Feature Article
PROUD REALTOR® LOOKS BACK ON SUCCESS
Written By: Amber Craig
Published By: Calgary Real Estate News
Article Used with permission of the Calgary Real Estate Board. © Copyright Calgary Real Estate News, 2007
2008-08-21
Progressive is a word that can be used to describe both Chris Bolt’s career and himself. It’s been 35 years and counting since he became a member of the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®); during which time he has made significant contributions to the industry and the community.
Although Bolt was witness to many changes to Calgary real estate during his career, he says the fundamentals of the industry have remained the same.
“You still find the right property for the customer at a price they can afford,” says Bolt.
His career in real estate started at Canada Permanent Trust in 1973, where he was a salesman for nearly two years, and a manager for five. He later moved to Royal LePage, where he stayed for 10 years. He started off there as a branch manager in northwest Calgary and later filled the role of vice president. More recently, he served as broker of Sutton Group Canwest for 19 years until February of 2007.
He is a proud member of the real estate community--an industry he thoroughly enjoys.
“I like the interaction with the other REALTORS®, seeing them be successful is a heartwarming thing that keeps you going,” says Bolt.
Bolt was president of the Alberta Real Estate Association in 2003, and president of CREB® in 1999, or as Bolt refers to it, “the last president of the 20th century.”
During his tenure as president of CREB®, Bolt oversaw the construction of the board’s current address on Manning Road N.E.
“I was part of the driving force that got it started and was working with the builders and contractors,” says Bolt. “I wasn’t there to cut the ribbon but I did the rest of it.”
Arguably his most important position may have been president of the Charitable Foundation in 2003; when according to Bolt, he achieved one of his greatest accomplishments to date.
He says that year was the start of the foundation on a whole new route that saw the implementation of a housing project that made a great impact on the city. He’s referring to the Crestwood Housing Development.
Located in Millican-Ogden, the 60-unit, multi-residential building provides affordable housing to low-income families and persons with mobility difficulties.
“I was the guy who started that idea up,” says Bolt.
The housing project was built by the City of Calgary and had a budget of $13.2 million, thanks to funding from different levels of government, and a $1.5 million contribution from the Charitable Foundation.
Crestwood is located close to parks, schools, shopping and comes complete with an onsite play area and secure underground parking. The project, several years in the making, had its grand opening in January of this year.
“It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it,” says Bolt.
Currently, Bolt is working on a new project, the launch of his new company Chris Bolt International Realty.
“It’s going to be a whole new concept of a company, a virtual company,” says Bolt.
The company has no physical location, everyone works on the Internet.
An idea well-suited to Bolt, who claims the industry has become more electronic. Bolt, who now resides in Victoria, is joining with another company based out of British Columbia called Sotheby’s International Realty.
Bolt has his brokers license in both Alberta and British Columbia.
“We’ll be able to do business back and forth between the two provinces,” says Bolt.
On August 1, Chris Bolt International Realty officially became a member of CREB®.
This article was written for Calgary Real Estate News, a division of the Calgary Real Estate Board, for the series “Legends of Real Estate” showcasing important members of the Calgary Real Estate Board. Please visit the Calgary Real Estate Board online.This article is part of the collection of the Calgary Real Estate News. Please visit them online.