Bandana Realty (probably the oldest leasing company in Red River) is now officially Bandana Properties with new owners Beau and Katie McDowell, familiar faces. Because Bandana has always had a good client base of owners and customers, when the opportunity to purchase the company arose, “it was a no-brainer to buy it,” Beau commented. He and Katie hit the ground running with about 40 properties and 2 lodges (Ski View and Arrowhead), moving into a newly-purchased and beautifully decorated building at 518 E. Main Street.
Beau McDowell has been a Real Estate Broker at Calhoun Real Estate since 2003 (now also at Bandana Properties), and began doing Property Management in 2003, as well. For the past three years, he has strictly done sales; mostly sales of rental properties though. Growing up on a ranch in Clayton, NM, Beau learned ranching at a very early age; riding horses and “team roping” in rodeos; later studying at New Mexico State University for hotel & restaurant management and tourism. So hard work is not a stranger to him. Opening this new property management business is something he has wanted to do for a long time. Even though he has worked for himself in real estate, this is the first business that Beau has actually owned.
“The Red River real estate market is small, but easy to maintain. You must know your properties and be on your game. We don’t get 1st-time home buyers here. We get 10-times more experienced people than me, so you HAVE to know what you are talking about,” Beau stated. Since 2003, Beau has done 60-70 percent of the sales here in Red River through Calhoun Real Estate and will continue to grow through BANDANA PROPERTIES (sales and rental properties). They are here to stay!
Lodging is the first and last place a visitor goes to upon arrival and departure; so customer service, open communication, property cleanliness, and respectability during their stay is key. Beau has learned how to provide the best service at a cost that is affordable for everyone involved.
Bandana Properties new crew is: Beau, of course – Ben Butler (who they bought the business from) – Betty Gallagher – Mary Robinson – Jan Davis, who has been with Bandana since it started 30+ years ago – Miguel DeLamatta, who has been with Beau for a long time and will provide the professional services to keep the properties beautiful.
Starting a new business requires stepping out on a limb to see what happens. We say “Congratulations” to Beau and Katie (and their daughters Kamryn and Kayce), trusting that this limb will grow stronger with every step they take.
-Deborah Kay Neumann
Red River Miner Newspaper
