Jacque Wachob, who has been selling real estate since 1992, has sold Southern Colorado Real Estate Brokers to Stephanie and Andrew Bratcher.
Wachob opened up her local real estate business, the largest in the valley, in 2005.
Stephanie and Jacque have worked together. Three years ago, Stephanie began working very part time at Jacque’s Pueblo office, one day a week. Stephanie continued with Jacque in Colorado City after the Pueblo office was closed.
This spring Wachob, who has been looking for an opportunity to retire, and Stephanie began talking about the possible purchase.
“I love this business,” shared Stephanie. “Andrew and I are so excited about this opportunity to have a family agency.”
Stephanie is a broker associate. Through the mentorship of Wachob, Stephanie will become a broker owner on February 4. From now until the 4th of February Wachob will help steer the Bratchers through the ins and outs of owning a real estate business.
“I hope to be a super consultant,” smiled Wachob. “I want to be the support behind the scenes. And,” she again smiled, “I don’t have to open the doors at 9:00 a.m. and lock them at 5:00 p.m.”
Wachob admitted a tear or two when she signed the papers. But it wasn’t a fear of the future for the agency. “I have every confidence in Stephanie and the job she will do. She will do things in her own way,” she paused. “She may even decorate a little.”
Brathchers moved to Colorado City from the Omaha area about eight years ago. They lived in Colorado City for two years with Southern Colorado Real Estate as their landlord, which is how they met Wachob. After a move to Pueblo West for five years they returned to Rye last year.
“We love it,” shared Stephanie. “There is no other place to live!”
Andrew works in a lab in Pueblo West and will be trading his lab coat for office management, tech support and marketing input for the new family business. They have a daughter, Louise, who attends Rye Elementary School.
“We love being part of the community,” Andrew shared.
“We support the events at Rye Elementary. We work here, we shop here, we spend time at the library and utilize the resources of the community.”
Not only will they be involved in the community as a family, they also plan to continue Wachob’s involvement in supporting the community. Southern Colorado Real Estate Brokers supports Rye High School sports and have a banner up at the gymnasium. They support the Colorado City Recreation Department by helping sponsor them, and have a sign at Greenhorn Meadows Park. For years PAWS for Life has received aid from Wachob and her agency, and they have supported the Hoofit4Harlie marathons.
“I’ve actively supported just about anything going on in the valley,” shared Wachob, “and Stephanie and Andrew have the same mindset about being involved in the community.”
When asked what she will do with all her time, Wachob pondered the question. “That’s a really good question,” she responded. “I’ll have to get some hobbies; I’ve been working 24-7 for so long it will be an adjustment.”
“We want to continue the path set by Jacque,” opined Stephanie. “She has built such an incredible business. We think that we can continue what she has put in motion and maybe add a little bit of a fresh perspective since we aren’t from the area. We want to help people to build their dreams.”
Andrew shared, “We just want to be a force for good in the valley. Whether you want to buy, sell, rent, or need someone to manage your property, we want you to feel good about what we can do to help you.”
“Exactly,” interjected Stephanie. “We want to help people succeed by doing everything we can to help.”
“I will still be licensed and active,” shared Wachob. “It’s not good-bye. There are so many friends here. Friendship won’t change because I sold my business.”