Coldwell Banker Island Properties is pleased to announce Chuck Garrett as our Managing Broker and General Manager for Oahu. In this role, Chuck will oversee the operations and strategic growth of our residential, projects, and commercial real estate sectors.
With an incredible reputation for leadership, agent growth, and business development, we thought it would be fun to introduce Chuck through a Q&A. Check out his responses below to learn more about Chuck’s professional background and some fun tidbits about his life outside of work.
Welcome to the team, Chuck!
1. What did you do before entering the real estate industry?
My first job as a sophomore in high school was as a janitor at the real estate office around the corner from my home. It was my first impression of residential real estate. Looking back, I realize that many aspects of that office environment are somewhat universal to our industry: the influential female broker/owner, the exceptionally busy top producer, and the dynamic husband and wife team. It was an excellent first job. I often joke about starting from the bottom in this business. During college, I worked at both a large photo finishing plant and a one-hour photo company. At age 24, I obtained my Hawaii real estate license and joined the Honolulu Board of REALTORS, in the era before the Internet when MLS books were the primary method of listing distribution.
2. What is it that drew you to real estate?
I was blessed to partner with two others opening a new boutique brokerage on Oahu. As the newbie, I managed the operations while learning to sell. We became the first CHRISTIE’S affiliate in Hawaii, and I found myself networking with some of the top brokers in the country, absorbing all I could from those early experiences. My principal broker was also an amazing mentor who introduced me to the Oahu real estate market/community and taught me the business.
3. What is your approach to business?
Although I personally sold real estate for 10 years, my interest primarily lay in the operations of the company and brokerage management. Once I shifted away from sales, I discovered that assisting agents in achieving their personal goals and helping their clients is the work I love. This realization hit me early in my management career, after a day consumed by agents’ issues and questions. “How many agents did you help today?” has since become my key performance indicator and guiding principle.
4. With our industry evolving rapidly, do you have any recommendations for agents in navigating these changes?
It’s beneficial for us to look beyond the dramatic headlines and embrace the positive aspects of the changes being implemented. We all benefit from a better-informed buyer and from a clear Buyer’s Representation agreement that outlines our fiduciary duty to the buyer and our compensation methods, similar to what we have with sellers. Buyers and sellers have always had a spectrum of service options, from limited to full service. Enhancing consumer understanding of these options and our compensation structures benefits everyone, leaving only a few adjustments as the new settlement conditions take effect. Strong brokerages like CBIP will lead in ensuring our sales professionals can adeptly navigate these changes.\
5. Why did you decided to join Coldwell Banker Island Properties?
The allure of joining a team of highly skilled professionals who are passionate about their work and the environment was undeniable. The energy at CBIP, among the agents, staff, and leadership, is truly inspiring. It’s evident that everyone loves working here.
6. What are you looking forward to in this new role?
I am excited about several aspects, particularly continuing to attract Oahu’s top talent to CBIP. Although CBIP has a significant market share on Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, it is relatively unknown on Oahu. Introducing CBIP to the Oahu marketplace is something I eagerly anticipate.
7. Do you have any hidden talents?
I taught myself HTML and website design in the early 2000s, often getting completely absorbed in designing or updating a website. Though it doesn’t come up as much anymore, nowadays, I get my creative fix through Canva.
8. What is your go-to karaoke song?
While I’m not typically a karaoke singer, if I had to choose, I’d pick a song by Randy Travis or Josh Turner, hoping to sound as good as I do in my car, lol.
9. What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading “Napoleon” by Andrew Roberts. My passion for history often makes me think I should have majored in it. I’m a huge fan of David McCullough. Considering the tumult of current times, it’s comforting to know humanity has survived even more tumultuous periods, offering a valuable perspective.
10. What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
I wouldn’t want to say anything that might alter the course of my life as it stands today, but I wish I could have been encouraged to “Stop worrying about what others think and follow your own instincts.”
Interested in working along side Chuck? Reach out to learn more about opportunities with Coldwell Banker Island Properties on Oahu which include residential sales, property management, vacation rentals and commercial real estate.
Chuck Garrett
Managing Broker & General Manager, Oahu
(808) 762-1473
chuck.garrett@islandproperties.com
