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TO THE PEAKS AND FULFILL YOUR DREAMS
RICK RADUZINER
Written
by Robert Frohlich
Author “Mountain Dreamers”
Rick Raduziner recalls the first time in 1988 that
he sighted Lake Tahoe.
"It
remains one of the most natural and emotional highs
of my life," smiles Rick ". My Toyota station
wagon was loaded to the gills. It was late October
and I was moving into the Basin. I had never been
to Lake Tahoe before. I saw glimpses of the lake while
driving past Camp Richardson. Then it unfolded before
my eyes at Emerald Bay. It was an almost out-of-body
experience, brawny and happy, a tunnel of light. The
wow factor was huge."
Fifteen
years later Lake Tahoe still feels magical to Rick.
He happily concedes that Tahoe’s winter wonderland
and summer fun continue to cast their spell over him.
"
The ever changing faces of the lake, riding chairlifts
during giant snowstorms, the excitement of fresh tracks,
the tall trees of Sugarpine and Red Cedar, even having
a coffee with friends at a local bistro... there's
no other place like Tahoe," admits Rick in his
personable manner.
Raised
in Colorado, Rick attended Western State College on
a golf scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of
Arts in both Economics and Business Administration
with an emphasis in Finance. A lifelong skier, it
was soon after college graduation that thoughts of
mountain life beckoned.
"I'd
been living in Southern California with aspirations
of making the PGA Golf Tour," he recalls. "In
college I’d told myself that I’d never
be in residential real estate. Then I moved here and
was just drawn to the beauty and the opportunities
to make a life here for myself. What inspired me most
was the open receptiveness of Tahoe people who retained
a fresh western optimism. It’s made me say never
say never again!"
The
successful Realtor’s pedigree in many ways mirrors
the spirit and time-honored traditions of mountain
living. Unguarded, visionary and individualistic as
all hell, he exudes a "that’s-a-good-idea-let’s-do
that" spirit. Personable and energetic, the founder
and driving force of Mountain High Real Estate continues
to enjoy all that Tahoe offers. His enthusiasm for
mountain life is contagious.
"Tahoe
is my home. Its natural beauty combined with the relaxed
pace and friendly, safe communities make for a wonderful
place to be. Living in such an outdoor focused area
is very sensory. The special moments of residing and
playing in the mountains never cease. Every time I
am out floating on the water or carving turns over
snow, I realize just how lucky I am to live in Tahoe,"
explains Rick.
Real
estate, many mourn, has become more of an industry,
less a personable involvement. Yet as the realities
of finance, seasonality, escalating costs, mortgage
lending, environmentalism and stewardship sink in,
Realtors such as Rick have blended business acumen
with their considerable mountain living backgrounds.
During
his first winter in Tahoe, Rick taught skiing while
getting his real estate license. He started selling
in Carnelian Bay for Bud Jones, one of Tahoe’s
original and most respected Realtors.
"Bud
taught me what the real fabric of real estate is all
about," explains Rick who has sold over $60 million
worth of his real estate in his career. "He taught
me about its’ moral high ground, of taking to
heart the client’s best interest. He taught
me the importance of how to get things done properly,
of being professionally cooperative with other brokers,
of anticipating problems before they arise, and, most
of all, negotiating contracts that accurately represent
the client’s terms and conditions."
Since
apprenticing under Bud Jones, Rick has gone on to
launch properties for the Intrawest Corporation and
helped develop the resale office of the private golf
community known as Lahontan, whose properties he is
still closely associated. He has also developed his
own properties, building eight custom homes in the
Tahoe area.
After
15 years Rick knows and understands the ever-changing
Tahoe marketplace. From his office at Mountain High
Real Estate in Tahoe City, Rick offers complete real
estate services that deal in all Lake Tahoe properties,
including Lahontan real estate and Truckee real estate
currently for sale.
"A
high percentage of home buyers are from outside the
area. Often buyers don’t know exactly what they
want. They need and deserve reliable information and
a hands-on approach. I can help educate clients to
make informed decisions. I love architecture. I love
design. I know how a house breathes and feels. Being
a developer I know about the start to finish process.
I can tell a client about the type of craftsmanship
a home contains. This is a significant advantage towards
pricing and representing a home," Rick explains.
When
not in the office or looking at property, Rick enjoys
the summer months golfing, boating, hiking and motorcycling
the mountain roads of the Sierra Nevada. During winter,
Rick can be found often on mountain slopes as a Masters
Race Coach, Professional Ski Instructor’s of
America divisional trainer and examiner, or just enjoying
snow mantled romps with friends. A notable and active
member of his North Shore community, the popular and
ever buoyant Rick never tires of meeting people and
turning them on to the Tahoe lifestyle.
"Tahoe
is a special place. Over the last 15 years the majority
of my clients have become friends and their friends
have become friends. I think one of the reasons is
that I take pride in doing a great job for my clients.
I personally become involved with them in obtaining
a great property," says Rick. The Sierra spirit
is alive and in good hands at Mountain High Real Estate.
“I tell my clients to look to the peaks and
fulfill your dreams."
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