Lakeshore Realty marks 20 years, countless friends

Location, location, location.

It’s the most important rule in real estate — and one that Anne Anderson lives by.

In 2000, Anderson moved her fledgling real estate company, Lakeshore Realty, to a spot nestled against the east side of Tubbs Hill.

At the time, it was a warehouse that NIC used for repairing boats. Twenty years later, it’s the only boutique real estate company on the lake.

“Being by the water, in a really beautiful location, was key to me,” Anderson said.

The industry landscape was changing then, she recalled. Real estate companies were combining and changing structure.

“I thought I was going to be a one-woman shop,” said Anderson, who began her real estate career in 1987.

But she picked up agents, who brought with them an established client base. Lakeshore Realty grew rapidly and hasn’t stopped.

Around 30 Realtors hang their licenses at Lakeshore Realty, six of whom are licensed in Washington state as well. Lakeshore Realty also has affiliate offices in Sandpoint and in Woodinville, Wash.

Still, Anderson said she thinks of Lakeshore Realty as a boutique similar to a specialty restaurant — small and personable — compared to the real estate mega brands that are more like “fast food.”

“We’re here to help people realize their real estate dreams, whether it’s a shack on the shore or large apartment buildings,” Anderson said.

That commitment to personalized service is what keeps her clients coming back.

“We’re not here to close a deal and walk away,” she said. “We’re here for the long-term.”

Throughout her career, Anderson has developed affordable housing, planned and marketed subdivision and condo developments, sold commercial properties and assisted in leasing opportunities. She’s sold thousands of single-family homes, from HUD homes to high-end luxury properties. Her largest development was a 72-unit apartment complex.

She said that she’s helped the same clients purchase their first home and their first investment properties later on. She has worked with families into the third generation of family members.

Anderson recently helped Amber and Tyler Wagstaff find an investment property in Coeur d’Alene. The couple first learned about Lakeshore Realty through word of mouth, from a friend who described Anderson as professional and knowledgeable about the community.

Amber Wagstaff said her experience with Lakeshore Realty was significantly better than experiences with other real estate companies.

“We were really blown away at how different it was,” she said. “In another experience, we felt like we were on our own. Anne was ready and on top of things.”

Wagstaff said she felt that Anderson had her back throughout the process.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a million-dollar property or your first home,” Wagstaff said. “She’s there for you.”

Wagstaff noted that Anderson took the time to get to know her on a personal level and understand what she was looking for in a property.

Listening skills and patience are part of what make a good real estate agent, according to Linda Ball, who worked with Anderson at a real estate company for about four years before becoming a journalist. A strong sense of ethics is also key.

“Real estate can get a little bit cutthroat,” said Ball, who worked in the industry for 20 years, in both Alaska and Idaho. “But Anne was never like that.”

Two years ago, Anderson helped Ball buy a home in Liberty Lake, Wash.

“It doesn’t matter how big or small the transaction,” Ball said. “I got just as much attention as somebody buying a commercial property.”

In 2019, Anne was named Member of the Year by the Women’s Council of Realtors. She was recognized in part because of her efforts to advise and inspire others.

“It was quite the honor,” Anderson said.

Anderson has earned the certified commercial investment management (CCIM) designation, which denotes her expertise in the commercial real estate industry. She was the first woman to earn the CCIM designation in the state of Idaho.

Additionally, she was the 2004 Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors president, past president of the Inland Northwest CCIM chapter, served for four years as a State Education Council representative from 2014 to 2018 and 2014 Women’s Council Entrepreneur of the Year.

Buying real estate is an emotional process, Anderson said. She wants to be “the calm in the storm” for her clients, acting as a guide.

“I use the word ‘navigate’ often, because it really is a journey through the real estate process,” she said. “Longevity comes from helping people patiently through the years.”

Info: www.lakeshorenw.com