Forging Relationships
Many guests arrive in Jackson Hole with a known affinity for this place, but without knowing many people. Offering our connections as orientation, we strive to be our guests’ touchstone in the valley. The relationships we forge with guests often grow into lasting friendships.
Consider Foley Morrell: A mother of two twentysomething children, Foley arrived in Jackson from her native New Hampshire with warm associations of childhood vacations in the Tetons. The holiday she spent in one of our rental properties – a stunning residence on the Elk Refuge – proved so memorable, she returned the next fall. “She came back and fell in love with the place,” said Phil Stevenson, TCCG Founding Principal and Responsible Broker. All told, Foley has logged six rentals with TCCG in two years.
Foley’s affinity for Jackson and the TCCG experience evolved to the point that she inquired about purchasing the Elk Refuge residence. Phil relayed her interest to the owners, who while flattered, felt strongly about holding on to their Jackson Hole getaway. After several more stays, Foley revised her proposal: Would the owners consider selling if she offered them the opportunity to spend several months each year – gratis – in their former home? Despite the kindness, the owners again declined, as they love Jackson as much as Foley does.
When Phil learned (through the grapevine) that the last remaining Elk Refuge lot would soon be listed, he immediately called Foley. Interested, she asked him to contact the listing agent. “Within a week, we had the lot under contract,” Phil said. “She and her children were just ecstatic.”
Now, Phil is helping Foley plant roots in Jackson. Short of being her construction liaison, he has introduced her to local professionals with excellent credentials, including an attorney and a prospective construction lender. He drafted a Request for Proposal for both architectural and construction services, then arranged for the Morrell family to interview three architects and three contractors. Thus empowered, Foley made her selections, and with a preliminary design in hand, she is now interviewing interior designers – again introduced by Phil. “I’m the recommender and the facilitator,” Phil said. “I’m not telling her which route to take: I’m saying here are three great firms. I’m putting her in good hands.”
Beyond professional introductions, Phil also shares personal connections. After learning Foley’s daughter wants to build a career in environmental assessment, he contacted two Jackson organizations and lined up informational interviews for her.
The relationship Phil has forged with Foley has grown from rental guest into brokerage client and, once construction of her new home is complete, caretaking client. Going above and beyond, Phil has become Foley’s go-to advisor on valley affairs. Over the holidays, he is having Foley and her soon-to-be Elk Refuge neighbor over for cocktails. “So that they can get to know each other,” he said. As he has gotten to know Foley; in the course of building a professional rapport based on trust, they have become close friends. Such is the natural evolution of TCCG relationships.
TCCG RESPONSIBLE BROKER & FOUNDING PRINCIPAL: Phil Stevenson
[/av_one_fifth]A native of Natick, Massachusetts, Phil founded The Clear Creek Group in 2005 with his wife Betsy and their partner Morgan Bruemmer. From the very beginning Phil has been driven by a desire to provide personalized services to TCCG’s real estate clients, with a guiding principal of high quality, high touch.
