough that they were pushing me off that ledge, so I definitely want to say a huge thank you to them for that.”

“It’s been a great ride and I have enjoyed the heck out of it,” said Peterson.

“I look forward to serving the community. We really want to focus on relationships, as relationships are huge, both within the industry, with the clients, with the community, as well as providing competent and superior service,” said Madden.

For more information or to contact a broker, visit 6521 Walker Lane in Bonners Ferry, or visit www.c21fourseasons.net